117 replies to this topic

[Archived1]

definitely a crash for cash scenario as stated above.

This happened to me too in 2012 but on a roundabout. Getting very common.

[BronkoMini]

Really sad to see this, glad your ok and it looks like it could have been worse. Did the bus behind have cameras on? 

[CCX]

That's such a shame, at least you walked away unscathed though. First thing I thought when I read your post was 'crash for cash'. 

 

100% looks repairable to me though. I think a skilled Mini specialist body shop could definitely restore that. Is it already lost though (i.e. have the insurers written it off and not allowed you to buy it back?). Really hope it isn't gone, it was a beautiful example, in a pretty rare colour too. Especially with all the money you've put into it.

[MiniGrin]

Hi guys, thanks for you postings, as you say ive walked away from a sizeable crash, and should be happy about that much, bob definitely protected me well. 

My first thought afterwards was a crash for cash too :/ ive been on about getting a dashboard can for a long time now, i did buy one, but it was lost in the post :S and i just got the money back, and have yet to get round to buying a new one  too late now i guess. No-one got his details, as they were all busy trying to get me out as bob was covered in petrol, as soon as the driver of the other car saw what he has caused he booted it and ran off, didn't even see if i was okay, as soon as i was on my roof he left.

Just got off the phone to the insurance company, BOB WILL LIVE AGAIN! after a 2 hr phone call, and being passed around various people, i finally spoke to a woman from Ageas insurance who my policy is with, unusual for an insurance company she was very nice and helpful. She said that she actually has a mayfair so was gutted to hear of one being crashed too, she also asked me what i thought the car was worth, so i pointed her to a few similar ones for sale on-line, all going for 7,000 - 8,000 and she said yep i know the last few years of minis are expensive and accepted it at that price, she said that they will repair him, (yes she referred to him as bob and him, rather than the car and it! ) and then said that i could pick the garage too. So he will be being repaired by Loud N Lairy Classics (previously dns classics) or S.Heartly motor engineering. 
On the downside ill loose my 2 years no claims   but its only put up the insurance by £1,000 so rather than £700 in November it will be £1700 but thats what it cost this year for it, so im not tooooooo annoyed. So even if bob wasn't repairable, id buy him back, buy another mini, probably a carbed 1000 cooper, and strip bob for parts for this new one, and anything i didnt need id sell on, bob would live on in part through other cars as minis are about all i can insure now.

Onwards and upward, James.

Edited by MiniGrin, 18 September 2014 - 03:57 PM.

[Perrylawrence96]

Hi guys, thanks for you postings, as you say ive walked away from a sizeable crash, and should be happy about that much, bob definitely protected me well. 

My first thought afterwards was a crash for cash too :/ ive been on about getting a dashboard can for a long time now, i did buy one, but it was lost in the post :S and i just got the money back, and have yet to get round to buying a new one  too late now i guess.

Just got off the phone to the insurance company, BOB WILL LIVE AGAIN! after a 2 hr phone call, and being passed around various people, i finally spoke to a woman from Ageas insurance who my policy is with, unusual for an insurance company she was very nice and helpful. She said that she actually has a mayfair so was gutted to hear of one being crashed too, she also asked me what i thought the car was worth, so i pointed her to a few similar ones for sale on-line, all going for 7,000 - 8,000 and she said yep i know the last few years of minis are expensive and accepted it at that price, she said that they will repair him, (yes she referred to him as bob and him, rather than the car and it! ) and then said that i could pick the garage too. So he will be being repaired by Loud N Lairy Classics (previously dns classics) or S.Heartly motor engineering. 
On the downside ill loose my 2 years no claims   but its only put up the insurance by £1,000 so rather than £700 in November it will be £1700 but thats what it cost this year for it, so im not tooooooo annoyed.

Onwards and upward, James.

 

 

So glad to hear its getting sorted! you haven't lost Bob afterall ..  good luck with the repair and keep us posted!!!!

[MiniGrin]

Something that had me quite amazed, was that despite 40 mph into a lamp post, the inside of the car didnt, change, the bulkhead and dash didnt come in on me, the wheel arches didnt come into the cabin, the cabin was completely as it was before the crash. Also the windows, i mean i know minis are light, but other than the windscreen (which was hit directly by a curbstone) all the other windows were intact, as was the doors, still working! the roof only dinted, didn't bend or break any of the pillars. very very tough little car.

