Ok, this may be a stupid question, but I know it's probably either
been discussed previously, or done by someone already...

Yesterday I hit a dog with my less than three week old MINI.

The majority of the damage to the car is below the hood, center
of the car. (Hood seems OK, trashed the bumper, grill pieces, and
bent the radiator and the like.) Not sure of the damage other than
the cosmetic , although it did trash my windshield washer fluid container.

I've got a feeling the new "plastic" pieces (Bumper and the like) are
probably going to be fairly high dollar, with it being a new model. I'm
going to push for repair with new OEM part as best I can.

I'm wondering if now might be the time to consider upgrading to an
aero kit (At least on the front end).

I'm guessing the labor would be about the same as putting it back to
original... with the main difference being in the cost of the kit itself
vs. the OEM.

Has anyone gone this route before? If so, what was your experience.
Also, what Kit would you reccomend? The JCW ? or some other brand.

Any thoughts are appreciated. I'm mainly trying to weigh my options
before the appraiser looks at things.

I've attached a pic of the damage. The Radiator and part below it
are pushed in pretty good, even though they don't show that much
on the pic... I do have an engine warning light coming on warning me
of damage, along with the no wiper fluid one...)

 

as much as it sucks that your car is a bit damaged... but after looking at that front end of yours... how is the dog?

 

After I had a little front end contusion back on the east coast last year, I was cajoled and convinced by the intrepid (infamous?) Wagnbat of DCMM, Guamanian, and Navy fame to use the opportunity to upgrade to the OEM Aero Kit on my 1st Gen. And the result?

1. I've never regretted the decision. I went with the whole kit, not just the front end. Total extra parts and labor ran nearly $2K but that included my replacement R53 style bonnet. I love the look on my PW/B.
2. I was a bone stock JustaCooper before but once I took this plunge, the mod bug bit...bad. The addiction to modding has not let up, tempered only by competing resource needs like food and clothing. Expect a similar addiction if you go down the same path.

Poor doggie...

 

I was on my way to work, on the interstate, when the dog ran right out in
front of me... no time to react, and I hit it dead solid at 70 mph.

I saw it barrel roll into the median, and due to traffic and where I was
didn't get pulled over until I was quite a ways down the road.

Called the state police and had them come out. Not sure if they found it.
I just saw it in a flash... seemed about the size of a lab or shepherd...

Being's I'm a mailman, I love dogs... hate that this happened.

 

wow thats too bad I am glad didn't make you loose control and get into a bigger jam.

looks like an easy fix, mostly plastics.

 

I drove through a sheet of 3/4" plywood @ 70mph about 14 months ago after it was kicked up in front of me by a truck.
Upgraded to "aero" front bumper and grilles during repairs. it cost me about $800 above my $500 deductible

 

looks like your intercooler's pretty bent up as well. the plastic's likely repairable, new lower grill, but it would make a good time to upgrade/replace the intercooler while you're fixing everything, I wouldn't be surprised if the oem intercooler cost almost as much/more then a bigger/better one from Alta/Helix/Forge...

That being said, depends on how much labor would be to repair your existing bumper & if you're really just looking for an excuse to upgrade
I know Morristownmini offers parts online for a significant discount, so if you get a quote to fix it from your local dealership w/ all oem parts, you may be able to use the money to cover upgrading.
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...egoryID=126740