Hello,

After a frustrating search, I finally found an elusive used Midlands gearbox (to replace min that has a bearing issue). While I was at the scrapyard, an idea came to mind: why not by in advance some parts to keep on the shelf for when they'll inevitably fail? I decided that I'm going to keep the car for a long time, so I might as well invest a bit now, because later some may not be as easily available.

So here is the question: what parts would you buy from a scrapyard for a r50, to have on hand when they fail while avoiding the price of new?
For reference, my Mini is a 130k miles, and the Minis I have the opportunity to buy from are around 85k miles (very obviously with no known history, even to the seller).

So far I asked for their price on:

• alternator is sold for 80€. Cheapest new I could find is 150€ without sending the old one back, or 100€ if sending it back. Considering the price difference, might not be worth it.
• water pump is not sold. Didn't ask why, but they just don't.
• brake slave cylinder is 50€. Cheapest new I could find is also 50€, but perhaps sketchy, and a Bosch one is 150€. Not too sure about that one.
• clutch slave cylinder is 50€ too. I can find a Bilstein one for 50€ or a Valeo one for 25€, so hard pass.

What's your opinion on those ones? Which other parts would you consider buying used if the price is right?

 

I wouldn't buy any of those parts you listed used if quality new parts were available, but then I wouldn't swap a Midlands for a Midlands either. I would swap it for a FL 6-speed.

Most of the stuff I buy used is cosmetic stuff that isn't re-popped or parts that don't really wear out, like sway bars, though I will pick up rare NLA wear-items from junkyards. I put a used window regulator in my Audi, and I've been eyeing a used heater box + heater core for my van.

 

Yeah, considering the small to non-existent price difference I'm not very tempted.
I considered the 6-speed Getrag swap, but that involves buying transmission, flywheel, clutch and starter as well (plus a few odds and bits), which is easily double or triple the price, and awfully close to how much I paid for the car in the first place. And Midlands rebuild will be valuable experience to me as well, that's too good of an excuse to open a transmission to pass up.

One big ticket item I forget is the power steering pump. Would that part be worth buying used? It seems expensive, and they are known to fail.

As for cosmetic stuff, I might inspect the wrecked cars to see if something catches my eye, but I'm too much of a cheapskate to really invest much money in cosmetic parts.

 

I dunno. My plan has been to install a PS delete and send my pump out for a rebuild if it ever fails, but I'm still on my original pump.

 

Would not buy one used but would budget in a good fuel pump (Continental / VDO).

 

Nice to know. I can see a VDO fuel pump at 200€, so that's well within my budget if it comes to fail. While I'm a cheapskate, my budget is large enough for that sort of things (currently 1800€ under budget for the projection for 1st year of ownership).

 

 

I have an R53.
I can't offer much input with respect to the Midland vs 6 Speed Getrag upgrade ($$).

I do A LOT of shopping at the local Pull-'Em-Apart yards when I get a notice that a Mini has been dropped in the lot - I have always avoided the temptation of buying or installing used mechanical "moving parts" from a salvage yard.
Although I think rebuilts are fine - I always buy and install new, within my budget (which is usually limited). If I find a good price; I may also buy 2wo = one for the parts stash.
Contrary to that; I highly recommend acquiring/scavenging up all the good cosmetic parts that you can find. Interior as well as exterior from a salvage yard.
Given our early 1st Gen models - even the smallest items (especially plastic parts that break), will soon become (if not already), NLA , obscenely expensive or hard to find in the not to distant future.

Just 2¢ worth coming from a habitual pack-rat.

EDIT:
BTW - This morning I went out to the salvage yard to scrounge for a replacement glovebox light/switch for my R53.
There I found an R53 that recently had it's engine pulled (transmission was gone), revealing a brand new rebuilt subframe complete with new powerflex LCA bushings, axles, tirerods and inner and outer ball joints
I'm due for a complete frontend rebuild. You can imagine the temptation that came over me at that instance.

 

We might as well be the same person . I'm in the exact same position.