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 Body Panels Aftermarket vs Heritage

 Created by: Skrc
Orig. Posting Date User Name Edit Date
Oct 25, 2021 04:58PM Spank  
Oct 25, 2021 06:59AM Alex  
Oct 22, 2021 05:56PM MD-IN-UK  
Oct 14, 2021 04:24PM Markiss  
Oct 14, 2021 02:49PM minibitz  
Oct 14, 2021 04:50AM 6464s  
Oct 13, 2021 07:27AM Spank  
Oct 13, 2021 06:45AM Skrc  
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 Posted: Oct 25, 2021 04:58PM
Spank
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex

M-Machine are the go-to people for panels.  
When you understand that Heritage use their stuff on the Heritage mk1 shells, you get an idea of how good they are.

I've used most panels over the years.

Magnum are basically dog plop.  rarely the right shape, they require so much fettling that you're either better off making your own from scratch, or if you're paying someone to do the work buying Heritage to save the labour costs involved in getting the Magnum ones to fit...

Heritage are okay, some of the presses are getting old and wonky, but they're generally way better than aftermarket pattern parts.

M-Machine - if it's their own stamping it will just fit.  Their floorpans are a delight to work with.  the range is ever-increasing, but I don't think they do wings yet.


My pecking order - M-Machine, Heritage if they don't do the panel, consider a Magnum if there's no option to make something.

 


+1

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 Posted: Oct 25, 2021 06:59AM
Alex
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GB

M-Machine are the go-to people for panels.  
When you understand that Heritage use their stuff on the Heritage mk1 shells, you get an idea of how good they are.

I've used most panels over the years.

Magnum are basically dog plop.  rarely the right shape, they require so much fettling that you're either better off making your own from scratch, or if you're paying someone to do the work buying Heritage to save the labour costs involved in getting the Magnum ones to fit...

Heritage are okay, some of the presses are getting old and wonky, but they're generally way better than aftermarket pattern parts.

M-Machine - if it's their own stamping it will just fit.  Their floorpans are a delight to work with.  the range is ever-increasing, but I don't think they do wings yet.


My pecking order - M-Machine, Heritage if they don't do the panel, consider a Magnum if there's no option to make something.

 

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 Posted: Oct 22, 2021 05:56PM
MD-IN-UK
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US
While my reply may not be exactly what your looking for, I have to share this story. A guy I met several years ago doled out about $13k for a complete shell, doors, boot and bonnet. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, you know the rest. Both door window frames had to be seriously reworked just to get them to close properly. My first thought was "where is the QC  of this finished product?" He and I both thought, for that kind of money, it should have been a prep it and paint it deal. 

You mention that you have body shop experience. Just keep in mind, if it's Heritage or A/M, you may have to bring your skills out of your tool box either way. 

IF IT WEREN'T FOR PHYSICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, I'D BE UNSTOPPABLE

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 Posted: Oct 14, 2021 04:24PM
Markiss
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Similar situation. About half way through an '89 rebuild. Bought A LOT of replacement pieces. I didn't want too much friggin around so I bought a lot Heritage pieces, and just some aftermarket. There's a big enough difference between the aftermarket and Heritage. The aftermarket ones definitely needed 'persuasion', by beating them, reshaping, adding metal, and/or subtracting metal. They don't seem to have the same contours, shapes and bends where they're needed. So some pieces it would have been better to get Heritage. But then others were better as aftermarket because I only used a partial piece of it. 
But if you have the know-how and the tools, you're at least ahead and not paying someone extra time and materials to make the aftermarket ones fit. 
I say it comes down to budget and fabrication skill of the buyer of the parts. 
Good luck

.
Simple recipe for Excitement:  Take 1 Classic Mini. Throw in 1590cc's of engine. Add 5 gears. A dash of 94 octane. A sprinkle of style inside and out. Toss in 1 MadMan and finally heat tires and pavement to taste. Recipe produces 1 Mini VTEC conversion and full satisfaction. Motor on!
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 Posted: Oct 14, 2021 02:49PM
minibitz
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Fit of most aftermarket bonnets is not good. Hinge brackets are no positioned correctly, the rear edge is not folded enough so hits the scuttle panel unless corrected and the front edge is too long and juts out past front panel so go Heritage. Heritage front guards are not perfect but are much quicker to fit than aftermarket. I've found aftermarket front panels are fine so you can save some pennies there. 

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 Posted: Oct 14, 2021 04:50AM
6464s
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email me, [email protected] Jim

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 Posted: Oct 13, 2021 07:27AM
Spank
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skrc

I own a body shop and rebuild late model vehicles and know aftermarket can be hit or miss...
Heritage Panels are also hit or miss.

It isn't appropriate for me to name another parts (panel) supplier, but I would ask around some forums that are not affiliated with a vendor.

Admittedly it has been probably 8 years since I've bought any panels, but some aftermarket ones I received were made of thicker metal and were much nicer to plug weld with my mig than the identical heritage panels (I'd bought both / double panels and ended up using a mix of the two, some heritage and some aftermarket).

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 Posted: Oct 13, 2021 06:45AM
Skrc
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I am working on this 1990 MINI, it needs a fender, front panel, hood… 
I see the aftermarket parts are quite a bit cheaper but do they fit ok?
I own a body shop and rebuild late model vehicles and know aftermarket can be hit or miss...