Ryan, so sorry to see this! Glad you're ok. Who else would give all the great detailing advice that I've read from you? My mother-in-law's Jetta had a lot less damage than that, and they totalled it, they said that the $3000 to repack the airbags pushed it over the top. So I wouldn't count on it being fixable. Maybe you could hold onto it for parts.

 

ryan,

i too am at a loss for words.
this thread has escaped my attention for a few days, and i'm sorry to be late,
but i think harmini summed up my feelings best.

this accident really hit home, as i've read so many of your posts and
took to heart your recommendations for detailing and whatnot.

my best to you, your mini, and your insurance company.
---

why buy someone else's perfect wheels, when mine come with a
built-in reminder to be careful!
(i scraped a curb on the RF wheel)

cheers,
S-

 

Ryan,
L told me yesterday. Sorry to hear it but cars come and go(trust me
on that one

 

I'm SO glad that some good can be found from this mess.

Harmini: thank you so much for taking my story to heart. I think that even if we have one of the best handling cars on the road, we tend to forget the classic statement: "just because we can do it, doesn't mean we should do it."

The "125+" thread has me scared right now, because it pertains to this exact concept. I have NO intention of speeding (ok, speeding much, I'm being honest here) on public roads. I'll find myself an abandon airstrip to do my testosterone-hosing sessions from now on!

My new Sig is in memory of my dumbness. I am your teacher, learn from my mistake.

 

Ryan, it rattles me knowing that one of the few on this forum that I've actually met face to face had this happen. I'm glad you're ok.

Like someone else said, if they're going to total it go get as many mods off as you can since they'll just chop her up for parts. Then part of the soul of Mr. Motor will live on in Motor II.

If they don't, you wanted new control arms and springs anyhow :smile: Then you can use the money for the OEM wheels for something else.

I think a Schrock harness just moved up a few places on my next purchase list.

Take care,
Jim

 

Ryan,
Been gone for several days. So glad you are ok. Sign up for a driving school. I got to drive the sport track which included the oval at Gateway International. No testosterone here but lots out there. I hit about 95 on a straightaway & it was all under strict rules & supervision plus we had lessons & practice all day. Next time go to the track! Hope Mr Motor is fixable, if not I think a new MINI is in your future.

Lois

_________________

 

Ryan....

Nice to chat with you today. Finally got a chance to read the thread. I can't tell you how bad Amy and I empathize with you. I have been in five accidents in my life, and I know what your going through. Don't be afraid to get back behind the wheel, although I know you won't be taking fast corners for quite some time. If you need anything, let me know. I'll see what I can do to help you out.

 

ok, I thought about the "Mr.Motor fund" that's been floating around.

I want everyone who was going to contribute to take the $5 bill, write "Mr.Motor Crash Fund" on the bill in magic marker, and tape it around your drivers side center console pillar like an armband. That way you'll be reminded to take it easy and just enjoy the ride everytime you get in your MINI. I'd much prefer everyone save their own MINI than to help fund my mistake.

Take pictures and post them on this thread! :smile:

Cheers,
Ryan

 

That totally sucks, dude. But glad you're OK. Hopefully, they'll total out your MINI and you can start fresh. And when you do get it back, make sure you leave the DSC on! I know it saved my butt at least once.

 

UPDATE:

My collison shop did their inspection today. The verdict: sixteen thousand dollars in repair costs MINIMUM, plus the uni-body is indeed very bent; they're recommending that the car be totalled. After I read my insurance contract in close detail tonight, I'll let you know if this is good news or not

If ya got it; Motor-On!
Ryan

 

Sorry to read about your misfortune, glad no one was seriously injured. I would think that if your vehicle is totalled you should receive "blue book value". That should give you a good head start on a Mr. Motor replacement fund. Good luck!


His, Chile RED all over, Madness intake, MINI-Motorsport Airbox Mod, Magnaflow Exhaust, BMP spark plug wires, RDR rear sway bar and Helix P/D 15% reduction pulley.
Hers, EB UJ on top and BONE stock.

