I started this thread to report on experiences getting Baby repaired after she went deer hunting w/o a license. She got tagged! For some history on the accident, please see my thread new 15" shoes for mini. I will try to add some "before and after" pictures soon.

My wife tells people that we are telling Baby that she is going to a Health Spa to get her wrinkles all prettied up. She's going on a sleep-over and will be getting "The Works Beauty Treatment"

Nov 3. I took Baby to Precision Collision in Byron (I-75, Exit 149 turn west. Turn left 1/2 at the Dairy Queen. They are actually behind the Dairy Queen.There is only a small sign. Turns out they don't advertise but rely on worth of mouth and repeat business). Precision is a large shop, with half-a-dozen bays and lotsa of cars parked around. I noted several Bimmers in the lot. The large front office had a "coffee table and sofa" waiting area and 3 computer desks with 2 customers being "processed". There was also a computer guy installing a new computer at one of the desks. (I knew the computer guy from church and from previous job--Middle Georgia is a small place!) I wrote all this to point out that Precision is a modern shop and fairly well organized. The computer guy lauded up the shop and told me how well Bobby had treated him on a previous repair. I also noted a certificate on the wall from an insurance company certifying that Precision is a 5-Star USAA Repair shop. WOW--USAA just happens to be my insurance company. All this means that the shop and USAA have worked out "conflicting estimate" issues and I don't have to worry about or argue with my insurance company about additional costs once the shop starts the repairs. You don't really know the repairs costs until you actually do the repairs--that's why it's called an estimate.

I was attended to by one of the young women who took my particulars, and we went to look at the car. She took some pictures and wrote some details to prepare her estimate. We returned to the office and she called USAA, and got them to fax her a copy of the adjuster's initial estimate. While waitng for the fax to arrival, I struck up a conversation with a man at the center desk where the computer guy was cleaning up. That was Bobby--the owner. Yes he has repaired other Minis. He added that while he and his 25 employees do top-quality, they are all humans. If they do miss something, he absolutely gaurantees his work for as long as I own the car. He is the only shop south of Atlanta certified to work on the new Aluminum front end BMW (??) and usually gets Bimmer parts overnight. He warned me to expect some delays in getting parts from Atlanta--Mini just doesn't cooperate! The girl told Bobby my accident background and they both new the independent USAA adjuster. Meanwhile the fax came. Bobby and I then went out to look at the car. He checked the car against the USAA estimate adding a wiring harness to the estimate that USAA had overlooked.

Bobby repair plans: to order parts that were clearly visible and would need replacement. (Driver's door, hood, fender, 1/4 panel, bumper, headlight assembly, etc. There's a pretty good list of plastic brackets and assemblies also) When they came in, they would put the new parts into paint and also disassemble the car. They would then see what "underneath" damage would need repair. Back in the office, he gave me his personal card (not one from the girl's desk), saying that I should call him whenever I wanted an update on the car.

With all that said, I bid Baby goodbye. They gave me a ride home and the saga begins...

 

Dec 1: Update on repair process...
-The time line was to order parts and expect a 2-week repair time when parts arrived. He was not rushing the job.
-The Thanksgiving holiday will extend the repair times...
Nov 14. Not finished because the first two hoods were received with freight damage and were returned.
Nov 25 Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Shop will try to finish tomorrow since they would be closed for the long Thanksgiving weekend.
Nov 26 Wednesday. Didn't make it--would be done early next week.
Dec 2: No call from shop on Monday. I'm going there today to personally monitor progress. The saga continues...

 

Thanks for the updates! Maybe Santa will deliver Baby by Christmas. We'll just warn Rudolph & crew to stick to the roofs for their own safety.

 

Dec 10...
Baby was ready late afternoon Friday Dec 5 but I missed the call and didn't get the message until after the shop called. Went Dec 8 Monday morning to Precision Collision for pick up. Bobby, the shop owner explained that his technicians were good people but they that they were also human and not perfect. He stands behind their work and would correct anything that was not to our satisfaction. That's how he stays in business and he stays busy!

Besides all the sheet metal and plastic, the radiator and condenser were found bent and were replaced. "Baby" looked good but while carefully checking underneath the hood, my wife found a small spot in the inner left wheel well that needed 'touch up' paint. When Bobby noticed that the right side wheel well also needed "touch up", he was not pleased. He has kept the vehicle to properly "redo" both sides. He said he would deliver the vehicle to our house himself when done.

The Eby's MINI was damaged slightly in a parking lot mishap and have taken it Bobby for repair. They continue to drive it while awaiting parts. The Eby's initially recommended Precision to us because of their past experience. They have taken their MINI back for a return visit! I also told Bobby that i was posting on this site so his work is getting noted! (Ahaaa...the power of an organized club)
Expect to have the car by the end of the week...

 

It's good to hear your going to have "Baby' back by this weekend. What ever service you need done a Company is only as good as the people working for it. It looks like you picked a good one. Several members in the Ga. Street Rod Assn. feel the same way. Good luck and hope to see you at the Jan. meeting at Starbucks.

 

Dec 12 Friday. Baby came home! Precision delivered her to our house. I inspected her closely in my driveway and everything looks good. I'm not an expert "body" person, but I can't tell the old pieces from the new work. The next club meeting I attend, youall can check her out...let's motor!!

 

YEA!!! Baby is home!! Glad to see that she's back in her own garage. I think I would have gone nuts and needed a straight jacket. We look forward to seeing her at the next meeting.

Merry Christmas!