13 replies to this topic

[BFG]

Hi All,

Still thrashing around, getting ready to take the plunge and buy.

What"s the general feeling around Japanese spec mini imports? Are they usually in better condition bodywork wise? Also, I note that later models tend to come with aircon - is this good in a mini, or not considered desirable for resale?

Late nineties seem to come in around the 5K mark from dealers/importers, which seems comparable to a certain Kent based dealer of hundreds, so not good value?

Hope someone can give me a steer on this - the price differences are doing my head in, as I'm not familiar enough yet with the different specs/models/years/conditions.

Cheers,

Rob

[SamMason]

I'm no expert on the imports from Japan, so I might be splurging useless words at you..

But.
I was of the thinking that they're pretty sound body wise, most are pretty rust free (they're Minis they'll never be rust free!) & I'd heard that most had aircon. The aircon certainly wouldn't put me off buying an import, but it would sap most of the power when you use it.. Cost wise, I'd also head they where/are about the £5k mark, I have seen go for more.. I think that's mostly on the import/export costs & the condition, 99% of them are sound & have been looked after..

If I was after a ready to run Mini I wouldn't shy away from them..

Do keep in mind that that's 3rd hand knowledge, I've not got or imported one, just been reading other peoples thoughts & articles on the internet..

[BFG]

Useful to know - there's a place not too far away that has some imports available/coming available. I'm thinking if the bodywork is in really good condition, for a late 90s Cooper then it's not bad for something that should hopefully only need minor fettling for a good few years.

Methinks I might mosey on down and take a look...

Cheers,

Rob

[Ethel]

The Jap vehicle tax system is biased to encourage them to replace cars regularly (they do make most of 'em afterall), so they do have more good 2nd hand cars than they have a market for. Though I'd guess any Minis will now be too old for that to have the same effect.

[SamMayfair1996]

From what I understand and have read the body work on the Jap Imports is usually in far superior condition but thats mostly due to their climate out there, so if you think realistically I assume it wont take long with our grim weather (clearly not including at the moment) before it shows signs of regular body work bubbles etc.
Just something to think about, as you could get a nice little British Mini for less than 5K and get the body work done fresh to your own taste?
Thats unless you spend 5K on a show car which has little use and spends most its life in a dry garage...

[Juju]

I would have a japanese import mini, and no, they don't tend to cost as much as GC minis charge for a UK car of the same year... They don't sell as well simply because they are imported cars.

Air con as standard I would regard as a plus! (But replacing air con parts is a whole world of hurts, and makes for a massively cramped engine bay)

There's a firm near Coventry that specialises them - I'll dig out a URL.

They tend to be customised with a lot of retro bits 'n' pieces too. I love 'em.

[BFG]

ust something to think about, as you could get a nice little British Mini for less than 5K and get the body work done fresh to your own taste?
Thats unless you spend 5K on a show car which has little use and spends most its life in a dry garage...

That's what I'm dithering on - is an import likely to be in that much better condition that I'll actually save on buying a slightly scruffy UK model and having the work done? I'm not after a show car - it'll be a daily commute and tinkering at weekends.

Cheers,

Rob

[racingbob]

just remember buying an import means you dont realy see it

in the flesh and you c ant drive it before you buy

not unless already here in the UK

[minimarco]

I have a Japanese car, seven years on I'm seeing rust on the scuttle, none anywhere else.

I live just across the ocean from Japan so Ive seen a few minis imported. The feeling I have, from the half dozen or so I've seen, Is that they like to keep the body clean and bolt shiney bits on to it, but don't care much for mechanicals (from the ones ive seen). Not that they trash them around and run them to the ground or anything, but just general maintenance stuff. At the end of the day, they are solid cars, I'd buy another one.

[1275GTS]

I have a 1992 mini flame from japan theres no rust on it. its a 998 with air con and japanese minilghts and arches. i've had it about seven years. I paid £2500 for it which seemed good even back then.

[racingbob]

http://www.tradecarv...r/mini/6551341/

seem expensive but nice

[xrocketengineer]

Based on my experience with a 1994 Japanese Cooper, it is definitely harder to work on because of the cramped engine bay. If you have previous experience working on a Mini you might know some tips and tricks that might help out. If not your learning curve will be steeper. As far as parts and technical information, the 1992 through 1996 SPI uses pretty much the same parts and ECU as the regular UK Minis with the exception of the air conditioning. There is no technical information (ie repairs or wiring diagrams) on the air conditioning nor parts available that I know of. Everything else is covered by the regular repair manuals.
I am in the process of replacing my gearbox because the differential broke. I took a lot of pictures of all the stuff I had to remove in order to get the engine out. If you want to have an idea what is in the way, take a peek here:
http://s1056.photobu...Engine Removal/

The 1997 and later Japanese Minis are more of an oddball. Even though they are supposed to have a SPI engine they are actually a mix of SPI and MPI engine parts with a unique ECU. I think that to get parts would be harder. There are wiring diagrams for the air conditioning for them however I have not found any repair sections even in the Heritage manuals.
Air conditioning is necessity here in Florida. So, the inconvenience of the crowded engine bay is worth it.

I hope that helps:

Ivan

[BFG]

Thanks all for the thoughts. On balance, I think I'll try to find an early nineties carb model with good bodywork. At least then I know I can fix pretty much anything myself!

Cheers all,

Rob

[1275GTS]

Luckily for me mines a carb model. just has the air con that fills the engine bay.