Thought I'd share this with you as its made me chuckle, I have had my Mini "May" for just over six months now and have been looking for someone to do a repair on the back end. Basically ive got a small patch of rot in the boot, ive had a good poke around and called upon my pops to have a dig (20 years on the spanners and a former petrol tanker welder), and its a localised strip aprox 10" by 2" across, no biggie.
I had intended to do it myself until Pops decided to move back up country and I lost my workspace at his house, so ive started gathering a few quotes.
I booked an appointment with a chap fairly local to me (I won't name negatively) in somerset, Good website with a couple of pics of clubmans and cooper reps he's done before, nice onsite setup, a few cars full resto underway and a few repairs all classics of some description.
He had a poke around in the boot and said I dont normally work on mini's, one of my staff is more aquinted with them so il make some marks with chalk and take a few pics as he isnt here today, (hmm i thought, I booked this appointment at least a week ago and explained car/work maybe ).
Anyway I let my frustrations go and we had a good look, did his doodles, notes and pictures and said they would be intouch.
In the mean time I had to get some new boots for the old girl as she was still on her originals, (from 94
) Happened to be in Reading so I took a trip to the Mini Centre Berkshire (IMHO are top notch), walked in at the right moment for me and the wrong moment for my credit card. One of the chaps who works there had just finished upgrading the brakes on his drag car and was going back to running 10"s, Kerching! new wheels and tyres that had only done 20 miles of shakedown. Whilst loading up the goodies, I had them take a look at the boot (thinking as many quotes as possible even if its a bit far). They notice a small repair job on the rear valance as well as the boot floor, If i remember correctly they said new boot floor section, hinge section, lower valance and some other details I cant think of. Without paint £350-£400.
This morning I took a call from the other place, if I can get the car to them within a month all in will be £1750 with a £250 contingency. Then went on to say that they had also notice chipped paint around the boot lid, flaking spot near rear screen and a denty in rear bumper which could be done for an additional £600. Once I had caught my breath again I asked for a breakdown on paper and id be intouch.
On relfection as I am still flabbergasted I wonder if they didnt really want the work! A few more local quotes me thinks, as it'll be a right pain taking her up country. Any positive opinions of bodyshops in the southwest appreciated.
Sorry if its garbled and rant-esq Im just a little shell shocked
Apple
