Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
-
- 998 Cooper
- Posts: 410
- Joined: Fri May 13, 2016 9:07 pm
- Location: Cheshire
Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
Hi Guys,
Needing 2x rear subframes, one for my 64 woody and one for my 66 's'.
Luckily both fronts are solid.
I know you get what you pay for, but what are the non genuine subframes like? Im willing to buy heritage but would like to hear some opinions first
Thanks
H
Needing 2x rear subframes, one for my 64 woody and one for my 66 's'.
Luckily both fronts are solid.
I know you get what you pay for, but what are the non genuine subframes like? Im willing to buy heritage but would like to hear some opinions first
Thanks
H
- jerry
- 998 Cooper
- Posts: 292
- Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2015 7:17 pm
- Location: Somerset
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Been thanked: 2 times
Re: Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
Ive found the aftermarket ones have alignment issues, and the threads are prone to shearing on the mounts.
- JohnA
- 998 Cooper
- Posts: 670
- Joined: Sat May 10, 2014 11:45 am
- Location: Up north where men are men and sheep are frightened
Re: Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
If you go after market you'll need camber /tracking brackets and probably a spot welder.
Usually shite
Usually shite
- Nick W
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 2892
- Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 8:59 pm
- Location: sheffield
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Been thanked: 8 times
Re: Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
Im trying after market for my latest build, as the heritage one I bought for my cooper s needed varios jobs doing to it to make it correct...ish.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17664&hilit=Heritag ... me&start=0
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17664&hilit=Heritag ... me&start=0
Up North in Sheffield
-
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 3921
- Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 5:55 pm
- Location: South Wales
- Has thanked: 18 times
- Been thanked: 51 times
Re: Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
Once again folks, don't forget how poor even the original's were - with huge tolerances!!
-
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 1569
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:19 pm
- Location: Essex
- Been thanked: 34 times
Re: Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
Been using the rears from minispares for years with no issues . But I always use KAD brackets and weld all the captive nuts I can get to ... ken
1963 austin Cooper s mk1 1071
1966 Austin Cooper s mk1 1275
1968 Austin Cooper mk2 998
1962 Morris mini super 850
Porsche 997 turbo S
Ford transit van 280s.
I am from Essex
1966 Austin Cooper s mk1 1275
1968 Austin Cooper mk2 998
1962 Morris mini super 850
Porsche 997 turbo S
Ford transit van 280s.
I am from Essex
-
- Site Admin
- Posts: 19835
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:30 am
- Location: Away with the Faries
- Has thanked: 3 times
- Been thanked: 10 times
Re: Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
As above. There is no such thing as a decent rear subframe.
Heritage are not very good & are very expensive - Will need remedial work.
Pattern are not very good & are a little less expensive - Will need remedial work.
Not a fantastic choice.
Heritage are not very good & are very expensive - Will need remedial work.
Pattern are not very good & are a little less expensive - Will need remedial work.
Not a fantastic choice.
-
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 1258
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:26 pm
- Location: East Cumbria
- Has thanked: 2 times
- Been thanked: 4 times
Re: Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
my aftermarket one has been fine in the past 5 years. I did run round it seam welding in a few places and then repainted and waxoyled.
All suspension is adjustable so can't comment as to a 'standard' fit.
All suspension is adjustable so can't comment as to a 'standard' fit.
Wanna see what I'm playing with? Youtube Channel
Caution
may contain 8 Ports, Xe's and VTec's, I don't do standard!
Caution

-
- 998 Cooper
- Posts: 410
- Joined: Fri May 13, 2016 9:07 pm
- Location: Cheshire
Re: Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
Thanks for all the replies, are the ones available from m-machine, ones that they make themselves or from magnum, who i assume make the non genuine ones?
-
- 998 Cooper
- Posts: 410
- Joined: Fri May 13, 2016 9:07 pm
- Location: Cheshire
- johnv
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 971
- Joined: Sun Dec 18, 2016 12:01 pm
- Location: Surrey UK
- Has thanked: 2 times
- Been thanked: 5 times
Re: Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
Bugger I bought a heritage one 10 minutes before this thread started after a bit of research.. fell like I've wasted £200 now, which could have have been better invested 

