22 replies to this topic

[MrBounce]

I need a new Non-Verto clutch slave for the Midas as mine has taken a dump. (It's seized since I fitted it many moons ago).

Question is, the non-genuine one on Mini Spares is less than half the cost of a genuine one. Having just spent a lot on a new Master as well, I would rather get the cheaper one. But are they up to the job? I also don't want to buy cheap, buy twice if they're no good.

Anyone used the non genuine one?

[Ethel]

Can't see why it wouldn't be - actually I can, but not with the cylinder, just the rubber seals in it.

[Spider]

I have used both.

The disappointing thing with bit is they are not plated or finished in any way, so if left, they'll both look awful in a short space of time.

 

Some of the pattern ones don't have a circlip to keep the Piston from pushing all the way out, usually it's not a problem, but with some accumulated wear in the arm etc, the piston can pop out. I've also found the boots are too small and won't stay on, the bleed nipple too,,, some are M10 and take a 10 mm spanner, some ate 3/8" UNF and take a 10 mm spanner,,,, They are usable for sure, but have short comings.

Apart from the Genuine item not being finished, I do prefer them.

[MrBounce]

Thank you guys. I shall consider my options!

[Shooter63]

I always buy genuine now, I inadvertently bought a non genuine brake master cylinder from one of the major suppliers for my Mrs Mini, all seemed well for a couple of months, it wasn't until I drove it to a L2B, was sitting in the queue on the down ramp and noticed the pedal slowly sinking, got home, took the offending item off to find the servo full of fluid. Once bitten twice shy. While the genuine ones ( in your case slave )seem more expensive in the grand scheme of things the difference is probably a couple of pints of beer ( please note I don't drink so guessing on the cost of a pint etc )

 

 

Shooter

[MiniMadRacer]

I tend to agree with shooter, whether its imagination or whether its just we dont use the cars as often in many cases anymore, but pattern parts do seem to deteriate quicker than I remember them doing back in the 80s.

 

As I have got older, (not necessarily wiser) I now think that to copy a part (forget copyright laws for now) and sell it you have to make it cheaper than the genuine, and with modern production methods you can really only do that by using cheaper parts such as seals / gaskets / rubbers etc, or you cut corners elsewhere in the quality process. Also big OEMs, want to maximise their profits, so they have already cut corners as much as they believe they can to maximise their profits, so the non genuine part, really is going to be inferior... I think

[sonscar]

Cynically maybe but I think that they all could be made in the same place and priced more or less.steve.. 

[ADRay]

I have a non genuine unit. It works good but it quickly developed light surface rust.

[Gaz66]

I got a non genuine one and it is zinc plated? (gold colour) So maybe the forgers have upped their game 😁

[Shooter63]

I tend to agree with shooter, whether its imagination or whether its just we dont use the cars as often in many cases anymore, but pattern parts do seem to deteriate quicker than I remember them doing back in the 80s.

 

As I have got older, (not necessarily wiser) I now think that to copy a part (forget copyright laws for now) and sell it you have to make it cheaper than the genuine, and with modern production methods you can really only do that by using cheaper parts such as seals / gaskets / rubbers etc, or you cut corners elsewhere in the quality process. Also big OEMs, want to maximise their profits, so they have already cut corners as much as they believe they can to maximise their profits, so the non genuine part, really is going to be inferior... I think

 

 

The world has definitely changed regarding non genuine parts, back in the day you would walk into a car accessory shop or what ever it was named then ask for a what ever part you wanted, it would come in a different box from the manufacturer but 9 times out of 10 it was the same part , be it brake parts, wheel bearings, pumps etc, if it wasn't the part would be of an equivalent quality, now it seems the word " pattern " gives the manufacturer the right to make something vaguely the right size out of something vaguely the right material.

 

Shooter

[imack]

In my experience, the modern "genuine" parts are nothing like the quality of original genuine parts from the likes of British Leyland, Unipart, Lockheed, lucas etc. Most of the currently available "non genuine" parts are only fit for the bin when new.

[Gaz66]

In my experience, the modern "genuine" parts are nothing like the quality of original genuine parts from the likes of British Leyland, Unipart, Lockheed, lucas etc. Most of the currently available "non genuine" parts are only fit for the bin when new.

I seem to remember the Lucas name and trademark being bought by some Chinese company years back and now the quality of the Lucas switches are poor compared to the English made ones.

Edit: it seems lucas are owned by ZF now so maybe the switches etc are back up to par 👍

Edited by Gaz66, 21 December 2025 - 08:01 PM.

[Ethel]

Can there be any genuine parts for a model that's been out of production for 25 years, by a manufacturer that no longer exists?

 

Spurious parts were a numbers game. The original manufacturer had to manage a complete inventory of parts that rarely failed. Flog only bits that are expected to wear out and you can turn a profit on volume. Even if you could contractually tie down your own suppliers, all the other car manufacturers will have a supplier making similar products that you have no control over once your IP runs out.

 

A registered design only runs for 5 years until it needs renewing, assuming you can register a purely functional spare part at all. A patent would only apply if your slave cylinder was a genuine & novel improvement over other slave cylinders.

 

IP regulations are what makes the likes of the Mini, Beetle & 2CV really remarkable and it unlikely there'll be another. 

[Chris1275gt]

I fitted a lot of non genuine parts in 2018 when I bought the car the slave cylinder being one of them lasted for 18 months before it started leaking I fitted a genuine one and it has been fine for 5 years so far. I can’t think of any of the other non genuine I fitted that are still on the car. They have all been changed for genuine ones or new/old stock so for 4/5 years the genuine ones that replaced them are all still working fine I’m not saying all non genuine parts are crap but most of the ones I’ve had have been. I think genuine parts these days are perhaps made of the same original materials and closer attention is paid to the tolerances during manufacture.

Edited by Chris1275gt, 22 December 2025 - 01:47 PM.

[Gaz66]

I fitted a lot of non genuine parts in 2018 when I bought the car the slave cylinder being one of them lasted for 18 months before it started leaking I fitted a genuine one and it has been fine for 5 years so far. I can’t think of any of the other non genuine I fitted that are still on the car. They have all been changed for genuine ones or new/old stock so for 4/5 years the genuine ones that replaced them are all still working fine I’m not saying all non genuine parts are crap but most of the ones I’ve had have been.

Was it the seals that went or something else?
Can the forgeries be re-sealed with genuine seals?

Edited by Gaz66, 22 December 2025 - 01:38 PM.