I've not been much for posting on Forums but felt it was my duty as a Mini owner to report my experience of a rollover in a MCS.

I was driving on a country road with no other traffic around when a dog ran out in front of me. On reflex, i swerved violently and missed the dog but lost control of the car and ended up going off the road. The drivers side left the road first and, as it tipped slightly, it rolled over on to its roof. I continued slidding upside down through a fence and into a field. I just got a few bumps and scratches, in fact releasing the seat belt and hitting my head on the roof was the most painful thing that happened. The police, wreckers, etc. that turned up later were in complete astonishment that a car in rollover could maintain its structure so well.

I'm attempting to attach a picture to show the damage to my poor Mini. Unfortunately its a total loss as alomst every panel is damaged, the roof needs replacing and has suffered driveline damage.

I loved my Mini before the crash and now I have even more respect for it. The discussion with with insurance company has been pretty funny - they still can't fathom how a 1 year old car can only have lost 1% in vlaue of its original puchase price. Needless to say I ordered a new one yesterday.


Phil

 

Congratulations that you weren't hurt. I was also surprised to learn of the integrity of the MINI when I first started studying its features. I am not surprised to hear your findings.

 

I have heard your story many times. Thank goodness you are alright. Your MINI gave up it's life to save yours. Glad there is a new one in your future

Lois:smile:

 

Its good to hear that you are not seriously injured, must have been a real scare. Only a 1% loss of value? Your MINI gave up its life to save yours and still left you a little something from the other world.. Beautiful..

 

What a guy. Took one on the chin for man's best friend. You just might be a hero to the family that is missing that dog. Glad you weren't hurt. God rest your beloved MINI. Best of luck.

 

Hey thats great that you are alright.
This makes me feel great because my girl also uses the car. I loved reading your story since I would never want her (or anybody) to get hurt while driving the car.
some pics would be great for further discussion.
Enjoy your new ride!

 

Glad to hear your ok! Wow thats amazing that the MINI held up so well. And only 1% of its value? In a year?! What are your specs for the new one?

 

I just checked kelley blue book and found that my 2003 MCS with 42000 miles is listed as being worth over $23000 right now.

How would an insurance company go about determining how much a totaled car is worth?

I had a similar situation in the late 90's when my Land Rover Defender 90 was "totaled" and I disputed the amount offered by my insurance company. They did some research and found that used models were selling for more than their original asking price and ended up fixing my truck instead of totaling it. . . .

 

Glad to hear you're OK. I'm currious though did your car have DSC?

 

I don't think DSC would help in the situation described above. If the wheels were headed for the embankment (after steering away from the dog), the DSC would adjust to make the car go that way...

 

Wow! I can't believe how good your MINI still looks:



Since they "totaled" it, can you scavange anything from it before they take it? (sterio, speakers, chrome interior, etc?)

 

Wow sorry to hear that. It seems you got a really nice car coming though. Glad to see your alright.

 

Glad to hear your OK

I motor everyday on a deer infested highway, mostly in the dark.

Saw 3 tonight.

How many airbags blew?

Was the car "pulled" by hitting a soft shoulder?

I have to go onto soft shoulders all the time because of oncoming traffic passing on a 2 lane

I find the transition from hardtop to gravel always to be under control. But I'm ready for it, it can be a real "PAY ATTENTION" motor sometimes.

It's always a hard choice, dodge or not to dodge. If the critter is shorter than the bumper, well they are on their own, taller, I will take matters into my own hands.

I've hit a deer, in an old chevy van. Dented the bumper, killed the deer.
Drove right into a herd of them standing on the highway.

Again, good to hear your MINI saved you:smile:

 

Phil I'm sorry to hear about your Mini and Glad your ok!!!!! Just think if you would have been in a KIA I think we should start up a thread just for ppl who have been in accidents with their mini's can post pic's and share there story so everyone can see just how safe these little cars are!!! LOL Your mini looks like it is ready to be driven again almost. But It's probably better that they total it b/c any car wrecked, even one as strong as a Mini, never is the same afterwards!! Did any of your airbags deploy? Glad you are ok. Good luck with Your next Mini

 

Yes, sorry indeed to hear about your misfortune and hopefully your new Cooper S will arrive soon.
Cheers,
H
FYI, your MCS looks still very amazing.

 

My god this thing can still looks good after it was turn over. Great to hear that you are ok.

 

Good to hear you came out of it OK. How did the airbags and the door auto unlocks perform? The Mini is one tough little car.

 

Thanks for all the nice words. Ive wondered too if i had DSC would it have helped - doubt it since it all happened so fast but it could of. No airbags went off.

It looks worse in person but for a rollover its pretty amazing. The insurance company's first offer was to cut the roof off and weld a new one on as well as replace and paint every panel. Right, sure I want my 04 car back after that... I took it to another independent body shop in Houston and their estimate was 2x the loss adjustors so it was totaled.

The only sticky point in getting the actual cash value was that I had the JCW engine kit installed. It didn't show up in their valuation systems so they talked to my dealer and BMW/Mini. They then revised their offer to include about $5000 of JCW kit. My advice now would be to always tell and get the insurance company to acknowledge the value of these extra items on the car.

I loved the PW/PW combination but it'll bring back memories so I've ordered a DS/W with Sport Package (DSC), webspokes and JCW.

Phil

 

HOORAY FOR MINI SAFETY

Sad to see a MINI gave its life to saves yours but it did its job

 

Glad to hear you emerged unscathed!

Is that photo of the pepper white MCS really your MINI? If it rolled over and slid on its roof such a distance, how come the antenna is still intact? It's amazing how little damage happened, at least judging from the photo alone.

Well, good to hear you and the doggie are OK!

Good luck with your new MINI!

-boognish

 

Gratz for walking away from a serious accident with minor injuries, and gratz on being taken care of by your insurance company.

 

Wow -- glad you're ok!!!

It's good to know that MINIs do so well in roll overs, as I, too, would roll my car before hitting an animal...

 

Well, I don't know about all that.

 

Glad to hear you're alright.

 

phil- glad to hear you're okay.

man, that corolla antenna's pretty darn strong too! it's still intact?!