60 replies to this topic

[minivanman]

I've never really had a problem with minisport, or minispares. I only ever ring my orders through as well - internet ordering isn't worth the risk. Min-its are very good as well. Oh, and minimine are on my blacklist as well after witnessing some of their "workmanship" at first hand. If anybody will take my advice, never EVER take a car there for welding.

[MiniDick]

I think Minisport are a bit pricey to be honest, and I have heard a couple of bad things,much the same as on here. I've always used Minispares and a couple of local Mini specialists (JJ Minis in Walsall and Miniworld in Bilston, my home town) I'm Tight as a Duck's Bum so I scut around for Mini parts quite regular

[minili]

I have only made one order with Minisport and that was last week. I ordered a pair of Cobra Classic seats from them over the phone, they were very well priced (Clearance Sale) and arrived quickly. Unfortunately one of them had a 6 inch rip along the side so they have collected it today and, because Minisport don't have another seat in stock, I'm getting a new one sent direct from Cobra.

Their one downfall is communication - no matter how many times you ask they never ring you back I have had to phone them almost every day this week to find out what is happening with regards to replacing my seat. Whenever I phone the answer is always what I want it to be, and their staff are very friendly and helpful (especially Mick), it's just frustrating when I have to call them every day after work because they have not got back to me to tell me what's going on.

However it is not (necessarily) their fault that the seat is ripped (the box has clearly been bashed somewhere between there and here) and they have dealt with it well - I emailed them a photo and they were happy to exchange it, and organised collection quickly, and fingers crossed I will get the replacement quickly too.

If they are cheapest for what I want then I'd happily order from them again, luckily my mini doesn't need much doing to it so I don't need to make alot of orders from anyone!

Anyone who has trouble with Minisport I'd suggest firstly, order over the phone - not the website, and if you have a problem keep phoning them for updates because they don't sit on their arses all day, I think they've spent most of this week sorting out my seat - if you keep asking them what's happening then generally you'll find that they are doing something useful!

Obviously every person's order is different and their problems will be different too, but I've found them to be good so far

Edited by minili, 20 July 2007 - 05:05 PM.

[blackbelt1990]

My mate had his 998 tuned at MiniSport recently and although I can't praise their tuners highly enough. It started kicking fire out and constantly overfueld on the way home!
Ryan

[Mincento]

minimine are on my blacklist as well after witnessing some of their "workmanship" at first hand. If anybody will take my advice, never EVER take a car there for welding.

finnaly someone agrees with me, what they did to my equinox when the last owner had it is quite simply APPAULING and it simply amazes me how there workshop is always full when the quality is so poor and they arent even cheap

the only reason i use them is there is one guy there (skin head mechanic) who always knows the answer to a question and the fact that for small bits i can just go and collect as mini spares and mini sport and the others loose out massively as like in my case recently of wanting a pair of engine mounts, track rod ends etc the postage can work out more plus the fact of waiting for it

wayne

[taffy1967]

I've bought off them in the past (Mini Sport) but I was not amused when the brand new grille I ordered one Xmas turned up all bashed and twisted and it took ages to sort out because they insisted that I had to send it back before they'd issue a replacement. Okay they hadn't packaged it properly, but I was then out of pocket on the return postage.

So when I needed some parts for my recently resurrected Mini, I avoided them and chose Somerford Mini Specialists in the end. Well they offered a better deal than Mini Spares and okay I took a gamble because I've never done mail order with them before, but I was amazed with their service.

For a start the girl telephoned me back to confirm stock availability and so I was using their phone to complete the order and true to their word all my parts arrived on the day they promised and I can't recommend them highly enough.

So Somerford and Mini Spares are my favourite suppliers at the moment.

Edited by taffy1967, 21 July 2007 - 01:26 PM.

[minili]

I've heard nothing but praise for Somerford, I think I will be using them for my impending stage 1 kit

[redhotmini]

i get all my parts through work, its easier, i get real discounts (none of that 5% club discount!), dont pay the vat and i get 30 days to pay, after i get the parts. minispares are at the top of my trade suppliers list at the moment!

