6 replies to this topic

[carts60]

Hi chaps,

 

It crossed my mind this morning that as i am in the final stages of piecing the mini back together, I wouldn't actually mind getting rid of the asthmatic heater for something a bit more effective.

 

It will only be heating the cabin rather than going to the screen too which should help but is anybody using a more effective heater out there?

 

Either hijacked from another classic/modern car or a suitable classic aftermarket alternative?

 

Very keen to hear thoughts and experiences if you please!

[Fast Ivan]

I'm going to be fitting a two speed heater from a late mpi in to my clubman soon

 

minispares do a universal unit

http://www.minispare...ating.aspx|Back to shop

 

there also this company, they do others as well

http://www.ebay.co.u...=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

pretty sure there's a thread on these somewhere as well

[carts60]

But are they any better at heating?

 

I'll hazard a guess the minispares universal option is just as anaemic as the standard?

 

Is the MPI one at all different to an SPI ot late carb version?

[Spider]

I've got a very similar one to that ebay link, only mines something like 5.8 or 6.0 kW.   

 

Being a Universal type unit and me also wanting a Demister, is was quite fiddlely to design a suitable way of fitting it and then actually getting it in there, but I gotta say, it has turned out worth while, it's really awesome in terms of the heat that comes from it and the volume of Air pushed by the fans, though it's queiter than a stock heater, but still is noisy.  I did also 'convert' (no small feat) the heater plumbing from 1/2" to 5/8" to take full advantage of it.

[Fast Ivan]

well I had no problems with the standard one I had in my mpi and like my clubman I drove it all year, the one in my clubman isn't quite as good and air comes out of everywhere but its ok.

[finch661]

i think the mini heater is ok for the job, the problem is that after a ferw yeares the matrix becomes clogged and the foam seals fail. I refurbed mine using a guide from the mini magazine. you flush out the matrix (i ended up replacing mine becuase it was leaking), replace the foam seals, seal the box with silicon seal and seal up the pipes and vents. It made the heater so much better.

[Mini Manannán]

This is the one I've got my eye on: http://www.t7design....products_id=192  Comes with some good reviews round t't web.  They do a more basic version without outlets for demisters too.