7 replies to this topic

[lee&janmundy]

apart from the obviuos i mean

just found out mines an mpi (96p cooper) aparantly this is when they changed from spi to mpi

what makes it better or worse if so!

cheers

[miniboy1971]

apart from the obviuos i mean

just found out mines an mpi (96p cooper) aparantly this is when they changed from spi to mpi

what makes it better or worse if so!

cheers

I've had one of each and I prefer the MPi because.....

The new cooling system seems to be alot more reliable (and quieter)
There's a decent fuse box inside the cabin and no silly glass fuses tucked under the scuttle to go wrong.
More refined due to better noise insulation and smoother, quieter engine (due to long legged final drive)
The different final drive does stunt acceleration and turns it into a three speed, but it's quieter for motorway runs.
Better switchgear/stalks.
Some safety features (airbag, side impact bars, seatbelt tensioners) for what there worth
Better lights (but with pointless adjustment)

And the real clincher....a TWO SPEED FAN on the heater....how did we do without this !!!

[L.Hurst]

apart from the obviuos i mean


There's a decent fuse box inside the cabin and no silly glass fuses tucked under the scuttle to go wrong.

Some safety features (airbag, side impact bars, seatbelt tensioners) for what there worth

I have a shell, but i thought it was a SPI. It is p reg cooper, so 1996, but now you have said that the MPI have a bifferent fuse box and airbag, i am wondering if it is a MPI. There is no engine so I can not tell that way.
I have a fuse box in the cabit with alot of modern fuses and a airbag safety.

so is it a MPI???

[miniboy1971]

If its got the internal fuse box on the drivers side with blade fuses then its sure to be an Mpi.

I suppose its possible you could fit an old airbag steering wheel to an Spi so this is not a sure fire way of knowing.

I think all the Spi's had a hole in the inner wing for an electric fan to boost up the cooling on the old side mounted radiator. The Mpi's don't have this as the radiator is mounted along the front.

I think there is also a slight cut away along the bottom edge of the front panel behind the grille to allow for this Mpi radiator which the Spi won't have.

The Spi's also had a wing mounted radio ariel, the Mpi is roof mounted.

If the screen is original it will have an airbag logo near the rear view mirror. This mirror is stuck onto the windscreen in the Mpi, ceiling mounted on the Spi.

I'm sure there are other subtle differences that the real boffins on here will know about, but chances are its an Mpi

Edited by miniboy1971, 13 March 2009 - 10:28 PM.

[tmsmini]

Some of the last SPi may have had the internal fuse box a well as those intended for the Japanese market.

[lee&janmundy]

i was told today that the p reg was the beggining of the mpi if the radiator is at the front and not on the left hand side then its an mpi

i actually thought mine was a spi

so the mpi is better yeah???

[miniman retford]

Certainly is

[the.stroker]

yes,better at rotting quicker than any other mini