There is about 3750 dollars in damage, nothing with the frame.

Once they fix the car what advice can you guys give me in what to look for.

I want to start my list now because I'm going to be **** about it :smile: It's my baby.

 

Overspray... Nothing pisses me off on a repainted car (e.g. a restoration), or a fixed car like overspray. I mean, let's make it OBVIOUS that the car was either re-painted or fixed, right? I go over the ENTIRE car's surface, and make sure they didn't get overspray ANYWHERE. Then, I look under the car and make sure they didn't get any overspray there, either. Also, check the wheels, tires, and rubber bits. Marker lights, , headlights, etc., too.

Hidden damage they didn't fix... fit and finish restored to the original pimpness... While they may have fixed everything on the surface, make sure that the front end is back in spec. Make SURE they did a full alignment, too. If you note any pulling at any speed, or any odd vibration, take it back.

Runs, checking, etc. in the finish - that really makes me mad, too.

 

I'm sorry. I get mine back on Monday (I hope). The dealer has had it for almost two months. $7500 in damage. Make sure it goes on the frame machine and is checked. Look for damage to the strut towers. Are they even? Are the tops of them bulging? Look at the paint around the seams. All of the suspension componenets on tha MINI are lightweight (relative), have them all looked at. Redo the thrust alignment to make sure everything is copasthetic. All of the body damage should be replaced not repaired. They take the body apart at the seams and weld in complete new panels. This might be a good time for mods. If they have to take the rear apart change the swaybar. If the suspension comes down at all - new springs. Aero parts, stripes, etc. Look for wheel damage. If they are curb burned they will be replaced. You should get the parts for 20% above cost, while your insurance will pay fair market value (retail). I had the dealer do everything, so the paint and body is done by a kick *** BMW quality shop. That and the few mods I did are at least something to offset the accident.

 

No matter how good the repair body shop facility is, the car WILL NEVER, EVER BE THE SAME.

Factory paint and fit and finish is extremely difficult to reproduce in a body shop. they can do a good job but never even getting close to what is done at the factory level.

You car will inevitably suffer from lower resale value due to the fact that it was in an accident and has had body and paint repair. If you were not responsible for the accident, consider filing for "Diminished Value" which pays for any depreciation difference caused by the other party's fault. Florida has such law provision but I am not aware about other states. Most insurance companies don't want to make their policy holders aware about the existance of this provision. If the other guy is at fault, I would immediately start looking into it.

Body shop repaired cars are considered to be the "Black sheep" of the used car market. People once they learn a car has suffered body repair will depreciate it by 25% to 30% and even more from regular market value.

Get the car fixed the best way possible, file for diminished value, sell the car and get yourself a new one. Body shop repaired cars are a headache.

I had a similar experience back in '96 with a '95 Acura Integra LS sedan that had over $9K in front end damage. It was poorly repaired (Car was in body shop for almost 3 months) and had severe frame damage. I had to give the car away because it was worth almost nothing and at the time I was not aware of the diminished value clause in Florida law. I got rid of the car a few months after I got it back. Poorly painted, rust developing...ughhh aweful!

 

The Body Shop I'm taking it too is also owned by the Mini Dealer in Lake Bluff, IL. I'm hoping this helps.

The lady must be use to people asking questions about resell. Her first statement was "We are so good that even other Mini Dealers won't know it was repaired and their computers are not attached to ours". Basically telling me that it's going to be great and If I trade it in, no one will know.

Other then the fact they ask you if it's been in an aciendent, but isn't that a matter of perspective :smile:

I've always been told the car will never be the same, but then again, I've always (twice), bent the frame, had fluids running everywhere. This seem to be more cosmetic.

ALL ADVICE here is needed and appreciated though. I'm going to print this out when I go in :smile:

Anyone looking for a 2003 Pepper White/Black top, extremely nicely loaded (4,500), at a discount :smile:

 

>>The lady must be use to people asking questions about resell. Her first statement was "We are so good that even other Mini Dealers won't know it was repaired and their computers are not attached to ours". Basically telling me that it's going to be great and If I trade it in, no one will know.
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I was told the same line back in '96 "No one will notice your car was repaired"...BS! Every single used car appraiser was able to tell that the car was body shop repaired....immediate $5K right off the bat in depreciation over market value.

Sorry I hate to rain in your parade, but after having gone years ago thru a similar experience all I can say that any well trained used car appraiser will know that your car has been tampered with. In some states it is illegal not to disclaim damage if it goes above a certain dollar amount.

Best of luck.

 

This sort of thing has come up just about every time someone reports the need for body work...

First, I have to agree with Cooper4us in that any qualified car appraiser will know that the car has had body work. No matter how good a job is done. Body work is sort of like virginity. You either have it or you don't...and there's no fooling a doctor. (hope that didn't offend anyone, but it was the analogy that came quickest to mind). The lady at the MINI dealer is either ignorant or lying.

That said, I personally think that if it's done well, you might as well keep the car. It WILL be worth less...but it might not drive/perform/look worse. In fact, it may look better (if you had any other dings that get fixed as a result of this more major body work). Assuming that your purpose for having the MINI isn't about resale value, and if the repairs are done to the best standards, then you've not lost anything other than some money. Well, that'll happen either way (you WON'T be able to sell it at the same price as if it hadn't had body work). So, get your car fixed with the insurance money and enjoy it. If you are able to file for and receive compensation for "diminished value", great...then you'll be that much ahead.

You asked for opinions, that's mine.