actually that doesn't look too bad! is the frame bent at all?

 

In the 1st pic, the green arm above the wheel (w/ the little black plate on it) is pushed up a little, I was told. Also, above the left rear wheel, there is a small dimple in the panel. So, yes it is bent, but I am encouraged by what I saw.

 

As a convertible owner , I feel your MINI's pain.
And I heard it say "please give me some cool upgrades with the insurance money"
And paint the engine bay green w/ clearcoat to match the outside paint.
JCW brakes, M7 underbrace, JCW intercooler, ...etc

good luck making is true to form, And make sure the alignment is perfect so you don't eat up your tires.

 

You should give us a WARNING or head's up that your pix are GRAPHIC!! I wasn't prepared for the carnage. Poor MINI

 

Glad to see things are moving along. It pains me to see an injured MINI!

Thanks for the update. I home its smooth sailing from here.

 

wow...hang in there dave. They will re-build her/him.

 

I hope it all works out.

I think I would be on the fence about the whole thing. I don't know if I would want it back after frame damage. Some of these shop do amazing work so I will keep my fingers crossed for you in hopes that car is returned to 100% normal.

 

Alpinamike: I am not that into performance-type mods (fun to read about what those who are are doing, tho), so I am using the opportunity to get the stripes I've wanted - black & chrome, instead of oem black & white and maybe fog lamps & full toggle bank, depending on the cost. Lots of competition for my $.

Allenski: I am beginning to think rebuilding is possible and not that unlikely.

DMINIQ: Sorry for the shock, this looks good after the first wreck photos.

Qwertmonkey: Smooth sailing would be good - I am feeling cautiously optimistic.

Hemi: I can understand your reservations - I am scared, but I don't exactly have the wherewithall to just walk away & get another one. I pay for insurance, so now I just have to let the system work like it is SUPPOSED to. I gave the job to people who I thought I could believe in - I have no reason thus far to feel otherwise about them. My trip to the body shop today contributed to my comfort level.

 

Hang in there davavd - you'll be soaking up the sun in that new"ish" cabrio before you know it. Hope things continue to progress positively.

 

I'm glad things are working out for you after your accident. Thanks for the pics. It's good to see how things are going.

When Gromit was in the shop, I couldn't go visit him. The next time I saw him, I wanted it to be after he was fixed.

Things worked out fine for us and it looks like it will for you too.

 

Today I went to the body shop again. D'Mini is sitting on the frame machine and is all decked out in measuring equipment. The things hanging down are measuring points (they screw into a bunch of holes in various places all over the car) and each is connected with a cable to the beam running fore and aft under the car. This system tells the shop how far off manufacturer's specs each point is. I thought it was pretty cool.







There are a few more pics in my gallery, if you are interested

 

I think d'Mini will be very happy you didn't give up on it!

 

wow... great progress! and it looks like a good shop (not that I would know... but it looks like they are doing a good job). yay for D'Mini!

 

Most excellent to see progress being made! We'll all have a virtual party when you're back on the road...

 

the re-build is getting there. Thanks for the update. Keep the updates coming. I can't wait to see the finished MINI. I'd also be curious on your first drive out.

 

D'mini is looking alot better Dirk. Spike's been in the shop this whole week getting his rear end and rear quarter panel repaired from my little accident and it's been crazy without him so I could just imagine how 1 month+ would feel. I'm hoping that Brian Harris' body shop does a decent job but i'm starting to think I should have taken him elsewhere.
I can't wait to see D'Mini when you get him back and keep us posted.

 

It's nice to hear from a local, Collin. I didn't know you had an accident. I went through some real anxiety about taking d'Mini to BHM, thinking nobody could fix it better, etc. I finally decided not to because 1) they are pretty far away from me - no, or at least very few visits would be possible and 2) so far, I have not gotten the impression that they are responsive - don't return calls or respond to website-based requests and when I call, sometimes you never get a real person. The shop d'Mini is in is close enough for a lunchtime visit and seems to be knowledgable, conscientious, and thorough.