R56 And the rebuild starts.... pics of wreckage.
And the rebuild starts.... pics of wreckage.
Okay, so after my clusterfudge.... here's what a mini that smacks a wall in over triple digits looks like. Placement is everything.
Here's the final pics.
As you can see... frame rail is in fine shape.
The bracket for the bumper that attaches to the engine cradle is damaged... the engine cradle is in 99% good condition.
This is where the tire bounced back and hit the "A" pillar. Though this isn't bad, this is probably the worst damage done.
Upper apron... no damage.
Mirror got snapped off, put a dent in the door... the door has other "waves/dents" but I'm going to do PDR on it (except for the dent up top)
Nothing on the left side.
As you can see... in excellent shape considering.
Well, the hood didn't fair too well...lol.
Upper tiebar is bent but fixable, though I have to replace the condensor, it's not in bad shape.
The 55 gallon plastic bag... oh, that's the rest of the misc. parts...lol
I've already ordered all my parts, I have new coilovers sitting at the shop (since I'll need a strut anyways), new swaybar, (old one trashed) and all new parts on the way.
At this point, I'm going to rebuild it and then I'll decide if I'm going to turn it into a track ***** or just drive it.
As **** as I am about paint, I'm okay with it if it's an allover paintjob... I just can't do the panel shooting... drives me nuts.
Mark
Here's the final pics.
As you can see... frame rail is in fine shape.
The bracket for the bumper that attaches to the engine cradle is damaged... the engine cradle is in 99% good condition.
This is where the tire bounced back and hit the "A" pillar. Though this isn't bad, this is probably the worst damage done.
Upper apron... no damage.
Mirror got snapped off, put a dent in the door... the door has other "waves/dents" but I'm going to do PDR on it (except for the dent up top)
Nothing on the left side.
As you can see... in excellent shape considering.
Well, the hood didn't fair too well...lol.
Upper tiebar is bent but fixable, though I have to replace the condensor, it's not in bad shape.
The 55 gallon plastic bag... oh, that's the rest of the misc. parts...lol
I've already ordered all my parts, I have new coilovers sitting at the shop (since I'll need a strut anyways), new swaybar, (old one trashed) and all new parts on the way.
At this point, I'm going to rebuild it and then I'll decide if I'm going to turn it into a track ***** or just drive it.
As **** as I am about paint, I'm okay with it if it's an allover paintjob... I just can't do the panel shooting... drives me nuts.
Mark
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Hate to see a body guy turn into his own best client, but who better to work on the car than someone you trust? 
Having worked in a body shop before, I've seen cars in much worse shape turn out great, so I'm sure it will be fine. Will any part of the frame or chassis need to be pulled? Again, glad you're ok. Can't wait to see it when you are done.
Mica
Having worked in a body shop before, I've seen cars in much worse shape turn out great, so I'm sure it will be fine. Will any part of the frame or chassis need to be pulled? Again, glad you're ok. Can't wait to see it when you are done.
Mica
Hate to see a body guy turn into his own best client, but who better to work on the car than someone you trust?
Having worked in a body shop before, I've seen cars in much worse shape turn out great, so I'm sure it will be fine. Will any part of the frame or chassis need to be pulled? Again, glad you're ok. Can't wait to see it when you are done.
Mica
Having worked in a body shop before, I've seen cars in much worse shape turn out great, so I'm sure it will be fine. Will any part of the frame or chassis need to be pulled? Again, glad you're ok. Can't wait to see it when you are done.
Mica
The car is no doubt a sturdy car (I have 3 mini coopers in the shop right now) and have seen all sorts of cars hit worse and I know placement had a LOT to do with it but the damage though expensive (original estimate was written at 23K) doesn't reflect the damage to the car.
I'm not even putting it on the frame machine, I can tie it down on the floor and use the floore pullers to pull the "A" pillar out... that's how "undamaged" it is.
I will have to replace the front section of the engine cradle but it's nothing more than a 40 part... unbelieveable. I'm sure the arm that the bracket bolts to on the cradle is bent up about a 1/4".
Other than that, it's sheetmetal, condensor, radiator support, rt lower control arm, strut, mirror and fix some of the wiring harness that got the ends ripped off. (I love how BMW sells just the ends...perfect)
Anyway, I'm super happy about it, I'll paint it, replace the stripes, install my new racing parts, install my new M7 hood scoop (poor thing, never stood a chance) and my clear bra and I'll be ready to go.
