81 replies to this topic

[mini-luke]

I, and I'm sure quite a few others, would quite happily pay extra for say a front end in stainless, you'd only have to replace it once.

Any thoughts? I know it'd be a fair bit more expensive to do so.

[M_Brown_Mini]

Surely aluminium would be better?

No rust, and light weight.

[Tupers]

Because it's very hard to weld stainless to mild steel and because stainless is a fair bit heavier.

If you replace you front end, protect and care for it correctly it should last a good 8 years.

[myredmini]

My mini is 22 and I just removed its original front end. Wasn't horrendous but quite scabby. Hopefully my new front will last longer than 8 years before needing replacement. Especially with Wing liners fitted. Stone chipped, seam sealed and waxoyled

[Sam Walters]

Its not a ductile material, therefore forming it would be a considerable issue.

So simply put, they don't because they cant.

[dave1293gt]

Iirc stainless cracks when welded to MS when stressing from movement is about.
I do know of a mini van that has a full 2.5mm thick galv floor in it.

[AVV IT]

As above welding the panels on would be problematic. Also as others have said the key to not having to replace your front end every few years is adequate protection. Zinc primer, stone chip, waxoyl and plastic wheel arch liners are your friends....

Edited by AVV IT, 29 December 2011 - 03:09 PM.

[Bungle]

My mini is 22 and I just removed its original front end. Wasn't horrendous but quite scabby. Hopefully my new front will last longer than 8 years before needing replacement. Especially with Wing liners fitted. Stone chipped, seam sealed and waxoyled

my mini is now 21 years old and still has the original front end and won't need replacing soon


i asked this question about this time last year and the ones that know pointed out there would be electrolis between the 2 different metals causing corusion

[AVV IT]

Surely aluminium would be better?

No rust, and light weight.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't you buy aluminium door skins already ??

[elguapo]

aluminium also does corrode, badly! I have an X350 jag which is fully aluminium and they have corrosion issues because jag, in their wiseness, used stainless steel rivets. Not a problem until water gets under the paint and then electrolisis occurs at an alarming rate so even on a 6 year old new aluminium car you have to watch out for stone chips and other tell tale signs

[M_Brown_Mini]

aluminium also does corrode, badly! I have an X350 jag which is fully aluminium and they have corrosion issues because jag, in their wiseness, used stainless steel rivets. Not a problem until water gets under the paint and then electrolisis occurs at an alarming rate so even on a 6 year old new aluminium car you have to watch out for stone chips and other tell tale signs

I didnt know that, thanks.

[Brams96]

I used aluminium tape over a rust hole & didn't think about the electrolysis but ended up with a hole the size of the tape big enough to put my fist through! Putting aluminium next to mild steel makes the steel rust quicker as it becomes the sacrificial metal.

[Carlos W]

Land Rovers had big problems with rivets through aluminium, mid 90s one seemed to be very bad

[Bungle]

http://www.theminifo...__fromsearch__1

[Frisco]

Painting it would also be a pita