4 replies to this topic

[meiro75]

I'm looking at buying a 1994 Cooper S Spi but a classic mini dealer has told me in passing that I'd be daft to buy it because you can't get the parts for them these days. He mentioned he has a throttle body for one in his store room he's loathed to sell because they're like hens teeth.

Is he right to say this or is he misinformed. Hope someone can offer an opinion as I don't want to spend £5k on a car that's not repairable.

Cheers in advance,

[Sprocket]

LOADS of SPi parts knocking about including new parts, but you will definately pay a premium for those. Minisport bought a load of the Rover Buy Out Mini injection stuff, and there are a few of the other major mini suppliers that have new stuff. Then there is all the auto jumbles and Ebay for second hand parts. ECU's can be remanufacturesd by several specialist companies and injectors can be cleaned. sensors are all still freely available.

I dont see a problem and you bloke who tells you any different hasn't got any clue. He is probably talking about new parts from mainstream parts suppliers, in that case he would be right, but then, it would be like that as the mini has not been produced for 10 years, and Rover no longer exists. That is why you have to shop at Mini Specialists

Nothing anoys me more about the motor trade than their short sightedness.

There will ALWAYS be parts for the Mini!!

[brivinci]

My brother has an John Cooper Si SPi here in the states. Is that what you mean?

If so, from what I have read, most of the JC Si parts can be sourced as aftermarket or are actually not that great for the car. I am still not 100% on all the things JC did to the cars but his has the optional extra HP package. I even called the JCG right before it closed up shop to ask about it. They did have much info for me.

One bonus point to these is that they usually sell for a bit more as they are rarer. I'd say go for it:-)

[jaydee]

Obviously an auto dealer try to force you buying new cars. The fact that either Rover and John Cooper Garages no more exist, doesnt mean parts are unavailable.
The'yre just Spi coopers with a modified cylinder head, high lift roller rockers, janspeed exhaust, induction kit and probably a different ECU map (not sure about this). I dont think they were fitted with different throttle body, and surely they arent hans teeth believe me.
Apart for that they're just 'normal' minis and everything you need is available at most mini parts suppliers cheaper than any other modern car parts.

[brivinci]

I would say that look at the one your are interested in and see if it has other JCG goodies on it. All that extra stuff are things that bring in more money. Door pulls, gear knob, gauges, seats, and anything else that might have been added. THose are what really makes these different:-) The rest and be bought (for the most part) at any good Mini supplier these days.