hey guys was wondering can any1 of u guys can help me out with importing my very first mini from japan?

1) what the differences between the old mini cooper s 60s/70s to the early 90s rover 1.3 mini?... they seem to be priced pretty much the same!

2) wiith the import, is there a company in victoria/melb that specialises in bringin them to australia? i know of heaps that bring in the typical asian cars like skyline n stuff...but which are the ones that could actually help bring me a mini?

3) where abts do u guys go to look for minis in japan?

any other info/help is GREATLY appreciated!~

regards
ryan

Hi Ryan,

Check out http://www.ozcooper.com.au they are a major importer of Jap minis. Apparently there are new Australian restrictions to cars with certain types of air conditioning which prevents any Jap minis of the 1990's being imported.

I have found a few floating around here and there and I have gone to see the one that is $16999 BRG 1.3i on sale on www.autotrader.com.au in (NSW though) and it is not a bad car, but for $17k I could probably get a better-than-new Cooper S MkI or MkII 1960's!!! (I'd rather that!) and have change left over!

The biggest difference would be the engine, Rover 1990's Minis are multipoint EFI engine with airconditioning. I am sure it is heavier, and runs slower . Otherwise it should be devoid of rust although I would still check in the usual spots, and the Japs are notorious for revving the S*$T out of their cars so I would be careful (as I would with all Jap imports). I think the Rovers are all dry cone suspension. Also there is a big deal about winding back the clock before importing into the country, this happens alot with Skylines and Supras etc, I am almost 100% sure my friend's Skyline GTSt is wound back. It happens offshore so there is no way of policing it...

To me if a mini aint got an SU or two it aint a real mini hehe

Anyway call around and use the net. Make sure you get what you pay for cause $16000 is alot of money for a mini... Good luck!

alright what are the things i should look out for when choosin a mini?...ive found a couple (rover 1.,3 minis) in NSW and will be travellin up to visit them!

however im just a dumb guy thats attrached to chrome n knows nothing abt the mechanical aspects! rust? what n where should i look at?...

n ive heard that the early 90s rover mini aint that reliable?...but im thinkin it sure beats driving a mini thats made in the 60s?.....since its more 'updated'???....what sorta problems has there been with the rover?

any1

ryan

Well Ryan, first thing I would do is to look at as many as possible.

The more you look the more you will find out.

If you are in Melbourne, (you should have your location in your profile), you could always come along to any of the Victorian Mini Club social runs as you will see several Rover 1.3i single point fuel injected minis there. My husband owns one as his daily driver (100kms per day). There are several others and some have been bought from different places.

Ask questions and listen to what people tell you and then make a decision.

It is a lot of money so take your time would be my advice.

One thing to look out for is that some places advertise these minis as Coopers and charge accordingly however a lot of the time they are not Coopers at all. Coopers have different engine specs so watch out for this.

Hope all this helps.

You are most welcome to attend any club events as a visitor. Check out the website at http://www.mini.org.au for event dates and times.

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mutant mini 1380cc '73 UK imp-Chroma Lusion-leather interior-8 x 300W Diamond Audio Dual Voice Coil 8" subs, Phoenix Gold 4 chnl amp, Pioneer 7550 DVD, 2x Phoenix Gold A1.800d MonoBlock Amp, Focal Utopia splits, 14" chrome rims 195/40/14 tyres

yeah that was what im was plannin to do.....2 educate myself by looking at lotsa diff minis

is there like a mini workshop in melbourne?...like with the mgb (mgworkshops n pickards)

and seems like the gov for the time-being has stopped the importin of minis to australia =(

where else can i go look for a rover 1.3?....besides asmini, tradingpost??

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98 brg rover

I own a Rover 1.3i from japan.(my first car)
It has spi with air con. The only real trouble i have had with it is wiring, it seems to be running everywhere which caused some idling troubles as some wires had frayed.

Apart from that it is a fantastic car thet has ample power for a 1.3! being fuel injected. I bought mine from ozcooper and he was really helpful and knowledgeble, my car came with 12months rego, 3 year warranty, new seat belts. side intrusion bars, new tyres etc.

with the new rules the government brought in now import costs are higher as testing requirements stricter.

how much did u get it for?....from what im seein on the website, ozcooper is kinda expenisve! im guessin your car would easily set u back a whoopin 15-18K? since it comes with a 3 yr warranty too....

my budget is abt 10-11K...fir a 93 model

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98 brg rover

Payed $13 500. But its a Mayfair not cooper, I think you add quite a bit once its a cooper for the same engine spec. Mine has wooden dash and apart from the white roof, stripes and badges i cant notiice much difference(mind you im no expert)

For that price he fixed a faulty clutch, new exhuast as it had a leak and any other problems with the car which was included in the price.

I love the car and if i had a choice again i would buy it.

Payed $13 500. But its a Mayfair not cooper, I think you add quite a bit once its a cooper for the same engine spec. Mine has wooden dash and apart from the white roof, stripes and badges i cant notiice much difference(mind you im no expert)

For that price he fixed a faulty clutch, new exhuast as it had a leak and any other problems with the car which was included in the price.

I love the car and if i had a choice again i would buy it.

Payed $13 500. But its a Mayfair not cooper, I think you add quite a bit once its a cooper for the same engine spec. Mine has wooden dash and apart from the white roof, stripes and badges i cant notiice much difference(mind you im no expert)

For that price he fixed a faulty clutch, new exhuast as it had a leak and any other problems with the car which was included in the price.

I love the car and if i had a choice again i would buy it.