Not sure how I feel about it



The damage doesn't really look all that bad considering she ran into my side at 50km/h (she ran a stop sign). They're approving the repairs for about $11,000 in damages at the moment. I'm not a mechanic or anything, but I'm skeptical the car will ever drive the same, anyone else have any experience with being T-Boned in your mini?

 

My first thought is that the driver's door will never close again quite right.

If you do go thru with the repair, I would not accept the car from the body shop unless the driver's door and window operated (opened, closed) perfectly.

 

looks repairable, theyll just replace the door and the rear fender, however, they do need to take apart the car's interior, and weld the rear fender. it will drive the same with a competent body shop.

if you dont like a cut and welded car, then go have a replacement.

 

I did not catch the year of your car.
There are laws (vary by state) where they are required to total
a car if the damage is beyond a certain percentage of the book value.

 

Thats not that bad, my 05, had the same damage on passanger side. The dealer replaced the door, cut out and welded in a new quarter panel. Panel sprayed the door and qtr, looks new, paint matches perfect. took about 2 weeks to repair.

 

The biggest issue will be with the B pillar. If its bent or needs repairs then you can make a case that the car's structural integrity is compromised. If it's just the door and quater panel, then you will probably just have it repaired and I wouldn't worry about it as much. Just make sure to thoroughly go through the car to verify that the airbag chemicals didn't do any further interior damage.

 

A good friend of mine owns a body shop east of Austin. He continually amazes me on the cars his team can resurrect. They got a brand new Cadillac that had been hit by an F350 broadside, "stripped it - streched it - sanded it - shot it" as his guys say. It looks perfect (under very close inspection) and drives perfect.

Not every shop can do that, but with the right equipment you'd be amazed what can be done...for your car just make sure to check it out 10 ways to Sunday before accepting the repairs.

 

My thoughts exactly.

If there are any visual ques, dents/creases/buckles, I would really make sure that the adjuster who is filling the claim knows. It should be quite evident to the shop who is doing the work, but who knows.

 

the estimate will depend on where you took your mini for repairs. is it from an authorize mini body shop or ones from the insurance? keep in mind that both will give you a low initial estimate, then the actual repair will probably be cost about 25% more than estimate. i hope you took your mcs to an authorize mini repair shop. good luck.

 

that doesnt look bad. should be ok if done properly.
if u have a cool body shop u can maybe get some of the money they saved on or didnt use. dont know how that works but i usually get $500 back from my shop.

 

ouch! thank god for those side and curtain airbags otherwise that could have been a lot more painful. In addition to the other suggestions, I also would keep an eye out with the paint job after the repairs are done. Sometimes the "blending" is wayyy off, and you'll be driving around with that door and further quarter panel a shade or so darker than the rest of the vehicle. Not noticeable initially, but in direct sunlight, you'll be able to tell the difference.

 

If it was me, I wouldn't drive that car again after an accident like that.

Glad to hear you're okay.

 

She's your baby and I know it looks bad but she'll be ok.

I have been in the body work biz for a while and if you want my opinion send me a copy of the estimate. I would try for a new (or salvage) door and quarter panel.

If you have her at a dealer you will probably be fine.

 

The new rear quarter is actually going to be glued on...pretty easy fix. Replace the door and quarter...and it'll be good as new.

I'm concerned...that quote seems REALLY high?! What else is being fixed? I'm sure they will blend into the small front fender and into the rear hatch...but still...seems like that estimate is a few grand high...

A new door and quarter isn't too expensive and replacing them isn't really that hard...the most difficult part is taking the freaking interior door panel off lol.

EDIT: Scratch that...just noticed the airbags were deployed...that solves the problem of why the cost is high for repair.

 

Thanks for the all the replies, I tried to reply at the airport yesterday, but the sketchy internet booted me after I typed everything up

Anyways, I'll definitely check out that B-pillar myself before signing away for any repairs to be done, and I'm thinking of getting a second opinion. I'm told the body shop I have it at is the best locally - it's insurance approved, don't know if it's mini approved. I'll probably send it to the dealership for another opinion. If they both say repairable, then so be it I guess.

 

Don't let your insurance company railroad you into a shop, it's illegal. You can remind them of that if you have to. Send it to a BMW/Mini dealer if you want.

 

I'd be hesitant to even bring it to the dealer for body shop repairs unless you KNOW they do quality work.

Most insurance run body shops and dealership body shops are assembly line style. One guy takes it apart, another guy preps, another guy does the bodywork, another guy does the paint, then another guy puts it back together, then another guy does the wet sanding and buffing (if they even do that step). Get it done quick and make sure it's passable...out the door....next car in....start process over.

I work with body shops all day every day, the quality of work coming out of the smaller privately owned shops is 10x better and they use better product in the first place. It's also 1 or 2 guys working on your car tops. Oh and any body shop worth going to will have guarantee their work, unlike what some insurance companies will tell you.

Just make sure you check out the shop first, talk to people locally if they've had work done there...the usual stuff. Same thing you'd want to do even if you were bringing it to the dealership or an insurance owned body shop.

 

They say they are replacing the B-Pillar??? So I assume they're just going to go ahead and cut it up to do this?

It was bent pretty firmly since it was pretty much a direct hit to that. Soooo what are the odds the undercarriage is bent?