5 replies to this topic

[HARRYSPADGE]

HI,

I currently have a couple of Mini projects that I will soon be welding up, and would like to know your opinion on the best/better non-genuine panels to use.
I will be using genuine Heritage panels on my own car but the second project is my son's car.
He's only just turned 13 so doesn't have a lot of money to spend on Heritage panels and he's desperate for me to start teaching him how to replace and weld up some new panels.
I'm guessing that each manufacturer will have good and bad panels and I also know that some of these panels are still going to require some fettling - I've been in the motor trade for the past 20 years or so, so I know what it's all about, I just haven't used any of these non-genuine panels before.
So, those of you who have used the non-genuine panels could you please tell me which you think are the best to use.

Thanks.

[Tupers]

M-Machine do some really good non genuine floor pans that are made from decent steel. Aside from that most of the non genuine wings, door skins ect seem like they may well be made in same factory and have different stickers slapped on them as they go out the door.

[Spud_133]

I think that magnum panels are good for the cost of them. They also fit very well.

[sonikk4]

Sorry but Magnum panels suck. Poor finish, lousy e coat, thin metal. I have fitted a few on Project Erm and suffered for it. (Personal choice here when your teenage son was buying them).

M Machine outer sills are very good along with their inner sills. Hadrian are supposed to be ok.

[HARRYSPADGE]

Any other experiences anyone ?

[digler]

i've just finished fitting a front end on a mini using m machine panels, ( scuttle panel, wings, front panel and a panels ) i wouldn't normally use none gen panels but we were working to a budget, i priced to use gen and none gen panels to keep price down but then the project got bigger so i used none gen on the front end.
anyway after fitting the front panel, wings and scuttle panel i went to line the a panels up only to find it had a 15mm gap to the wing, so i had to flatten the lip and weld a new one on, was a right faf! had the same on one i did before too, but only about a 5-10mm gap that time.
if your doing the job for yourself, and don't mind putting a bit more time in to get the fit you want then thats ok.
but i think i will put a higher price in for fitting none gen panels rather than genuine panels because of all the extra work needed.
once there fitted though i think they are ok panels, as long as you paint them well.