Hey guys and gals. New here. Correct me if this is in the wrong thread.

I involuntarily was subjected to a little MINI character-building session on Saturday. Beginning the long process of repairing the car, but given the damage and that this is the first accident I've ever been involved in (in my first MINI, as well), I just want to know what to expect.

What is the likelihood of total loss given the steering wheel airbag deployed?
What can I expect (ballpark range) as far as repair – assume no functional pieces are damaged...we believe it is all cosmetic at this point.
Do any of you have experience with repairs of this kind that can give words of wisdom?

At the end of the day, I want to do whatever I can to keep this car. It's the exact one I wanted and I waited for years to find it.

Help! Thanks in advance.

2012 Cooper S Hardtop, 60k. I do have an extended service package for the next 30k miles.

 

Its going to be completely up to the estimator on this one. Steering wheel airbag is around $500. Bumper support probably crushed as well as any other crumple zone in the front.

 

Doubt that is a total, but you never know. I had an adjuster years ago on a stolen and stripped car not wanting to total it. I spent two minutes arguing the case and he totaled it, no bribes involved. Be persuasive in whatever outcome you need.

 

We have a lot of used OEM parts available for your R56. I will shoot you a PM.

- Chris

 

Ok but theoretically what vital organs are in that spot? Is it possible to get an idea of what could be damaged?

 

Three things need to be known to determine if a car is a total loss or not.
1. The retail value of the car before the accident.
2. The cost to repair.
3. The value of the car as it sets there now.

I'll use round numbers to keep it simple. The value of the car before the accident was 3,000.00. The cost to repair is 2,000.00. The average person would assume the car was repairable. However, the salvage as it sat there now was worth 1,500.00. The insurance company will declare it a total. They pay the owner 3,000.00, sell the salvage for 1,500.00 and end up being out only 1,500.00 instead of the 2,000.00 which was the original cost to repair.

Of course if the cost to repair exceeds the value of the car then knowing the salvage value is not needed to declare it a total loss.

 

It doesn't look totaled, but would need to see the hidden damage. Who was at fault in the accident and what insurance company will be covering the repairs?

 

These are tough but a bit quirky as Ive learned..... If you do get it repaired because you want the car try and find a shop you want and have talked to now, be sure they plan and put it on a rack and fully check the frame. The hit will have gone though to the main front support to the fire wall ect. its meant to carry force around the passengers, mount/subframe location and height are important. If it has to go to a shop you cant choose then do what you can to let them know this is a car you like and ask lots of questions about alignment, Be sure you understand the warranty of the work and once you get it back go get it aligned again. If it cost a couple of bucks on the side thats better than some of the sad jobs Ive seen that I wont worry with. you can ask lots of questions but dont offer any details unless you have to.