Classic Mini MK3 Onwards Door Cards Installation Guide

This installation guide is designed as a guide for fitting an Optimise Automotive MK3 onwards (1969 and 2000) door card kit.

Your Kit - What’s Included:

  • 1x front driver side door card

  • 1x front passenger side door card

  • 1x rear driver side quarter panel

  • 1x rear passenger side quarter panel.

Tools Needed (Recommended):

  • Ph2 cross-head screwdriver

  • Trim-clip removal pliers

  • Hole punch

  • Sharp knife

Preparation:

  • Before installing your new front door cards you will need to remove the door card furniture (using a Ph2 cross-head screwdriver) and the original front door cards (using trim-clip removal pliers).

  • And before installing your new rear quarter panels you will need to remove the rear seat squab, rear pocket liners and the original rear quarter panels.

Pre-Installation - Front Door Cards:

  1. Before you install the door cards, using a hole punch, you will need to pierce the required holes for the door handle through the trimming (on the front door cards). For reference, depending on the door handle set/type you are installing you have different options to choose from and all of the original options are pre-cut on the door card boards.

  2. Fit the trim-clips to the front door cards (9 on each front door card).

    We recommend using new after-market trim-clips (as photographed below) as they have a wider locking mechanism shaft than the originals. This will ensure that the trim-clips remain located and do not spring out.

Classic Mini door card trim clip.

Alternatively, if you are having problems lining the trim-clips up with the holes on the door (it can be difficult to see in and behind the door card during installation) we recommend using 9mm (hole size) x 16mm (shaft length) trim-clips (as photographed below). Please make sure the shaft length of the tree-clip does not exceed 20mm to avoid contact with the window glass.

Tree clips have a longer shaft and are easier to line up and install. However, they are more difficult to remove (as they break easily during removal) and you will likely need to replace them every time you remove/install your front door cards.

Classic Mini door card tree clip.

Pre-Installation - Rear Quarter Panels:

All later MK3 onwards (1974 to 2000) rear quarter panels are supplied with the the holes cut (in the boards) for the later style MPi top pocket liners. If you are planning on installing MPi rear pocket liners you will need to cut the holes (in the trimmings) using a sharp knife, before you install the rear quarter panels.

Installation - Front Door Cards:

  1. To install the front door cards slip the top of the door card under the retaining lip and line the trim-clips up with the holes.

  2. Starting in the top corner (next to the door opening handle) work your way around the door card - pushing each of the trim-clips into the holes.

  3. Using a Ph2 cross-head screwdriver install the door opening handle, window winder handle and lock latch casing.

Installation - Rear Quarter Panels:

  1. Insert the rear quarter panel into the pocket, locate it fully downwards (at the bottom of the companion bin) and also fully located against the wheel arch. At this stage the panel should lie outside (and also slightly above) the retaining lip.

  2. Now apply pressure along the horizontal plane. Push the panel at the top, this will bend the panel inwards and reduce it's height. By reducing the panels height it will pass under the top retaining lip and sit flat against the outer rear quarter panel.

Post-Installation:

With your new rear quarter panels now installed, you can reinstall the rear pocket liners and rear seat squab.

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