12 replies to this topic

[Steve-O 2014]

Hi, needing a side boot floor repair panel but noticed MiniSpares and MiniSports are both different looking.

Which would you recommend?



 Screenshot_20230629_104524_Gallery.jpg   14.32K   0 downloads

 Screenshot_20230629_104512_Gallery.jpg   11.98K   0 downloads


Thanks

[stuart bowes]

the top one stops at the suspension turret

 

the bottom one goes all the way back to the seat and looks a bit wider, i,e. right up to and past the edge of the battery tray

 

the other difference is the bit that meets up to the stiffener bracket, it looks like the black one is designed to have a new bracket fitted on top whereas I know the silvery one is designed to just fit over the top of the existing one.  again depends what your plans are exactly

 

how much of the panel do you need to replace (pics might help)

 

from what I've seen usually it's just the bit behind the wheel well near the light cluster and around the subframe mount in which case both options work

 

neither of them are really 'ideal' in that they have an upwards return around the edges and they're designed to just sit on top of the existing parts, it all depends how much you're planning to cut out and replace, there's no one-size-fits-all answer obviously

 

bear in mind as well that corner is a bit complicated, with an extra layer beneath for strengthening, and i believe the valence has a closing panel which overlaps that point as well (3 layers total under the bracket ?)

Edited by stuart bowes, 29 June 2023 - 12:00 PM.

[Steve-O 2014]

The bracket that comes off the wheel arch with the 2 holes in looks good and solid but the floor and valance section under it is rotted out...

Think the previous owner did a few bodges to sell it as the boot looked clean when we got it but now I'm finding bits of metal plate that have just been bonded with sealer and smoothed over masking the problem but then after a few years of road vibrations his bonded on panel repair came loose...

[stuart bowes]

if you have a look at the link in my signature and go back to post #88 (page 6), from there onwards you can see what I did with the magnum panels (silvery ones)

 

I'm not keeping my external seam but that method should still work if you are 

Edited by stuart bowes, 29 June 2023 - 10:48 AM.

[Steve-O 2014]

Cool,thanks will have a look after work.

Might get the minisport one, suppose if I end up chasing rust then the mini sport panel covers a larger area...

Thanks

[sonscar]

Neither of them go under the reinforcer.I would use card to make a template and cut out of sheet.Cut old rust away and replace the reinforcers underneath.Steve..

[colinf1]

Try the M-machine boot floor panels if you can, they don-t have the pressing & cut-out that goes over the boot floor to arch.

[pete l]

None of them. I tried MAGNUM ones and M-MACHINE ones, they don't fit., ended up replacing the boot floor. 

[stuart bowes]

Neither of them go under the reinforcer.I would use card to make a template and cut out of sheet.Cut old rust away and replace the reinforcers underneath.Steve..

In fairness that is what I probably should have done and that does make sense but having already bought them and the fact they're pretty much the right shape to start with does make things a bit easier I just modified them to do what I needed

The black one does look totally flat where the reinforcer sits though? I'm only going by the picture though I haven't seen one in the flesh

Edited by stuart bowes, 29 June 2023 - 01:19 PM.

[stuart bowes]

I'd agree replacing the whole floor is definitely the best option in an ideal world but there's a lot more work involved in doing that and I don't feel it's strictly necessary as long as you take the time to make the adjustments and fettle it to fit well

Edited by stuart bowes, 29 June 2023 - 01:25 PM.

[Steve-O 2014]

Yea, I was thinking of the complete floor route but watched a few YouTube videos of people patching up the back and sides and it seems the easiest way for me.... plus it's alot cheaper...

Should be here tomorrow so I can start cut and shutting it on the weekend.

On a plus side my subframe bolts came out easy. The head snapped on one but some heat and large vice grips sorted that out

[elliot341]

Second vote for m machine panels. At least u can replace all the bit of floor you need to replace

[Steve-O 2014]

Fast next day delivery from Mini Sport

 20230630_180616.jpg   47.49K   1 downloads

I just rested it in to give an idea 👍

Edited by Steve-O 2014, 30 June 2023 - 07:17 PM.