I've been in 6 accident in my life,, I've rolled, crunch, skidded, and slamed into so much stuff I'm surprised I own a car!.. but I am a very good driver.. I'll admit to two of the 6 accidents.. most of them 2 were rear ends.. 1 was a drunk driver, 1 a little kid actually got mad in my back seat reach around the chair and grabed my eyes.. bvut 1 I pulled teh car off the road whiel gettign somethign otu of teh glovebox, and the other I take half blames because both of us made illegal merges... just at the same time .. but experence in those accidents has kept me veryaware of my surroundings and hwo to NOT get in accidents and I've learned a lot about pateince, and discipline when driving,, even when I'm fun driving.. The important part is to be alive and we're all glad you still here. Sorry to see a mini liek that but I'm gues sit looks that bad so you don't!

 

It's official; my insurance company declared the MINI a Total Loss today. It's very bittersweet. I went and visited the car after work today, and also removed the rest of my personal effects, and the Madness intake for Christian.

Mr.Motor, even in his darkest hour, is still very beautiful to look at. I was very sad leaving the collision shop.

Onward; I have no idea what will come of this. I hope my insurance company doesn't screw me into the lien on the car. More to follow, but probley not until early next week. Apparently the paperwork going from "adjustment" to "total loss" takes a few days. =P

Sincerely,
Ryan

-->res0zvle: I am driving my brothers Neon. He's in the Army in South Korea for the next 12 months, so I'll have no issues being car-less. Thanks for the tip though!

 

I would like to take this opportunity to offer my deepest condolences, Ryan.

******A brief moment of silence************

Erin

 

 

I totaled a 1995 M3 about five years ago and really had a hard time with my insurance company. You might have to prove the value of your MINI to them. Just don’t let them take you for a ride. Hope everything works out well for you.
Charles

 

Here are a few shots I took today.

First off, the Roof Buckle. As you can see, the right rear of the roof just kind-of tweaked from the torque on the body.


Next up, the transmission/engine mount. It simply cracked, leaving the engine supported only on one side, sagging in the cradle. The transmission case is cracked in other spots too, but I had already put the wheels back on. There is a nice puddle of goo under the car.


The head curtain, which saved me from massive head injury, I would guess.



And finally, the side airbag. Also saved me from big injury, but did give me a bad burn (which is already healed!)


That's it for now.

---> Charles, do you have any data on the "fair market value" of the MINI? Or, can anyone help me on this? I'd like to walk into negotiations with some good solid data.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

Ryan,

Check this sight out. Plug in your info and you should be able to get a good ballpark value.

Edmunds used car values

I tried Kelly Blue Book, They didn't even have the MINI listed.
:???:

James

_________________

Waiting to motor since 01/05/03

 

I checked the three most popular car guides (NADA, Kelly Blue Book, Edmund's) and none listed a 2003 MINI. The car is so new data for fair market value (FMV) just isn’t available. I would suggest some web searches for used MINIs like yours to get an idea of the FMV. Try ebay and similar sites.

The insurance company most likely will take the cost of your MINI and run a deprecation on it. You will have a hard time convincing them it’s FMV is more than you paid for it no matter what J D Powers has said. If their offer is way low just ask what you have to do to prove otherwise.

When I wrecked the M3 my insurance agents offer wasn’t even close to what I thought it was worth. I refused to settle for weeks, he offered $1500.00 more and I reluctantly settled. Good luck.
Charles :smile:

 

ryan, i'm very sad to hear about this.. i hope it all turns out well in the end.

 

well, Edmunds has a Private party value at 21.9k, with a Dealer Retail of 24.4k. What I'm finding in the classifieds for any MY03 MCS is between 23.5k and 26.5k with medium options, with a peak of 29.5k.

I dunno if this info (saved, of course) will actually help my case, but it sure can't hurt. My insurance company was having a hard time finding out FMV anyway, so this may give me good angle to feed them happy thoughts (well, happy for me)

The Drama Continues...

 

:smile: :smile:

Chow!

Donna
donna@dcmetrominis.org

 

Bummer it's dead dude, but at least you don't have to drive a put-back-together Mr. Motor.

