Estimate from MINI in Omaha is just under 6K. New passenger door, new sunroof, seals, paint, clearcoat, new windshield (which is cool, the old one had some pits)...

The roof damage is bad. Yeah, a hole where the seal is missing and thru the roof outer skin. No interior damage on the roof visible. That's why they're not sure if it can be repaired. If the passenger windshield post is messed up, it's all done. They'll total it.

It was hit by a steel cargo box loaded that fits on cargo ships that semis haul around.

 

That really sucks. If it is totaled will you get another MINI?

 

For sure, another R53 S or JCW!

 

Or a GP.

 

Not a GP man...come on...that'd be cruel to use a GP as a daily driver...

A GP would be a 'second car' for us...LOL!

 

Mine will be for sale later this year if you can wait.

 

Well...we have to find our CD of Willie Nelson singin "On the Road Again" cause WildThang is ready to motor! We'll pick her up this weekend.

 

Glad to see they got your car up and running. Maybe you will see my Clubman up in the shop up there. Been there last 10 days with a CEL. Code on dash CC-ID-031 (increased emissions). After messing around for days with smoke machine, testing the gas (why do they always blame the gas) , they think it is the purge valve. I think it would have been cheaper to replace the purge valve then spend 3 days testing for it. It may be ready today as well but I'M not holding out hope. Is this normal for service up there or just an anomaly?

 

d3rd your MINI's problem sounds unusual to me, but we dont have a Clubman. Might have been a part they don't stock, but I'm not sure. Hope yours is ready soon!

Ours looks good, drives good, and feels good!

 

WildThang, Glad to see your back on the road again. Everything works good?

 

Poor d4rd. Only four posts and already he gets no respect.

Glad to hear Wildthang's back in action.

Bummer about the excessive time in the shop, d7rd.

 

Used to it, I'm back in service now too. Picked it up this afternoon. We'll see if they fixed it or not.

 

@ smieska - So far we're pleased with the results. A couple of things we had forgot to mention to insurance or the body shop was the tinted window and new speakers in the doors. No need to say a word as they had the window tinted in the new door and reinstalled our speakers.

Our experience with MINI of Omaha for this was great. Done the same week we took it in. It looks great, and boy did we miss her... They kept in inside until we picked it up, so it was spotless on the exterior as was the interior. We even had the oil changed while she was visiting.

Then as we exited the Body Shop area we stopped at the MINI office and ended up test driving a white Countryman S All4, 6 speed manual. I was surprised by it's ride and ease of driving it. Steering is very MINIesque...same familiar gearbox and motor. The interior is nicely laid out. We did hit a bit of snow and did fine. We noticed the extra interior room such as between the seats and it has a full rail system from the front the the back seats. We both enjoyed the ride it has, it tooks Omaha's pot holes with ease.

We're going to wait to test a Paceman when they come out...later this year we hope. They're a two door Countryman with a JCW motor and goodies.

 

Its always good to hear stories of people having positive experiences with facilities that I frequent. They even noticed you had changed out OEM speakers and took the time to move to the new door. Great story. I have been curious about the Countryman but am affraid to go look or test drive one because then I will have to have one and need to wait a couple years before I take the plunge.

 

The last I heard it was due late 2012. Be nice if I were wrong. I really want to see it.

 

OK, I think I found my next Mini!!!

http://dvice.com/archives/2011/03/ro...n-car-s.php#10

 

It's an interesting concept. Design and function looks good.

I've been reading about it on Motoring File.

Can I get one without doors and roof?

 

Finally, spring is here. I know my MINI is ready for some fun, how about yours? We have a date set for a run up the Loess Hills. The details are being ironed out but mark your calendars for April 2nd.

 

April 2nd sounds great. I pulled my floor mats out last night and washed them, vacuumed the inside, then washed the outside. Driving down to Wichita Friday for the weekend.

 

We picked up a Garmin nuvi 2460 and ecoRoute HD. Finally, some guages!

The display is crisper than the iphone pic shows.

 

So we....no...correction...I changed the rims and tires...there is no "we" when there's tire changing time. She sits there and watches me...anyway...

Summer rims and tires on! Motoring Time!

 

Ordered a DDM CAI and Samco intake hose.

I can not wait!!

This week WildThang gets all new ball joints and front control arm bushings. We have a loaner MINI Cooper Countryman ALL4, white, black top, manual. The sport button is fun....lol!

 

oops

 

So wildthing, what's your impression of the countryman?
I have recieved new tires from tirerack and will have them put on sometime next week. I went with Yokahoma Avid Envigors. Cannot wait to see how non runflats feel on the road.

 

Update, Got the tires put on yesterday. Wow what a difference non run flats make on the ride. It is much smoother and quieter. Can not wait for Mini R4TH in a couple of weeks.