[minivanman]

minimine are on my blacklist as well after witnessing some of their "workmanship" at first hand. If anybody will take my advice, never EVER take a car there for welding.

finnaly someone agrees with me, what they did to my equinox when the last owner had it is quite simply APPAULING and it simply amazes me how there workshop is always full when the quality is so poor and they arent even cheap

I spent a day repairing someone in my clubs mini van. They took it to minimine with a load of heritage panels to put on. They put them on - badly - and still left a load of rust on it. I know my bodywork isn't perfect but its a lot better than somebody who is claiming to be a mini specialist. The A panels were dented, they'd buckled the sides with the welding heat, there were holes in the floor, the front bulkhead was rusted through in places and the nearside wing had been seam welded on the outside, then had the seam cut back into it with a grinder. Absolutley shocking.

[lewis]

one word..... minispares minispares minispares

i order all my parts to the island through minsipares and i have it within 2 days, minisport took over a week on an aerial

but some of these storys on here, how scary, makes me angry

[Andy500]

I must admit ive found minisport to be really good if you make the order over the phone and ask for the internet price but then go in and collect it. Ive had problems with most of the major mini spares suppliers with poor delivery or missing goods when it comes to mail order. The only one which has been spot on every single time is Somerford Mini spares, there quick efficient and have an excellent phone manner. Also they dont qoute diffrent prices than what they charge and all the phone staff know there stuff so you rarely end up on hold.

[DivineMisfit]

I live in South Africa and ordered 2 deep dish wheels, and they sent me the wrong wheels, i complained and they said if i pay the 220 quid postage refud they will send me the correct ones.

Personally, the service had been rubbish, they take ages t reply to emails, and dont even answer the questions asked.
But to be honest I always end up going back.

[toro]

I usually only read on this forum but this time I felt I had to share my experience with Mini Sport.

I live in Israel and I am rebuilding my mini. I needed many parts including a full roll cage, dashboard, and other parts for a total of 2,000 GBP.
To make a (very very very) long story short: They overcharged me by 150 GBP (in my book this is called stealing). They delayed the order for 5 months. They charged 400 GBP for shipping of 100 KG, which should cost about half as much. I have nothing to do about these issues because a) I'm not there, and b) I'm not a citizen of the EU so I can't sue from abroad.
Across this entire period Mini Sport have never called me, and many times they ignored my emails. Their strategy is simple: they don't answer emails because they want you to call them. They also CHARGE YOUR CREDIT CARD BEFORE THEY SHIP AND HOLD THE PARCEL AS "HOSTAGE" - which goes against the agreement on their site.

This is an honest warning. Some people would read this and say "yeah OK this guy lives far away, they probably had problems because of this and that and because it was a large order". This is not the case. These people are simply thieves. I'm not saying that you will experience all of this, I am saying you should assume that some of this behavior would reoccur.

I have bought from Minispares many times in the past. They are great suppliers, they keep you up to date, they ship on time, they don't steal from you, and they are far cheaper overall.

DO NOT BUY FROM MINI SPORT NO MATTER WHAT.

Regards,
Adam

Same experience here! THEY CHARGED MY CREDIT CARD BEFORE ANYTHING. I only noticed it a week later after they already charged my credit card for the goods. I contacted them about this, and guess what is the answer? No answer! But they then charged my credit card again for the shipping cost and I received a notice on the following day that the parcel is shipped. SO, WHAT IS HAPPENING DURING THAT WEEK? Perhaps parcel was just left there where nobody cares to ship it until I contacted them?

I just don't understand why they seems not care about orders? Why can't they contact buyers about stock availability. I had to contacted them several times asking about my order, and they would then reply you no stock yet! Actually I understand this and I am willing to wait, but they should have let me know after I made my order. This is creating so many uncertainty for oversea buyers.

[toro]

I live in South Africa and ordered 2 deep dish wheels, and they sent me the wrong wheels, i complained and they said if i pay the 220 quid postage refud they will send me the correct ones.

Personally, the service had been rubbish, they take ages t reply to emails, and dont even answer the questions asked.
But to be honest I always end up going back.

If they sent the wrong one, they SHOULD pay for the return postage fees and send another one!

[Senile Old Git]

I personally use DSN classics , they do not do dashboards, seats & wheels etc

But if its parts you want, you will get them next day, everytime, superbly packaged and in three years never had a item incorrectly supplied.

Had an issue with a choke cable once - that was replaced FOC.