R

 

Hi Ryan
Remember that the value that your insurance company places on your Mini is negotiable. The insurance company is obligated to use values of comparable vehicles in your area (although their offer may not refelect this fact). Check Autotrader values in your area and you can use this info to increase their offer. Also, be sure you get tax, title and license fees in the settlement.
Good luck!
Jim

 

Davbret, glad to hear that Kim's settlement turned out good. I sent her an e-mail; thanks for the advice.

 

rest in peace, Mr. Motor. You did your job well!

Ryan, fingers crossed that you get a swift payoff and a decent price.

Time to start deciding what comes next..

 

I bought my MCS used,(from the local Mini dealer), with 8400 miles and paid the same as the sticker price. Another local car dealer was asking $2000 more for a base MCS with 2000 miles on it. Mine came with sunroof,cold weather pkg, sport pkg and xeon's. I hope this info helps.
Dan

 

I talked to Motor City MINI today. Basically, they said that an MY03 will resell for 10 to 15% OVER sticker. They are willing to provide whatever I need to present this info to my insurance company (and they're schmoozing well for another sale, lol).

I appreciate everyone's help, hopefully I come out of this financially OK.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

So was the sway bar totalled too? at least you could have made back some money from that, or a few other bits you could have stripped off the car (floor mats, side sill plates (mine are starting to wear bad), etc). I'm guessing you probably can't that stuff now, but if you can hit me up, I'd love to help you make back some of the loss (and gain some myself in the processs ).

Truly sorry about your wreck, hope you get a sweet *** replacement.

 

Good luck at getting sticker plus.Although I love my heavily modified Mcs,I'd sell it today for the sticker price plus the cost of theWheels,tires,intake,QS exhaust,throttle body,ECU,pulley,mats,boot box,sound mats,sway bar,etc.
These are cars,albeit great cars.Ryan if you got to drive this great car for free,or close to, it you're incredibly lucky.My MCS,or any car I've ever owned is for sale.Order your new MCS today,if you don't get the insurance settlement you want,your dealer will refund the deposit.
Spread the word,I'll sell mine.

 

Final Chapter: Goodbye Mr.Motor!

Well, this ordeal is finished. I settled with my insurance company; then ended up giving me $500 over sticker, which I'm fine with. I have already signed over the title, and the final contract is completed. I got my settlement check (settlement minus loan payoff), and deposited it today, so everything's settled.

Last Monday I ordered Mr.Motor2, an '04 MCS, B/W/W, Space, Alloy; #3, DSC, Xenon, Fog, MFSW, and H/K. Only the Black and the X-lite's are different. Expected delivery is in October; Motor City MINI was awesome enough to put me to the front of the line :smile:

I really appreciated everyone's kind words and advice, it helped alot!
Cheers, and Motor-On,
Ryan

 

Glad it's working out Ryan. October will be here before you know it. Might want to put a piece of scotch tape on that DSC switch.

 

>> Might want to put a piece of scotch tape on that DSC switch. <<

I was thinking more of a sticker in the middle of my tach, reading "woah Beavis"

 

Black, Ryan? Someone as car clean **** as you....I can't believe you'd pick black! Glad it all worked out in the end for you.

R

 

>>Final Chapter: Goodbye Mr.Motor!

>>Last Monday I ordered Mr.Motor2, an '04 MCS, B/W/W, Space, Alloy; #3, DSC, Xenon, Fog, MFSW, and H/K. Only the Black and the X-lite's are different. Expected delivery is in October; Motor City MINI was awesome enough to put me to the front of the line :smile:
>>
>>Ryan

That's Mister Motor II, MM2, Junior, a chip off the old (engine) block, to you.

Congrats on getting back in the saddle again, Ryan. Luv those specs. BTW no 17" wheels and sports package?

Lemme know when another trip to Mid-Ohio is in order, or maybe a driving tour in IN, OH, MI?

George

 

:smile: :smile: Looks like the insurance company took pretty good care of you... :smile: :smile: Now just wait until your rate hike eh??? :evil:

Chow!

Donna
donna@dcmetrominis.org