Mark
It 'tis but a scratch 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKhEw7nD9C4
Actually it's going to be very interesting to see Oscar come back to life. Good luck with him, he's in good hands
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKhEw7nD9C4
Actually it's going to be very interesting to see Oscar come back to life. Good luck with him, he's in good hands
It 'tis but a scratch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKhEw7nD9C4
Actually it's going to be very interesting to see Oscar come back to life. Good luck with him, he's in good hands
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKhEw7nD9C4
Actually it's going to be very interesting to see Oscar come back to life. Good luck with him, he's in good hands
My favorite quote from that movie...
"tis only a flesh wound..."
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,880
Likes: 3
From: Your Worst Nightmare :)
make sure the newest tensioner is in
I havent been on these forums lately, too many fanboys and nitwits, what happened? details please!
I havent been on these forums lately, too many fanboys and nitwits, what happened? details please!
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No, no air bags... the car hit the wall at an angle as it was spinning. The tires damped the blow before the real crush.
Mark
PS. And I did think about doing a color change except the only way I'd do it was to do the engine compartment so it matched. And with all the crap in the engine compartment... nah, too much work.
Mark
PS. And I did think about doing a color change except the only way I'd do it was to do the engine compartment so it matched. And with all the crap in the engine compartment... nah, too much work.
What do you think your speed was when you actually hit the tires, then the Jesrey barrier? I bet you were going 100+ when you left the track, but a lot less when you finally impacted something...
Good hit none the less.
Good hit none the less.
Typically, coming out of turn 8, I'm doing about 115 because as I come into turn 9, I'm at 122-125...
Point is, once you hit the wet grass, the car catapults like a slingshot. I don't know if you actually pick up speed on the wet grass or it just feels like it but you definitely feel like you were launched out of a rocket.
Regardless, once you come off the track, it's already at 115.
Typically, coming out of turn 8, I'm doing about 115 because as I come into turn 9, I'm at 122-125...
Point is, once you hit the wet grass, the car catapults like a slingshot. I don't know if you actually pick up speed on the wet grass or it just feels like it but you definitely feel like you were launched out of a rocket.
Regardless, once you come off the track, it's already at 115.
Point is, once you hit the wet grass, the car catapults like a slingshot. I don't know if you actually pick up speed on the wet grass or it just feels like it but you definitely feel like you were launched out of a rocket.
Regardless, once you come off the track, it's already at 115.
With that said, did anyone notice that the Jersey barrier was knocked over (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ne-review.html post 18)? Do I assume you did that? If you did, while the tire barrier might have cushioned the blow, it still took a lot of force to do that
You were still moving at a high rate of speed at that time. Whether you hit the barrier at 115 or 85 or 65 it is still a lot more speed than you really want to hit a thing like that with. Anway you look at it, this is one lucky Mini and driver. Or vice versa.Good luck with fixing the car. I just installed a Quick fit harness and aquired pair of CG locks to up the safety
Maybe I'll get a chance to see your handy work next season if I follow Slinger688 and VV around next season.
No actual pickup of speed when you hit the grass, just a big change in the friction that was slowing you down. That sudden change in deacceleration when you hit the grass seems like acceleration to your body
With that said, did anyone notice that the Jersey barrier was knocked over (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ne-review.html post 18)? Do I assume you did that? If you did, while the tire barrier might have cushioned the blow, it still took a lot of force to do that You were still moving at a high rate of speed at that time. Whether you hit the barrier at 115 or 85 or 65 it is still a lot more speed than you really want to hit a thing like that with. Anway you look at it, this is one lucky Mini and driver. Or vice versa.
With that said, did anyone notice that the Jersey barrier was knocked over (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ne-review.html post 18)? Do I assume you did that? If you did, while the tire barrier might have cushioned the blow, it still took a lot of force to do that
You were still moving at a high rate of speed at that time. Whether you hit the barrier at 115 or 85 or 65 it is still a lot more speed than you really want to hit a thing like that with. Anway you look at it, this is one lucky Mini and driver. Or vice versa.
Good luck with fixing the car. I just installed a Quick fit harness and aquired pair of CG locks to up the safety Maybe I'll get a chance to see your handy work next season if I follow Slinger688 and VV around next season.
Maybe I'll get a chance to see your handy work next season if I follow Slinger688 and VV around next season.
I'll be on the road by then.
Mark
