Hello,

Im in Morocco at the moment, but soon i will be back backpacking around europe again, finnishing in london.

Are there any mini things i can get real cheap there and bring back with me? Im thinking disc brakes [as i may want a set], its also possible for me to bring little bits back for others, but not VERY possible, because space + weight is tight.

Yea, havnt thought about the mini for months, but guess im a bit homesick :].

Anyway, please help me with any suggestions etc or just to say hi.*
Thanks in advance :]

Come on guys help me out, does anyone have any experience in this?
Are there any good suppliers in particular to go to?

Its hard for me to judge prices at the moment with ebay being the only source.

NMP have done a deal with the major part distributor over there right?? does that mean that their import prices are good?

say hi to me..

im waiting for anwers to, for i am going to be in england in a month and a bit. i am going to get disc and spacered drums.

_________________

Sunday Morning Mini Sprint http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtGuzqBQ32Q my "rendezvous"

There are heaps of places over there you could go shopping..

Minisport - www.minisport.com
minispares - www.minispares.com
avonbar - www.avonbar.co.uk


There are tones.. go grap a miniworld mag and look for places in the back...

o and Hi.... have a fun trip

Hi.

I'm currently having the same dilemma.

i'll be back in the UK for 10 days in June and will be spending a few days with friends just a few miles from Minispares main warehouse in Potters Bar.

Just can't think what I need/want and can also fit into luggage at the same time!

Hope you guys have a nice time in the UK.

minispares is definitely one of the most respected all round suppliers - they remanufacture a lot of parts themselves from the original tooling. Depends on where you are going but Potters Bar is just on the edge of London (north), near the M25/A1(M) junction.
http://www.minispares.com/

I think prices between most of the main suppliers only ever varies a little and not to the extent that it would be worth travelling a great distance to go to get something that was 2 pounds cheaper. There's always the odd exception, best to get a copy of MiniWorld or Mini magazine and have a browse.

Moss seem to have a lot of stuff that you don't tend to see in other places though (they've got a few shops i think, but the London one is in South West London http://www.moss-europe.co.uk

Depending on when you are going, could be an idea to see if there are any mini shows on when you are there - it's summer time and the show season is underway. A lot of the time you can get stuff at a great discount from the stalls at the shows.

Most of the shows are in the countryside though, so you'll normally need a car to get there.

Post a question on http://www.minifinity.com and you'll be sure to get some help/opinions/advice and also a list of events/runs and shows

PS noticed that this year's International Mini Meet is in Poland 2-4th June - backpacking taking you anywhere near there by any chance??

Been there, done that

But seriously, it is totally up to you and your budget, and your needs.

When i was there my budget was $600 and i bought a gearbox rebuild kit inc diff, NOS cooper S gears, center oil pikcup, double valve springs, offset cam keys, 3 H/D rocker shafts etc.

Depends on what you want to do really. At the end of the day it is not THAT much of a saving. You do save about 25%ish on certain items, more on others, less on some.

Example: Center oil pickup costs about 26quid which is about $70 and over here you can buy one for about $140 so there is clearly a saving.

However with a cooper S disc brake set they are going for about 570quid (about $1500) but you can buy them brand new here delivered to your door for around $1700 to $1800. Since this will be a VERY heavy item, i reckon just pay for a set here instead...

If you are rebuidling a car/engine then go for it, buy as much as you need as you will clearly save.

_________________
Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

It depends on what you're looking for really , it's the place to find obscure mini memorabilia , models , 60's and 70's racing stuff and other bits and pieces but as for new or serious performance parts there isn't a lot of difference (except for some things , get a price list from someone in Aust and compare before buying) to getting them down here and having warranty on them .

_________________

Don't forget that airlines have a weight, as well as a size, restriction on luggage.
You may end up having to pay carriage if they won't let you take it on board.

_________________
'98 Mpi Sportspack + 7 port alloy head

I dunno a bout your comment on the discs not being worth it, it seems i can get a set of recoed 7.5 for 350 pounds, which is less than 900dollars
allegedly they weigh about 27kg, which means it is possible to chuck em into my back pack *after ive removed all my clothes and souvenirs of cours* and take them back with me.

I have only been able to find other pricings on brand new discs @ au less 2k

So now ihave a question of, are reco just as good as new ones etc, is this still worth the saving of a couple of h undred? *i would have to pay extra for the weight exceeding 20kg*

I cant find the brackets on this keyboard by the way.


Well cheers, i hope you can help me :D

Usually reco is just fine as long as the parts allegedly replaced, actually have been replaced.. Sometimes it's worth getting the units in bad shape and doing the job yourself, you can save dollars there sometimes as well.

Of course in a hub's lifetime there is only so many times a bearing can be pushed out and pushed or drifted back in before it wears the bearing journals out, so check them over carefully and weigh it up.

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.