Looking at Minis from my point of view "Electrically" I can see that there will be big problems with obtaining parts or finding someone who knows how to repair a Mini in the not too far future. In today's car business no one wants to repair simple things like Alternators or starter motors. Mind you some of today's Auto Electricians would not have a clue how re rebuild components as all they are taught is to diagnose the faulty component and change it. Continually Rising rates of labour costs also have a part in this. Takes too long to repair ? Replace it. All they want to do is replace with imported after market units. Not saying that they are not good but I personally prefer the original items even if they have been repaired. I was brought up in my time to repair things and I still enjoy the satisfaction in doing so. I will keep doing it as long as I can enjoy it. It is very satisfying when I see people's expression when I can repair the part for them that someone else told them throw it away. I will be 60 next year so I should have a few more good years left in me.

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DID I MENTION THAT I AM THE BEST SUPPLIER FOR MINI ELECTRICAL PARTS AND REPAIRS?
"Let us remove your "SHORTS"

Surely the only people that would be concerned over future access to parts will be those that would like to maintain originality....

I dream of a day that someone can give me all the bits to put together a fibreglass Mini on a monochrome subframe platform with an electric engine that could be plugged into a power point at home similar to that in the Tesla roadster that could do 0-100 in 5 seconds AND not make a sound ANNNNND have enough room in the centre console for a Nespresso pod coffee maker.....

*dreams*

My concern is that of the new Mini parts still available, quality of some is going downhill.
eg. A bloke on the Minimania forum bought a set of replacement Cooper S forged rockers. After ~50 miles the valves had worn great grooves into the rocker pads. The muppets who made them forgot to harden them..

Other examples- recent`UK supplied' (not UK made) steering rack failures (one member's lasted 1 month), soft new cam followers, aftermarket UK panels that still don't fit properly after years of production, Bosch condensers and rotors (from PRC) which don't work, etc.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

It's very rare for a cheap-to-buy, cheap-to-run runabout becomes as popular as the mini, and for so many years. There are still a lot around, still a lot of parts and a lot of suppliers.

Quality is a problem, but I think (hope) this will be a phase. Eventually there will be brands that are recognised as being good quality and those after quality will be buying those. I think we're in a transitional phase now because we aren't sure which are the good brands and which are not.

Some suppliers are getting round the crap quality problem by having a bit of stuff made locally.
eg. both Matt Read and Karcraft now get their Hi-Los CNC machined from billet (in Brissy and Sydney respectively).

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

The quality issue should solve itself. At the moment there are still plenty of minis in the UK to justify 3 or 4 variants of the same part, but when a time comes that car numbers drop or popularity drops off, the middle range parts will go to the point where there are only two choices for things: a good one (probably expensive) and a lower quality one (cheaper).

being a car fanatic will always be a money sucking exercise.....

The way UK is going there will be no `good ones'- just cheap imported to UK rubbish.
UK now have about as much short run manufacturing capacity left as Australia...
The minute demand drops, so does supply. Rack pinion bearings were NLA (but I hear may be available again, but 50% dearer) now rack pinion seals have gone the same way. Made in Taiwan, an odd size, and the importer can't be arsed bringing them in here anymore due to lack of demand.
Can't seem to get from UK either...
Once upon a time, both these seals and bearings were Made in Oz.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

do ya reckon this applies to Minis tho? as there are surely far more Minis around than Studebakers and even more that are still being driven around.

I reckon a lot of those old pre 50's cars were well and truly dumped by what new modern cars coming out in the late 50's and 60's and no-one thought to preserve anything old fashioned til it was too late.

The Mini evolved and has almost always been a popular car since day one, thus the love and er self preservation?

saying that, I am now keeping my eyes peeled whenever I can to grab bits that I may need one day in the future!

Stevo

The problem is space. Recently, i needed a radiator to thermostat steady bracket. It was in the tenth box i had to awkwardly pull out like a contortionist.

In summary i'm saying that to keep all the parts one needs to consider space and time. Plan well mate. I know you can if you keep stacking your drums into the brick! lol

Wayne

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..still waiting for the Italian Job sequel to see if the bus went down