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R56 And the rebuild starts.... pics of wreckage.

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Old 09-03-2010, 07:51 PM
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And the rebuild starts.... pics of wreckage.

Okay, so after my clusterfudge.... here's what a mini that smacks a wall in over triple digits looks like. Placement is everything.

Here's the final pics.

As you can see... frame rail is in fine shape.



The bracket for the bumper that attaches to the engine cradle is damaged... the engine cradle is in 99% good condition.



This is where the tire bounced back and hit the "A" pillar. Though this isn't bad, this is probably the worst damage done.



Upper apron... no damage.



Mirror got snapped off, put a dent in the door... the door has other "waves/dents" but I'm going to do PDR on it (except for the dent up top)



Nothing on the left side.



As you can see... in excellent shape considering.



Well, the hood didn't fair too well...lol.






Upper tiebar is bent but fixable, though I have to replace the condensor, it's not in bad shape.

The 55 gallon plastic bag... oh, that's the rest of the misc. parts...lol






I've already ordered all my parts, I have new coilovers sitting at the shop (since I'll need a strut anyways), new swaybar, (old one trashed) and all new parts on the way.

At this point, I'm going to rebuild it and then I'll decide if I'm going to turn it into a track ***** or just drive it.

As **** as I am about paint, I'm okay with it if it's an allover paintjob... I just can't do the panel shooting... drives me nuts.


Mark
 
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Old 09-03-2010, 07:54 PM
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oh noes! everyone ok? kinda funny though that you run a body shop so you can fix it up great. still not fun though :(
 
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Old 09-03-2010, 08:03 PM
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Hate to see a body guy turn into his own best client, but who better to work on the car than someone you trust?

Having worked in a body shop before, I've seen cars in much worse shape turn out great, so I'm sure it will be fine. Will any part of the frame or chassis need to be pulled? Again, glad you're ok. Can't wait to see it when you are done.
Mica
 
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Old 09-03-2010, 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by ViperGTS
Hate to see a body guy turn into his own best client, but who better to work on the car than someone you trust?

Having worked in a body shop before, I've seen cars in much worse shape turn out great, so I'm sure it will be fine. Will any part of the frame or chassis need to be pulled? Again, glad you're ok. Can't wait to see it when you are done.
Mica
In over 25 years I've been in this business, I honestly can't say that I've seen a car get any luckier.

The car is no doubt a sturdy car (I have 3 mini coopers in the shop right now) and have seen all sorts of cars hit worse and I know placement had a LOT to do with it but the damage though expensive (original estimate was written at 23K) doesn't reflect the damage to the car.

I'm not even putting it on the frame machine, I can tie it down on the floor and use the floore pullers to pull the "A" pillar out... that's how "undamaged" it is.

I will have to replace the front section of the engine cradle but it's nothing more than a 40 part... unbelieveable. I'm sure the arm that the bracket bolts to on the cradle is bent up about a 1/4".

Other than that, it's sheetmetal, condensor, radiator support, rt lower control arm, strut, mirror and fix some of the wiring harness that got the ends ripped off. (I love how BMW sells just the ends...perfect)

Anyway, I'm super happy about it, I'll paint it, replace the stripes, install my new racing parts, install my new M7 hood scoop (poor thing, never stood a chance) and my clear bra and I'll be ready to go.

Mark
 
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Old 09-03-2010, 08:30 PM
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It 'tis but a scratch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKhEw7nD9C4

Actually it's going to be very interesting to see Oscar come back to life. Good luck with him, he's in good hands
 
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Old 09-03-2010, 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Rixter
It 'tis but a scratch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKhEw7nD9C4

Actually it's going to be very interesting to see Oscar come back to life. Good luck with him, he's in good hands

My favorite quote from that movie...

"tis only a flesh wound..."

 
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Old 09-03-2010, 08:38 PM
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make sure the newest tensioner is in

I havent been on these forums lately, too many fanboys and nitwits, what happened? details please!
 
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Old 09-03-2010, 09:09 PM
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Originally Posted by orangecrush
Well, the hood didn't fair too well…lol.
I'd find a nice place to mount that on the wall.
 
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Old 09-03-2010, 10:38 PM
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It you're going to paint the entire car....

I vote Signal Green or Nogaro Blue

Rossa Scuderia could be hot too....with a Scud stripe down the middle...hmmmm the possibilities.
 
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Old 09-03-2010, 11:03 PM
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Oh man OC! glad to know you are ok. I say turn that beast into a track monster!
 
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Old 09-03-2010, 11:46 PM
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Ouch!
 
