It is with great sadness and a debt of gratitude to the Mini engineers that I write this post.

I was involved in a heinous accident with my MCS. I was side swiped by a green suburban on the CrossTown Expy (Tampa Toll Road).
Heres the scenario:

Driving in the left lane around a right bend at about 50Mph. A green Chevy Suburban changed from the right hand lane into the back right quarter panel of my MCS. I was pushed into the guard rail which caused my driver side curtain airbag and seat airbag to deploy. I then bounced off the guard rail back into the rear quarter panel of the Suburban which caused the passenger side curtain air bag to deploy. The suburban spun and hit the left guard rail, spun again and hit the other guard rail. I hit the right guard rail and came to a stop. I got out of the car and felt a strong urge to give someone a can of whoop ***. No luck. The Suburban driver had 2 broken legs and a bloody face. I had not a scratch or scrape anywhere. I had no bruises nothing, just fine. The Suburban driver was not as lucky. The police officer was stunned that I was fine and the Suburban's driver was injured to badly. He said, "I thought a bigger vehicle would be safer, but I guess those cars are built very well".

The suburban was cited for the wreck. The driver had 2 broken legs (one leg was a compund fracture) and a broken nose. The MCS saved my life. My poor baby sacrificed her life so that I could walk away totally unharmed. I am very upset to say the least. The Mini isn't totalled ! It's currently at the Superior Autobody in St. Pete FL undergoing surgery. Superior is reported to be the best body shop on Florida's west coast so I am sure it will be fine.

Kinda of cool... The ignition system in the mini shut down after the accident and the flashers and interior lights came on. Everything that the owners manual said would happen, did. This is not the way I wanted to find out how well our cars are built, but it is truly amazing how well the car held up and how well protected the occupants of a Mini are in a collision.

Take home message is: You are as safe as kittens in your Mini. Drive safely, and if some land yacht driver hits you, say a prayer for them. Drive safely.

Grieving.

Kesh

EB MCS

 

Wow! Sorry to hear about your poor car but I'm glad you came through everything OK. It's reassuring to hear the MINI did such a good job protecting you against one of the largest SUV's on the road.

Hope she is returned to you soon and looking as you remember her! :smile:

 

kesh420 – I’m so sad for you and thankful you were not hurt. I’ve shared your experience with a MINI disaster when I recently had a wreck. I did not have the damage you seem to have had, but will say the MINI is a car that is very safe.

Once again, I’m so glad to hear your OK and hope your MINI has a swift and total recovery.

 

Kesh--what a mix of emotions. Sadness for you and your MINI; joy that your came away w/o injury; encouraged to hear another "David and Goliath" story.

Hope you are delighted with the body shop and are soon motoring again. We'll also be on the lookout for a new MINI driver and MCO member--that SUV owner!!!

 

Good to hear you are OK. I does not sound like the Boat owner had his seatbelt on. Did he?

 

>>Good to hear you are OK. I does not sound like the Boat owner had his seatbelt on. Did he?

The Suburban driver DID NOT have his seatbelt on. His airbag deployed but didn't stay inflated for the 2nd and 3rd impact, that's why he had all of the injuries. The Suburban driver said he didn't see me in the left hand lane. I think he was going too fast because he came up on me very quickly. I estimate he was going about 80Mph+ and couldn't handle the curve that's why he drifted into my lane. It happenned in a construction zone that has no emergency lanes.

 

Stay well! Good to know that the MINI is well equipped to avoid accidents. Good news as well that if unavoidable they are protective as well.

Reminds us to drive with spirit and enthusiasm but be ever alert.

Happy Motoring!

 

kesh420,
Thanks for your post and we are glad you did so well.
To me it sounds like although you were a bit squashed your MINI maintained control fairly well so you did hit some things but all with less impact damaged. Once the SUV (big as it is) lost control then it tracked all over the place and took way more impact damaged which was transmitted to the driver. You do not break legs for no good reason. The car can absorb or transmit energy to you.

It is another example of engineering that works. Your MINI did you good. Just watch yourself for any hidden injuries over the next few days and report anything to your doctors. Neck or back injuries can be sustained and show up later.
Good luck and hope your MINI will be back on the roads soon.

 

Kesh,

Glad to hear that you escaped injury. A car, even a MINI can be replaced, but a life can not. Horrible lesson in physics for the Suburban driver though. Always wear a seatbelt. Remember an egg traveling at 80mph is still an egg. Hope the driver mends 100%.

 

Glad you are ok! The MINI did what it was designed to do, not just what it was advertised to do.

Thanks for sharing and I hope your baby is fixed soon.

 

I know I'm morbid but any pics of both vehicles? I am always curious to see the actual damage to the cars.

I am glad everyone lived, seems like Mad Max on the roads lately.

