So some genius who was pretty clearly drunk or on some other case of impaired stupid decided to lane-change at highway speed, in the dark of night, into the rear left quarter panel and driver's door of my Mini.

And then ran.

Don't worry, I got the plate. They weren't driving the likes of a Cooper S.

But I'm still left with figuring out where to take the Mini for the body repairs. I'd prefer a shop that specializes in Minis and/or BMWs and that people know will restore to original condition (including replacing parts when that's what it takes instead of following "just get rid of the dents 'as best as you can' and buff it out").

Any strong recommendations? Atlanta metro area.

 

Glad your ok man...I think your insurance or the guys insurance is going to lead you that shop for estimates and probably repair. you should've gotten a police report and had them look for that driver. then call your insurance and give them the plate number. hopefully it wasnt a stolen car!

 

Thanks man. I'm ok. Mini is bruised, but I'm OK. And glad it was just body damage, though I'm concerned about whether there might be an issue at the B pillar that is more than cosmetic. We'll find out.

Police and insurance company have the plate and they're doing "whatever they do" (police report takes a few days so it's not in my hands yet). They know who the vehicle's owner is, though -- both have told me that point-blank. And doesn't look like the car was stolen either.

Re the shop though, the way it works is that I can have it repaired wherever I want. I'm doing due diligence on it because the insurance company's biggest motivation is to keep their repair expenditure as low as possible, not to take care of me as the property owner; hence my post. Let's just say I've done the insurance rodeo a few times. I've never hit anyone, but I've had my (other) car bonked by other drivers more than once. I was actually on a pretty long streak of not getting hit until this...!!!

 

yeah, it is a shame how they operate an government isnt stepping up for this while getting in our business of much salt we should consume lol

best of luck brother...

 

Good thing you got the plate number! Do you have a dash cam or did you just remember it and write it down?


What?

 

Gave it to 911 in real time, in motion, while reading it under my headlights off the hit-and-run driver's trunk, along with the color of the vehicle and the make (recognized the logo on the trunk lid). Then turned around to go get the police report filed. Officer confirmed my make/color information accurately matched what the plate number was associated with.

 

I heard of a place off of Ponce before you get to the Marta garage and Dekalb Farmers Market

 

I was looking into this because at some point down the line I'm going to have my 06 JCW repainted.

Bavarian Body Works gets much acclaim from the BMW guys and seems like a great shop:

http://bavarianbodyworks.com/