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MG Midget and Sprite General - Best place for spares parts?

Hi All,
Getting into the swing of things with my new baby ( Midget III 1275)
I saw the comments on my recent newby posting about Moss for spares.....obviously not too well liked by some!
Could I ask for recomendations ( with my old mini ..it was easy - it was always minispares) for good parts suppliers?
cheers
colin
c frowen

Whereabouts in the country are you not that it really matters with so much mail order. For engine parts and ancilliaries you might just as well stick with minispares.
A Anstead

I'm in Stockport and the Manchester branch of Moss is about a mile from where I live. Having done a fair bit of work on Spridgets over the years in the course of my work, I must say that I have always found the staff there very knowledgable and helpful and they still give me trade discount even though I'm now retired. So, don't dismiss Moss out of hand. I'm sure Minispares will also be good as we share many engine parts with the Mini.

Bernie.
b higginson

I've found MGOC very good. Both professional and prompt. Sussex have been pretty good too.

I use these as they have really good websites and set up well for ordering online. Living in the UK I suspect there's a lot more about when you can just pick up the phone.
Greg H

I think you need to shop around a bit for best quality, service and price and perhaps not expect all three elements to be together on a purchase, also most places vary with quality over their range of parts, i.e. they may sell one part that is good and another part that isn’t

some rubber and some electrical parts (e.g. indicator units, column stalk switches) can be very poor quality and manufacture or batch dependant

I use the MGOC Spares mostly and find them good but not always on price or parts quality, I’ve ordered one thing from Sussex and was pleased with the price and service

Ashley Hinton does a small range of good quality parts (only new heater tap worth buying I’ve found)

New rotor arm problems (and condenser) are many so purchase from Distributor Doctor is recommended - http://www.distributordoctor.com/

Rubber, especially hoses I’ve found can be very poor, looking ropey in less than a year, perhaps this has now passed but I’ve even had problems with 2 year old tyre valves and 5 years ago problems with fuel hose from 3 different motor factors - for coolant hoses I recommend going silicone with http://www.classicsiliconehoses.com/

Also very useful when sorting parts you can get suppliers catalogues for free but better IMO is a good paper copy of the factory Parts Catalogue (Ref: 0016) – http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue_Parts_Lists_3.html

also available, but less convenient, is a DVD that also includes the factory Workshop Manual and owners handbooks - http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-HMCC3009DVD?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=feed

when buying parts as you probably know you need to check for typos and mistakes in suppliers catalogues so it’s best to cross reference with two or three different suppliers - I know for a fact at least three suppliers use the wrong heater pipe as they buy from the same source


and of course the part or component that is already on your car might be wrong or not as original
Nigel At

Bernie, I think the biggest problem with Moss is the postage and packing costs. I recently bought a few bits from them and realised I'd missed a bolt off my internet order, I phoned them at 9am the next day to get them to add it on, but they put it in a seperate envelope and charged me £9 !!! p&p for a 46p bolt in an envelope... not happy!

David
David Wigley (MK2 Sprite)

Hi Hope you enjoy your midget - but why wouldn't you continue to shop at minispares? They have most things in stock!

Moss is fine, but so is the MGBhive, and various other places - it really depends on what you want and in what quantity
rachmacb

Moss web site says orders below £25 can be sent uninsured and untrackable for £2.99 + VAT.
£9.05 for insured+track.

Moss in Bristol are helpful - I can usually collect, but I also use others - Sussex etc as i find not all bits are available from any one supplier.

Moss do supply many of the other outlets.

R.
richard boobier

I am against moss but that is because they are expensive and do not give any good advice through mail.
They might be good in a certain depot but as a Dutch men i'd never know.

I say midget specific stuff go MGOC (cheaper than moss same stuff)

A-series stuff minispares (good advice through mail)

specialist go faster stuff
magicmidget (Kim is a great guy whoi will always try to help)
petermay(big name in midgets)
peter burgesss(general good fella)
MED
Swiftune
Onno Könemann

I agree that Kim at Magic Midget and all the others mentioned are very good, also the postage charged to David by Moss is well out of order, but the fact that Moss is so close to where I live means that I can walk there if necessary and talk face to face with someone about any problem, so as far as I'm concerned in most cases it is, as our American cousins say, a no brainer.

Bernie.
b higginson

I use AH Spares for the majority of parts, with MGB Hive as a good alternative with knowledgeable staff on the end of a phone and good postage rates.
Graham.
Graham P 1330 Frogeye

In my case, I'm lucky enough to have a Moss vendor close by, and rarely pay any P&P for regular items. In David's case, he probably could have ordered the 'bolt' from this side of the pond, and saved money in the process. Very bad service indeed!

Regards,

Larry C.
Larry C '69 Midget

Another option for you is Sussex Classic Cars http://www.sussexclassiccar.co.uk/ I've used them lots and the guy is brilliant on the phone and has always delivered quickly, split orders too if he hasn't had something in stock immediately - at no extra cost & without being asked. Sometimes I've have parcels on consecutive days, for instance.

Also had a great experience with both Ashley Hinton and MGBHive. Both have gone out of their way to help.

I too have had hassle with Moss, 3 months to deliver parts?! not acceptable. I wouldn't have ordered but they gave no indication of them being out of stock with such a long lead time.

MGOC were fine too, and their tech support has always been helpful.

So, in summary, spread your business about and go with wherever treats you best!
-Craig
C Robertson

The Moss catalogue is pretty invaluable for all the drawings and part numbers/names. So even if you never buy from them then I'd recommend getting the catalogue.

I mainly used Moss and MGB Hive for my restoration, on the odd occasion I used Sussex and don't remember having any problems.

I also used frost.co.uk for general restoration bits and bobs (including marine clean petrol tank cleaner) and namrick for nuts and bolts.

- Robin
Robin

not disagreeing with Robin but I'd advise not to just rely on one source for drawings and part numbers/names as far as suppliers catalogues go

mistakes and typos do happen so checking and cross reference with at least two sources of information (see my earlier post)
Nigel At

The Original Workshop Manuals are definitely worth picking up and are useful along side the Haynes Manual. And the Moss catalogue ;)
Robin

It should be remembered that local motor factors carry lots of spares we use.

Whilst I use a number of local factors my favourite is Partco

Locally items can be

Universal propshaft joints (Always partco)
Tyres
Water pumps
Dynamos alternators control boxes(Local auto electrical)
Gaskets
fixings
bulbs
oil/ anti freeze
cables
clutches
trackrod ends
oil seals
ignition items
Batteries
brake shoes pads disks

The list is endless.
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

This thread was discussed between 30/09/2011 and 05/10/2011

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