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Old 09-04-2010, 01:22 AM
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airbags?
 
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Old 09-04-2010, 02:57 AM
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Certainly says that these are tough little cars, good luck with the rebuild.
 
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Old 09-04-2010, 03:15 AM
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Originally Posted by MotorMouth
airbags?
No, no air bags... the car hit the wall at an angle as it was spinning. The tires damped the blow before the real crush.

Mark

PS. And I did think about doing a color change except the only way I'd do it was to do the engine compartment so it matched. And with all the crap in the engine compartment... nah, too much work.
 
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Old 09-04-2010, 04:43 AM
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Now you can do the entire car in Porsche GTR orange! My favorite orange!!
 
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Old 09-04-2010, 05:52 AM
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Oh wow! Took quite a hit! I'm sure it'll come out looking better than ever though.
Yeah, forgive me for asking as well, but what exactly happened?
 
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Old 09-04-2010, 06:19 AM
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He hit a barrier at the track doing triple digit speeds. He lucked out x1000
 
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Old 09-04-2010, 06:27 AM
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Mellow yellow FTW!
 
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Old 09-04-2010, 07:32 AM
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That's quite the hit Mark. Glad to hear you are OK. I suspect that owning a bodyshop is good for a second a lap!
 
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Old 09-05-2010, 05:13 AM
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What do you think your speed was when you actually hit the tires, then the Jesrey barrier? I bet you were going 100+ when you left the track, but a lot less when you finally impacted something...

Good hit none the less.
 
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Old 09-05-2010, 05:37 AM
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Originally Posted by richardsperry
What do you think your speed was when you actually hit the tires, then the Jesrey barrier? I bet you were going 100+ when you left the track, but a lot less when you finally impacted something...

Good hit none the less.

Typically, coming out of turn 8, I'm doing about 115 because as I come into turn 9, I'm at 122-125...

Point is, once you hit the wet grass, the car catapults like a slingshot. I don't know if you actually pick up speed on the wet grass or it just feels like it but you definitely feel like you were launched out of a rocket.

Regardless, once you come off the track, it's already at 115.
 
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Old 09-05-2010, 06:19 PM
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Originally Posted by orangecrush
Typically, coming out of turn 8, I'm doing about 115 because as I come into turn 9, I'm at 122-125...

Point is, once you hit the wet grass, the car catapults like a slingshot. I don't know if you actually pick up speed on the wet grass or it just feels like it but you definitely feel like you were launched out of a rocket.

Regardless, once you come off the track, it's already at 115.
No actual pickup of speed when you hit the grass, just a big change in the friction that was slowing you down. That sudden change in deacceleration when you hit the grass seems like acceleration to your body

With that said, did anyone notice that the Jersey barrier was knocked over (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ne-review.html post 18)? Do I assume you did that? If you did, while the tire barrier might have cushioned the blow, it still took a lot of force to do that You were still moving at a high rate of speed at that time. Whether you hit the barrier at 115 or 85 or 65 it is still a lot more speed than you really want to hit a thing like that with. Anway you look at it, this is one lucky Mini and driver. Or vice versa.

Good luck with fixing the car. I just installed a Quick fit harness and aquired pair of CG locks to up the safety Maybe I'll get a chance to see your handy work next season if I follow Slinger688 and VV around next season.
 
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Old 09-05-2010, 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Eddie07S
No actual pickup of speed when you hit the grass, just a big change in the friction that was slowing you down. That sudden change in deacceleration when you hit the grass seems like acceleration to your body

With that said, did anyone notice that the Jersey barrier was knocked over (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ne-review.html post 18)? Do I assume you did that? If you did, while the tire barrier might have cushioned the blow, it still took a lot of force to do that You were still moving at a high rate of speed at that time. Whether you hit the barrier at 115 or 85 or 65 it is still a lot more speed than you really want to hit a thing like that with. Anway you look at it, this is one lucky Mini and driver. Or vice versa.
My lucky day...

Good luck with fixing the car. I just installed a Quick fit harness and aquired pair of CG locks to up the safety Maybe I'll get a chance to see your handy work next season if I follow Slinger688 and VV around next season.
Won't have to wait long... come on down to Roebling Road in Nov. That is a great track for the mini.

I'll be on the road by then.


Mark
 
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Old 09-06-2010, 10:18 AM
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good luck with the rebuild M, and I apologize...
 

Last edited by sequence; 09-06-2010 at 10:49 AM.
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Old 09-06-2010, 01:06 PM
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goo luck wit rebuilt n it will be even better
 


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