2006 Mini Cooper S, miles 49,000, help, pls
 

Hello to All - I'm hoping you can help me. I own a pristine 2006 Mini-Cooper S with only 49,000 miles on her. I simply Love her and was a special gift to me. On May 12, 2016 involved in an accident. Front passenger tire blown, rim destroyed and strut broken. Frame may also be damaged. Insurance adjuster to evaluate on Monday. They may 'total' her, (I have no clue what car is worth now.) Would it be worth accepting the $$$ from totaling and use that to have her fixed? (is ok per insurance company) Of course the conundrum is she is 10 yrs old but only 49,000 miles. Her body, (no rust, dents etc) and engine/all parts perfect condition. I so want to keep her. Thots, pls. Thank You so very much.:cry:

Get a second opinion from an independent garage before agreeing to the insurance company value. If there are new parts on the car you can sometimes claim them separately from the book value of the car. If you were at fault, you have less options. If the other driver was at fault, you are in a better position.

All that said, it sounds like you have a sentimental attachment to the car and it's not a purely financial decision. Insurance doesn't cover sentimental value... You have to put a number on that. Any car can be fixed for a price... Think about how much are you willing to pay above what the insurance company may cover?

Here's one '06 S's opinion: Only 49K!!! These guys and gals are nearing collector status. They are far from cookie cutter soccer mom appliances and as such should be held to a higher standard. I'd at least explore the possibilities of a rebuild from two or three competent shops.
Keep us posted.

Any pics of the damage? Members on the forum have a lot of experience with these cars and should be able to give you some great advice once pics are posted. Depending on how bad it is, it could definitely be worth it to buy the car back and repair it. Would you rebuild the car yourself, or pay a shop?

There are a lot of vendors on here that sell factory and aftermarket parts at a discount. Used parts are also an option. I still have my original 2005 sport suspension springs and struts in storage with only 37K miles I've been debating on selling. I upgraded my suspension about 18 months ago.

Where are you located? There might be members local to you with large parts like a hood or bumper that are hard to ship.

Probably based upon your love of the, keep it. I'm kicking myself all the time for not keeping my 80's BMW 325IS after it was stripped by thieves.

With liability issues insurance companies worry about quality parts and workmanship - hence the high repair costs. You might check with one of these local shops in your area to see who they refer insurance work to. Maybe your insurance company will with one.

http://www.minimania.com/article/319...ners_and_Shops

Poster of site Abbey 1 reply
 

Hi, All and Thank you so much for understanding and giving me options. Unfortunately, she is in tow company parking lot with insurance appraiser coming on Monday ...have no cell phone so didn't take any pics. Police did. Details of accident. Driving thru small town, on-coming car crossing yellow line and I had no option either - hitting head-on or pulled in closer in my lane and clipped 2 parked cars..little damage to them. Police did NOT fine me or give me a ticket ...other on-coming car - zoomed by with no notice. I was only driving 20 mph. So, it is my insurance paying for other 2 cars clipped and I did find out, tho, have a $500 deductible, only $150 as considered safe driver. My foreign motors guy/owner is so very reasonable in cost, that if car 'totals' out at $4,000, will take it to him and if need be, spend an extra $2,000 to fix her. No body damage, just tire, rim, strut and possible frame damage. I live in Exeter, NH and if anyone lives in New Hampshire, feel free to respond. I love her too much to let her go <3 Any other thots, I'd definitely appreciate. Most Sincerely, Abbey's Mom

Possible frame damage (bent) is the only worry. Check that out, if OK, fix it and keep it. You'll never forgive yourself if you don't keep it. An -06 Mini is much more than mere transportation.

Wish I'd said that...

Here's a picture of my Beutiful lil' girl in 2010
 

Tho, pic taken in 2010, she looks the same and behaves the same prior to car accident May 12th.:cry:

Thank You, Guys, I knew You all would understand - am worried about bent frame, too. If you can send positive, healing thoughts to a "car" am doing so...I will keep you posted on Monday, after insurance appraiser - and if need to dispute it, will do so! Abbey's Mom

Deleted... waiting for condition update from insurance adjuster.

