So back in April I hit a deer with my poor mini that I had owned for only 5 weeks.

Insurance decided to total it ad only charged me $200 to buy it back, so I did!

I will get some pictures up here later today of the car after the accident.

I decided I had never really done a build thread on any of my cars so This was the perfect time to do one as i am going to be putting it back together completely!

Very excited for this as I am updating many parts and pieces with the extra money I got from insurance!

 

Sorry for your car and deer, I do however enjoy watching the rebuilds!

 

Don't feel too bad. Almost all cosmetic damage so I walked away pretty good!

Mostly just hood, lights, radiator support and fan.

Going to get a nice amount of performance pieces out of it!!

 

Good on you for tackling a rebuild, you won't regret it.

Mine is still a work in progress (check it out here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...taled-r53.html) but I've had a grand ol' time thus far. Don't think I'll ever forget the fun (and frustration) of making it mine, and I haven't even driven it yet...

Of course, there were a few times I'd walk in after a chunk of time away and get a bit overwhelmed after looking at the pile of parts. I just slow down and focus on one part at a time. Might be taking longer than I had hoped, but piece by piece its coming together and I'm having fun doing it. Been an odd bit of sanity in an otherwise chaotic graduate program...

Looking forward to updates! Good luck!

 

Thanks!
Good luck on your build as well!!

 

After rebuilding one mini that was spun on the freeway and bumped into a semi truck and second buying another mini that has hit a deer. You will probably need to adjust your hinges to get the hood to line up with the cowel and the fenders. Also you will need to adjust the latches to match the top of the bumper. Then last adjust the ends of the bumper to match the gap and line in the hood. You will need to do it in that order. Also if you are using the headlights that were involved in the impact. The innards have a tendency to pop off of a ball socket on the inside. Then the reflector will bounce and you will see it. Or it will be so far off you can't adjust the headlight. This happened to both mini I own. Sadly the JCW I recently purchased was not repaired very well and I have to take the front end apart to realign the panels. Also stay away from aftermarket hood. It is Crap. Buy a OEM one new or used.

 

Thanks so much for the advice! I bought a new set of headlights, and a used oem hood on the way!

 

Here's some pictures!

The night of the crash
https://imgur.com/a/mcc2x

Torn apart and supercharger off!
https://imgur.com/a/E8UfA

 

Last night I got the DDM intake installed as well as changing the valve cover and oil pan gasket!

https://imgur.com/a/Qliuv

Overall everything looked pretty good!

 

Yesterday I was able to get the supercharger back on, air diverter installed, cabrio braces installed, and some obx headers heat wrapped.

https://imgur.com/a/SafAo

 

Those wheels.

 

haha is that good or bad?

 

Not a fan. To each his own. Looks like the damage wasn't too bad, good luck with the rebuild! Are you planning on upgrading anything or sticking to OEM?

 

Yea they aren't for everyone. I'm upgrading. 17% pulley, strut bar, rsb, coilovers, cai, some other stuff

 

Sounds like a good start. Should be a lot better than new when you're done.

 

That's how I got my 04 CooperS, guy hit a deer and had no insurance. It's been on the road four years now with no issues.

 

That is good to hear, I am very impressed with how well ye' ol' mini held up!

 

Finally got some more work done on the mini tonight! New headers are installed!!
https://imgur.com/a/1ofrM

Looks like they have a much better flow than stock

 

Past couple days have been good! New Megan racing coilovers, white line 20mm rear sway bar, and the tsw X brace installs.

https://imgur.com/a/0iEQ6

 

OH MY GOODNESS!! It is back on the road!!!!