18 replies to this topic

[Spitfire12]

Hello all, restoring the Mini at the moment and was wondering if the Non Genuine parts were worth the purchase as they are considerably cheaper than Genuine parts, I have always bought Genuine parts but I love to save as much money as I can but also want a good job, doesn't have to be perfect mind but good enough lol. Thanks in advance!

Edited by Spitfire12, 06 January 2012 - 03:24 PM.

[hankins]

Was just about to ask exactly the same question :)

Apparently Mini Machine (http://www.m-machine.co.uk/) make really good non genuine panels, but we will have to wait and see what others say

[Spitfire12]

Lol, strange but is a question I would love to get an opinion on from the Mini community lol. I'll take a look at the site, cheers!

[richw911]

Depends how good you are at metal work some non genuine panels will take quite a bit more work to fit correctly.

You will find the metal on non genuine panels is a lot thinner than genuine ones.

Magnum panels are ok ive used a few of them not perfect by any means but good.

A lot of other cheap parts like leads and flasher units can be utter rubbish! Luck of the draw sometimes.

Edited by richw911, 06 January 2012 - 04:10 PM.

[Sam Walters]

M-Machine and only M-Machine.

[ace01]

Some aftermarket stuff is pretty good. Some of it is poor. Mini Machine panels are generally very good, yet some (not all) of the heritage panels have proven to be quite poor, even though they are the closest thing to genuine.

As far as other parts are concerned Quinton Hazel make good parts, their rear brake cylinders in particular are very good. There are a number of manufacturers that produce rubbish. The only way is to see what other peoples experience is.

[Spitfire12]

One of the parts I am after is the Rear Subframe, I'm sure we have all been there and this time it is my turn unfortunately. I have researched Non Gen and Gen Subframes with many different stories from Non Gen is fine to being rubbish and to just get a Gen but and it is a big but, how bad can they really be? A Non Gen Subby.....They are fairly cheap and the Gen Subbys I have seen are nearly £200 more! I am on a tight budget but I am yet to actually fully see how bad my Subby is but I could see a hole in the vertical part on top so it is more than likely I will buy a new one and seriously contemplating on getting the Non Gen, any thoughts?

[charie t]

You get what you pay for

[Spitfire12]

Yeah I guess, I see no harm in buying the Non Gen to be honest.

[mini-luke]

My front end's a none Gen, Magnum I believe. Fits perfectly, couldn't fault it.

I think some of the problems are with the car, not the panel.

[pdaykin]

Mini Machine (M-machine) are very good. Particularly if you are restoring an early car - latter panels may fit but are not correct.

Generally, I would say use genuine (Heritage) panels if you can afford them

[minidaves]

gets wha you pay for, and i depends how good you wnat it, and how long it you want it to last

dave

[J_AUSTIN_B]

I'm looking on the M-Machine website and fill like I might be looking in the wrong areas because I can't see prices for anything or even how to choose something. Do you have to call to get prices and make orders?

I am learning the hard way with the non-genuine replacement panels now. I have a non-gen scuttle that doesn't seem to fit and line up with the winsheild wipers.

[CLM]

Download M-Machine's pdf file, prices are a bit dated but it is still a good reference.

http://www.m-machine...rts Cat doc.pdf

Chris

[Brams96]

M-Machine used to have the 2006 price on their PDF but have since taken all the prices off. The only way to get the price now is to ring them with the part number. If your on a tight budget don't forget to factor in the delivery charges, it's better to save your money & get them all at once than a couple of panels at a time.