27 replies to this topic

[dschwartz1957]

I do appreciate that classic Mini owners have it much better than owners of other cars.

 

US Mini parts dealers get most of their parts from UK sources. Though in the case of the clutch arm, I have seen several variations on US and UK websites. Of course the photo on a website does not always match what one receives.

 

I buy parts on quality not on price, though higher price parts can also have issues. Last June I replaced a bad fuel pump with a new SU AUF214. I could have gone with the less expensive German fuel pump, or even a generic model available from US autoparts shops. Some people have mentioned having problems with the new SU fuel pumps, but I got lucky this time around. I like to hear the reassuring ticka, ticka, ticka when I turn the ignition key to the on position.

Edited by dschwartz1957, 24 November 2015 - 07:58 PM.

[James_eaton_thewholething]

I have issues getting parts for my 205 gti. It's not exactly that old but most things that are needed are usually second hand items that will definitely come in different conditions. I've been through three sets of rear calipers because of this. Most of the engine and drivetrain stuff isn't to bad as it was all used in cars afterwards but stuff like ignition barrels for the car are either really expensive second hand parts or really cheap new items which I've had two of. I envy the fact that for my mini I can get stuff either that day from moss-Europe near me or within a few days from other suppliers. Where as 205 stuff can take me a few days just to find certain parts. In fact I've started to turn to wanting to buy Motorsport parts as that's the only places to get certain items. If I wanted body panels well nothing new about unless it's really expensive

[Cooperman]

I do appreciate that classic Mini owners have it much better than owners of other cars.

 

US Mini parts dealers get most of their parts from UK sources. Though in the case of the clutch arm, I have seen several variations on US and UK websites. Of course the photo on a website does not always match what one receives.

 

I buy parts on quality not on price, though higher price parts can also have issues. Last June I replaced a bad fuel pump with a new SU AUF214. I could have gone with the less expensive German fuel pump, or even a generic model available from US autoparts shops. Some people have mentioned having problems with the new SU fuel pumps, but I got lucky this time around. I like to hear the reassuring ticka, ticka, ticka when I turn the ignition key to the on position.

Those SU petrol pumps were rubbish when the Mini was a new car! I recall lying in the snow in early 1962 one night trying to make one work so that we could get home in a 1961 Mini 850. A lot of owners now use the FACIT electric pump which is very reliable - I run a pair on my Cooper 'S' wired in parallel for max. reliability.

[jaydee]

That german pump is not bad at all

[limby2000]

Check out this baby!, bought this from wood and pickett for my auto. Had to attack it with the dremel.

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[Blatherskite]

I agree, and must say that buying from overseas adds a lot to the frustation. Paying a lot for shipping, waiting for weeks, and then getting subpar spares is trying. I can only say that in my experience Land Rover pattern parts are way, way worse than Mini ones. 

I'm with you thete, and +1 for the Landy parts. You forgot to add the delay in receiving shipment, customs charges and delivery in-country. Suddenly a £20 shipment takes 4 weeks and costs over £50 at the end. Then -the part is cr@p. Just had to get another verto clutch arm as the original supply kept binding... New one smooth as a baby's.

[dschwartz1957]

Can anyone recommend a source for a good quality pre-verto clutch arm? Not only is the casting a mess, but the ball is way off center.

 

On several occasions I emailed a US parts supplier about a defective part and received responses such as:

 

• There was a bad batch of 'fill in part here'
• These parts have had some quality issues
• We are changing to a new supplier

If parts have known quality issues why don't they inspect the parts before shipping them out? In fact, the dealer knew about issues with the pre-verto clutch arm.

 

RE: Replacement fuel pumps. Perhaps I got lucky with the new SU fuel pump. So many parts don't fit quite right and it was nice for a change that the pump fit perfectly. Though I never understood why they mounted the pump on the rear subframe where it was exposed to the elements.

[Spider]

Pickings between different types available these days are slim. I've been using the Mini Spares arms for a number of years and while IMO, not quite as good as the originals, quite acceptable.

