5 replies to this topic

[willyg]

im fairly new to minis and have a few beginner quiries...
what is considered the most reliable engine that minis use? or best performing?

also can anyone tell me the differences between a mini 1275 gt and a mini clubman?

i imagine i will have many more questions in time, so be warned

cheers

[Burnard]

They all use A series engines, generally similar in reliability, but the later A+ type is considered more reliable.

Most powerful standard spec A series engine would be the MG metro engine, never fitted to the mini as standard, but still A series and a bolt in replacement, with little or no modifications needed (depending on the original engine)

I think the 1275 GT used the same engine and brakes as the 1275 cooper (round nose), and i think the clubman had a standerd spec 1275 or 998 engine, with drums all round. not 100% sure on that though.

[The_Mistro]

They all use A series engines, generally similar in reliability, but the later A+ type is considered more reliable.

Most powerful standard spec A series engine would be the MG metro engine, never fitted to the mini as standard, but still A series and a bolt in replacement, with little or no modifications needed (depending on the original engine)

I think the 1275 GT used the same engine and brakes as the 1275 cooper (round nose), and i think the clubman had a standerd spec 1275 or 998 engine, with drums all round. not 100% sure on that though.

dont forget the 1100 engine they put in the clubman! that was considered a better engine than the 1275 apparantly! never had first hand experience myself!


to answer your question, the 1275 gt is a clubman! it was supposidly the sporty mini, as the managerial bunch wanted to avoid the £2 a car royalty to John Cooper everytime they sold one! so it essence is just a trim level of the clubman, bit like a golf and a golf gti!

Edited by The_Mistro, 02 May 2010 - 11:30 PM.

[Ethel]

Clubbies were originally 998's, changed to all 1098, in 1976 I think. 1275GT never had Clubman in its name - to keep any anorak wearers happy.

They all use A series engines, generally similar in reliability, but the later A+ type is considered more reliable.

Most powerful standard spec A series engine would be the MG metro engine, never fitted to the mini as standard, but still A series and a bolt in replacement, with little or no modifications needed (depending on the original engine)

I think the 1275 GT used the same engine and brakes as the 1275 cooper (round nose), and i think the clubman had a standerd spec 1275 or 998 engine, with drums all round. not 100% sure on that though.

dont forget the 1100 engine they put in the clubman! that was considered a better engine than the 1275 apparantly! never had first hand experience myself!


to answer your question, the 1275 gt is a clubman! it was supposidly the sporty mini, as the managerial bunch wanted to avoid the £2 a car royalty to John Cooper everytime they sold one! so it essence is just a trim level of the clubman, bit like a golf and a golf gti!

[irish.yobbo]

Down here in oz the clubmans are king - they're more clubbys than anything else. And they come with 998's, 1098's and 1275's. The 1275's were the GT's, and came fitted with discs - if you want to upgrade to a 1275, you'll need to upgrade the brakes.

Naturally, the bigger the engine the more powerful. When it comes to reliability, the 998's the go - 'bulletproof' seems come up a lot when the 998's mentioned. But compared to a 1275 you'll need to give it more of a push to get anything out of it...

Not much experience with a 1098, but I've heard it's like a 998 which just keeps pulling - a standard 998 will have a very slow slug from 50-60mph. I've also heard they're not as good for heavy modifications, since they've got such a long stroke.

Generally the 1275's are seen as the best all-rounder, since they're reliable and powerful enough that you don't need to thrash them.

[willyg]

I think the 1275 GT used the same engine and brakes as the 1275 cooper (round nose), and i think the clubman had a standerd spec 1275 or 998 engine, with drums all round. not 100% sure on that though.

so the 1275 GT used the same engine as the 1275 cooper, how does that compare to the engine used in the 1275 clubmans? could anyone elaborate on the brakes? and any other differences?