55 replies to this topic

[Willthewelder]

Hi al, My new mini needs a whole new front end. Am I best off buying a flip-front and making up the mounts and some structural bracing underneath (I'm a welder/fabricaror by day) Or should I go all new pannels. The A panels are beyond saving, Wings aren't too far behind and missing the bonnet

Ta

will

[steven]

it's personal opinion really

[Joe-C]

I'd be going for new panels especially if your fitting it yourself as the cost difference will probably be less, although will still cost more.

[rally515]

Steel of grp in my opinion,A mini has little protection with fibre flip front i changed my mind for my project so you can have my flip front for £30 as im going the steel route.
Will be putting brace bars on mine still though with a bit extra strenth.

[Bungle]

the mini will be worth more properly restored with steel panels

[Willthewelder]

Ooh I'll have the flipfront, Will still work out cheaper with £30 plus a pallet courior to get it here than a new flipfront!
I take it it's brand new? I'm going to keep it until I die or it dies so the resale price isn't an issue. I will add loads of bracing when I fit it. Is yours a fixed bonnet or removable, No preferance just wondered. I've PM'ed you

[Jwatts93]

I was looking at getting a flip front , are you using the car on the road ?

[Willthewelder]

Yeah ~I reacon it'll need a little bit of bracing on the actual GRP pannel to stop it flapping round haha.

[steven]

you can solid mount the flipfront with rivnuts so you can remove it if needed

[Jwatts93]

Are you planning to get it BIVA tested ?

[Bungle]

only needed if you remove the inner wings

[Tupers]

only needed if you remove the inner wings

Although you'd still need brace bars as the inner wings are only connected to the subframe via the front panel. Once the front panel is gone without brace bars the only thing supporting the subframe are the tower and rear mounts.

[Willthewelder]

No of course I'll add bracebars. And will I need to remove any inner wing? to get it to fit? I have a Rivnut kit so may well go that way.

[BVY]

I've got a fiberglass front on mine. It's the best thing ever when it comes to working on the car, but my front isn't in the best condition. And because the inner wings have been cut back all the crap from the road goes into the engine bay.

What would be ideal is having a metal flip front. Best of both worlds It would take a lot of work getting everything lined up acurately etc, but as you're a welder that's half the battle...

[mk3 Cooper S]

No one suggested a steel flip front?