8 replies to this topic

[Green_Monkey]

Hi all, it's my first post so sorry if I get anything wrong. Today on my way to work in my 98 Mini Cooper I got rear ended. Luckily enough the bumper is the only part of the car to take any damage. I have got a very slight impression on the bumper and I wondering what the best course of action is in terms of repair. The other driver has admitted he was wrong and wants to pay for the damage. I'm very much a noob to owning and running a Mini but extremely keen to learn. Any advice or tips would be welcome. I will post a picture but am at work and needed to vent as I've only had my mini a month and this idiot has hit it.

[Deathrow]

You should check and be 100% sure that the bumper is the only damage first of all.

If you are absolutely sure that there is no additional damage other than the bumper it would be best to just replace the bumper, especially if it's at their cost.

[robminibcy]

as above make sure you go for the genuine stainless steel one (assuming this is what your car has and not a painted one) as others can be poor quality and fit don't bother trying to fix it just scrap the old one or keep for a spare. I had exactly this a year ago and the bumper did its job perfectly and the car was otherwise fine. What made it worse though was it was a bini that hit me!

[lewBlew]

Bumpers are easy peasy to replace. Just a few screws (look underneath). Take care when removing and replacing not to scratch your paintwork. Don't bother trying to fix it, chrome/stainless steel is a pain in the backside to get dents out of.

 

You can pick up cheap non-genuine bumpers for about £20 but beware, they are usually not always very shiny and sometimes they are a complete pain to fit. Spend £40/50 on a genuine stainless steel one.

[jaydee]

First thing to do is to remove the bumper, just three nuts to undo, some wiggling and it will come out, and check that the lip and the rear panels arent damaged. 

[tiger99]

I concur. Last time I was bumped in the rear, maybe 1993, a bumper (black) was only about £11, and was just replaced. There was no other damage. That kept both parties happy, not worth bothering about insurance. They cost a bit more now, but so does everything. It is very easy to check when the bumper is off that there is no damage to the valance, floor or rear panel below the boot opening.

 

Previously, the same car had a whack up the back by the MD of the company I worked for, in a Merc. That had to be professionally repaired, with new bumper, rear valance, boot lid and lots of metal bashing to straighten the floor, but it was a hard whack and I had a couple of days off work with whiplash.

 

My impression is that the bumpers work quite well for modest impacts, and do their job by crumpling, which up to a point avoids more serious damage. I would not want to run a Mini without them.

[Green_Monkey]

Thank you all for the advice so far. My plan is to do a full inspection of the bumper tomorrow, I'd seen two nuts either end so thanks for pointing out the third. Once taken off i'll double check the areas listed and let you know what I find.

[Green_Monkey]

Having removed the bumper over the weekend and checked the rear, everything looks fine there. So a replacement rear bumper is all I need. Could I ask if anyone can recommend a website/dealer where I could source one from?

[minimaxie]

Having removed the bumper over the weekend and checked the rear, everything looks fine there. So a replacement rear bumper is all I need. Could I ask if anyone can recommend a website/dealer where I could source one from?

Minispares! http://www.minispare...ch/classic/rear

Edited by minimaxie, 10 September 2013 - 01:22 PM.