Last night a girl made an illegal left and drilled my MINI. It's in the shop now and needs a hood, bumper, etc. The airbag blew also.
My biggest concern is that it won't start. I looked in the manual, but I can't find anything about this.

 

found it.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ery+disconnect

 

Sorry to hear that you've joined the ranks of MINI owners who have been hit. Hope the repairs go quickly and are done right - best of luck to you.

 

I'll be doing the repairs myself. I just hope I don't have any hassle from the insurance company. I'm not putting aftermarket parts on my 12000 mile car.

 

Just be careful something in the engine isn't smushed...

 

isnt there a gas shutoff during stong impacts?

 

How did the airbag feel and what speed approx. that set it off ?And I'm sorry for you , I hope it all gets straitened out !By the way , nice rims !

 

The airbag was more of a pain in the *** than anything. She made a left in front of me and I tried to make a hard right and swing the back of the car around to miss her. When the bag blew. It threw my hands off the wheel and it was all over. The bag is full of powder to keep it from sticking to it's self when it's folded. The powder blew all over and it looked like a smoky mess. The four way flashers came on an the windows rolled down.
Thanks, I like the wheels too, luckily none were damaged.
I was able to push start the MINI and drive it around. I think the fusible link by the battery needs to be replaced. It runs and drives fine, so now I just need to get started on the repairs.

 

Why don't you have all the insurance work done by the dealer?

 

That's interesting that your airbag(s) went off with so little damage to the front end. My car got considerably more smooshed in an accident this past July and the airbags stayed put.

Zip

 

I agree...by law, YOU choose your repair facility, not the insurance company. I'd take it to the dealer and it's your right to insist on OEM parts no matter what you end up doing. If the accident wasn't your fault it seems like a lot of work for the repairs!

 

I did choose the repair shop. It's the shop I work at. The dealer is 40 minutes away and I would rather do it myself. No one, not even your dealer, is going to take care of your car like you do.

 

As for the car not starting after the airbag deploys, it blows out the positive battery cable. The little black box onthe cable houses the pyrotechnic device. $250 for the cable and some labor get it back running.
Airbags deploy based on how fast you come to a stop, not how hard you hit, or what you hit.
Right now the estimate is at $7500.00.

 

Well crap!!! This totally stinks....so sorry.... I'm sure your MINI will be good as new soon...

Donna

 

The repairs have began. I changed out the battery cable tonight and got it running. The cable is about 17 feet long and a pain in the *** to change.

 

Sorry to see that your MINI is jacked up. A lame *** backed into my vehicle about a month ago in a parking lot. He was on the cell phone and not paying attention. Not really the same thing, but it sucks for sure.

 

Frame is straight again and the new cradle is in. I'll get the parts tomorrow and start putting things back together.

 

Good deal. Just heard from 3A, I'm all good and don't have to pay my deductible. The guy who nailed me at Home Depot can't be found. I think he's an undocumented resident. Or as I like to say, illegeal alien

 

Your insurance company wouldn't either. Unless your insurance company is Grandma Smith's or some small company like that. Any reputable insurance company is not going to use recycled or non-OEM parts on a 2007 model car (there's an interesting thread floating around here that addresses that very subject).

But hey... if you're a professional body repairman, cool !! They other driver's insurance company will LOVE you !! They just pay for the parts and the labor is free !!

 

^^ couldnt he claim the labor since he is working on it at his shop?

 

If he's a certified body repairman, sure. He says he works at this shop but I'm not sure in what capacity.

If he's not... the insurance company won't care. As long as they don't find out.

 

that makes sense. i always appreciate the brief window into the world of insurance in your posts

 

^ Thanks.

Never realized how complicated Auto Insurance is until I started working in this field 6 years ago when I retired from the Air Force.

My initial post in this thread was mostly tongue-in-cheek. I'm sure if he's not a certified mechanic and/or body man, he's having co-workers who are certified do that work for him.

 

Getting there...
Paint this week and re-assemble. Should be back on the road by this time next week.

 

I have 17 years expeirence doing collision repair. ICAR, ASE etc...
Insurance is paying for my labor. Labor is NEVER free.
My MINI is a 2005 MSC with 12000 miles.
I only have to put on the stripes and do an alignment and the MINI is done. I'll post pics tomorrow.