15 replies to this topic

[V1n33r]

Hi I'm after some new panels for my mini from drivers wing,A panels, door posts, rear valance with the corners, boot floor, rear quarter, boot hinge lip, and new door skins just curious of who or which is the best direction to take regarding this

Regards

Ben

[Carlos W]

Ben,

 

I'd recommend becoming a TMF+ member (£5 a year)

 

Then you will get discount with companies such as minispares (7.5%) as well as many others!

 

Get some pics up, and people will be able to advise you whether to go with repair panels or genuine full panels!

 

What is your experience/ability when it comes to repairs?

 

One of my big regrets was not fitting full heritage inner wings! I fitted flitch repair panels, then front half inner wing repair panels and a heritage panel would've been far better.

 

Fitting heritage panels tends to be easier, but they often need some tweaking!

[V1n33r]

I'm a newbie too this first mini am mechanically minded but never done a restoration :s. That's a big help with answering towards patten and heritage :) thanks
ok fantastic will post some pictures up soon of the panels that are rotten and thank you for the advice will take that into account and join to TMF+ for £5 :)

[sonikk4]

With TMF+ membership and your budget is sound then buy Heritage. Minispeed will give you 12.5% discount on Heritage panels.

As mentioned Minispares will give you 7.5% on all of their items, panels, parts etc.

 

M Machine are very good as well for their own panels but you do need to check with them as some are Magnum panels which although usable are not the best.

[sonikk4]

To add to my last post your point of contact on here for Minispares is simon@minispares. Very helpful guy.

For Minispeed its scott@minispeed, again very helpful. Both members on TMF.

[V1n33r]

Brilliant that's great info for discounts from suppliers will take some pictures and upload and see what fellow members suggests

[Mini 360]

Heritage.  I only use pattern panels if the Heritage equivalent isnt made anymore.  Very few and far between though.

[Marco1972]

Plus 1 for M Machine panels

Only down side was they came in bare steel heritage come with a black e coat one less job to do

[carlburt78]

Plus 1 for M Machine panels

Only down side was they came in bare steel heritage come with a black e coat one less job to do

can you leave the black e coat on the genuine panels?

[Mini 360]

 

Plus 1 for M Machine panels

Only down side was they came in bare steel heritage come with a black e coat one less job to do

can you leave the black e coat on the genuine panels?

 

Yes its totally differen to the ecoat you get on cheaper panels.  It doesnt flake off and is a different finish.  Satin rather than matt.  

[carlburt78]

 

 

Plus 1 for M Machine panels

Only down side was they came in bare steel heritage come with a black e coat one less job to do

can you leave the black e coat on the genuine panels?

 

Yes its totally differen to the ecoat you get on cheaper panels.  It doesnt flake off and is a different finish.  Satin rather than matt.  

 

im glad i read this thread as ive got heritage sills and i was going to let the flapper disc loose on it

[sonikk4]

Do make sure you key the surface well before you paint them internally and externally.

[carlburt78]

Do make sure you key the surface well before you paint them internally and externally.

will do

[antcole]

Heritage panels are miles ahead of any of the other makers.

 

M-Machine are the second best due to the high quality steel but they don't make all of the panels and often source heritage or magnum panels where they cant supply.

 

Im not a fan of magnum unfortunately, although I fitted a rear side panel and it didn't need much shaping in general.

 

If you want ease of fitting, heritage cant be beaten.

[Mini 360]

Do make sure you key the surface well before you paint them internally and externally.

Forgot to mention this!  By being satin it makes it easier keying it back to matt ready for paint