R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Deer Damage

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Old Dec 11, 2025 | 11:31 PM
  #1  
PatricksR53's Avatar
PatricksR53
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From: Damascus MD
Deer Damage

TLDR: Hit Deer, Need Hood Aero Grill (PM me if you have one)

Over the summer I hit a deer in my beautiful electric blue 2003 aero kit S. The damage is minimal and she still runs and drives (Cracked Hood Grill, Pushed in hood, Crack in Aero bumper, broken rad support). I’m getting the motivation back to fix it but need help finding some rare parts Mostly a new hood grill. If anyone has one sitting on a parts shelf I’d be interested to buy. I plan to have a paintless dent removal expert pull the hood. (I believe it can be done, we will see). And maybe fiberglass the crack in the bumper and get it repainted. But I would like to see her back to glory.
This was before the incident I just wanted to post a picture of her
This was before the incident I just wanted to post a picture of her
 
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Old Dec 12, 2025 | 09:01 AM
  #2  
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JABowders
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Best wishes for a successful repair.

Motor On!
 
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Old Dec 12, 2025 | 11:12 PM
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Have you checked the NAM Marketplace?
 
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Old Dec 13, 2025 | 07:10 AM
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Whisky B
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Sorry to hear that, you might be better off pulling down a roll of grille material and using the hardware from your original with a few rivets here and there to replace it. Not sure how badly damaged the plastic material is, but you could also Frankenstein one by hollowing out the old grille (down to the mounting edge) then rivet new, hand-cut steel mesh grille material into that. M7 used to make a nice clean, gloss black steel mesh grille for these back in the day, but they stopped producing them around 2012. I was shopping for one myself around 2022 and couldn't find any aftermarket grilles for these at all. Sounds like you made out pretty good despite the cosmetic damage, most deer encounters tend to total classic cars like these, good job keeping this one alive and running; that electric blue must be preserved.
 
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Old Dec 13, 2025 | 12:48 PM
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I reiterate -
If I'm not mistaken; There is an Aero grille set currently up for sale in the marketplace
 
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