I have thought about this sort of thing when I've had close calls - almost better to let the offender hit you to clearly establish fault. But, that sort of head on crash would have been more dangerous for occupants and more likely to total the car, so....

Wishing all the best - hard to believe there would be frame damage from clipping parked cars at that speed. Still may not be cheap if a number of panels are damaged.

OK, to lighten the atmosphere, I went out to the garage, told my li'l guy all about this situation. He furrowed his brow and is now thinking deep empathetic thoughts. Hope it helps.

I would think a clean, low miles, '06 would be worth $6k to $8k depending on location, etc. dont know if your insurance give you "replacement value", or does something else. I wouldnt think it cost that much to repair, if the damage is as minimal as you describe. I hope you can work it out and keep the car.

BTW: the front suspension is attached to the car via a subframe, which in the unlikely case that it is damage, is a replaceable part.

Don't forget if the insurance company does 'total' it and you buy it back you have to get a salvage title which brings with it certain baggage (and not just the monetary devaluing of the car which sounds like you don't care about at this time, but state inspection stuff, too). You'd want to look into that...maybe talk with your shop guy about it. Found some info here:

https://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/...le/salvage.htm

Stinks about this situation. I used to live in Exeter and then Kensington - where do you take the car for service? I used to go to Dan at Exeter Motor Works...loved them there.

Pat

Hi, All, again. Just tow guy thot there might be frame damage looking underneath...(prob doesn't know a thing about Mini's) so if a debate from insurance appraiser I'm going to take her to Exeter Motor Works for Danny to take a look! (Yup, I love Danny, use him all of the time - Mudhen!) TY, Pat. Will def check your NH Safety link, as well. I know if I buy back, my insurance will disco my collision which I'm not really concerned about. TY All for your good positive thots and great info! I truly appreciate it. Will keep you all posted after appraiser on Monday.

Well, HAPPY DAY:thumbsup: to ALL!!! Appraiser only calculated $2657.83 for damages!!! (he too, thot, Mini was in immaculate condition with so little miles for a 2006) YES, I am absolutely ECSTATIC!!! Yes, tire, rim and strut broken - Frame NOT bent or broken ..slight, very minimal body damage, (which I hadn't noticed) above wheel well. Insurance is taking care of ALL of it with exception of my $150 deductible!!! She's going into shop today! I so THANK ALL of your POSITIVE thoughts and info - you All really assuaged my fears! May you all have a Wonderful Day!!! Most Sincerely, Abbey's Mom

Great News!!! :thumbsup:

If the paint is not wrecked on any part of the panel/fender, see if the body damage can be done by a paintless dent repair specialist as repainted panels usually don't last as long as factory paint. Also, you won't have to worry about color match problems which are more noticeable with metallic paints.

This is GREAT news!!!

:thumbsup:

2006 MINI Cooper S
 

Awesome, time to celebrate. Post photos when the job is done! :nod:

Hello All to my dear Mini friends! RB-MINI, I looked at my beautiful Mini again, today - dent did not seemed to be crimped and think you may be right using the tool you recommended. As well, I didn't see any paint damage that rubbing compound or some other product couldn't handle. Mini Mania - will def share pics when completed!!! Thank You, ALL, for your support and CONGRATS! Will continue to keep you posted.

Most Sincerely,
Abbey's Mom

Dear ItsmeWayne - Oh, most definitely will make sure she is 'right'! I may not be "Suzy Homemaker" BUT with regards to my beautiful 2006 Mini have kept her 'clean' in all ways - LOL!!! Def trust my mechanic and if insurance company complains with higher cost to repair, I am Abbey's advocate! TY, ItsmeWayne!

Have a Great Day!

Abbey's Mom