14 replies to this topic

[Dan16v]

Has anyone got any experience with fitting Sportspack copy arches?

Do any of them fit properly? Since a genuine set will set you back nearly £200 these days, I am considering the cheaper alternative.

There are several rubber copies out there one example being from Minispares

http://www.minispare....aspx?pid=36597

Any comments from people that have fitted these arches are much apreciated.

Thanks

Dan

[Retro_10s]

if you have time, patience and are not afraid to 'fettle' them slightly go for it, but they are a notoriously bad fit. But it can be overcome.

[giz]

copys never fit but as retro said if you've got time, you can make um fit
i've got f/g copys.

[Mini 360]

Im so glad I got mine for £60 off the guy who sold me my car. Wouldnt be able to afford them otherwise!

[Dan16v]

if you have time, patience and are not afraid to 'fettle' them slightly go for it, but they are a notoriously bad fit. But it can be overcome.

Retro_10s, have you fitted these arches before? When you mean 'fettle', so you mean trimming the sides so they sit flat against the body, or more drastic alterations? Which bits don’t fit?

I had originals on my last mini which fitted perfectly, but the insurance man was paying for those and not me! They even go for well over £100 for second hand ones on ebay these days!

[Retro_10s]

when i last fitted some non gen ones I had to file away at the edges slightly that sit against the car to get it to sit properly, nothing drastic, and i mocked them up for a day aswell, i warmed them up to make them a little more pliable, and then fixed them to the car.

after a day of being on the car they kept their shape a bit better. overall effect was fine and you couldn't tell they weren't GEN rover ones.

[Dan16v]

when i last fitted some non gen ones I had to file away at the edges slightly that sit against the car to get it to sit properly, nothing drastic, and i mocked them up for a day aswell, i warmed them up to make them a little more pliable, and then fixed them to the car.

after a day of being on the car they kept their shape a bit better. overall effect was fine and you couldn't tell they weren't GEN rover ones.

Cheers for the info Retro_10s, I thought it might be somehting like that. Where abouts did you get your non gen ones from?

Cheers

Dan

[pinch]

i fitted some genuine ones for a friend and all was perfect, when using the rover templates they fitted spot on, the areas to cut away around the front arch was all marked out, the holes drilled etc. once this was done, the correct strengthener panels were welded in, to restore the wing stiffness, and prevent the wings flexing and splitting along the seam under the headights. the genuine arches came primed, so just needed flattin off before painting. the main thing is keep trial fitting the arches as you go, and make sure they aren't 'stressed' anywhere, as they end up looking like a 50p piece!! once the car and arches were sprayed, the rubber sealing strips were a spot on fit too. i don't know if the pattern arches come with these? always go genuine if you can afford it. the cheapest is usually the dearest in the long run. i haven't seen any copy arches up close, so i don't know if the finish is good or bad, but if it's bad, then they will need more time spent on them before painting.

[Mini 360]

i fitted some genuine ones for a friend and all was perfect, when using the rover templates they fitted spot on, the areas to cut away around the front arch was all marked out, the holes drilled etc. once this was done, the correct strengthener panels were welded in, to restore the wing stiffness, and prevent the wings flexing and splitting along the seam under the headights. the genuine arches came primed, so just needed flattin off before painting. the main thing is keep trial fitting the arches as you go, and make sure they aren't 'stressed' anywhere, as they end up looking like a 50p piece!! once the car and arches were sprayed, the rubber sealing strips were a spot on fit too. i don't know if the pattern arches come with these? always go genuine if you can afford it. the cheapest is usually the dearest in the long run. i haven't seen any copy arches up close, so i don't know if the finish is good or bad, but if it's bad, then they will need more time spent on them before painting.

You need to fit strengthening panels once you have cut away the metal!? I CANT WELD AND EITHER CAN MY DAD!!!

[MiniMarko]

i fitted some genuine ones for a friend and all was perfect, when using the rover templates they fitted spot on, the areas to cut away around the front arch was all marked out, the holes drilled etc. once this was done, the correct strengthener panels were welded in, to restore the wing stiffness, and prevent the wings flexing and splitting along the seam under the headights. the genuine arches came primed, so just needed flattin off before painting. the main thing is keep trial fitting the arches as you go, and make sure they aren't 'stressed' anywhere, as they end up looking like a 50p piece!! once the car and arches were sprayed, the rubber sealing strips were a spot on fit too. i don't know if the pattern arches come with these? always go genuine if you can afford it. the cheapest is usually the dearest in the long run. i haven't seen any copy arches up close, so i don't know if the finish is good or bad, but if it's bad, then they will need more time spent on them before painting.

Has anybody got any pics of these ? can these be self fabricated ? if not where are the best place to get ?

[pinch]

Heritage make them and are available through minispares, somerford etc., for about £45. they are what rover used to fit to shells i think. i guess at least half the people fitting these arches don't fit these. you can restore stiffness and also get rid of the sharpd edge by re-forming a lip on the wing using a hammer and dolly, and just weld a small piece of metal across the wing to front panel join. this is essential to stop the seam flexing/splitting apart, and then causing the sealer to split. i can email pics of some of the work if required.

[chrisg]

if you dont have any inner wings on the car and have inner bars instead what difference does this make to fitting? do you still need to weld new bits in

[miniboo]

you just have to reform the lip on the wing after you have cut the arch to fit the massive 13 inch wheel(go for 10's chris)

[chrisg]

10's would be cool but cant really afford new wheels so think i might just stick with 12" and change the arches should look ok

[pinch]

once you've reformed the lip, weld in a small plate across the gap where the seam is between the wing and front panel, stops the wing and front panel pulling apart and then the seam sealer splitting, causing rust!