22 replies to this topic

[Mini Cheddars]

Hey there people.

I'm a big fan of Mini's. I love them, I really do. Ever since I watched The Italian Job (1969) in the 90's. I've been learning to drive for a few months now and would love a Mini as my first car. I've been looking on eBay and classic car sale sites and I see the term 'Sportspack'. Could someone tell me what it is? Is it a popular modification someone has done or did it come out of the factory with this 'Sportspack'?

[Asphalt]

Hey there people.

I'm a big fan of Mini's. I love them, I really do. Ever since I watched The Italian Job (1969) in the 90's. I've been learning to drive for a few months now and would love a Mini as my first car. I've been looking on eBay and classic car sale sites and I see the term 'Sportspack'. Could someone tell me what it is? Is it a popular modification someone has done or did it come out of the factory with this 'Sportspack'?

'Sportspack' was an optional configuration offered by the factory (resp. Rover) for the late models, 1996-2000. It included - as far as I know - 13" wheels, uprated shocks (red Konis), (far too) wide arches, chromed exhaust tail pipe and a different steering rack & 8mm wheels spacers at the rear to accomodate the wide/large wheels.

[jmetal88]

Sportspack basically means they have wide 'Sportspack' arches put on and 13" wheels. I have a Sportspack Mini. It's really just a style thing, and I kind of wish by now that I had gotten a Mini without it, as it doesn't handle as well as I would have liked. I think some came from the factory (or at least from the dealer) with Sportspack, but some of them were done custom later.

EDIT: Took too long to type. Well the guy above me has a better description, so listen to him.

EDIT 2: And considering his description, mine was probably done custom after it was purchased, as it has standard shocks, and I'm not sure it has a different steering rack either, although it does have everything else and appears to use official parts (as the 13" wheels are clearly marked 'Rover').

Edited by jmetal88, 22 August 2009 - 06:04 PM.

[Mini Cheddars]

Thanks peeps. You've been ever so helpful.

[rick.spi]

id get a non sportspack, but you should get what u prefur

take into acount the sprtspack will handle slightly worse, and will acelerate slightly less quick.

[Dan]

The Sportspack did not officially come with Koni dampers. Some of them have been found to have Koni dampers fitted but not all. Manufacturers change specifications subtley all the time but the brochure never mentioned uprated dampers. Officially:

Sports Option pack
Additional gauges in fascia. 13" x 6" Sports Style alloy wheels. 175/50 R13 radial ply tyres. Large body colour extended wheel arches. 2 driving lamps (standard fit on Mini Cooper). 2 fog lamps. Sports accelerator pedal (standard fit on Mini Cooper). Large bore chrome tailpipe finisher.

Although it isn't listed, all factory installed Sportspacks included a reduced lock steering rack (this is not a quickrack, it just has less lock to prevent the wheels scrubbing the arches) and 6mm rear wheel spacers (stamped Rover). They also have re-inforcing panels inside the front wings to return the strength removed by trimmming. Some have Koni dampers. Most home converted cars don't have any of these parts.

As said above, this was a factory installed option pack selected when you ordered a Mini or Mini Cooper and was available on both models from 1996 - 2000. It adds over a square foot to the front cross section of the car and as such reduces the fuel efficiency, acceleration and maximum speed quite a lot. It also ruins the precise handling of the car. It does look good though.

[ferrit]

This is a Sportspack, although no longer wearing the 13" Sportspack (Speedline) Wheels.

Konis were standard on the last Cooper Sports LEs & 500s as far as I know

[Asphalt]

@Dan: all Sportspack equipet Minis I've seen so far (as long as they were original) had red Koni dampers fitted...

[rick.spi]

This is a Sportspack, although no longer wearing the 13" Sportspack (Speedline) Wheels.

Konis were standard on the last Cooper Sports LEs & 500s as far as I know

someones pinched ya badge !

[roofless]

here you go.

[Mini Cheddars]

Good info there. So this so-called Sportspack reduces top speed and handling? Sportspack my arse lol. You're right though, they do look nice. Tempted by them as my first car. I've never driven a Mini so I wouldn't know how good/bad they are in comparison.

Edited by Mini Cheddars, 23 August 2009 - 08:06 AM.

[MiniBonkerz]

Here's mine also i have red konies as standard also additions on the mpi's are airbag and side impact bars front and rear

[Mini Cheddars]

I am really liking the look of the Sportspack but not sure about one due to the sacrifices in performance. They do look sweet though.

Edited by Mini Cheddars, 23 August 2009 - 03:37 PM.

[evansisgreat]

I am really liking the look of the Sportspack but not sure about one due to the sacrifices in performance. They do look sweet though.

My sportspack is my first car, something I didn't see mentioned though its late and I may have missed it) was that sportspacks came with extra gauges either side on the clock whick are a volt meter and an oil temp gauge. When first looking into minis I loved the look of that dash layout and had to have it!

Another thing to consider is that if you're unlucky you could pay alot for wheel bearings. Juju has spent so much money trying to cure her mini of this, where as I've had no problems at all, although I've had plenty of others with a combined repair bill of around £1000 in the last year fora steering rack, ball joints, radius arms +labour.

Still wouldn't change my car for anything else.

p.s. sportspack arches are a *woman of ill repute* to clean properly.

[Deathrow]

Here's mine also i have red konies as standard also additions on the mpi's are airbag and side impact bars front and rear
IMAGES

Please stop telling people this, it's not true.

Yes, MPi's have side impact bars, in the doors, they do not have any "in the rear". This is an MPi shell:



Sorry to be a moan alot, but when you give people the wrong information, it can lead to all sorts of confusion (For instance, they might go to look at an MPi to buy and then not buy it because it appears to not have the rear bars that infact never existed).

By all means, if I'm wrong, somone correct me.

Edited by Deathrow, 25 August 2009 - 09:21 AM.