42 replies to this topic

[Wozza]

I'm thinking about buying a japanese import mini but am not that clued up on them so am in need of some help which is where you guys and girls come in......... Is there much diffrence, are parts easily available, would i have to buy japanese parts or do british parts fit straight on and any more info on the subject would be a great help

Edited by Wozza, 21 May 2009 - 09:36 PM.

[Pooky]

AFAIK they're RHD, some had air con, and 10" wheels and wing mounted mirrors are the trend

[skaterava]

saw one on ebay earlier this evening, i think it was in cherry red might want to go have a look at that

[mab01uk]

This recent thread has some info and links which may help:-

http://www.theminifo...amp;hl=japanese

[minitomfoolery]

Do it.

My girlfriends mini is a Japanese import Rover Mayfair and is in unbelievably good condition inside and out and is also mechanically fantastic and flew its last MOT. Even the aircon works great!

If your looking for a mini that wont let you down and if you look after it, well you have a fantastic investment prospect aswell.

[roofless]

there is a guy here in coventry, has a fistfull of japanesiumshireland imports and they are all extrmely good cars, most are rare paul smiths in black or white with contrasting leather interiors, air con and 12" wheels.

they are superb, but you pays a price for loveliness - most are approx 5-6 K

thay all need minor tweaks for testing purposes when they get here, but he does all the work for you included in the price.

[Scotty24]

I'm thinking about buying a japanese import mini but am not that clued up on them so am in need of some help which is where you guys and girls come in......... Is there much diffrence, are parts easily available, would i have to buy japanese parts or do british parts fit straight on and any more info on the subject would be a great help

Hey Wozza,

I dont know a great deal about imports however just down the road from me in stokenchurch, bucks,there is a mini garage that specialises in imports from Japan..see there website http://www.therealmi...ars.aspx?type=1 From kent I would say around an hour's drive...

My understanding is that they all come with air con as standard and generally speaking the paintwork is in better nic because it rains less over there....

Scott

[mrslaphead]

I'm thinking about buying a japanese import mini but am not that clued up on them so am in need of some help which is where you guys and girls come in......... Is there much diffrence, are parts easily available, would i have to buy japanese parts or do british parts fit straight on and any more info on the subject would be a great help

Hey Wozza,

I dont know a great deal about imports however just down the road from me in stokenchurch, bucks,there is a mini garage that specialises in imports from Japan..see there website http://www.therealmi...ars.aspx?type=1 From kent I would say around an hour's drive...

My understanding is that they all come with air con as standard and generally speaking the paintwork is in better nic because it rains less over there....

Scott

I got mine from them , and would recomend them as the cars are all in great condition ( I think its also got something to do
with Japan not putting salt on the roads) and Dan is a great guy. Ive had mine two years now and covered 20000 miles and the
only bodywork thats been needed was due to a careless chap in a mazda6.
I get all my service parts from Partco (Unipart Automotive) and Somerford is a great source of information.
All the running gear is the same as British spec cars so there shouldnt be any problems keeping it on the road.
If you need any more info or have some other questions let me know

Chris

[Aria Aradhea]

Parts should be plentiful as it is the same as British specification parts. Decals and stickers for specific Japanese special edition models could be hard to find (for instance my Mini Checkers SE decals and also my Mini Mayfair II decals are not listed in spares shop).

One thing you should take into consideration is the air con because although they are great in summer times, but parts for the air con components are getting really scarce. Somerford still listed them in their parts list, I believe but they are getting rarer each day.

In general, Japanese Minis are usually rust free (or less rust than the usual Minis), in good condition and sometimes you can even get special extras...

[datsun100a]

I have a 93 cooper japanese import, great condition and unbelievably rust free. I'd buy one before a uk one anyday as the japanese don't use salt on the roads but you would be well advised to rust proof it.

[Wozza]

Thanks for the replys guy's just a couple more questions......... Insurance who's the best company to go with and is it more expensive because it's an import?

[mattdc2r]

I've had a few JAP imports, not mini's though. From experience one of the best JAP import insurers is Keith Michaels. I got my impreza insured with them and they were the cheapest by about £300 ish. Also, by adding my mother as a named driver (Doesn't mean she has to drive it) on my policy i saved about £200.
Import cars are usually lower mileage and higher spec than the UK equivalents and generally in better condition as cars are a status symbol in Japan, so owning something a bit special means they look after it better. I'm not sure about minis from japan, but most imports don't come undersealed, as they don't use salt over there as much, if at all. Any decent importer will do this for you though before you collect the car.

HTH.

[minimadjonesy]

right, Topic has been cleaned of the argument that detracted from Wozzer's orignal question.

Please note, ANY FURTHER BREAKING OF THE GUIDELINES WILL RECEIVE AN INCREASE IN YOUR WARNING LEVEL

Wozzer, Hope you get the info you are after

[1275GTS]

i've got a japanese import mini flame. i've not had to pay any extra because its an import. it's basically a re import as the mini was built here and expoted to japan and has been brought back to the uk. they share all the same parts that the uk cars have except for air con and any additions the japanese owners add to the just like people do in the uk.



the main advantage with the japanese imports is that they do not have any rust.

[mattdc2r]

1275gts

Just out of interest, since the cars were built in the UK, does that mean thay have already been undersealed?