So sorry that happened to you. It sounds like you did everything you could to avoid the accident. I would be aware of how your body feels after that accident - from your description of your avoidance maneuver and the area of impact from your pic, it looks like you took an impact at an angle. Actually, though, I'm a bit surprised at the apparently minimal damage to the bumper. Anyway, I'm concerned that the accident may have an impact on your body, too. I was rear-ended a few years ago pretty hard (the guy was going ~45 mph before he braked - too late) and the next day I woke up with a very very sore neck. I had physical therapy and it helped with the recovery. If you feel sore, get checked out. May be nothing but you're better safe than sorry. Good luck on your repair.

 

Wow sorry that happened. Personally I'd be scared that the doors dont align now because it may have bent the frame a bit. It might not be much, but I'd be pissed because it the compromises its integrity in the next crash (hopefully there isn't a next one). If I were you I would make that a big point about fixing the doors more than just make some adjustments at the hinges.

 

Hey! Can we keep the political rhetoric out of the post please?? MoClubman please edit your post.

 

I dont hate guns. I just cant stand people who collect them like **** and drool accordingly.

It is amazing how tough these cars are. When mine was hit in the back right corner, all I needed was a new trim piece over the rear wheel opening and to climb under the car and re-align the wheel. The other car was a mess. Bumper torn off, bent structure.

 

Another Nashvillian weighing in to say sorry this happened. Whaley's is also a very reputable and good shop downtown nashville. Prices's Collision in Cool Springs (one of many sites) did a great job for me when one of my Moe's Southwest Grill vans hit a deer (deer got stuck, some citizen saw it stuck in the grill before the guy had a chance to stop the van, and called me thinking we were carrying the deer around on purpose - geez). Anyway, Rick Flores, 377-3877 at Price's. Have not used Whaley's in a long time so no number handy.

Good luck. Hope to have all the Nashville MINI owners out to a Moe's for a meal at some point in the near future.

Scott P

 

I've noticed that since I have "flair" on the boot (a few badges and a brake light mask), people creep up to my back end to read them -- I can read their lips in the rear view mirror, especially if they're reading it out loud to passengers. I ALSO notice that once they get to the last badge -- the one that says, "If you can read this you're too close" -- they tend to back off.

Unfortunately, beasleyboy, it's probably not going to get better once you get your MINI. I've developed a habit of intense awareness of my environment (constantly checking all mirrors) to hopefully avoid the OPs kind of accident...these cars can out-maneuver most vehicles and stupid drivers, but it always helps to be on your toes. When I see someone getting too particularly close -- the ones doing it on purpose -- I put a little scare into them by giving them a little bit of room, then hitting the brakes (while downshifting) suddenly. I know my car, though...we can move out fast if they don't pay attention right away, and I only use this technique when I've got a really bad "bumper sticker." I've done it in my F150, too, (it's a tough truck) but for some reason, I get a more panicked reaction from the bumper stickers in the MINI...maybe brighter, more in-your-face brake lights?

 

Ouch! I'm glad you're okay. The damage seems to be confined to the bumper alone. I notice a very slight offset on the doors, but I'd be inclined to think it's not related to the accident. Perhaps they were slightly misaligned from the factory. It's possible. My passenger side headlamp was misaligned, causing the hood to cut a groove into the lens! I also had a factory paint blemish in the driver's door, so build quality may not be perfect for everyone. Just food for thought.

 

Hate to admit that I've done this. Shoot me, cause I'm going to be pigeonholing the fairer sex here, but 80% of the time it is a younger female, and 80% of the time, she is on her cell phone, or worse, texting. Scares the heck out of me.

We ALL need to do the "2 mississippi" count when behind another car to be sure you don't pass a stationary object before you can count to 2 miss. That way you give yourself enough time to react to their PANIC STOP because they were too close to the person in front of them.

MINI drivers should be (need to be, should try to be) better drivers.

 

No this is definitely not a factory misalignment. My own two hands have slid across those handles many times while washing and drying my Clubman. I can feel the change with out even looking at it.

I didn't take a picture of it, but on the C Pillar there is a gap between the door hinge and the upper piece. The insurance appraiser (of all people) pointed out to me that gap on the passenger (impact) side is smaller then the driver side. I have no idea what the implications of that is but I indeed plan to inquiry the repair shop about what they plan to do to fix it.