Mk2 1968 Cooper 998 TPL555F
Mk1 1965 Cooper 1275 BFC110C
Moke out of boxes and built NDV100F
Mk1 1965 Cooper 1275 BFC110C
Moke out of boxes and built NDV100F
-
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 1440
- Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2014 1:41 pm
- Location: Oldbury west midlands
Re: Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
If I heard correctly the heritage ones don’t have the retainers for the hydro units, are the pattern ones the same. I am undecided with my build as my subframe is pretty solid apart from a small area I cut out and replaced with new metal, repair is virtually invisible and solid. I may just get this one blasted and powder coated.
- Andrew1967
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 7927
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 6:35 pm
- Location: Usually in my garage on the east coast of Norfolk, UK
- Been thanked: 8 times
Re: Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
I'm planning to do the same with mine Daz.Daz1968 wrote:If I heard correctly the heritage ones don’t have the retainers for the hydro units, are the pattern ones the same. I am undecided with my build as my subframe is pretty solid apart from a small area I cut out and replaced with new metal, repair is virtually invisible and solid. I may just get this one blasted and powder coated.
I need to place a couple of captive nuts and a bit of dressing here and there but otherwise its a very good frame. Came out of my friends late Mk1 Innocenti 998.
- Nick W
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 2892
- Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 8:59 pm
- Location: sheffield
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Been thanked: 8 times
Re: Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
The retainer on the heritage hydro frame wasn't difficult to replicate, with a block and hammer.
And the plates for the hydro unions was also easy to drill and re,weld correctly.
Id painted mine up before I spotted the issues, but not so bad if you do it before painting.
The heritage frame is the only one with MOWOG stamped in it.
And the plates for the hydro unions was also easy to drill and re,weld correctly.
Id painted mine up before I spotted the issues, but not so bad if you do it before painting.
The heritage frame is the only one with MOWOG stamped in it.
Up North in Sheffield
- mab01uk
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 8554
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:08 pm
- Location: S.E. England
- Has thanked: 246 times
- Been thanked: 221 times
Re: Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
Quote below from John Yea of BMH to Miniworld magazine back in 2010:-
"A lot of genuine parts are no longer available and people should be ashamed at some of the stuff thats out there. For example, the genuine Rover Mini subframes had a minimum number of spotwelds deemed to be safe, researched in much detail. Cheap aftermarket copies have fewer spotwelds and people need protecting from this."
"A lot of genuine parts are no longer available and people should be ashamed at some of the stuff thats out there. For example, the genuine Rover Mini subframes had a minimum number of spotwelds deemed to be safe, researched in much detail. Cheap aftermarket copies have fewer spotwelds and people need protecting from this."
-
- 998 Cooper
- Posts: 293
- Joined: Mon May 04, 2015 11:21 am
- Location: Sunny Cumbria
Re: Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
Are heritage still making them or have they sub contracted them? Because they used to be very good
-
- Site Admin
- Posts: 19835
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:30 am
- Location: Away with the Faries
- Has thanked: 3 times
- Been thanked: 10 times
Re: Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
As Mandy Rice Davies once said. .... "He would say that wouldn't he".mab01uk wrote:Quote below from John Yea of BMH to Miniworld magazine back in 2010:-
"A lot of genuine parts are no longer available and people should be ashamed at some of the stuff thats out there. For example, the genuine Rover Mini subframes had a minimum number of spotwelds deemed to be safe, researched in much detail. Cheap aftermarket copies have fewer spotwelds and people need protecting from this."
BMH are in the business of selling panels & assemblies, they are bound to slag off the competition.
I have seen Heritage frames with entire sub assemblies missing, not just the odd one, but whole batches!
-
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 1423
- Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2011 6:10 pm
- Location: West Midlands
Re: Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
I bought Heritage hydro frame and sent it straight back
So i bought 2 frames off our friend in Spain , needed a blast , but at least they are complete correct
Still has a few left , much better value than a Heritage
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/21A1588-SUBFR ... %7Ciid%3A1


So i bought 2 frames off our friend in Spain , needed a blast , but at least they are complete correct
Still has a few left , much better value than a Heritage
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/21A1588-SUBFR ... %7Ciid%3A1
-
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 773
- Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:26 am
- Location: South West
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Been thanked: 4 times
Re: Non genuine vs heritage rear subframes
Is the general consensus still positive towards aftermarket subframes?
Paint finish I'm not worried about as that'll be attended to either way.
Just looking for the van project, if I can save 50% of the cost of a heritage one i'll be chuffed.
Paint finish I'm not worried about as that'll be attended to either way.
Just looking for the van project, if I can save 50% of the cost of a heritage one i'll be chuffed.