 

Ryan: With 16K..and counting, good chance to be totalled!1 and hope it is because of avail of parts and the "WAIT>!!! Also, will never "really" be the same..Hope they total as it willsave you much grief,,(PS my car has been it since MONDAY at motor city,,and I really think they didn't even get to it for the past three days, but Ken supplied a rental so not all bad, but what a poor car (Sentra) after being used to a MCS!! (Like kissing your sister!!) Keep up with the update and it they r on the boarder,,fight to get it totalled,,..

 

Ryan,
I hope you can find a way to get a new car of your choice. I'm sure this all changes your perspective on driving a MINI.
I know it makes me think a bit more each time I drive. Good idea on putting the $5 bill up as a reminder to "be
Smart not fast". Keep us posted about your final solution and take care. "Live Aloha" as we say in the islands.

 

>>Ryan: With 16K..and counting, good chance to be totalled!1 and hope it is because of avail of parts and the "WAIT>!!! Also, will never "really" be the same..Hope they total as it willsave you much grief,,(PS my car has been it since MONDAY at motor city,,and I really think they didn't even get to it for the past three days, but Ken supplied a rental so not all bad, but what a poor car (Sentra) after being used to a MCS!! (Like kissing your sister!!) Keep up with the update and it they r on the boarder,,fight to get it totalled,,..


Ryan, sorry to here about the accident, just from experience, (best friend owns a body shop) If the damage is 80% or greater of the value of the car then it is a total. With the initial 16k figure, that is 80% of 20k if you add in any unknown issues, he uses 20% of the initial amount it is about 19K which is about 24K. I think based on your number and the 80% percent rule you should really push the total loss issue with the insurance company. It would not be the same if it is fixed.

MINI-Rolls

Dave

 

Look what happens when I leave for a couple of weeks!

Sorry to hear about the incident, but really happy that you are OK.

Let us know if the insurance company hassles you over the mods that now have to be replaced.

Ryan is the reason the CWFAC was so popular, and I am sure his energy will be re-channelled into rebuilding Mr Motor. Or starting a new project

Good Luck and God Speed.

Best regards,
Red

 

Thanks for the support guys It's really awesome, and it definitely helps me feel better about myself, and learn from my mistakes.

My insurance adjuster still hasn't inspected the MINI like he said he would two days ago, grrrrrr! So I'm in agony waiting over the weekend.
Found out that if the car is totalled, the insurance will do one of two things: pay off my note on the car, or give me "fair market value". Wasn't it JD. Powers that released a thing saying that the MINI is worth 117% of it's sticker in the resale world? Anyone have an idea how they determine "fair market value"?

Regards,
Ryan

 

Ryan - 'scuse me as I mumble around my foot. I totally missed this thread when on the other one.

I sincerely hope that Mr. Motor is totalled so you don't have to go through the pain of constant gimps.

I totalled a car the day that I graduated from high school... my parents' car. The brakes failed four days after getting them replaced at the dealership and I ended up rear-ending someone. At least it wasn't anyone else in the family driving, or it would have been a LOT worse (I see poorly in low-light situations so I was driving rather slowly). But the numbness and fear took a LONG time to get over (and I'm a bit psycho about having great brakes now..). Hitting airbag sucked: sprained wrist, burns galore, and tooth through the lip. But at least I was okay.

If you're ever in the neighborhood while you're waiting for your baby (Mr. Motor 2.0?), you're more than welcome to crash here and take Scrat out for a bit of a chat. We're also hitting Watkins Glen in New York next month...

You might be without Mr. Motor for a while, but you won't EVER be without your MINI friends and followers from this board and others. We wuv you and're SO GLAD that you're okay.

Chin up...

