Hail that would dent a Mini would SHRED a Civic! You'd best marry that one!

(+2!)

Oh - and we're sending her a copy of these posts...

 

That one is totally a keeper, dont let her slip through your fingers!

I have seen dent wizard trucks running around my town, so they must be doing something right.

 

I've decided to leave things alone. As one person posted... 'don't look at the dents as scars, but as a life lived and survived'. I spoke to some shops around town about their PDR capablities... I wasnt convinced they were on the up and up. I'd say Miranda is better off as is.
Thanks everyone for your sympathy and support.

 

awe thanks you guys that said shes a keeper! i totally agree, she is the sweetest girlfriend ever. im probably going to ask her to marry me soon. she wants to get an evo. lets see if she pulls that out of the garage! ; )

 

you just sat there and watched it!? i wouldv'e been out there, getting all bruised up, and doing everything in my power to stop that hail from touching my mini.

 

I did consider laying spread eagle of top of her... but after going out to collect the evidence, I changed my mind.

Update: I have a appointment with the insurance claims inspection Saturday. I wasnt aware that if I didnt have the dents fixed, it could/would make the clearcoat peel in time. (I had NO idea).

I'll keep you posted.

 

Finally found a a PDR... estimate for repair (not including the chrome piece around the windows)... $1,900. I'm going to see my auto insurance claim adjuster Saturday.

 

good luck buddy! hopefully you got the best deal : )

 

Your estimator will be happy to hear you found a PDR technician that would do it for that price. If it were repaired conventially, it would cost many times that much.

Take a copy of the PDR estimate with you when you see the estimator.

 

The one problem I have with the PDR is that his company has leased a lot (not fenced in) with night time lighting. I actually told the guy that when it comes to the safety of my Mini, I'm anial with a captial 'B'. He pointed to a van and said it had been sitting there for a week. And I replied: "That's a van, this is a MINI!"

 

Most body shops have PDR technicians that come in on certain days of the week. Even our local MINI dealership offers PDR work from a local company.

You don't have to take your MINI to that guy and let it sit outside if you're not comfortable with that.

 

Well, my insurnace cut me a check yesterday for $1,900. They also gave me the names of 2 companies in town that have certified PDR's on site. He said Allstate routinely visits these shops to make sure they are on the up and up.
He priced out the chrome trim pieces that needed replacing. The trim pieces are $25-30 a piece, and should be put on at the body shop (which will order them for me). If I had the dealer put them on it would cost $100 per hr.
Thats where I am now.

Thanks for the input! I do take all advice into consideration when it comes to keeping my Mini in top form.

 

Excellent !

You know, those two shops might use the same PDR guy. Ask them who they use. Might just be a matter of which shop is closer to where you live/work.

If they use two different PDR techs, get their names and ph numbers. Call them and find out how long they've been doing PDR work. I'd go with the more experienced guy, unless you get a gut feeling of one over the other.

Sounds like things are moving along well.

 

yah, typically hail damaged cars cost more like ~$3k range for PDR.

 

Don't let the insurance company or the body shop off the hook yet. I had a $2200 dollar estimate for hail damage that ended up costing $5500 and 37 days at the body shop. Don't take Mini of Nashville's recommendation for a body shop if you have it repaired in Nashville.

 

If the shop starts the work and find damage not included in the estimate, they call the insurance company. The insurance company sends an adjuster out there to look and if he/she agrees it's related damage and not included in the estimate, they pay for the additional costs.

Yeah... we big, bad insurance companies are just out to stick it to ya.

 

and I could just take the money and run................ Actually, I was happy with whatever they gave me, cos' I'd planned to go out of pocket for the difference.

That's the problem when buying a car and the nearest dealer is in Tennessee and Georgia. Yes, I'd prefer someone to work on my Mini that has 'touch' one before. I heard of someone who took their car to a shop for some work, and they drove it around town. If I leave it with someone, I'll check the millege. But there isnt much you can do about that.

 

Update: The insurance co. cut me a check for $1900 on the spot, plus a list of their PDR's. After visiting those sights, and not having a good feel about them. I went and purchased a Temper-pedic bed.