149 replies to this topic

[oli8925]

so if it is a write off are you going to cancel the claim?

depending on their willingness to sell it back to me/let me keep it, yes. if they try to be difficult, i just really cant be bothered. but they know my intentions to keep it so they may offer me £200 and the car. ill see what they say, and at that point make my final decision.

just got a load of letter and i think my excess is only £450 not £600 so more good news.


PICTURES

[miniboo]

i think the engineer saying it is only cosmetic damage is a bit on the moderate side!! there is more than cosmetic damage there!!

[oli8925]

i think the engineer saying it is only cosmetic damage is a bit on the moderate side!! there is more than cosmetic damage there!!

tell me about it. and ive just taken up the carpets...oh my gawd! pictures to follow later, but she doesnt look good dont knwo anything about jigs but theres a lot of damage! the engineer was very very vague. only spent less than 30 secs actually inside the car, didnt lift up the carpets or anything. took a few pics and had a few quick looks around the outside.

[WiredbyWilson]

get the pics up oli

sounds like the engineer had the friday feeling, or saw it and noted "uneconomical repair" and was humouring you.

as said before although everythign looks square i would guess the frame has tride to go back and the area that was weakest/gave in was the floors. as it seems like the area on the fram has tried to go down........... not making much sense am i - will explain tomorrow.

chin up metal can be straightened

[oli8925]

errrm it kinda makes sense but you could be talking about something completely different to whats going on in my head.

i guess so, it was just the thought of needing new floors to be welded in. then it would be very hard to keep everything straight i would have thought. ah nevermind therell be a way, and just adds to the experience

new photos added


p.s. may not be on anymore tonight due to the arrival of girlfriend

Edited by oli8925, 11 September 2008 - 07:20 PM.

[WiredbyWilson]

hi oli, well the pics show what i thought might have happened, it is pushed the rear mounts backwards and folded the floor up.

hopefully a jig (or a diy puller involving a tree and a chain) would see it coming back out a bit i would say. thing to bear in mind is that the repair will need to make sure the front subby is in line with the rear.

but will still pop over tomorrow (might have to change time if thats ok) and have a proper nosey.

David

[oli8925]

hmmm. diy pull sounds...fun thats what im worried about. with so many panels out of shape its going to be hard to get it all to line up again.

yeah thats ok. im around all day. russ is coming over at 10 so if you change time ill try to get hold of him to tell him. unless youve got his number or something which might make it easier.

anyway im sure thatll be sorted. see you tomorrow and look forward to hearing your opinion on it, good or bad

[twiglett]

if you really want a job a good one is try to get an apprenticeship in vehicle mechanics. it will provide you with loads of knowledge of everything mechanical, you will meet people who im sure will be happy to help and who almost always have contacts that can help you even more (in the saving money department).
i work for toyota in tunbridge wells and i have just qualified as a technician, although we have a new apprentice, lexus(the same workshop) are probably looking for an apprentice, so if you want i could have a chat with the service manager.

plus the only reason i got my mini when i did was because a technicians cousin was selling it and he heard me talking to someone about minis.


as im only a stones throw away i could lend a hand if ever you need it and because i am currently replacing quite a bit on my mini i have a lot of random little bits lying around that your welcome to.

[oli8925]

if you really want a job a good one is try to get an apprenticeship in vehicle mechanics. it will provide you with loads of knowledge of everything mechanical, you will meet people who im sure will be happy to help and who almost always have contacts that can help you even more (in the saving money department).
i work for toyota in tunbridge wells and i have just qualified as a technician, although we have a new apprentice, lexus(the same workshop) are probably looking for an apprentice, so if you want i could have a chat with the service manager.

plus the only reason i got my mini when i did was because a technicians cousin was selling it and he heard me talking to someone about minis.


as im only a stones throw away i could lend a hand if ever you need it and because i am currently replacing quite a bit on my mini i have a lot of random little bits lying around that your welcome to.

thanks mate. much appreciated. i was planning to start an apprenticeship next year but i cant really be fussy now. ive applied to BMW but heard nothing from despite 'inside help' so ill get myself organised and try all the other car places around the industrial estate. my dad and i get our MOT's done at the suzuki garage across the road from you so i know some of the guys there, could be useful. PK engineering is the name of their joint garage i think.

[WiredbyWilson]

any news on this yet oli?

from your need of wheels thread im uessing your going to be taking your desireable wheels off for the short term?

have you tried to local scrappies?? a set of metro wheels would also fit

[oli8925]

nope, no news yet. my dad saw the floors and thinks theres no way itll be able to straighten out so itll need new panels welded in on the jig. but then hes never been the optimist and he thinks im an idiot if i reject the money from insurance, no matter what happens with the car. oh well.

still got to wait for the call from the insurance company to tell me what they think of it. and got to do a bit more stripping down.

and yep. 12 inch steelies are wanted (or any other cheap wheels with tyres that can hold air) so i can take mine off. then i might be looking to swap for 12x6. have you heard anything about that wheel refurb company SMOC get cheap prices with? i think its only £5 per wheel but seems overly cheap.

yeah i should try the scrappies actually. is there still one down by the tip? not sure of where any others are around here.

[WiredbyWilson]

no idea who refurbs wheels, thats why i do my own

i can understand how your dad feels, with the floors - trust me they will come out if you get it on a jig, i have seen much much worse repaired.
i think you should see what the insurance says - but i think financially it wont make much difference becasue of the ecess you have.

but as before im here to help you out if i can, and will call in favours at FCB etc for ya mate.

Wilson

[Mini_the_Minx]

Poor Mini. I would advice against repairing as the chassis could be bent. I know how you feel but keep on at the insurance and get something back. Good luck mate.

[WiredbyWilson]

Poor Mini. I would advice against repairing as the chassis could be bent. I know how you feel but keep on at the insurance and get something back. Good luck mate.

i agree the chassis is bent, wel the floors have been pushed back. but it is definately repairable should oli go along that route.

plus i think they would proabbly try to offer between £800 - £1000 for it, and with the excess you'd be looking at £500, which won't get a very nice mini

but saying that if they give the car back as well as the cash then oli could be cooking on gas

[Mini_the_Minx]

Poor Mini. I would advice against repairing as the chassis could be bent. I know how you feel but keep on at the insurance and get something back. Good luck mate.

i agree the chassis is bent, wel the floors have been pushed back. but it is definately repairable should oli go along that route.

plus i think they would proabbly try to offer between £800 - £1000 for it, and with the excess you'd be looking at £500, which won't get a very nice mini

but saying that if they give the car back as well as the cash then oli could be cooking on gas

I agree, £500 won't buy you a decent loaf of bread these days.

I'm sure it is repairable, but I'm thinking in terms of safety. Because lets say you were to have another crash, God forbid, you may not come off so well if your car isn't structually sound anymore!