Japanese imported minis - pros and cons
Discussion
i keep thinking about scratching the classic mini itch, and browsing ebay and classifieds, I notice that there are a few japanese imported minis about. I'd love to know whether there are any pros and cons with these? I have previously run a eunos roadster, and so I am aware that imported cars can be less straightforward to insure, is this the case with minis.
FWDRacer said:
Jap cars will come with Air Con as standard. There are quite a few Autos as well.
You have wind down windows and opening rear quarterlights in the UK. Far more effective.
I noticed the air con and was concerned it might rob a few vital horsepower. is it not very effective either?You have wind down windows and opening rear quarterlights in the UK. Far more effective.
I am guessing the jap ones might be less rusty?
The main differences are the aircon, the lack of centre clock (as a result of the aircon installation) and the fact that most of the later cars are still SPi rather than MPi. The installation of the aircon also takes up what little spare room was available under the bonnet - meaning the radiator is fitted to the side and everything is generally that bit harder to access. Japanese cars will also have speedos reading in KM/H and tend to be missing the rear fog lamp.
Rust wise much will depend on where they have been in Japan and when they were imported to the UK. If you're buying a Japanese import that's already in the UK then it's likely to be hard to trace where it's spent its life, as those originating from the more northerly parts of Japan may well have seen a lot of rain and snow. If you're buying one direct from Japan your dealer/agent should be able to help you out with its history. Obviously unless its garaged and sealed it'll start rusting as soon as it hits the UK so once it's been out of Japan for any period of time then rust will be creeping in anyway so you'll get diminishing returns.
One definite plus side of Japanese imports (especially recent ones) is the very strict shaken (MOT) requirements that all cars have to pass, which, together with the fact that most people in cities drive very little and are required by law to have off-street parking (usually covered), mean that they're usually in excellent mechanical condition for their age. There are also a lot of higher spec Cooper Sportspacks, 35s and other special editions which tend to have the full leather interior fitted as standard.
If you're looking for a bargain then the auctions are the place to go - a decent agent should be able to help you bid and sort the paperwork out on this side. With a bit of googling you should be able to find someone to set you up access to the online auction listings in English, where you can check out the upcoming auctions, view the spec sheets and place bids. If you want something with more of a guarantee you should be able to ask an agent to source you one from one of the many specialist Mini garages around Japan. A good starting point for more top end cars would be Mini Maruyama in Tokyo or Turtle Trading in Yokohama, or failing that a search on Goonet or Yahoo auctions may turn something up.
Rust wise much will depend on where they have been in Japan and when they were imported to the UK. If you're buying a Japanese import that's already in the UK then it's likely to be hard to trace where it's spent its life, as those originating from the more northerly parts of Japan may well have seen a lot of rain and snow. If you're buying one direct from Japan your dealer/agent should be able to help you out with its history. Obviously unless its garaged and sealed it'll start rusting as soon as it hits the UK so once it's been out of Japan for any period of time then rust will be creeping in anyway so you'll get diminishing returns.
One definite plus side of Japanese imports (especially recent ones) is the very strict shaken (MOT) requirements that all cars have to pass, which, together with the fact that most people in cities drive very little and are required by law to have off-street parking (usually covered), mean that they're usually in excellent mechanical condition for their age. There are also a lot of higher spec Cooper Sportspacks, 35s and other special editions which tend to have the full leather interior fitted as standard.
If you're looking for a bargain then the auctions are the place to go - a decent agent should be able to help you bid and sort the paperwork out on this side. With a bit of googling you should be able to find someone to set you up access to the online auction listings in English, where you can check out the upcoming auctions, view the spec sheets and place bids. If you want something with more of a guarantee you should be able to ask an agent to source you one from one of the many specialist Mini garages around Japan. A good starting point for more top end cars would be Mini Maruyama in Tokyo or Turtle Trading in Yokohama, or failing that a search on Goonet or Yahoo auctions may turn something up.
The overall condition of an import should be better than many U.K. cars, the air con will rob power of course, and is the import giveaway, often along with silver wheels on limited editions. Those limited editions are in higher numbers from Japan because they liked them more than we did, but different spec. The radiator is supposed to be at the side on a traditional Mini, and the spi fuelled cars have the traditional design engine, and always used to be easier to tune, they usually have two fans which helps. The twin point fuelled, and airbag plus side protection car, was just an emissions and safety requirement compromise, the ridiculously long differential used on all of them for noise emissions was just pure comedy.
Mine is from Japan - absolutely great! Go for it and avoid the rot.. Would definable buy one that is already here though as when I was looking in Japan (I was physically there) there were a lot of ropey ones out there too so the distance buying route may be a bit of a gamble unless you have a broker there who you really trust.
Rich
Rich
I've taken the plunge and ordered a Mini direct from Japan. It's a spec I vaguely remember back in the day - a Cooper Colour Collection, Surf Blue with matching full leather. Not sure if anyone knows more about them?
It's a bit of a gamble but cheap enough to take a punt. I'll soon see if it pays off!
It's a bit of a gamble but cheap enough to take a punt. I'll soon see if it pays off!
Hello all
I've imported minis from both the UK and Japan. I've had good and bad experiences on both sides, but I can say this, all my Japanese minis have been rust free. Now I'm not saying that every Japanese mini is but that has been my experience. My first Japanese mini I imported from the UK. It was an automatic and I'm not sure why I even bought it, but I've imported about a dozen cars and that one I still have. I have also found with all my Japanese Mini's that they are re-vined. A new number is stamped in the floor area of the boot between the rear bumper and the battery. The factory vin plate is well hidden behind the A/C condenser. My Uk/Japanese mini had a factory vin tag in the boot right over the stamped VIN that was done in Japan. It also had its factory plate behind the A/C condenser. Different numbers. I imported a mini from Japan a few months ago. I get a call from Customs saying they can't find the VIN number. Oh great, I can just see my mini being crushed. I told him that it should be stamped in the floor of the boot. He called me back shortly saying he found it. The car had been repainted and it was hard to see the VIN number. When I got the car home I looked behind the A/C condenser and sure enough, their was the factory VIN tag.
I've imported minis from both the UK and Japan. I've had good and bad experiences on both sides, but I can say this, all my Japanese minis have been rust free. Now I'm not saying that every Japanese mini is but that has been my experience. My first Japanese mini I imported from the UK. It was an automatic and I'm not sure why I even bought it, but I've imported about a dozen cars and that one I still have. I have also found with all my Japanese Mini's that they are re-vined. A new number is stamped in the floor area of the boot between the rear bumper and the battery. The factory vin plate is well hidden behind the A/C condenser. My Uk/Japanese mini had a factory vin tag in the boot right over the stamped VIN that was done in Japan. It also had its factory plate behind the A/C condenser. Different numbers. I imported a mini from Japan a few months ago. I get a call from Customs saying they can't find the VIN number. Oh great, I can just see my mini being crushed. I told him that it should be stamped in the floor of the boot. He called me back shortly saying he found it. The car had been repainted and it was hard to see the VIN number. When I got the car home I looked behind the A/C condenser and sure enough, their was the factory VIN tag.
I have a '95 Japanese Cooper 35 Anniversary - I bought it three years ago from my friend who imported it from Shizouka .
Despite all the benefits of a japanese import car am I correct in saying that the perseved values are lower than that of a non export uk car ???
Here is my car - and I love it !
Despite all the benefits of a japanese import car am I correct in saying that the perseved values are lower than that of a non export uk car ???
Here is my car - and I love it !
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