Hi All!

Last month the MCS was hit by a deer. The photos are on my site, however it is the repair I want to bring to your attention.
State Farm paid a lot of money for this repair, which is incomplete due to the front grille and trim not yet in. However, there are things NOT repaired and left damaged on this car.
I want to bring the evolution of the resolution of this issue to you for your own driving safety and what you expect from a body shop.
Please visit my blog for more details.
Michael Rebar
http://homepage.mac.com/mcg_rebar/Wr...e184d-213.html

 

Michael, first, sorry for the crappy repair but I think if you want resolution, you’re going about it the wrong way.

First, make a list things wrong with the car. Go back to the bodyshop and tell them you would like these items repaired to your satisfaction.

If that doesn’t work, if the bodyshop (which since it’s a dealer bodyshop, I can only assume) is a State Farm preferred shop, then they make sure the repairs are done correctly even if taken to another bodyshop.

If you don’t think that parts were replaced, you could ask them to show you the old parts. If you have reasonable doubt, show that to State Farm and they will get involved.

That would be my suggestion.

HTH’s,

Mark

 

So what did the body shop say when you pointed out these things when you picked up the car?

When I hit a deer, I had to take my MINI back in a second time for additional repairs (including having them respray the hood). I didn't get any push back though when I showed them the issues.

 

If things were charged to the Insurance Company but were not actually replaced, and you can prove it, that is insurance fraud (on the part of the shop). I work (granted in IT) for an insurance company, and they deal with this kind of thing all the time. Every insurance company has fraud investigation departments. Let your agent know, and the shop may actually be under investigation for this kind of thing. But if you want to be a nice guy, give the shop a chance to make it right.

 

While what Murdoc says is true, they won’t do any kind of investigation. The absolute most that will happen is the adjuster than handled this claim will verify it and make the bodyshop replace it. (which in the end is all you want)

The bodyshop shop will play stupid and say their bodyman misread the estimate and repaired it instead of replaced it. Opps, sorry...

But at least you’ll have received what you should have.

Mark

 

I am sure you will work this out with the bodyshop, not sure why you need to post every miniscule detail on the web. Cars can be replaced or repaired, I would be more concerned about the people in the car.

This is why I teach my family to BRAKE when faced with an animal in front of you. Trying to avoid it by steering around is often a disaster.

Remember the MINI can stop very fast. Either stopping short of the animal altogether, or lessening the damage to all.

One early morning Mt. Rainier trip in the new MINI last Summer we had no less than 6 deer cross in front of us. Being aware especially and dawn and dusk in deer country, lower speed, look ahead and be prepared to BRAKE. We did not hit any of them, however an older Chevy truck had just hit and killed a deer as we came around one corner.

 

so sorry abt yr car... keep us posted

 

Sorry to hear about this unfortunate situation but I think if you make a big enough "stink" things will get straightened out, and it appears you are already well on your way.

 

I appreciate your replies very much. My site is hammered with Mini enthusiasts interested in the MCDR's I post.
I post the details as they are important. Especially if someone else has to go through this process. When I had installed the rear fog lights, it was this site and all your help that got the Mini dealership educated on how to do after factory installs on such things.
This site is a working person's dream. Anything I can do to add to it is my desire. Thus the details.
Michael Rebar

 

Latest updates. Got the car back from the body shop and the battery died. Towed to Mini dealer and replaced a 4 tire sensors. Grille work finally done. I need to replace the front license bracket as "bent to fit" by the body shop. More details on the site, which finally has a real name: therebarizedworld.com. Thanks for your e-mails!
Michael Rebar