So driving home from work yesterday, I managed to rear end someone. I was switching lanes, and got brake checked. Life happens. The car to me is largley fine. Crash bar is pushed back and the radiator is bent but not busted. I drove the car home with a close eye on the temp guage. Took the car in to get an estimate, and they are saying 3,300 in damages. Hoooooooooly cow guys and gals. I priced out the parts (ebay specials) and im looking at about 600 to repair it.

 

Bummer. March 2014 I ran over a dead deer and did some significant front end damage. The radiator support is large and plastic, so check on that. My radiator got pushed back into the aux water pump, creating a coolant leak. My A/C condenser got bent, but didn't leak. The Helix FMIC survived as well.


Fog lights are stupid expensive, I saw some on the marketplace here if you need them. Most of the other parts weren't too bad for price. Don't forget to pick up some of the extra plastic screws and clips, I'm sure that some of those will be damaged as you pull it apart.


Good luck,
Mike

 

Sorry to hear this :(

If you do need parts : www.ecstuning.com So it sounds like front bumper / trim crash bar and Rad, did you check the condenser also ? As well as the intercooler ?

Let me know if you need help finding them.

 

ecs is great but if you are on a budget try rock auto I have used them for other cats and for and finish was decent for a surprisingly cheap part. the nice thing is use your estimate as a guideline to what parts you need to order. There are you tube videos on bumper replacement. If you need condensor have a shop remove your R134 and pull a vacuum than replace your condensor and Rad if you need than head back as them to recharge. Try to refrain from the pep boys canned stuff.

P.S. not puttting ECS down I do occasionally shop there and do not have an issue with there prices just saying

 

Since you already priced out the parts can you find a local shop and just pay for the labor? 3K is a lot of money...

Are you doing out-of-pocket or filing a claim?

Best of luck!

 

Sorry to say, but those are probably just the parts you can see. Once you take it apart, a lot more will be required.


If you hit anything with the hood, I'd bet the nearest headlight has broken mounts. $900... (xenon)


I got barely tapped by someone, and it was almost $5K... And yes, I insisted on MINI parts...

 

I got lucky. Well i am doing all the work myself. So far i have only had to put about 800 in parts at it. Parts list is as follows and all came from ebay. Radiator, Ac Condensor, Core support/Crash bar, Bumper, 1 Fog light, and all the trims. It did not touch my hood. Intercooler was fine but i ordered one anyways since i have the money now. USAA was awesome they cut me a check for 2800 and told me i could get it fixed wherever. Of course im doing it myself.

 

You might also want to check Rock Auto for some of the parts. They tend to be less expensive than most.

 

Just watch on those other sites , the cataloger has over lap and the models are sometimes messed up. You will not get the right part, then call and they know nothing about MINIs. Its trial and error.

But good luck and if you need help let me know.

 

I have noticed that collision repair parts tend to be more expensive than you would think, and the items you would think would be overly expensive tend to run lower than you would expect.

Motor on!