 

In regards to the SU pumps, I've been using their 'electronic' versions for a number of years and really found them very good, no issues in the world with them, only they are considerably dearer than just about all other pumps.

[TimmyG]

I've had many issues with new, supposedly quality parts over the years from big name reputable suppliers. The ones that stand out at the moment are a thermostat housing which would not even fit over the (new and straight) studs until the holes were re-drilled to a size that rendered the part useless. An inlet manifold that had the minispares writing cast too far to the left and encroaching on the sealing area for the servo vacuum banjo fitting. This could not just be filed down flush as the sealing area itself was only a good cast finish and not enough to make a good seal with a copper washer. It needed machining flat at a right angle to the threaded hole. I wonder how many people have just fitted the part without realising and then suffered poor engine running and poor brakes as a result?  Another corker was a verto clutch kit which i supplied to the machine shop for balancing and luckily they noticed the three bolt holes for pulling the flywheel off were in the wrong position and were covered by the pressure plate springs making removal impossible without destroying the part. The supplier would not accept it in return because it was not in the original box. Captive engine mounts that didn't line up with the holes in the subframe, other engine mounts that were too thick to fit, On a Triumph 2.5pi  a new Lucas overdrive switch of very poor quality needed to be considerably re-aligned and fettled to fit the original gear knob top and when that eventully broke apart (the engraved plastic gearknob top) and was replaced with a pattern part this too needed hours of needle filing to get a good fit and switch action.

  I think the reason that this problem exists is because people don't complain enough as said above 'because we should consider ourselves lucky to have any parts at all'. In some ways i'm reasonably happy to have to fettle certain components as there is a certain satisfaction from making a poor part work well. But when this is required we should ensure the supplier is informed this is the case. I'm as guilty as anyone for not bothering. However when something simply doesn't do what its supposed to do without considerable extra time and/or expense it is not acceptable at all. Sometimes it would be nice to just fit a part without all the hassle!

[surfblue63]

From 1:10

 

Edited by surfblue63, 28 November 2015 - 11:45 PM.

[nz_seamless]

Classic cars are all old, out-of-production vehicles and we must just feel fortunate that parts, of whatever quality, are readily available for the classic Mini. If you had, say, a Sunbeam Rapier, a Ford Zodiac or some other early 1960's car you would envy we classic Mini owners for the availability and low cost of our 1960's-era spares.

 

I always remind myself of this when I can't find something. I m currently trying to find literally the only part I can't find in the aftermarket, the brackets that hold the switch carrier into the dash. NLA everywhere I go, which is a first.

[Cooperman]

I was looking at parts for an Escort Mk.2 and I noticed that a steel after-market front wing for a 105E Ford Anglia, which was a contemporary of the classic Mini, being introduced at the same time, is £520 + VAT. Now compare that with a non-genuine classic Mini wing at £36 + VAT and you can see how fortunate we are to be owning and restoring classic Minis.

Parts are not going to be as good as the original BMC parts as they are all re-engineered to a viable volume v price balance.

Just feel fortunate that you can actually buy these parts 'off the shelf' from dedicated outlets like Mini Spares.

[bob540]

I was looking at parts for an Escort Mk.2 and I noticed that a steel after-market front wing for a 105E Ford Anglia, which was a contemporary of the classic Mini, being introduced at the same time, is £520 + VAT. Now compare that with a non-genuine classic Mini wing at £36 + VAT and you can see how fortunate we are to be owning and restoring classic Minis.
Parts are not going to be as good as the original BMC parts as they are all re-engineered to a viable volume v price balance.
Just feel fortunate that you can actually buy these parts 'off the shelf' from dedicated outlets like Mini Spares.

You're right that we are very lucky compared to other classic owners but that doesn't mean we should be happy with inferior quality parts. If everyone voted with their wallet and only bought high-quality parts then manufacturers would make high-quality parts to meet the demand. Unfortunately the majority of people prefer buying cheap so the demand for them is always higher.