So I my new [used] MINI has been great. Fantastic car. When I got it the car had a few minor scratches and one scuff mark on the mirror. The scratch in the back is kind of deep (inch long). The scuff mark on the mirror is smooth to the touch but still quite large. There is also a small, very small, chip in the door along the edge.

Can anyone give me a heads up on costs associated with fixing these small issues. I plan on going to the dealership to get an estimate but if I could have a ballpark idea going in that would be great.

I really don't want to pay too much money for cosmetic work, but I still want my MINI looking its best.

 

Not knowing how bad the rest of the cars condition is it would be really hard to say. Although I have never had mine professionally done and only having seen the results of true professionals, both in person and online, I will suggest that you take your MINI to a few places local. Doing so not only can give you an idea of exactly the cost but you can also see some of their work and find a place that you will trust. In this case I think that a little more money will take you quite a bit further in terms of final results and getting one really good job will cost you more upfront but your MINI will be much easier to maintain with proper techniques afterwards.

TL;DR - shop around local to you. It may cost you a bit more than you want to spend but having a good starting point will help you majorly in the long run and don't expect everything to come out (depending on severity). After all your MINI is used. Any professional will be able to judge what the results should be.

Good luck and congrats on your new ride!

 

You don't say in what part of the country you are in, but you are better off going to a paint polisher first. Not a body shop and not a detail shop. A paint polisher. There aren't very many in the US but you can find them. I'm one of them in SoCal and Phil Yiu of DetailersDomain is another in New Jersey. Terms like "kind of deep" has no meaning. It needs to be quantified in order to determine whether it can be fixed and how much. A dealership is going to either refer it to their body shop or have one of their clowns try to buff it with a glaze and probably make it worse.

Richard

 

Great insight Richard. Not trying to hijack the post. i'm in SF CA. Anyone you recommend in the Bay Area? (Pro Paint Polisher)
Thank you

 

Thanks!

I know a really good polisher up your way. Well I don't know him personally, but I know his work. When I find his contact info, I'll send it over.

Richard

 

Thankyou Richard. I found one out of the many but it was over kill for me. I do not have a $100K car LOL

 

Well good quality work is never cheap, but it's usually cheaper than doing it wrong and then having to pay someone else to correct the bad work.

You could also make a day trip down to me here in Orange County, lol. I've driven up to the Bay area in a day before, lol. Had a few customers do that already.

Richard

 

Yup, If I had the time, I would be knocking on your door for sure. I so wish you were in the Bayarea by looking at your work.