So the other day I was driving down the interstate when I saw something come flying at me.
A blue van in front of me had tossed up an enormous nut and bolt (pretty sure that's what they're called). I didn't know what to do to avoid it, and not wanting to swerve (as I knew it would be pointless anyways) I just kept going straight. I heard two loud clangs, watching it come up, hit the windshield and then my sun roof.
I saw a tiny little scuff immediately where it had hit the windshield, but it was hardly anything. When I stopped at my destination and went to check to see for any more damage on the sun roof, I saw nothing. Relieved, I carried on with my day.

So fast forward to yesterday. Took a friend out to eat since I haven't been able to spend much time with her lately with school/work and all. We get out of my car and she walks in front of it to meet up with me, but stops midway and gasps, "what happened to your car!?"
Alarmed, I go to investigate.
There's a huge gash on my grill/hood. I don't know HOW I managed to miss it, but you have no idea how ashamed I am of myself to not have! I feel like I've disappointed my beloved MINI... but I haven't really had the time to baby and pamper him like I have in the past. Too much work and I hardly get to see him in the daylight. He hasn't been washed in two weeks (note: record).

But nonetheless, the gash starts on the top lip of the grill and goes up about 3-4 inches on the hood. It's past the paint in most places and there's two dents. One dent is on the top lip of the grill and the other is on the tip of the gash on the hood.

I have a few pictures, but it's really hard to get decent ones with how the gash is laid out. I'll post them at the bottom of this message.

But what I'm asking for help with: Is the hood fixable? Can I get rid of the ding? I'm probably going to have to repaint it, I know. If I do, how much could that be running me?
Also, where could I get a new justacooper grill lip to replace it with? I sincerely doubt that a dent/gash is repairable on those. If it is though... great!

Thanks in advance for anyone who can help me.

So now, here are the pictures. Once again, sorry for the horrible quality. Also sorry if I posted this in the wrong forum, I had looked around to see which would be the best before deciding on this one..

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rovidence.html

 

Would suggest you contact you insurance agent and report the damage and would assume they will cover it. They will probably have you take it to a collision repair shop and have the cost to repair estimated and then go from there. Even with $500 deductible knowing MINI repair cost you will have some money coming. Make sure you have the shop also check out your windshield and sun roof, even though you didn't notice any damage there may still be some.

 

I was just looking through Craigslist and found this:

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/pts/1962058524.html

You should contact him, he may be willing to ship you just the top part of the grille, you never know.