33 replies to this topic

[Lancaster]

I've recently visited my local garage who have said that my A panel (inner and outer) need replacing, I'm pretty sure they do since there is a massive crack in the outer and the door has dropped which probably means he is right about the inner?

Anyway long story short he gave a rough estimate that the work or replacing both inner and outer including having the outer panel sprayed that was £500 and it would take 3 weeks!

This is the first time I've had to replace a panel on my Mini and I'm not sure if this is correct?
I'm just checking on here to see if he's not pulling a fast one.

Edited by Lancaster, 19 January 2013 - 05:32 PM.

[minidaves]

well yeah most i have seen charged is 1400 for that, but to inc paint thats a fair price

dave

[Shifty]

I'd be having a VERY good look at the rest of the car before letting them start work. Chances are thats just the tip of the iceberg.

[Lancaster]

I'd be having a VERY good look at the rest of the car before letting them start work. Chances are thats just the tip of the iceberg.

Whereabouts should I be looking?

[Wise Old Elf]

I'd be having a VERY good look at the rest of the car before letting them start work. Chances are thats just the tip of the iceberg.

Whereabouts should I be looking?

Have a look at my rebuild. The first set of pics will so you where the rot is.

[sonikk4]

Its more a case of where not to look on a mini and there are very few places if any that do not suffer from rust especially the newer mini's.

If there is work to do on the A panel and A post i would put money on that there will be rust under the scuttle close out panel. Its not all doom and gloom it really does depend on how well the car has been looked after over the years.

[superman]

so you guys are telling me that £500 is a good price, i wouldn't pay that

[sonikk4]

so you guys are telling me that £500 is a good price, i wouldn't pay that

So how much would you expect to pay then???

[leaky]

I had my Sill, door step, A panel and drivers floor plan replaced for £300 I think it was, although I bought the panels. A panel was not painted though but everything else was stonechipped.

[steble]

buy the panels buy a welder have a go :)

chances are you won't be perfect first time but you can always practice first :)

[mini danny]

500 is a bit steep and just seen on your profile it's says you drive a Mayfair??? if so that means you don't have a inner a panel as yours will be a mk3 shape onwards which consists on internal door hinges, not external so the strengther panel is not needed


Danny

[Lancaster]

500 is a bit steep and just seen on your profile it's says you drive a Mayfair??? if so that means you don't have a inner a panel as yours will be a mk3 shape onwards which consists on internal door hinges, not external so the strengther panel is not needed


Danny

I do drive a Mayfair, '95 1.3 SPi (If that helps)
That'll be why my door drops. I'll include some photos of the A panel and the door hinge bit.

This is what you see if you look in the gap between the A panel and door.


This is the crack on the A panel that you can see when you look at the A panel. (It's annotated because I sent it to a Mini centre (Never got a reply though).

Edited by Lancaster, 20 January 2013 - 03:05 PM.

[sonikk4]

Not to be the harbinger of doom here but this age of car is notorious for rusting so there will be more than meets the eye here. Just looking at the picture of the crack i can see rust starting on the door and the wing.

The other thing its metallic green paint which will need to be matched carefully. So the panels needed will be the A panel, flitch repair panel and by the looks of it A post stiffener.

[dean]

May seem expensive but he is also covering himself as he will know that it's not just the A panel that needs doing once he startes to take it off.

Have you ever thought of giving it ago and get them to paint it.

Most body shops start at around £200 a panel to paint.

[Lancaster]

May seem expensive but he is also covering himself as he will know that it's not just the A panel that needs doing once he startes to take it off.

Have you ever thought of giving it ago and get them to paint it.

Most body shops start at around £200 a panel to paint.

I've considered it but I don't have any experience with welding or anything like that, so I wouldn't attempt. :')