I was traveling in the left hand lane, and a Crown Vic in the right hand lane decided to take a left turn.

I was wondering if anyone else had any trouble after getting any body work done on their Mini.

 

Doesn't look to be any serious damage. You shouldn't have any concerns about the repair work and returning your MINI to its pre-loss condition.

Today's technology in auto body repair is pretty incredible. Any decent body shop will make it so that you'll never be able to tell that car was involved in an accident.

Appears to be about $2500 in damage to me.

 

I think that as long as the damage is all superficial you will be fine. Just pick a good shop, and make sure they replace the damage parts, not just repair them. On the positive side, any nicks or scratches you had if any will be fixed as a result of the repair.

This may also be an opportunity to upgrade the bumper if you want an areo one.

 

Well... you can't tell a shop to replace the parts instead of repair them if they can do so more economically and have the part as structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing as it was prior to the accident.

That is, assuming the insurance company is involved. If you're paying out of pocket, the shop will do whatever you want. It's your $$$.

 

Ouch!!! :impatient So sorry to see this.

I have to agree with the above poster about body shops being pretty much able to repair it with ease. In our business we are in different car lots each day. It amazes me to see a car look totaled one week and then repaired like new the next time we are in the lot.

Ask around and get a body shop that comes highly recommended.

 

Luckily the person hit me and their insurance is paying, it actually ended up being about 9000 in damage but they are replacing my hood, quarter panel, and door for sure. Im not positive about what else. I took it to the best body shop in Montgomery so i should have it back in about a week and a half.

 

Yes you can when the insurance company is paying. I have argued this in the past, and got it my way. I don't want bondo on my car.

 

Well... you're talking about what I do for a living and if you got your way, it must have been a very close call between the cost to repair versus cost to replace. Or... you had a very timid claim rep.

And the bondo you're talking about is from the 1970's. They don't use that stuff any more.

 

$9000 for a bonnet, A-Panel, and door ? I guess they SHOULD be the best body shop in Montgomery. And the world !

 

I escalated to my agent, and he took it from there. His response to me was "that's what I'm here for, you don't have to argue with a claim rep". The difference was not close at all. I guess it's worth having a good insurance company, and a good agent. In fact, he's the one whom educated me on this issue about replacement versus repairing.

I don't mean to hijack this thread, and please don't take it as me being contrary. I'm just sharing my personal experience.

 

So did the Crown Vic just "not see you" as it plowed across multiple lanes???

 

How long ago was that and who are you insured with ? I'd like to call them and pull up your claim to verify that.

Just kidding ! But I am serious about the questions.

 

A couple of years ago. State Farm

 

Wow. I never would have thought that was $9k worth of damage. Must have been something really knocked under all that sheetmetal!

 

I'm a Claim Rep for State Farm. I can only assume your agent got 'hold of a soft rep. None of those I work for would have allowed that. Worked well for you though.

The practice of repairing instead of replacing when it's more economical to do so and when the repair process provides a quality product has many good reasons behind it. You can't even imagine how much higher your premiums would be if we blindly followed your rule of "always replace, never repair".

 

WOW Sorry to see that man!

 

All the crown vic had to do was check his side mirrors but Montgomery has some of the worst drivers of anywhere i have ever been. Since he was on about 20 inch rims the top of his fender weld caught my hood and just ripped it

 

wow, glad to see it wasn't too severe. My dad was riding his bike (right side of the road, and hes a VERY experienced rider) and he got hit in almost the same fashion by an SUV, luckily he made it out with only a broken collarbone and many bruises. Oh, and a very torn brand new $400 leather jacket.

Lemme take an educated guess here, the crown vic was navy blue? Make sure the headlight and all related components get replaced too, the ballast could be damaged even though it appears fine.

Glad youre ok, stay safe! Dont settle until your car works as well or better than before the crash!

 

Claim Rep stuff... your dad should have been reimbursed for that $400 jacket. And he should have recieved a very nice sum of money for his injuries. Broken bones are worth more than soft tissue injuries when it comes to the Bodily Injury Liability settlement. Throw in the fact he was on a bike and was hit by a huge SUV... I'm thinking $4000 for pain and suffering alone. That's in addition to his med bills, lost wages, and that jacket.

 

Dude, sorry to here about and see your dinged MINI. Glad you are ok though. And definately dont accept it if it doesnt perform at the same or better level than b4.

 

Poor MINI - glad you're okay though. I'm sure the body shop will have the MINI good as new lickity split..

Donna

 

Since the MINI is a space frame design, and looking at the door being pushed in slightly, I am will ing to bet the structural member that the door hangs on was tweaked. If that is so when it is replaced the replacement parts for these usually extend over a predetermined area to maintain structural soundness once welded in.

That piece is mostly likely part of the firewall and more along with being part of critical side and front crash zones. Replacing that most likely eats up a large amount of the repair bill.

I could be wrong but from past experience that would be my educated guess.

 

Bad luck, sorry for you're loss.

 

Dude that sucks !

Ok, I can not believe I am going to say this, "Go to the Dealer" and ask who they use for repairs. (Mini / BMW) Who cares how much it cost it is on the other guys Insurance. His fault is your blank check to a freen front end stone chip repairs. Look at the bright side, everything will be ok and you have had an accident that was not your fault and you walked away.

The only this that would could make it better was if that Ford Crown Vic said "Police" on the side and he had to write himself up for not signaling or looking.

HAHAHAHAHA

 

Yeah, take the car to the dealer, they'll know how to fix it or know who to send it to!