I figure some of you guys familiar with wrenching would see stuff I dont..

I'm looking at the wear on the top of the SC cover, where I assume it was hitting the hood... and maybe some areas of rust (bottom left frame rail, and maybe back near right shock tower). I'm trying to ascertain how badly the front end was hit on this car.. Fixable? The front bumper cover had cracking on it, so it hit decently, hard, but not hard enough to damage the radiators?!

 

Pictures would help.

Upstate like north of GW Bridge, or like Waddington?

 

lol. oops. sorry got distracted. There is the pic..

 

Take a look up under the hood. There should be rubber sealing strips such that, when the hood is closed, it keeps air from the snout directed at the supercharger. The black marks you see on the s/c diverter are from those rubber strips. Maybe they lost their adhesive?

 

Before any structural or mechanical damage will occur to and R53 drivetrain or supercharger, the front wall would have to be compromised, as would the condenser and radiator. The front wall is the black framed out part surrounding those components.

If they appear intact, then your damage has been isolated to front bumper cover and possibly the front bumper "carrier" itself. Does this MINI have fog lights ? If so are they still secure where affixed to front wall ? If so, you are good to go.

As pointed out already, the cover to "supercharger intercooler" is sealed with foam when bonnet is closed, guessing those marks were left over long period of time.

 

This is really helpful. Thanks for the info. Anything else maybe we can see there?

 

The marks on the intercooler cover left by the underhood foam seal can probably be removed with Simple Green or Goo Gone.

 

Good information in this thread.

 

From the picture I see; 1.) What appears to be a chunk out of the passenger side inner plastic fender/shroud, and, 2.) Cannot tell for sure but it appears the lip just to the right of the yellow hood tab on the red bumper cover is bent (cannot tell for sure).

The aluminum inner bumper is supported by two "horn" like metal sections that bolt up from the bottom into the front suspension system and then attach to the inner bumper cover via flat plates that bumper bolts into. I am thinking that if the "horn" bottom bolts cannot be removed without a normal twist (they are torqued) that the front could have taken a bad wack. I am thinking those bolts use a 16 mm socket.

 

Ok good spots, Ill check those mounts/bolts out. The front bumper apparently is trashed and needs replacement. Im not sure of the best place to find one of those used?! Ill need the grille inserts and some other bits too... i suppose shipping will kill me there!

 

Get in touch with these guys. I have dealt with them before, and they have been good on price/shipping/quality. Or just keep an eye on the Marketplace to see what other members are selling.

https://www.allmagautoparts.com/

 

Ebay is a good source for used parts as well. I see what it says is a steel primed inner bumper (I am thinking mine is aluminum) for like $132 that includes shipping.