4 replies to this topic

[corranga]

Ok, so I'm in the process of deliberating what to do with my MPI which has sat still for 5 years.  

 

My first project was to try to get it moving (by people power..) I managed this on Saturday, only having to free up the rear drums.

 

2nd project engine running - 30 minutes to get in the boot and a week (so far, still waiting) for Euro Car Parts to deliver a battery thanks to the holiday weekend.

 

3rd project moving - there seems to be no linkage between the clutch and the master cylinder..

 

4th project - restoration.

 

So, I'm trying to quantify the 4th bit by pricing up panels, I fear this will be the cars Achilles heel for me, and mean I end up selling it on, but for now...

 

7 or so years ago, when I was more into the Mini scene, Heritage panels were the be all and end all, with cheaper pattern ones being much inferior and poorer quality.

Is this still the case, or has there been an improvement in the quality / is there another company that makes good quality panels?

 

It's now fairly obvious that late cars like my MPI love to rot, so that doesn't say much for the OEM Rover panels, are heritage any better?

 

Now, there is also the option for fibre glass (for the front anyway, maybe doors, bonnet, bootlid if I can't save those).  It's much cheaper but I fear might be a complete pita..  Am I right?

 

Any advise appreciated!!

 

Chris

[minivanman1961]

M-Machine make some very good panels of their own as well as stocking heritage panels and they are a good old fashioned company to deal with :)

 

http://www.m-machine.co.uk/

[humph]

+1 for M-machine. Worth noting that not every panel is their own as mentioned, some are heritage and some are also Magnum. Their own stuff fits really well from my limited experience.

[robminibcy]

Heritage are the ones to go for still if you can justify the costs. Ive had mixed quality from magnum with some metal feeling far thinner than the rotten metal it was replacing and they did all need trimming to fit. Dont think i used any of m machine panelos so cant comment on them. Heritage also come e coated which will help with rust prevention in the future if uou weld carefully and seal properly after.

[sonikk4]

M Machine own made panels are good and I use quite a few of their items, examples are inner sills to first flute, short outer sills, jacking points, inner sill stiffeners etc.

But you also need to be aware that a lot of the panels listed are not their own and are Magnum panels.

Pattern panels are predominantly from Magnum and some are good and some are atrocious.
Good, door skins but you do need to check the top to see if they are bowed,
Front wings, these tend to be ok along with the front panel but again so work may be needed.
Rear quarter panels, I have fitted one Magnum rear quarter and it did fit but needed some fettling.
Bad.
Inner sill repair panels,
Floor pan repair panels, these always need a lot of work to try and get the flutes to match.
Boot floor full width repair panel,
Door steps, the bane of my life.
Also the proxy grey coating on them all. It needs to come off and will wipe off with thinners.

Heritage, now the majority of their panels are very good but you do get some that are wrong. One member on here fitted a full front end and had nothing but issues.
Metal thickness appears to be better and the paint coating is very good but still needs to be checked.
Negatives really are the prices but then you are getting a much better product overall.
However this can be negated somewhat by becoming a TMF+ member and you can then get access to various discounts for these above panels caring from 7.5% upto 12.5%. This really does help.