Original post:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=132869

Schultze isn't considered a total loss; initial damage estimate is $7500.

Parts list:

FRONT BUMPER:
Bumper cover (std. non-S...being upgraded to Aero bumper w/fog surrounds)
Spoiler center
Spoiler end

FRONT LAMPS:
Left repeater lamp
Left fog lamp

FRONT SUSPENSION:
O/H front susp lt (not sure what this is!)
Left hub & bearing
Left knuckle
Left lower control arm
Left stabilizing link
Left strut bar
Left axle assembly-remanufactured (NOT!!!)*

COWL:
Left side panel (where exactly is this on a non-S Cooper?)

FENDER:
Left fender
Left fender liner
Left wheel opening molding on hood
Left wheel opening molding on fender

RADIATOR SUPPORT:
Radiator support-base model
Evacuate & recharge
Refrigerant recovery

AIR CONDITIONER & HEATER:
Condenser assembly

COOLING:
Radiator assembly

HOOD & GRILL:
Hood-base model (repair, repaint, blend, clearcoat)
Emblem-base model

WINDSHIELD:
Quality Replacement Parts Windshield w/rain sensor plus kit (NOT!!!)*
Right nozzle non-heated (mine ARE heated!)
Left nozzle non-heated (mine ARE heated!)
Washer reservoir

RESTRAINT SYSTEMS:
Driver airbag 3-spoke system (upgrade to JCW!)
Passenger airbag
Right belt & retractor-hatchback w/o force limiter (what is force limiter?)
Left belt & retractor-hatchback w/o force limiter

INSTRUMENT PANEL:
Dash pad (I'm guessing this is the airbag panel cover?)

WHEELS:
Left front wheel, alloy type 1, 6.5x16 silver-alu

TIRES:
Dunlop 195/55R16 SP5000 DSST

MISCELLANEOUS:
Car Cover/Bag (???)
Hazardous Waste Removal
Flex Agent (???)
4-wheel alignment
Customized hood design-per invoice
Clear bra-per invoice
Adjust tailgate (it's WAAY out-of-line due to the accident)

*I am NOT comfortable with the idea of a "remanufactured" axle. I want a brand new axle & I'm going to be damned stubborn about it, too!

*I want an OEM rain-sensor windshield, not a generic replacement! Also, my washer nozzles are heated, so I wonder why they are replacing them with non-heated nozzles?!

I'm going to have to take a close look at all the wheels...my wheels were MINT prior to the accident and if there is any damage, I'm going to ask that any damaged wheel be replaced.

In addition to my $500 deductible, they're also charging me $62.74 for the Dunlop tire...is it common for a policy to have a separate deductible for tires?
The tires have just over 20K miles on them...I have a new, never-mounted set of Fuzion HRs stacked in my utility room...I'd rather have those installed than continue with run-flats!

I also forgot to mention to them that the sunvisor tinting will need to be replaced, as well as the "clear-bra" stuff on the fog lights.

Lastly, since the plastic strut tower covers were popped out of place, should I be concerned about replacing the strut covers and/or the strut tower brace? I have the M7 setup which Way installed at MOTD last year. What about the engine dampener--should I be concerned about excessive stress from the impact? The DDM CAI is also slightly twisted/out of line.

Still looking for upgrade suggestions...seriously considering TSW Springs, H-sport control arms, and non-adjustable camber plates. Undecided about which struts/shocks to get...

Thanks, everyone...input is always appreciated.

 

I have a generic replacment windshield, it looks just like the OEM one, except where it says "MINI", it says the companies name. Generic isn't so bad.

 

$7500? Shouldn't that be totaled? I know when I worked with my agent on my bike I was able to tell her when I thought it was a total loss and she should just buy it from me. We got to half value and figured that was plenty to total it.
When you factor in the reduced resale value for having a huge ding on CarFax I think I'd be trying to total it and start over.

 

Yikes! That car is gonna be completely rebuilt from scratch! Are you sure yu want that car back??

 

Is it PPG glass?

 

Nationwide says that damages must equal 75% of the car's NADA value. I'm going to talk to the agent today to get more details...especially since I'm being asked to pay a deductible for the actual tire.

Edited to add: I'm not too worried about Carfax; I don't plan on trading in Schultze...I'm keeping him forever as long as he runs as good as new.

