Does anyone find that this is a total loss? Long story short, I lost traction and spun out my 2008 Cooper S and bumped into a wall on the driver side front bumper as well as the back rear tire hit a curb. The steering was a little wobbly after. What I thought was going to be a few thousand in repairs turned out to be around $13,000 from the body shop (German Motor Collision Center - SF), meaning my insurance claims it as a total loss.

My question to you guys is that does this estimate seem reasonable? Don't know much about the internals of cars but I know I've seen a lot worse get repaired for less. Is this the Achilles heel for our cars? Anyways, thanks for listening. Hopefully next week will be better. In the mean time RIP my friend.

 

It doesn't look like $13k in damage from the photos to me either, but I'd trust the body shop estimate before I'd trust my own guesstimate from two photos. Body shops can usually find a lot more damage than is apparent to the untrained eye. That might become apparent when you read over the detailed list of needed repairs on their estimate.

Sorry for your loss. The car looks (looked?) like a really nice one; I like the color combo, and the wheels. I think they are among the lightest of the 16" OEM wheels.

 

I would say that is no where near a $13K repair, even if the frame was bent... I would get a second and third estimate... You're getting hosed...

 

Look up Orangecrush on this forum and send him photos. He owns a body shop and should be able to give you some good advise.

Personally, it doesn't look like $13k worth of damage.....

 

Everyone, thanks for the great advice. I will see how much I can get for the car before I pursue any further action. As we all know our cars maintain their value pretty well, so If I get anywhere close to actual market value I can see a new MINI in my life.

 

You can get copy of the written estimate from the shop or insurance. Everything will be itemized by parts and labor and you can see how the amount was added up.

 

In case anyone was wondering my total loss settlement was for $23,800. Not bad since I bought the car new three years ago for 24,500 out the door. How's that for resale value.

 

Amazing, what appears like so little damage and they write it off. Are you looking at a new MINI?

 

i will for sure be pulling this up if they try to fix mine lol.. but do you have a print out of the esitmate to repair.. like something with the cost per part and labor

 

wow... the car does not seem that badly damaged

 

With that, officially, don't look that gift damage estimate in the mouth. That's like a freakin' birthday present right there. Enjoy picking out a new Mini

 

Damn! That's awesome! You couldn't have paid someone to do that better!!

 

I sent you a pm. The body shop uses all OEM parts so that could be the reason for the high estimate. Anyways, hope everything works out in your favor. I suspect my settlement was so high was because of its popularity in the bay area.

Thanks, I could hardly contain myself when I heard the number. I just wanted to get off the phone as fast as possible so they couldn't change their mind. Yes I will be getting a new MINI. Maybe this time I will get all the options I want.

 

thanks man i appreciate that.. its at least a start to where i can say hey look at this.. whats the difference in mine