6 replies to this topic

[rotherham]

Hi,I'm going to be buying some new panels and was wondering if from experience anyone knew the best fitting ones.
The ones I need for now are
Both rear quarters-searching I see m machine are good ones,do these include the window bottom seal?
Both rear inner wheel arches
Rear valance
Boot hinge repair panel
Boot floor and seat pan

There will be more but I'm tackling the rear end first.any help would be appreciated.

[Bergy]

I've replaced a few panels but of the ones you are doing I've only done the rear valance which was very straightforward. For all my replacement panels (wings, door skins, a panels and rear valance) I used Heritage parts as I was told many times that they generally fit better than the "non-genuine" stuff.

The only time I didn't use Heritage parts was when they didn't make the part, ie bottom door frame repair panel.

I think the general consensus is that if you can get Heritage parts then go for those. It's always worth checking eBay as there are often ones going on there that folks have bought and the project has come to a halt.

[lrostoke]

Of those I'm just doing rear quarters.

Quarter panels are magnum and pretty much fitted straight on. Includes the window bottom sill but only the outer skin. Window sill is 2 layers thick, inner beam and outer skin.
Rear arches are also magnum, little bit of fiddling and I only used the repair section without the inner vertical section (the bit the shocker bolts to) but looks good now its on.

boot hinge repair, last time I did this I did the complete section that ran under the lights and across..only available as heritage and fitted a treat.

[rotherham]

The boot hinge repair is the complete section I'm wanting so heritage it will be then,cheers.god the shells gunna cost me a few weeks wages! Lol but I want it right so I suppose you get what you pay for.are somerfords the cheapest for heritage?

[lrostoke]

So far I've spent £544

2 x heritage inner wings (front)
2 x wings pattern
2 x closing plates(scuttle)
1 x scuttle genuine
2 x a panels pattern
2 x rear quarters pattern
2 x rear arches pattern

I'm lucky got a mini specialist 10 mins away, they are pretty good don't try sell you genuine if they think you don't need them.

Edited by lrostoke, 28 August 2012 - 08:49 AM.

[sonikk4]

The one thing i would say about the heritage panels other than fit is they seem to be thicker material plus the E coat is very good. Magnum's E coat is poor.

The boot floor will be a Heritage item as this includes the rear seat pan. They are a good fit. If you can afford it i would say go for Heritage or try M machine for some of their panels. They make a lot of their own stuff and is very good and formed from a decent thickness steel. However you need to ring them to see which panels they do make. They do use some other companies panels for the repair items like the flitch panels etc.

If you are replacing the boot floor then i would suggest you buy new rear bump stop brackets (M machine)

11.41.03.03 Stiffener, Wheel Arch to Bulkhead, LH, Mk1-5 8.00 9.60
11.41.03.04 Stiffener, Wheel Arch to Bulkhead, RH, Mk1-5 8.00 9.60
and also the rear subframe mounting brackets.

11.41.04.03 Stiffener, Wheel Arch, LH 6.50 7.80
11.41.04.04 Stiffener, Wheel Arch, RH 6.50 7.80
The rear valance close outs as well. Again i would go Heritage with these along with the valance.

[rotherham]

Thanks for that I'm making a list and gunna order as much as I can afford Friday to get started