My 2005 R53 got rear ended yesterday by a F250 while I was stopped at a light.
It's a tricked out and I just spent over $2000 on replacing the harmonic balancer, tensioner and belts in the last 2 months + a Detroit Tuned CAT $600 + labor less than 6 months ago.
It's a low mileage engine, just under $65k, runs great.
It's had a prior front collision so the front bumper has some damage and scrapes.
Question is, do I have it fixed or take whatever the insurance is willing to pay and part it out?
​​​Bought on BaT 2022 https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2005-mini-cooper-s-64/
Damage caused by F250 rolling into me at a stop light

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Low miles, and a great combo. I would fix it.

 

Insurance will want to pay you less than your recent repairs. But, you have $3-$4k in repairs on that rear alone.

 

That's a tough one to answer.
One picture doesn't tell the whole story.
I'll preface by saying that, (to me), It doesn't sound like you might be too handy with major tools, (not a criticism) - however I think if it were me; I'd start with cutting or prying that hatch off and removing the rear bumper clad so you can assess any/the real underlying damage.
Me? - I'd get that hatch off and bumper (without causing any extraneous damage to the rest of the car) and see if I could fix it. I just refuse to give up on things so quickly.
Unfortunately, IMO, and as stated above, a body repair shop is going to be expensive.

So sorry to see this happen to your Mini.

Please let us know the outcome.

 

Addendum: See if you can borrow an angle grinder or a saws-all (with a short metal blade) and see if you can cut the lower section of the hatch where the lock catch is and also cut the latch free.
That may help to get to and lift the rear hatch up and unbolt it from the hinges.

 

Get a used rear hatch and have it painted. That car isn't hurt! Yes, further examination but i’m betting you got real lucky. Dont part out that car.

 

+1 ^^^ -Yes what slofut stated more concisely than I - At first glance it only appears to need the rear hatch replaced. Source a salvage rear hatch and replace - if nothing else.

 

Can you imagine getting bumped by an F250 and it missing both tail lights and the rear bumper cover!!! Id go buy lottery tickets. 😅👍

 

I got rear-ended almost dead center of the hatch by an idiot in a Montero years ago that did less damage than that, and my body guy said it needed a small amount of pull on the frame rack to get things back into spec. And my hatch even opened just fine after the incident.

I would still repair it, but it’ll probably need a bit more than just replacement of the hatch, taillight, and bumper cover if I had to guess. I don’t know what they would do to fix the crease in that left quarter panel.

 

A similar thing happened to me in 2020 in my R56S, rammed from behind by an idiot who couldn't keep their foot on the brake while stopped at a light. They ran. Damage to hatch and bumper. Insurance paid around $3300 for my repair. Hopefully the F250 stayed and have insurance. Looks like just hatch in your pic. I'd say fix it. R53s are holding their value and you've put a lot into the mechanicals.

cheers
MacMini34

 

Sorry to hear there are few salvage yards in your (NY) area.
If you were to replace/repair the damage yourself - Down here in the SE states; a good rear hatch (complete) from a salvage yard goes for around $75 - $90.
From my experience w/body shops - I would expect (some) a body shop to significantly mark up their price (500%), just for a used rear hatch itself.
As stated above - I hope the driver of the F250 had insurance.

Still hoping for the best outcome for you.
I still feel the car is worth saving based on the photo.

 

Well I completely missed the left quarter panel, was it damaged too? I'll go look again...
Oh yea, I see. It's pretty small and wouldn't be much for a pdr guy. Needs a tail light too. Certainly nothing too crazy.