regarding the Mini, heck ive had enough to know.
You have got to be a car enthusiast to own one, specifically a Mini enthusiast really. For most who just want to park the car, turn the key and drive, don;t get a Mini please - its a waste of a good car and it CERTAINLY WILL rust before your eyes.
Roger, I looked at an unregistered Mini Cooper Sport 500 back about 8 years ago, and it was rusting before it had even seen owner #1. They were built in from 59 with tinworm, and still had tinworm uptil the very last one.
I have rebuilt 2, and rebuilt properly. BL didn't paint under the panels, so under the wings were pretty much bare metal, and when Ive done them they have been pre-painted, welded properly, then painted again - this was just underneath. I did a Mini and used it daily for two years and after two years it needed a rebuild again!! although it had been waxoyled 6monthly too! It got sold and I rescued another.
The next thing is, how did you justify using a 1380cc mini daily, it'll drink more fuel than a modern 200bhp hatch!!!! They certainly aren't as economical as modern cars, they were in there day, but not now. I had a 1275cc Mini with a few tweeks, and when I did the London to Brighton it averaged 20mpg.
Really, I love Mini's, please leave them to the enthusiasts to own otherwise there'll be none left.