6 replies to this topic

[Fast R1 Mini]

Hello all, I am new to internet forums full stop. My love for minis and to hopefully talk and meet with other like minded people is my reason for joining yours. (please be patient with my computer skills).

I do however have a problem I hope someone could help me with. I am restoring a 95 mpi cooper shell for my latest mini project and need to replace the whole floor pan on the drivers side. I have looked at buying a complete floor pan/inner and outer sill setup. I can only find this for the mk3. What is the difference?. Is it cosmetic or is it structural and will it fit my car. Im not running an A series engine so fuel lines arent been used. Strengh isnt an issue as it will have a full weld in cage. And and all sound deadening has been removed to lose every bit of wieght possible. I simple need it to fit the dimensions of my shell .If anyone can help thank you.

[Dan]

Mk3 Minis used a different method of mounting the subframe than your Mini does (MPi Minis were introduced in 1996, your car can't be a 1995 MPi). The mountings aren't compatible as far as I know. If the panel is for an early Mk3 it will also have a very different gearchange mounting and other differences. Where have you looked for a new floorpan? All panels for your Mini are still available, even a complete shell.

Edited by Dan, 18 March 2009 - 11:10 PM.

[Fast R1 Mini]

Hi I have only looked local as to keep to my build deadline I really need the panel by saturday morning so will have to collect it myself or pay inflated delivery costs. I have been out of action for past 5 weeks with neumonia and am well behind with it. I live in sheffield my local mini specialists are P and L minis and also huddersfield spares, The latter does not stock the panel. I Know my shell is definately an injection and is a 94/95. I guess it is spi. I was going on the advert I bought the shell from. I bought it as a shell. The front subframe mounts are good and will remain. On the rear I have opted for a rear beam instead of a sub frame. I would of had more time to source the parts while I have been ill but a bodged repair was hiding some real horrors. Could you please give me any further information?

Thank you

P.s it is a drivers half floor I am replacing and only using 3/4 of it

Edited by Fast R1 Mini, 18 March 2009 - 11:24 PM.

[Dan]

P&L have a good bodyshop and so I imagine they'd have a driver's side floor in stock. Half floors come in various different sizes, some including the inner sill, some being only one small section. P&L are a bit pricey though, there are two branches of Moss not all that far away from you.

If you are only using sections of the floor then you might be able to use an older panel to cut parts out of but pretty much the entire specification of the panel changed over the years. Even the number and size of ribs in the panel changed. Unfortunately most of the changes aren't limited to Mk changes either so you can't always say a Mk3 part won't fit when you are talking about panel details like this.

[Fast R1 Mini]

Thank you . P&l are meant to have 1 in for me to look at they are 15 mins from my work. I am going tommorow. I also forgot there was a moss in bradford and I am going there in my lorry on friday. Thank you again for you advice.

[Nightrain]

Mk3 floor is a totally different pressing, the ribs area very different and the indentations for the rear subframe panel are deeper. The tunnel is also round rather than square topped, but this shouldn't matter if your cutting it to fit.
Seen a P&L mini bought by a friend and would not say they've a good bodyshop ! Spray shop yes but there bodywork is *poop poop*.

[Fast R1 Mini]

Thanks for your help. I have the said floor now. It looks like it will fit perfect. I will probably change the otherside to make them match though.