After nearly 2 & 1/2 years of trouble free ownership, today it happened . I need some advice from the experts, so I am turning to NAM as I often do.

I was stopped at an exit to a parking lot, waiting to make a right turn and behind an elderly woman in a GMC 1500 pickup. She decided that she needed to back up a little, because I guess she felt that her nose was sticking out too far into the street. She threw it into reverse and rolled up on the front of my MINI . Of course I hit the horn and tried to reverse quickly as well, but it was too late. Her big grey bumper now has some precious Indi Blue on it. As an even exchange, I have a dent in the bonnet, a scuffed grille, 2 creases in the bumper (one in the "chrome" strip and one in the cover itself), and the bonnet is now difficult to close and seat properly. I also have some alignment issues. I think the bonnet was shifted inward about 1/8" because there is a gap where the bonnet meets the top edge of the bumper. This is noticeable by looking down at the grille, and also by looking at the front of the car from within the left front wheel opening. The wheel arch doesn't line up smooth with the lower bumper.

This brings me to my concerns. I went to BMW/MINI today and they think I may need a whole new bonnet. I then went to an authorized "preferred" repair shop, where all the Bimmers and MINI's from the dealer go, and they prefer to keep as many of the original parts on my car as possible. It doesn't surprise me. Their estimate was for $914.00, and that's with a new grille and a new chrome strip in the bumper. The dent and scuff I'm not too worried about...that can be taken out, but it's the alignment issue that bothers me. What about the crush tubes behind the bumper? And can a chrome strip be replaced like that, or is a whole new bumper in order? The dealership says that the "strip" is part of the whole bumper.

Their insurance company will pay for the damages. I have a claim pending with them, and a second appraisal coming next Wednesday from their insurance company.

Thanks for your help everyone. I want my car fixed ASAP, especially because IT WASN'T MY FAULT!!!!

 

Argggh! My sympathies, SCMiniGuy! Were you injured, at all? I don't have any advice for you, just wanted to commiserate and show my support for you in your hour of need.:smile:

I'm sure the experts on-site will post with good suggestions for you!


Clover

 

Man, that really stinks!

You say her insurance is paying? The I have two words for you...

"Aero Kit!!!"

Seriously though...glad you're O.K. and hopefully they can get you fixed up quick. I would be so bummed to be without my car.

 

The chrome strip is not par tof the bumper. I t can be removed and swapped out. I know this because I have done it. Of course I am biased against dealerships. I can commiserate adn I feel for you!

 

I would get as much as you can out of it. New Bonnet... new bumper... new grill. Not that I want you to take advantage of this person, but if it was me I wouldn't feel satisfy until it looks like the way it was before. I rather fix it right the first time than looking at a sore thumb and wish I did it right the first time.

But yeah... Areo kit for sure if they will pay for it.

 

Oh my - so very sad.... I hate reading stuff like this - especially on a Friday - ruined your whole weekend huh? Let's hope for a good repair shop and you'll be back motoring soon...:smile:

Donna
02' CR/W MCS (gone to MINI heaven - burned up)
05' Cool Blue MCSC "Ariel"
05' HB/W MCS on it's way - no name yet

 

If it were me, I'd want to preserve as many of the metal parts that they can without painting. But anything you have to paint might as well be replaced because the act of painting a panel is what will throw up red flag to a perspective future buyer of your vehicle. If a dent can be "rubbed out" or a scratch can be buffed to your satisfaction, I'd go that route whenever possible. Otherwise, replace it. Avoid filler whenever possible. I'd definately replace any plastic pieces (bumpers, etc...) Make sure the parts are OEM and not reconditioned. Might be time for the Aero kit.

Internally, I would rather the parts be replaced rather than straightened. Unless that means cut off and welded back. In that case, don't cut the car unless you have to, the welds will not match and will never look like they did to someone who's looking for those kinds of inconsistencies. Pay attention to the quality of paint (orange peel, etc...) from the old to the new pieces. Aviod the blending of panels if possible - kinda tough not to on metallics, tho... Make sure all of the seams and gaps between them are the same before and after. The last thing you want is to lose a buyer because it is evident the car was damaged. Take pictures now so if a future owner detects repairs, you can show him the extent of the damage.

Bottom line you should expect the car to be as it was before the "accident." That is the insured's insurance company's responsibility and the plain fact is that it is not 100% possible - I don't care who does the repair - cars are NEVER the same after they have been repaired. If you remain unstaisfied after the repair, pursue "dimished value" through the insurance company. They will pay for the depreciation of the vehicle due to the accident - some people will tell you that Diminished Value is a myth... no it isn't - I've been paid on a claim for the very thing... Good luck, I hope this helps.


Oh yeah, I definatley would not let a dealership body shop touch the car unless I was sure they were the best around.
Matt

 

Damn the bad luck! Sorry to hear the news, my MINI's been damaged before to and it aint a good feeling.

It would be so nice if we have force fields. Anyone build that mod yet???

 

I'm SO sorry to hear about this!
Particularly since I was just in an accident in
my MINI.

Best of luck to you finding a good repair shop.
My appraisor comes out early Monday morning.
I hope to have mine in the shop early in the week.

Lee Ann

 

Insist on going to the very best automobile restorer in your area (or out of your area). That should provide you with a high estimate and a definitive list of repairs against which all others are compared. You should get a minimum of 3 estimates. It's time consuming, but worth it in the long term. See if you can itemize differences between the estimates and compile the long list of repairs from all of them (a less expensive place might recommend something the high end shop missed) for both insurance companies (yours and hers). Press for the most you can get based on that. As others have recommended your car should be returned to you at least as good as it was prior to the shunt.

 

Thanks for the responses everyone...they make me feel better:smile: . This is such a good community, knowing that others out there have been through this and can relate.

The idea of the Aero kit intrigues me. Hmmmm...I hadn't thought of that one. Here's another bummer; I was exiting this parking lot after taking a 2 hour computer test for a potential new job. So IF I were to get the job there (and I have a better-than-average shot at this point), I'd have to go in and out of the same entrance/exit that this happened at!!! Every day!!!! Maybe this is a sign, like I shouldn't be working there.

I will try and get another estimate on Monday from another "preferred" body shop that my insurance company recommends here. The damage is only visible from up close, like a foot away, so it APPEARS to be cosmetic. It's the frame and crush zones that I'm worried about, because until the bumper comes off the car, the true damage won't be known.

It's amazing how quickly my whole day and weekend were ruined. Now when the repair is underway I will be without my pride and joy for a few days. I'll insist on a rental, although I doubt it will be a MINI. The pictures will be taken sometime this weekend, when the weather breaks here and the sun comes back out. This still stinks. I can't go and look at it in the garage .

 

If your area has a "Zipcar". They carries MC. Check it out. There price is pretty close to a regular rental I think.

 

Hang in there SC. A few years back, my 1 month old F150 got tapped on the rear right fender on the freeway going 75. Three 360's later, I was headed to the body shop and was obviously freaked out wanting everything back to new. Good body shops are amazing. My truck came back as good as new. I was with Allstate which had a satisfaction guarantee which helped ease my mental state. 160,000 miles later and everything is perfect - the truck has never been in the shop other than the 100,000 mile tuneup.

Use a good shop, stay on top of it, but everything should turn out well.

Mike