Hi,
Going to UK in 12 weeks and wont have much time for my Mini addiction. I need some places to visit to buy stuff that are a little off the beaten path and so more budget conscious.

I'm looking for seconds mainly so where to go?

I intend to freight back LCL and will have the use of a vehicle while there.

lucky stiff just jealous have fun

check miniworld and see if there any events on while you are there, usually get traders selling cheap stuff. Or look for any big swap meets for classic cars.
Minispares is just on the edge of North London so its not far to go for new stuff, minispeed is just south of London too.
have fun mate

Which part of the UK are you visiting mate?

Could always hook up and help feed your addiction / steer you to the best places?

3 months is right in the swing of the show / event season here. Some great autojumbles!

Nige

Try and visit Gaydon and Beaulieu if you can find time. Gaydon is north and Beaulieu is south west.

Beaulieu is around 30Miles from me.

Haynes is just up the road as well

Minispares, Dsn Classics, RJM Minis, Slark race engineering, all within easy drive.

Plus there are many runs and shows on at that time of year!

Nige

You Aussies must get you maps from the same place as the Yanks.

Gaydon is the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Museum and archive - about 30 miles south east of Birmingham. Birmingham is in the centre of England - it is not in the centre of Britain. Now has more than BMC/BL stuff on display but usually three or four Mini's at least.

Loads of places for parts but just because this is Britain don't expect to see a Mk 1 Cooper S parked on every street.

MiniMail have a pretty good selection of pre owned parts (including Mk 1 and Mk 2) and plenty of new stuff as well. It is about 60 miles WSW of Birmingham - closed on a Monday and maybe Saturday if the owner is racing.

http://www.minimail.co.uk/

Min-e-bitz of Sheffield also good for used parts. This is getting north(ish) - about 90 miles north east of Birmingham in a land called Yorkshire - you'll need a cloth cap and whippet to blend in with the locals but start every sentence with 'Owdoo' or Ayup' and you won't go far wrong.

http://www.min-e-bitz.co.uk/

Min-its are good for new parts at very competitive prices. About 10 miles south of Birmingham.

http://www.min-its.com/

There are lots of large and not so large autojumbles on so you should be able to find something to do whilst you are here.

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Pip, pip old boy