The agony of waiting.........

Soon to be replaced replaced by the euphoria of classic mini ownership and all that it comes with -- the good and the frustrating .

Skillet - we are all waiting with you

 

LOL, from what I've been ready, it sounds like it's a love/hate relationship I'm doing searches in here, and ImagoX has monthly bill threads, can't wait

 

Hope the little 85 year old grandma is ok.

 

Ok....?

 

the amount of money you saved on the cost of purchasing a classic mini will compensate for the cost of owning one.....get the haynes manuel and make sure you do the weekly check ups and the monthly check ups....pre-emptive maintence will save you alot of headaches and money for the future of this mini

 

Sorry, I just meant that I hope she is doing well on her journey. She's 85!

 

OK, found out some more info. It's an Auto with 31K miles She's also staying until Monday with Apple, so I'm not sure yet whether I'll be flying in tomorrow night or Thursday night

Big Norm, thanks for that bit of info. I'll look into a Haynes.

 

You had me worrying there for a bit...

 

 

Another thing, with this being an auto, will there be a need for extra caution on the way home? I would check the tranny level at all stops along with everything else, but wasn't sure about cruising speeds and stuff... Thanks!

 

The automatic drives really well. Make sure you're in the right gear before you go driving off (Drive is at the very bottom) and use the emergency brake when you park (there's no park setting so leave it in netural). The transmission uses the same oil as the engine so just check the oil and you should be good.

 

LOL, really? No Park, and it uses engine oil...? Interesting I've been looking for close up pictures of the automatics, but I'm having some difficulty...I'll keep looking.

 

The shifter is on the floor and the pattern is "R N 1 2 3 D" R is at the top and D is the bottom. You pull up on the shaft of the shifter to change it. It's not that hard to get used to once you see it.

 

So there's no "put your foot on the brake to release the shifter?" Just pull up and go...how cool!

 

well you have to have your foot on the brake to move it from neutral and reverse but not for the forward drive gears. and the car always has to be in neutral to start. If you turn the key and it doesn't do anything but the lights come on make sure you're in neutral first and then try again.

 

 

If this Mini is an auto, be sure to change the engine oil OFTEN! Not the best auto ever made and sharing the engine oil exacerbates the situation. A good PM schedule will extend the life. This is the same auto as in the Austin Americas. When you need parts you'll need to link up with some of those enthusiasts for leads, too.
http://www.austinamericausa.com/
http://www.bmc1100.co.uk/

[FONT=Arial] [/FONT]
[SIZE=5]Rebuild Parts Order:[/SIZE]
The only source in the world for AP Automatic Transmission Parts is "JPAT" in England. Visit their website at: http://www.jpat.co.uk/ Telephone them at: 1954-852772

To view and print out JPAT's exploded AP Automatic Transmission Parts Diagram, click on this link: http://www.jpat.co.uk/jpat_pdfs/AP2%2014_11_2000.pdf

 

Thank you

 

lol. i know nothing about classics:(

 

It's all good. Neither do I, but I'm ready to learn. Has she arrived yet? Any photos? I also forgot to ask if this was right hand drive or left hand. I'd assume left hand, but ya never know

 

Ooh, another thing I was thinking about last night, is there a special filter or oil I should use? I buy my filters for my '03 from Classic, and run synthetic (5w30)...I didn't know if before I head out from Florida if I can just stop at any Jiffy Lube and have them do it?

 

someone is excited

 

You have no idea... I was reading ImagoX's thread about why he loves his classic, and I can't wait for the days that I can take my son to school in it. I can hear the kids now. I have been planning on purchasing a MINI so we could both work on it together...father-son bonding time (something that I really haven't had with my father)...anyways...yeah, can't wait

 

JL will not have the filter.....stick to regular 10/30 or 10/40 Castrol.
You can order the filter from MM. Oil should be changed every 1-2k max.....it must be babied at all times and cannot be abused like a manual mini.

 

OK, so custom filter, regular oil...Will I be fine on the trip home? I have no clue when the last time she changed the oil was...at this point it's too late to order a filter and have it for the trip...hmm...