My Coupe was damaged a few days ago on a parking lot, The left corner of the rear bumper cover has a sharp dent about the size of a quarter and 1/8" deep and the black bezel that holds the red reflector need to be replaced because it has been lightly dented. It popped in the bumper out of 2 tabs.

There is absolutely no other damage. This parking lot kind of damage really sucks.

I have been quoted almost $900.00 by one body shop and they told me it would take 4 days to fix it.

This seems a lot of money for just a small dent.

Any comments?

 

Here is a picture.

 

Oh no, :(

Th black grille you can replace the, bumper parts either needs filled , smoothed and repainted or they are just going to replace the whole bumper section ( Skin ) and then paint. Since its a new car should not need blended if they get the color mixed right.

Body shops are expensive.

 

Richard

If it's any consolation my daughters brand new Honda Civic that I just picked up, made a stop at the bike store for a inner tube and came outside to the same thing.

I actually saw the Pickup truck hit and leave as did others. It was the trailer hitch ball in my case and yours looks identical.

Cost me $500 but no parts were needed.

I eventually was reimbursed by his insurance.

At least you know your not alone.

Ian

 

Just curious - did the other driver get nailed for leaving the scene?

 

He claimed he didn't know he had backed into the Honda.

So no.

Ian

 

And do you believe him? (again, just curious)

 

After talking to him and meeting him yes.

In his late 60s deaf and poor eyesight who else knows what.

Where I live in Florida it's a common occurrence.

Ian

 

Ah - understandable. Thanks for indulging me!

 

They never know here in WA. The most dangerous are those still driving pickup trucks from the late 80's

But they all know how to hook their boats or horse trailers.

Furthermore, I was parked in a disabled space with the placard in the windshield because I was helping a friend.

 

I just read the complete estimate today for the first time. They quoted 7.1 hours of body work on just the bumper itself for mostly $400.00 aside from remove/install which is just 0.6 hours.

It seems it would be far cheaper just to replace the bumper skin.

What is the price of a new one?

 

Yes I agree it's a lot of money. We had ours done twice. Ultimately it's all about the quality of the paint job. Between the time and the equipment it goes up quickly as most shop will want to repaint the entire bumper. Now on the other side I've had a shop doing paint on my other car. He gave me a cheap quote. Now I really regret it. The paint is coming off like crazy. So you get what you pay for unfortunately with paint job. The labor adds up quickly. I hope you'll get it sorted out.

 

We have vendors that could answer the question. What is the cost of a new bumper?

By the way, they have more than 7 hours for the paint and labor alone. They are not trying to be cheap.

 

I had a similar ding to my rear bumper as well. I used the local body which is also the one the MINI dealership uses. It turned out great but cost about $700.

 

I wasn't implying they were. I just regretted the time I had paint done on the cheap.

New bumper don't come painted. They will have to do the paint. Bumper primed is about $400 give or take. Might be more for the JCW bumper. Add the paint job and you'll be over the cost of just fixing it.


We had the bumper re-done twice after two separate accident/incident.

First time was an accident (being rear ended)
Toe hook cover and bumper spoiler replaced - bumper removed/repaired/refinished - Insurance paid - $770

Second time was a parking lot incident.
Mostly paint damage - bumper refinished - paid $670 out of pocket

This was all done at the BMW body shop tied to MINI dealership. They did a great job.
So yes I'd say your quote is on the high side.

Also some of the time they need is sometime to let the paint cure before re-assembly which could explain some of the delay.

 

Well....... there is only 2 certified body shops in a 40 miles radius. They charge whatever they want and they are not busy at all. It takes a week to fill a quote. My insurance is not very hot about them either.

For now, I will have the grille popped in and see when the car will be back for service in Seattle.

 

Lucky you on the certified shops not being busy.
Even though mine was just a cosmetic damage, I couldn't wait to fix the ding. It literally bothered me. Plus how it happened is a funny yet embarrassing story.

 

There is a few reasons and I prefer not to explain why they are not busy. I don't trust them either. The bumper costs $264.00 as per the second quote of $806.00 received today.

I will wait and see where the insurance company suggest to send the car. It will be closer to Seattle for better shops. I know Seattle Mini doesn't have one.

At least, they popped in the grille back in place. I can live with the dent for now.

 

Hope it all works out for you.