Because it kills me to have to retell the story of why I need a replacement left front door, I will make keep it short. Last week as I was parking I had opened my door believing my door was in park. Apparently, my gear shift didn't catch on to the "P" and slid back in to "R." So with my eyes looking for my keys I took my foot off the brake and my car slowly went in reverse resulting in my door hitting a pole and attempting to rip the door back. I caught it before my door was completely ripped off but not before the door was bent enough to over extented and bend the hinge part of the door, not the car hinge, out of place. The cosmetic damage is something I can deal with but the alignment of the door is off.

The parts of the hinge mounted on the car appear to be unaffected and still aligned. The damage is obvious when looking at the door part of the hinge. I'd imagine the cost of purchasing a replacement door from a parted out MC would be cheaper than bringing it to a body shop. With that in mind, what are my options for a 2004 MC? Checking on the OEM site, it would appear that the door part number was used on many different models of the MC and MCS but I was hoping someone may offer direction from past experience.

Would anyone be able to suggest good places to look online or in the NY tri-state area for this front door? Is swapping out a door a monumental task??


As always, thanks!

C

 

If it makes you feel any better, my door incedent was when I was just a pup and I decided to open my door and stick my head out to back up. The snow bank I was backing between did the same thing to my car (I can't even remember what car it was).

Anyway, you say NY tri-state and the "go to" junk area was Hunt's point. Now a days they are computerized and if you call one big place (If you can find a yellow pages) They will "have it" meaning they will get it if they don't really have one.

One thing you can not do is ask for a color, they get pissed, but obviously if you can get the right color you are way better off. I would try by best to request a color, but don't be surprised if they get all surly and nasty.

OK, so you have the door, and you have the right color, believe it or not, I find setting up a door to be really aggrivating. It usually needs to be shimmed and lined up in a 3 dimensional plane. To complicate it more, you then have to adjust the window. What I would probably do, it get it on the car, then if I didn't get super lucky and have it perfect (which isn't going to happen) I would go pay a body shop guy $100 or whatever he wanted to do it right for me.

Good luck.

 

get a lambo door!

 

@HRM - Thanks for the heads up. Did you have any damage to the hinge part attached to the car or were they still in tact? That's my biggest worry. They don't appear to be damaged but you never know until you try. I located a few doors in the correct color from junkyards two hours away from me but none of them will alllow me to pick the door up without a pickup truck. Crazy. I may stop by the auto body place to see how much they want to fix the door. If it's more than a replacement door than I will just have to get the door. I still can't believe I did this.

@MINIng - If only they were that easy! Ha. Lambo doors would be sweet.

 

I don't think anything but the door was damaged, but this was in the 70s, cars were different and no crumple zones, so It doesn't compare.

I would think if you damaged the pillars, you would see distortion on the fender or elsewhere. If it looks good, it probably is.

Probably insurance makes them load the door for you and they can't let you lift it on the property (all I can think of) Maybe you can go to a gas station around the corner, have him order it (they probably will deliver) and give him $10 for making the phone call.

 

That's a good idea. I know a local mechanic that works out of a gas station. I am sure he would do it.

Interesting thing this past Thursday...I went to the auto body guy that fixed my bumper and hatchback door last summer after being rear ended to get a quote or some advice. I told him my intention to buy a used door and he almost flipped out. He gave me every reason he could think of as to why it was a bad idea. Pillars could be bent. Used door could have damage of it's own. Color could be off (even if it's the same color). He just kept going on and on. Then he told me he wouldn't install a used door because it would mess with the integrity of his work. Then he told me that he said the damage could be up to $2500 if this and that were wrong. Then he went on to tell me how I should bring it to him and allow him to call in a claim to my insurance on my behalf. I'd pay the deductible and he'd find other work to do and make his money. Hilarious.

I think I am going to chance it an go the used to door route and just find someone who will install it. I can't deal with shady auto-body guys who are just looking to run up and ruin my insurance policy.

 

i hear yah loud and clear on those shady autoshop guys. even if you do know what you're talking about, they'll treat you like you don't know if you don't work in their field.

BUT anyway, this may be a long shot, but if you're willing to go the distance, i would suggest buying the Bentley manual and doing it yourself. its got step by step instructions (w/ pictures at every step).

i've learned my lesson in dealing with those underhanded folks and have saved a bunch on just good old fashion brain power. i don't know how involved a door replacement as i'm away from the book, but i know it has it in there.

either way, i hope you get your mini back in shape w/out anymore problems

 

Right on. I am willing to give it a go. I am going to have to try and get my hands on the Bentley manual. I have been able to pull off some swap outs on my own successfully. I think I'd be up for the challenge if it means sticking it to that criminal body shop guy.

Thanks again for the direction. I'll let you know how it works out.

 

can't wait