23 replies to this topic

[buznout]

Here is my Japanese SPi/MPi engine bay complete with aftermarket HT leads (which I have no idea what they do)

 

[96_BRG]

And if you get one for the Japanese market you get air conditioning too... plus many more snakes in the pit.

 
 

So which type are you saying this is then? This is exactly how my engine bay looks. This is Mpi, but built for a Japanese sale? Just curious. I'm new to the game

[buznout]

xrocketengineers engine is a Jap injection SPi up to 1996. Mine is a Jap injection MPI block / ignition with SPI injection 1997-00.

 

Both have A/C

[pdaykin]

Put simply, the last minis were not really any different from the previous few years of production i.e. They were mpi minis.

As far as most are concerned, it is only the trim which changed eg body coloured dashes. The very last ones had plaques in them telling you how late they were - but no significant changes.

Of the late models the real choice was whether it was sport pack (13 inch wheels) or not (12 inch). The general consensus is that 12 inch are better to drive and slightly faster. Personally, I don't think there is a lot in it - but I did go for the 12 inch model.

Mpi minis are supposed to be reliable and quiet. Don't believe it. They are just like any other mini. I can't say my mpi is any quieter. Neither can I say it is particularly reliable compared to others I own. My kids like it though as it has proper seat belts in the back where my earlier minis don't.

If I didn't want proper rear belts, better front seats and token nods to safety (air bag and side impact bars) I wouldn't focus on a late mini. Body condition is far more important than the year/model - putting a bad body right is very expensive and time consuming. Even a late mini is old and can hide a lot of rust.

[r3k1355]

Hardly any have 5 speed 'Jack Knight' gearboxes or other aftermarket ones, probably less than 50. 

 

Only 50? Must be more surely?

It was an optional extra on the Cooper S Touring and Cooper S Works models and it was standard fitment on the Cooper S Sport 5.

 

If the OP is looking at a Mini with a 5-speed box it's worth checking if the car is a special edition model.

Edited by r3k1355, 31 July 2017 - 10:55 AM.

[Spider]

 

Hardly any have 5 speed 'Jack Knight' gearboxes or other aftermarket ones, probably less than 50. 

 

Only 50? Must be more surely?

It was an optional extra on the Cooper S Touring and Cooper S Works models and it was standard fitment on the Cooper S Sport 5.

 

If the OP is looking at a Mini with a 5-speed box it's worth checking if the car is a special edition model.

 

 

I believe there was a run of 10 around 1995 or there abouts and then I believe the last 50 off the line were also fitted with the JKD 5 speed.

[hennasxi]

The last 50 off the line were definitely not fitted with a 5 speed box  None were fitted by Rover, they are only a John Cooper conversion offered as an upgrade or on the Sport 5 models which there were very few made.   There really are very few out there with the Jack Knight gearbox.

[Ethel]

Weren't they offered through Rover Dealers though? So you kept your warranty.

 

I don't know the specifics of production. Rover were more focused on marketing extras with limited editions. In my day (80's) the extras were fitted in the dealerships, but I wonder if the full length electric sunroof cars, for example, wouldn't have been easier to pull off the line before going back on for the interior trim? They could have done the same for "Cooperising", but a trip to Cooper's workshop would have been of marketing value in itself.

[Spider]

I'll dig up the factory guff on them.

 

Cooper Garages did fit them as an option, no different to any other workshop of the day, or even today for that matter, though in some instances you could retain factory warranties.

 

These are not the cars to which I was referring.

 

The Cars to which I referred to were fitted with these gearboxes under the Longbridge roof.