 

You might want to call Global Motorsports and see whom they use for restorations and body work. The Admin offices are on Neighborly off Charlotte just west of White Bridge Road. Phone: 353-8999. They have a good detail shop there (that's where I get my LandCruiser detailed... they hate it when I bring it in too as I live on a working farm & it's a well used/loved LandCruiser, LOL), and they also have been involved with a lot of old Mercedes Restorations (currently have an early 70's 280SL for sale on their Belle Meade lot).
Back in the mid '90's, I was involved in an accident with someone who ran a red light while having an epeleptic seizure. He was in a Colt, I was in a 1994 Toyota 4-Runner. His car totalled, mine was repaired (altho it was never "right"). I used Beaman, where I purchased my 4-Runner, and they sent it down to some place on 12th avenue in "the District"... I can't remember who it was, but I would NOT recommend them. I had to bring it back a number of times for stupid stuff that they hadn't done or hadn't finished, etc...
Best of luck-
Vivi

 

Mmmmmm.... (wish there was a smiley licking it's lips!)
I know the one in Cool Springs, DH mentioned there were others in the Nashville area...
(sorry to be off topic!)
Vivi

 

The car was finished Friday and I couldn't be happier with the job. Big props for Vogley and Todd. Paint job looks perfect and doors and panels are now back in place. I wasn't able to make it to shop before they closed on Friday. Although normally closed on Saturdays, they opened up Saturday morning so that I could pick up and have for the weekend. I was so glad to have her back I didn't mind waiting in line for over an hour to get gas! Thanks for all the encouraging comments. I glad to put this behind me.

And yeah.... I could go for a Joey Bag O Donuts just about anytime!

Here are the "after" pics...

 

Fantastic! Glad to know that Vogely & Todd are that good. I know you're glad to get your clubbie back. Congrats! Hope to see you around town someday, I'll wave (even if I'm not in a clubbie yet, LOL)

 

What accident? It looks like a new car to me!

Excellent work. Glad you're happy with it.

 

Awesome now you can enjoy your car again

Did they say how they got the doors back aligned? Did it require just doing hinge adjustments, or bending or metal at some point?

 

The guy from the shop said the frame was just a tad bit off from the specs. He said they had to do a "pull" and then the panels and doors went to back to the proper alignment.

 

I saw a Clubman last night at the Niello Concours car show in Sacramento. Remarkable ease of rear cabin access through that third door. I was impressed with the way the whole side of the car opens up like that! And I love the way the taillights poke through the rear doors. Interesting feature. What sold you on the Clubman over the standard MINI?

 

Nashville folks:

Trying to get a day for MINI Owners to meet me at Brentwood Moe's Southwest Grill for a lunch on me. Hoping to connect 15-20 MINI owners, have a quick lunch, meet and greet, etc.

Go to this thread and reply if you are interested:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...87#post2481487

smp

 

I love the look of the Clubman. I got a close look at one for the first time at the dealership. I never thought about owning a MINI until this spring when my old car was about to die. I had a list of used models that I wanted to test drive that included the Saab 93, Acrua TL and TSX, and the Lexus IS 250. I've always had a four door for whatever reason but with gas prices being high I decided that I probably could get by on a smaller car. I heard a few ads on the radio about MINI and then realized that my brother in-law might be able to help me with a discount (works for BMW). I test drove the Clubman S and Cooper S and loved them both. My wife and I decided the Clubman with the extra 13" would fit the bill for our family. Put my order in the next week.

 

Great news to read and I'm so glad you're so pleased with the repair. It looks perfect!

 

That looks great! So glad it worked out well for you!!

 

Well, you won't have to worry about your family outgrowing it anytime soon! A woman I know back east bought a Clubman as the result of her teenage daughter needing more space to come and go and deliver school equipment. Exit Cooper, enter Clubman. All are very happy with the switch!

 

That woman is brave because, if I was in her place, I'd get a Club to padlock the steering wheel each night. Never know if the daughter wants to take it for a joyride!

 

People!! I don't mean to be a hardnose about it but I will ....

Political statements are NOT allowed on NAM. I've edited and deleted the offending statements. Continued violations will result in warnings, strikes and a subsequent ban from NAM.

There are other forums for political discussions - this is not one of them - please keep that in mind before you press submit on your post.

Thank you - please drive though! :-)

 

Nah, I'm sure her daughter knows how much she LOVES her car, and she's a good kid by all accounts. The Clubman fills a great niche and it does it with style!