7 replies to this topic

[LegShow]

Hey, how are you doing? I'm Nick, I live in New York and just picked up this Mini Tahiti. It is relatively rust free, none in the sills, some around the front where the paint has chipped and a dime sized hole in the drivers side floor plan I'll have patched. 

Here are some pictures: http://imgur.com/a/BSYTd

First things needing work are going to be the front brake pads definitely need to be replaced (I've also never owned a car with drum brakes so not sure what the service on those for the rears requires) and I might need some front suspension parts to replace, hearing a racket as I go over bumps, not sure if the license plates rattling around or something more dangerous. So my questions as a newcomer to these parts... WHERE DO I BUY PARTS?? (for the US??) And really what kind of brake pads do I need to pick up? I can't really just walk into an autozone and say "Hey, I've got this car you've probably never heard of.. got some parts for it?"

Thanks for your help! Looking forward to being here!

Edited by LegShow, 26 November 2015 - 02:18 AM.

[cliche]

can't help you on parts, but welcome

[Ethel]

MiniMania are the biggest specialist on that side of the divide, Minispares will be regularly shipping goodies all over the world too, as will other UK based companies. We have a quite a few TMF'ers either side of the 49th parallel to provide some extra local knowledge.

Brake linings are common to MG Midgets/Sprites, if you happen to have someone catering for them in your area.

[zinzan]

Hey welcome to the madness! I'm up in Canada. You can also try a few other places like 7ent.com. Check out the North America regional section of the forum and basically listen to anything XRocketEngineer suggests! He's the brains of the operation! :)

PM me if you have questions re: finding parts.

[colinu]

MiniMania are OK (basically the USA wing of Minispares), but I've often found them out of stock of bits I need... and they can be pretty pricey. But they do have a good/active online forum.

My preferences for parts are:
www.7ent.com (ask for Jack)
www.heritagegarage.com (ask for Graham)
Phone either and their always willing to discuss your problems and recommend a solution.

Or order direct from the UK (Minispares etc)... often the cheapest way (even after including postage) especially if you have a reasonably sized order.

Cheers,
Colin.

[MiniVespa]

Nick, welcome to the Mini family here in the states! I'm in Florida but was in New York with my last Mini.

First off, stay away from MiniMania. Their prices are absolutely mind blowingly high. You will pay DOUBLE with them than you will anywhere else. However, their site is very helpful, as parts descriptions are usually more elaborate and explain what the part is and if you need it. So use their site as a resource. They also have a very active forum with some of the most knowledgable people here in the states.

I typically order my parts from the UK. Even with the high cost of shipping, it is still typically cheaper than anyone in North America. Also, as mentioned above, 7ent.com and GBCarParts.com are my two go to parts suppliers in the states.

Not sure where in NY you are but seek out a local club as there is likely a few local Classic Mini owners that can certainly help with questions and a hand/wrench. Good luck!

Ryan
Pensacola, FL

[mk1leg]

Hi..from accross the pond and welcome to TMF and enjoy your mini and Bini............

[ibrooks]

If you want more info on your specific car it would be good if you could find it's true identity. It's obviously later than the '75 identity that it's been given.

Does it still have the original VIN tag with the real chassis number? it's a small alloy plate with the numbers back stamped into it and would probably would be pop-riveted to the drivers inner wing. It might have been replaced with the tag from the '75 car to keep the deception going though.

A harder one for whoever did the switch would be the permanently stamped number - it should be in the drain channel below the rear edge of the bonnet (hood). Open the bonnet and pull the rubber seal off at the back of the engine bay and you may be able to see it - it starts just to the right of the centre as you are stood looking at it from the front of the car. Heritage should be able to translate this to an original manufacture date and trim/model so you can find out what you really have. Unfortunately the scuttle panel that it was stamped in is one of the Mini's common rust spots (especially so on later ones for some reason) so it might have been replaced and the number lost.

From the pictures it doesn't look the right colour for a Tahiti to me - it looks more like Caribbean Blue but that's a very subjective thing and could just be down to the lighting when the picture was taken or the camera or my monitor or.....

Iain