 

I really don't see it as a bad thing...especially when I was already planning on upgrading the bumper & sideskirts when I have the black flare pieces painted. Also, I was planning on upgrading the struts/shocks, springs, and control arms and adding camber plates. The only upgrade that wasn't part of the original plan is the JCW steering wheel.

 

Good luck with the repairs, sorry to see the MINI in such bad shape

 

I used Safelite. It looks just like OEM, and it has been 8 months since getting it replaced and no noticeable nicks in the windshield. Plus it was like 700 bucks cheaper than what the dealer quoted me.

 

so on the estimate its probably as simple as the estimator selected the wrong nozzles on his estimate, when they order the parts they should be ordering using the vin # to ensure the correct parts are shipped for the car, as for the charge to the tire they are placing a betterment charge on the tire based upon the tread left on the tire, as they are replacing it with a new tire and the insurance co only owes for the tread that was on the tire at the time of the accident.

good luck with the repairs.

bob

 

I don't see anything bad with that estimate. The $60 on your tires is what is called depreciation or betterment. Basically there was not a brand new tire on there so they don't owe for a brand new tire. The insurance company owes to put the car back to the way it was before the accident with same or like kind quality parts (some policies differ on their language, I can only speak for what is the norm with my company)

I am not sure about your nozzles it could be that the actual nozzle part is the same for a non heated and heated model and that the heated model have an internal mechanism that provides the heating? I am sure you can ask your adjuster or body shop and they can look it up.

In regards to the windshield, I don't see any problem with an aftermarket replacement, that is pretty norm and accepted throughout. I wouldn't worry about that because the aftermarket version might even hold up better from what I have read on here about Mini windshields!

The remanufactured parts are another issue that I would not be concerned about either. You car is used and remanufactured parts are very acceptable for the repair that is needed. I know that all this may seem confusing and maybe that these are bad things but your Mini will be put back just the way you want it and you will know now difference between a remanufactured axle and a new one.

Also the OH is overhaul it means to take parts off the car as a unit, dismantle them, replace whatever little pieces need replaced and reinstall them back on the car.

I don't do any adjusting anymore and when I did it was on collector vehicles but the standards are pretty similiar across the board, it just seems with collector cars you get into really tough issues because sometimes the parts aren't even available!!!

Good luck with everything, just make sure to relax and take it one step at a time and ask questions until you feel comfortable. There are a lot of people that are helping you and are great resources, make sure to utilize them!

I know that there is another adjuster here on the boards that has a ton of experience with standard auto and they would probably be able to help you out more than I can.

 

H82, you did a great job answering those questions !!

You hit the tire question right on the nose. Yes, it's called "betterment" when your tire is worn and then replaced by a brand new tire. The role of insurance is to indemnify you... that is, put you in your pre-loss condition. Since it's not practical to replace a part that has been subjected to normal wear-and-tear with an exact item (i.e. a worn tire), the insurance company recoups the portion of the cost that pertains to "betterment" or bettering your pre-loss condition.

Yes, aftermarket parts can and will be used in the repair process. They are often the EXACT same part, just with a different label (think of a factory producing radiators for MINI and stamping them "MINI" and then as they come off the assembly line, stamping some of them "Aftermarket Company X"). And yet in other cases, the aftermarket part is made by a totally different manufacturer.... often better than the company that produces the OEM part, as is definitely the case for MINI windshields.

The other stuff, I don't believe needs further explanation. Again, nicely done by H82.

But Erika, if you still have questions, let us know. You have lots of support here !!

 

Glad it wasn't totaled. Especially if you like the R53, can't be replaced by new.

 

Uber I went through the same feelings you went through when my brand new R56 suffered $11,000 worth of damage. It sounds like you've got a good body shop and they've got all the necessary bits. Good luck and we'll see you at the Dragon!

A side note, my MINI is back and better than ever so all those feelings of having a rebuilt car are gone. Now if I could just fit in that performance alignment before the Dragon...

 

Make sure you ask your insurance company for depreciation compensation. Most adjusters won't let you know about this unless you ask but depending on where you live and its respective insurance law, an insurance company is supposed to pay you the difference between what your vehicle would have listed for before the accident and how much it would list for now because of the accident. It may not be much but it's still extra cash in your pocket.