 

Whoah!!!!!!
What a story!!!!!
Very glad to hear that U.... are OK...:smile:
Great news.... that the MINI is as safe as the reports tout it is :smile:
Sorry to hear bout the condition of your car...and hopefully all will be well w/ the reconstruction.
<<My poor baby sacrificed her life so that I could walk away totally unharmed>>
How incredible is that !!!!!

Again...glad U...are OK :smile:

Peace,
D

 

Kesh,

Glad to hear that your ok. Cars can be replaced, people can't. I think this not only underscores the risks of driving an Suv like a compact car, but also seatbelt use.

When you don't wear a seat-belt, you are a loose object that will continue to
remain in motion- even tho the vehicle stops. Safety systems are designed to be used in-tandem with the airbags and such.

Speaking of SUV's, I borrowed a Saab 9-3 Vector last night from the dealer (GM overnight drive). Some fu#$%^ in a Expedition scraped the whole bumper and took off. but.... Ballys (in Troy, MI) has cameras, and they tape the contents... So I got a dub of it this morning, and sent it to the dealer. Now it's SUV owner vs Saab of Troy. hahahaahah

caio,

-Matt

 

Ahh the pics...

I didn't have the heart to take pictures. I thought about it but I couldn't bring myself to capture the carnage. I do have a short list of parts that are being replaced, they said there will probably be more stuff once they tear it down:

L & R Doors
Front and Rear Left wheels
Front Driver side Control Arm
Rear Driver side Control Arm
Rear Driver side wheel bearing
L & R Side curtain Airbags
Driver seat and airbag
Bonnet
Front bumper and grille
Driver side headlight
2 door handles
Driver seat belt
Front Shock absorber
Rear Tie rod arm (can't remember the proper name)
Airbag sensors
Temperature sensor
Driver side door speaker
Left and right side skirts
All wheel fairings

Basically a ton of stuff.

 

Kesh: Glad you're ok, that reminds me to get a "my other car is a MINI" license plate frame for my Suburban I hope you get your baby back soon. Post pictures when you can.

X2

 

Kesh, glad you're ok...and it sounds like your MINI will be as well (eventually).

I'm surprised though that the cop had the reaction he did. It would seem that someone who sees lots of accidents would realize just how dangerous it is to be in an SUV unbelted....regardless (or actually, in spite) of how big it is. That driver is lucky he didn't get ejected (and killed) or that he didn't over compensate after the first impact and subsequently roll (and get killed). A collision on a curve is just the scenario for SUV death.

 

Kesh- WOW, what a list, quite a few bits need replacing. I know ryephile's car
looked ok, but close inspection yielded the subframe and such was shot-
hence totaling the car. It looks like your getting (nearly) all new body panels, suspension components, and some wheels/tires. Some new interior bits too.

I would be extremely weary of all this work being done, my expierences are (Even after a+ work), cars are never the same after a large impact. Were it me, I'd push to have it totaled, even tho the loss of a MCS is

cheers,

-Matt

 

WOW! What a story! I am very relieved to hear that everything is okay and very happy to read another testimony to the safety of the MINI. I am forwarding your post to several friends who question the safety of my little beast.

~Steve~

 

Many condolences, Kesh . . . . I too am sad for your car's damage AND happy for your survival/lack of injuries.

As a member of the November club and the parent of a 2 year old, it's great to hear that the MCS held up so well vs. an SUV. I hope I never have the same experience, but if I do, I guess the Mini will take a bullet for my family.

PS ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEATBELT

 

So sorry for your accident. Use this chance to upgrade or customize somethings. Your insurance has to pay "fair market value" (retail) you can get the MINI parts at 20% above cost. This should help offset your deductible. Stock wheels and tires are expensive.... Two wheels and tires are more than 4 aftermarketwheels and tires. Also have the body shop spin balance the "undamaged wheels" to see if they are bent. Bent wheels need replaced too.Get some custom something. It is emotional payback, "Now my mini is not only restored, but rewarded for it's perfoormance. Just my.02. My MINI did wonderfully in my little crash. and now sports lowered springs and swaybar.

 

God speed.

 

Keep us posted on your Mini, and glad your OK, you'll be back to Motoring before
you know it.


_________________
DMonk "The Ball Matters"

 

Yeow! What a story!

 

Glad to see that you came out of this in one piece kesh, and that no one was TOO badly hurt in teh whole mess. All the same, I can't help but smirk and recognize that the SUV driver did get their comeuppance. Anyone driving a tall, heavy vehicle at high speeds without wearing a seatbelt ought to be given a lesson they'll never forget.

Your story reminded me of one of the reasons why I should seriously consider a Mini. They might not be the biggest cars, but at least you have a good shot at coming out of a crash in one piece!

 

damnit, not another MINI in an accident!

Best of luck and safe future motoring,
Ryan