Well I just had my first 'accident' in Peanut. I was parked in a slanted space and there was a line of cars behind me waiting at a light. I waited for the guy directly behind me to move forward, and when he did I looked over my right shoulder to see if the guy behind *him* was going to be nice and let me back up. He was. So I did. And BAM! Apparently the guy directly behind me wasn't all the way clear! I hit him just on the edge of his bumper - no damage to his car, thank God. (He was driving a late 70's or early 80's Merc 2-seater, didn't get the exact model). All he had was some Electric Blue paint on his bumper, right near the corner.

Then I looked at Peanut. At first she had a really big dent in her bumper just behind the driver, toward the corner. There was also a quarter-sized patch of black where the paint had come off. I looked again at the other guy's car to make sure there was no damage, and when I looked back at Peanut the crease in the bumper was gone (gotta love plastic! I wish it would ALL clear up magically like that!). Then I noticed that the red reflector/light on the bumper was broken. When I got back home, I looked again, and it seems that there is some bracing that is broken on that side of the bumper. It moves more easily than the other side, and the black piece that holds the reflector also moves more easily.

So other than the paint, the reflector, and possible bumper-stiffener, there appears to be no damage. So my question is this: do you think I will need to replace the entire bumper or can I just get the existing one fixed? How much do you think this might cost?

Thanks,

SCoop

 

we cant tell you without seeing pics.

actually even with pics it would be hard to tell

this needs to be seen in person to actually give a reasonable price

 

Sorry about your accident. If you decide to replace the bumper, I'd try to find one from someone that has purchased the Aero kit, since they will have their old bumper just lying around. Dealers sometimes have them left over from Aero kits, too, and will let them go cheap.

Good luck,
JS

 

Thanks for your replies.

How much would an MCS bumper go for new/used? If the only used one I find is the wrong color, would a paint job detract from the value of the car?

Thanks again.

 

There are sensors in the bumper that, I think,
are related to airbag function. You may want your
dealer to take a look.

 

All I have to say is that while the IIHS gave the MINI good ratings in their crash tests, they only gave it marginal passing score in the 5 mph bumper tests. Here's the breakdown of repair costs:

MINI COOPER
2002 models
Front into flat barrier $839
Rear into flat barrier $223
Front into angle barrier $1,498
Rear into pole $639
All four tests $3,199
Average damage per test $800

And the website: IIHS

 

>>Well I just had my first 'accident' in Peanut. I was parked in a slanted space and there was a line of cars behind me waiting at a light. I waited for the guy directly behind me to move forward, and when he did I looked over my right shoulder to see if the guy behind *him* was going to be nice and let me back up. He was. So I did. And BAM! Apparently the guy directly behind me wasn't all the way clear! I hit him just on the edge of his bumper - no damage to his car, thank God. (He was driving a late 70's or early 80's Merc 2-seater, didn't get the exact model). All he had was some Electric Blue paint on his bumper, right near the corner.
>>
>>Then I looked at Peanut. At first she had a really big dent in her bumper just behind the driver, toward the corner. There was also a quarter-sized patch of black where the paint had come off. I looked again at the other guy's car to make sure there was no damage, and when I looked back at Peanut the crease in the bumper was gone (gotta love plastic! I wish it would ALL clear up magically like that!). Then I noticed that the red reflector/light on the bumper was broken. When I got back home, I looked again, and it seems that there is some bracing that is broken on that side of the bumper. It moves more easily than the other side, and the black piece that holds the reflector also moves more easily.
>>
>>So other than the paint, the reflector, and possible bumper-stiffener, there appears to be no damage. So my question is this: do you think I will need to replace the entire bumper or can I just get the existing one fixed? How much do you think this might cost?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>SCoop

Hi SCoop,

Sorry to hear of your accident :???: I was rear-ended a about a month ago and had damage done to the left side of my bumper. I got an estimate for around $900.00 to replace the bumper molding, paint, and chrome bumper insert. Since, I moved I didn't have time to get it repaired at the first shop, but I got another estimate for around $700.00 to repair the bumper molding, paint, and replace the chrome bumper insert. The damage done to Beepers was relatively minor, and this is an estimate on a Cooper bumper. I would suggest going to a collision shop and getting an estimate. You also might have hidden damages that will only be found when the bumper/molding is removed. As for the reflector, I am not even for sure how much it cost since that didn't get damaged on my Cooper.

Best of luck!

-Brooke-


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<img src="http://www.retrogradeattire.com/deep...nner.jpg" alt="Beepers" border="0">

 

Thanks digital, that's helpful.

I just got back from Brecht with an estimate: $979.27!!! I think they are overinflating the price just like they overinflate the price to buy a MINI. When I called this morning, the person on the phone quoted $185 for the part(s) for the bumper only, and the estimate I just got quoted $263!! I'd call that overinflation!

I will definitely look around... anyone know of a good bodyshop in San Diego or North county?

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Peanut EB/W MCS, 16" white wheels, HK, Sensing doodads up front, Lapis/Magnesium/Patina, DSC, Xenons, Fogs, Climate, Cruise