I was downtown in traffic today when I heard a faint 'clang'. I was behind a golf cart that was hauling some metal and thought that it made the noise; it only occurred to me after I pulled away and turned the corner that the minivan behind me might have bumped me, even though I didn't feel anything. I checked it and yep - I've been bumped. There is a scrape about .5 cm long and a rounded dent on my rear bumper. Pretty small, but it makes me sad.

I also have a scrape on my rear bumper and the black plastic trim; I suspect a shopping cart at Target was blown into my car, and a little round impression also on the rear bumper; probably from me parallel parking. There is also a small dent by the headlight, a small door ding and a scratch (these are from other various encounters).

My question is: How much does it generally cost to get small things like this fixed? I know it will vary based on location, but in general? My MINI is 3 years old and I expect it to show some life experience scars (it is my daily driver), but I kinda want it to be all pretty again.

 

"Clang" huh? Sorry to hear that...

I'd suggest you check with one of two places - your local dealership and/or your local motoring club - for the best body shop for MINIs, just like you would for a big accident. See if they'll give you a free estimate, and if it suits your budget, i say go for it. It will make you (and the MINI) happier.

 

My car has the typical 5 year old scratches here and there. Nicks in the front end, a few scrapes from winter ice, and 1 small line of gouges from when I was loading my bike in the back and the gearset rolled across the bumper face. I'd like to get them all cleaned up but on the other hand, she's going to be 6 years old soon, they're very minor and can only be seen when you're literally right up on them, and she has 67k miles her. I could buy a bottle of touchup paint (which is my best bet, really) and otherwise just drive her until I find an R53 to take her place so she can to another loving home. PA's never ending onslaught of road work won't help at all. But this is just me.

 

you need to move out of wisconsin and avoid minivans

 

Now that hemiheaded mentions it, one of the NAM vendors is having a special on touch up paint pens -- I think it's MINI Car Parts...

THe problem may not be scratches so much, but might be the dings - harder to touch up!

 

The black plastic trim on the MINI's is cheap and easily replaceable if you scratch or it discolors. www.realoem.com and ecstuning.com to find/buy replacements.

I'd let the rest go (personally). Having a few battle scars never hurt anybody.

 

For Metal surfaces call " The Dent Doctor " They fix door dings like magic and charge about 70 bucks a ding. No bondo or paint either ! I think its a franchise so they are just about every where in the USA. Many dealerships use their services.

Ever think of upgrading to the MINI Aero Package bumpers and trim, this may be a good time since you generally have to get these parts come primed and need to be painted anyways.

I feel your pain like everybody else here does. I have only one small ding barely noticable, and my MINI is like 5 years old . The rest is virgin territory. I park far away from everyone sometimes parking at angle, and up hill from shopping carts when ever possible....( paranoid I guess )

Good Luck!

 

My MINI has a lot of small chips all over. I touched them up, it looks ok. I've never really had a dent or a big scratch.

Over all, it looks pretty good for being 6 years old, with the quality of my clearcoat and wax jobs, some people thing my car is an '06 (they can't pick up on the subtle cues that denote the '03)