 

>>I really appreciate all your very kind words.
>>I've been in a daze today, reflecting on the incident, what I should of done, could of done. Really, it's too late for any of that. What's done cannot be reversed, I just have to use this experience as a very hard lesson. I did come to a new concept today, however. During my spin, as I was correcting to come out of it while staying in the middle of the road, the car suddenly reverse rotation, thus vectoring towards the median. The only thing I can think of that would cause this is a piece of the passenger side suspension breaking, creating drag in that direction, causing the car to oppose my inputs. Since it was the drivers' side suspension that hit the median, if I get a chance to inspect the car again, I will be sure to look closely at the passenger side suspension for pre-impact breakage.
>>
>>--->Speedy57: the incident was a bit after midnight on a road that is not traveled much at that hour. I can assure you there was nobody else on the road. However, I do understand your viewpoint, and I feel horrible at my irresponsibility, regardless of where I was and when it took place. A more accurate description of where the car ended up was the opposing traffics' shoulder, so it couldn't have been in anyone's path, thank goodness.
>>
>>In any case, the direct cause for the incident was my lack of experience with the suspension modifications, which clearly change the dynamics of the car dramatically. My friend told me today; "...next time you want to experiment, do it so there isn't anything in sight!"
>>
>>Thank you again for all the love, you're all awesome!
>>(((HUG_EVERYONE)))
>>Ryan


My condolences, Ryan. I've been there, done that. Boy...does that quote show my age My not too long ago past experiences with high powered front wheel drive vehicles taught me one hard to survive lesson...DO NOT LIFT WHILE IN AN OVERSTEER...COUNTER AND PULL THE FRONT END THROUGHT THE TURN. When I didn't...if I was lucky...I did a 360 and kept going...the one time I timed it all wrong and LIFTED, my car oversteered and snapped opposite direction once traction of the rears connected...TOO LATE FOR CORRECTIONS and BANNNNGGGG!!!. Hard lesson for any front drivers. Better luck (and results) next time

 

BTW...where in Michigan are you Ryan...I'm in New Baltimore.

 

I live in Union Lake, which is a tiny suburb on the northwest side of metro Detroit; between West Bloomfield and Waterford.

I've been thinking about what to do with the probability of Mr.Motor getting totalled. My #1 priority is to order another MCS, however I think my optioning will be a touch different. I'll be going for the 16" X-lites instead of the 17" Boat-Anchors, still in white. I'm not sure on the main color yet, maybe Black but probley Red.

I have also be stategically re-learning how to properly drive a front-wheel-drive car. I had been driving rear-drive cars for too long; the driving styles are almost complete opposites!

Have a great weekend everyone, don't forget to watch Formula One on Speed Channel!
Cheers,
Ryan

 

Ryan-

Condolonces on the MCS :smile:
I am actually in the market for an MCS in MI (live in Bloomfield Hills), just out of curosity, how do you find the insurance on the MCS? I have a 2002 Vette and 2001 Olds, being 25 it went down recently, but it's still dam expensive ($2,990/yr). What does the MCS run to insure, if you don't mind my asking? (it's ok if you prefer not to answer)

Are you going to repair it or total it? I recall a couple of recent threads of people looking for damaged minis for race parts?

You have the 17's, I C? How are they on Michigan roads? I test drove one with the 16"s, and it's a hard ride, but it was tolerable. My vette's is getting bugged by the bad roads, I think at 17,000mi it needs a new alignment

hope it works out-

-Matt

 

well, my insurance adjuster FINALLY looked at the car, only to become confused. Turns out that this is the first MINI my insurance company has dealt with, and they have NO data on the cars' value, and therefore cannot determine if they should total it or not. Furthermore, the body twist is such that they're never seen before, leading them to conclude.....nothing!

Basically, I'm trying to shove logic down their throat and I'm getting back confusion, narf.

More updates tomorrow, when my insurance adjusters' manager inspects the car.

Smoochez,
Ryan

 

Ryan,

Thanks for keeping us informed. I wish you good luck with the insurance adjuster, now that they've got the empirical evidence to go on. Hmm, if Mr. Motor is history, an all Blk MCS (a la Cooper's) could be great too. I will miss not having you as my almost twin in IB/W though.

George

 

Ryan
Sorry to hear of this. Keep in mind that your insurance co will most likely total your Mini and will quickly hand you a check. This is great except for the fact that your rental car coverage will terminate immediately and you will be left car-less. I would start looking for a substitute car right away!
Jim

 

You're still around to tell the tale, and that is all that matters!
Brighter days ahead