We hit a deer last friday night. As you can see not the worst in the world but gonna be expensive I'm sure. It drives fine, luckily.

I'm not sure where to take it except to MINI of Charleston which is the dealer I bought the car from I guess. I used a local body shop once on my Jetta and wasn't happy. I want it to be RIGHT.

 

I totaled my Honda Civic in 01 on I-395 by Landmark (if you know D.C. area) heading towards the Pentagon at 6:30 a.m. while in the HOV lanes. Six point buck popped out from the far side of a full-size van.

I'd say you're really lucky that's all the damage you got. I'll be the MINI's handling had something to do with it.

 

John Harris Body Shop is a no-go. I took my baby there and its still not perfect a year later. I wouldnt step near Century anymore after what I've been through. Charleston is extremely professional in every aspect that Ive experienced, but Ive never used their body shop.

Go into the Lowcountry MINI forums above ours, and start a thread, and ask Chad ( Chadtoolio) about them. Hes a MINI tech down there, and he will point you in the right direction.


Charlotte seemed to be good when I talked to them, but I never used them. There Customer service was great though.

 

OMG.. thank god u r ok...was the deer dead?

 

that seem lieka pretty bad damage,,,the whole fender probaly have ot be replaced...but glad u r ok...

was the deer ok?

 

that seem lieka pretty bad damage,,,the whole fender probaly have ot be replaced...but glad u r ok...

was the deer ok?

 

I was involved in a hit and run in 2006 and thats the same damage that happened to mine except on the passenger side. It can be fixed and be good as new. As far as body shops here I wouldn't have a clue. I had my accident in AZ.

Glad that you are ok because metal can be fixed. Good luck on the fix!!!

 

Did you take the deer home and grill it up at least? :P

glad everyone is ok and good luck

 

My car was rear ended in Charleston. We took it to the body shop right next to Charleston Mini. They are affiliated with them. Awesome work, took the time to explain to me each step they were doing with the car! I would recommend them anytime.
Sorry to hear about your car, but glad to hear you are ok!!!

 

Thanks y'all. I'll try the shop next to Charleston MINI I guess.

It was pitch black dark (I-77 in VA/NC border) and I didn't see what happened to the deer, if it was dead in the road or had limped over to the side. I was just glad to be ok and that the car was drivable and the air bags didn't pop etc.

The mini was very stable through the whole swerve/emergency stop. Check out how the hood and fender folded up - looks like it was designed to do that to absorb the energy. Under the hood the shock tower, etc are fine.

 

mmmmmmmmmm grilled venison!!! Now I'm hungry.

Sorry about the car though!

 

Was the deer okay ? With that impact... ummm..... no.

I don't see any blood or hair matted in the nooks and crannies, you must have done the dirty deed of cleaning it up already. Just FYI for others: Always let the insurance company see the car (i.e. do the estimate) before you clean up the animal remains. That's one way we rule out you struck a stationary object (at fault collision claim versus comprehensive claim).

And yet another reminder: carry a low deductible on your Comp coverage. It's cheap coverage and so many losses fall under comp that are out of your own control, unlike collision coverage which is expensive and only needed if you're at fault in an accident.

 

Glad you are OK. Sorry about the MINI

 

Crappy feeling, I know. When my MINI got hit, I was sick. Thankfully I know a good bodyman, ME! I was able to fix my car at work.

Your MINI doesn't look too terrible. Mostly changing parts. Doesn't look like anything structural. Just make sure whoever fixes it can tint and blend paint.
These cars are pretty tough and can take a hit very well. A good repair shop should have you good as new in no time.

 

My deer died on the spot. The front seat slug looked like he was going to die. A cop showed up in about 5 min and pulled it to the shoulder. He decided not to ticket me (as if, what?, I had aimed for the deer??) Asked if I wanted the meat. I'm on the shoulder with a busted up car, three slugs, and no visible means of transportation. I declined and the cop said the carcass would be sent to a local butcher that gives the meat to homeless shelters.

Makes me wonder if the R56 pedestian friendly bonnet would have made a difference. Ummm. OP experience says 'No'.

 

It is an R56.

 

reallly? so that where soup kitchen they they their meat..

 

WoW that looked like a pretty good hit. The deer must have been pretty young for it not to've gone over your lid or at least into your windshield. All in all I'd say you were really very lucky. Hope you get things fixed up without any problems.

On a side note, anybody see the Mythbusters Alaska special? They were doing experiments with hitting moose!

 

Glad to see your ok. On a side note, having seen the aftermath of Moose vs. Pickup in Vermont ( they were airlifting the guy to the hospital ) these should be avoided at all cost.

 

Sorry about your Mini. I had a very similar deer hit in Michigan in 2004. Fortunately, I was able to drive the car home as there was no structural damage.

Had to replace the bonnet, front bumper, left front lights (all), radiator support and the left door had to be reskinned (hoof marks from a spinning Bambi). Repairs cost approximately $5,500, but Patrick Mini (Chicago area) did an outstanding job. Yours should be back on the road, good as new, in no time.

 

Welcome to the club... I also hit a deer with my R53... about $4k in damage, but fixed up as good as new. Better actually, the new bonnet didn't come chipped or dinged like the old one was

http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-d...ml#post3163479

The Washington mini dealer does not do body shop work, but i took it to who they recommended and was very pleased.

 

Actually there was only a little tiny bit of hair and blood right on that pointy bent part on the side, most of which washed off in the rain we drove through over the rest of the weekend.

There was a lot of weird fluids on the windshield. My wife thought it was "deer juice" (saliva?) But it was in fact the coolant that released from the overflow bottle inside the bumper I guess that would explain the coolant smell.

Yeah, we are lucky. I think the deer hit broadside right on the headlamp, then bounced over the side (missing the mirror). One of those things that happens in a flash so not sure. I remember seeing the tail end, the side view, the head going by the window. It was a smaller deer, I would give a novice guess at 60-80 pounds?

 

Glad you're okay, and hope to see you and car in better times, at a future event...

 

I had a similar incident a few weeks ago but not nearly as much damage. Alas, my deer got away. Interesting to note the headlamp housing is $550 by itself, add another $200 for the xenon bulb. Good luck on the repairs. I am chomping at the bit to get mine back.

 

Sorry about the MINI but least your o.k. Hendrick MINI uses Import Paint & body just up the street from the dealer. The owner is a MINI owner also and has done alot of body and paint work on alot of our cars. Just another alternative if you need one. They are located on Independence Blvd and he uses only MINI parts and paint. He has painted the BLUCOOPR a few times. Just glad your o.k.!!!!!