Edited by MiniGrin, 18 September 2014 - 04:02 PM.

[HarrysMini]

Minis are indeed a lot better in a crash than people give them credit for, glad to hear you are OK and that the Mini is being repaired. 

 

Surprised the airbag didn't go off though!

[CCX]

Can't tell you how glad I am it's being repaired.   Too many are being broken for spares lately, so great to see this one will be saved. 

 

And yeah, it looks like it held up really well, but I'm actually not surprised. Minis have proven to be very tough little cars, and they resist impacts amazingly well. That's precisely the problem though. Because they're so strong, they don't crumple up like modern cars and all the energy ends up going through the driver, which is a problem in frontal collisions (that's why we have crumple zones now). In a roll over though, it seems it protected you really well, and as has been mentioned in this thread, a modern car may have fared a lot worse. All in all, the best possible outcome here. 

[alex-95]

I'm glad you're ok and that bobs going to get repaired

[Tyred-and-emotional]

Wow! Well done Bob for looking after you! And great news that your insurance company are being so helpful; you should name them so fellow Mini owners can get quotes from them too, I have nothing but bad experiences of insurance companies, so it would be good to hear who they are.

 

Hope you're soon back on the road 

[robminibcy]

Cant explain how sorry I feel for you!! I suppose at least you didn't hit the car giving him a reason to claim. I have to admit though that seems to have taken the impact very well! I think minis are a lot better than people give them credit for in crashes but it hasn't even crushed enough to smash the side windows! Bob did good and very glad he's being mended.

[Miniminx71]

Something that had me quite amazed, was that despite 40 mph into a lamp post, the inside of the car didnt, change, the bulkhead and dash didnt come in on me, the wheel arches didnt come into the cabin, the cabin was completely as it was before the crash. Also the windows, i mean i know minis are light, but other than the windscreen (which was hit directly by a curbstone) all the other windows were intact, as was the doors, still working! the roof only dinted, didn't bend or break any of the pillars. very very tough little car.

I do understand that Rover did a few mods to bring the MPi up to safety standards - side impact bars etc - which may have helped. Having said that, you're right - tough little car. Would be great if you kept us updated with the repairs and hope you get her/him back on the road soon.

[Stevie W]

Hi guys, thanks for you postings, as you say ive walked away from a sizeable crash, and should be happy about that much, bob definitely protected me well. 
My first thought afterwards was a crash for cash too :/ ive been on about getting a dashboard can for a long time now, i did buy one, but it was lost in the post :S and i just got the money back, and have yet to get round to buying a new one  too late now i guess. No-one got his details, as they were all busy trying to get me out as bob was covered in petrol, as soon as the driver of the other car saw what he has caused he booted it and ran off, didn't even see if i was okay, as soon as i was on my roof he left.
Just got off the phone to the insurance company, BOB WILL LIVE AGAIN! after a 2 hr phone call, and being passed around various people, i finally spoke to a woman from Ageas insurance who my policy is with, unusual for an insurance company she was very nice and helpful. She said that she actually has a mayfair so was gutted to hear of one being crashed too, she also asked me what i thought the car was worth, so i pointed her to a few similar ones for sale on-line, all going for 7,000 - 8,000 and she said yep i know the last few years of minis are expensive and accepted it at that price, she said that they will repair him, (yes she referred to him as bob and him, rather than the car and it! ) and then said that i could pick the garage too. So he will be being repaired by Loud N Lairy Classics (previously dns classics) or S.Heartly motor engineering. 
On the downside ill loose my 2 years no claims   but its only put up the insurance by £1,000 so rather than £700 in November it will be £1700 but thats what it cost this year for it, so im not tooooooo annoyed. So even if bob wasn't repairable, id buy him back, buy another mini, probably a carbed 1000 cooper, and strip bob for parts for this new one, and anything i didnt need id sell on, bob would live on in part through other cars as minis are about all i can insure now.
Onwards and upward, James.

Excellent news Bob is going to live again....well done!

[love333]

Good news your okay and also good news he will be saved, i saw this at stanford tge otger day it was very tidy, do you realyy drive it every day?? And what exaust does it have

[MrElliott]

great to hear you got hold of the best insurance person going! glad you're okay and bob will live again! what do you think needs to be done to fix him?