Long time, no see my MINI pals. I've been out of town on work detail for six months, and away from my MINI. In the airport parking structure a few days back, the first thing I do is back the MINI into a cement post. I creased and scraped a small portion of the back fender, but luckily did no damage to the rest of the car.
My questions are thus: Is it possible to simply buy a new/used bumper somewhere and put it on myself ? Or how much would you estimate a rear bumper repair to be at the MINI dealer?
I'm trying to avoid making an insurance claim, but can't be seen driving around town in a wounded MINI.

 

Yeah, I used a run-in with my wife's car as an excuse to nab both the front and rear S bumpers and grill off of ebay. The total shipped was around $250. You should be able to get a nice used bumper for around $100 if you are patient, and they are fairly easy to take off and put on.

 

Stovepipe,

Sucks to hear your bad news, but it's stories like yours that remind me why the Parking Distance Control (PDC) is worth it, even on a small car like the MINI. It's been the subject of ridicule by many here, but it takes one incident like yours, and the ridicule is shot down fast. I hope that you can get good advice from other, more knowledgeable MINIacs and get it fixed quick!

 

I have a BRG S bumper just sitting around. If it's the right color let me know, I'm sure we could work something out.

 

Thanks for the suggestion dansmini. Currently, I don't see any bumpers on eBay but I'll keep looking. That, or I'll just call the insurance company and blame those damned careless valet parkers at the restaurant last night .

 

I know you are probably saying the valet comment tongue-in-cheek, but there is no way I would make a claim on my insurance for this type of thing. After you pay your deductible and after they get through increasing your premiums, you'll probably find filing a claim for this wasn't worth your while!

 

I backed into my dad's pickup truck a while back and got the bumper pretty good. Also dented around the passenger side tail light too. Cost me 750 bucks at a local body shop for a new bumper and paint.

 

What color is your car?

 

I agree, Dansmini. That's why I'm trying to explore the DIY route. I figure it'll cost me close to $700 at a bump shop. Not good, but whatcha gonna do?
By the way, I have an Indi Blue MINI.

 

Get an estimate or 2 before you do anything - that way you know exactly what kind of $$$ you're talking about. It will make your decision slightly easier.

 

Similar thing happened to me a few months ago. My damage is just a barely noticable crack. But, I have been searching for a rear bumper on ebay ever since. Just do a saved search and have ebay email you whenever there are new entries. I've had no luck finding a yellow one, but I have seen just about every other color come and go.

You could also try posting a want to buy in marketplace.

 

Great idea. I never new about the 'saved search' option. Thanks a lot-hope you find your yellow bumper.

 

I didn't realize that bumpers could be had for so cheap on eBay. I had my car parked in a garage back in the fall for what turned out to be a 14-hour workday, and I was so braindead by the time I got back in my car that I started it in gear and rammed a concrete post that was luckily only about 6-8" away. I mainly just mashed the license plate bracket, but there is a slightly noticeable impact on the bumper as well.