Best place for Mini Body work!

[lionman]

Hi All,

I was on my way home on Friday, sitting at lights at an intersection in inner Bayside Melbourne when a fellow driver thought they would drive up into the back of my mini without even attempting to brake. The whole braking thing I thought was customary at red lights, but what do I know!

Not only was the driver kind enough to damage my car and give me a nice stiff neck, he also took the most considerate action of driving off after he slammed into me! Luckily for me and stupidly for him, there were several witnesses who managed to take down his license plate. One witness even attempted to pursue the culprit but they sped away too quickly.. Wonder why?

The ute that hit me was traveling around 60kms and was not braking as it plowed into me (from witness accounts). I was bounced about 1.5 metres forward. All in all I was pretty impressed with how the car managed to crumple in the right spots and limit interior intrusion. The hatch still opens and closes without an issue and while pretty frightful to look at, I can still drive him around.

So after police statements, a visit to the doctors and clearing out the debris from the rear wheel arch I called Shannons (my insurer) and they were as expected very helpful.

Insuring with Shannons means I can choose my own repairer and I figured I would just call up the dealership and find out where they send cars. BMW bodyworks is the place to go apparently, but before I entrust the work to anyone, I thought I would see if anyone has any experience with them or others and who you would recommend if this happened to you...

[OZChris]

Bugger about the accident, also check Battisti's Charlie Battisti and Co. - Prestige Smash Repairs - they are known to have done some great work on MINIs.

[85NIXMIN]

OMG! Who seroiusly runs into someone and then drives off?

Obviously was under the influence of something or had no insurance?! Hope the cops find him!!! I know how you feel, some idiot at work last weekend decided to put his fist thru my back window! Such an inconvenience as I had to wait until Wednesday to get the window fixed as they were busy with all the storm damage that has been happening here as well... Ended up hiring a car, a Hyundai Getz....that was fun... makes me realise how much of a good thing I have with my MINI!

[Clothesrack04]

I'm sorry to hear your misfortune with your Mini.... I hope everything goes well and look forward to seeing her back into shape and looking stunning

[dalboyne]

That's really bad luck!

For anyone in the Melbourne area, my sister and her partner run Peninsula BM - they are BMW breakers, but may have the odd MINI parts (last time, she told me they were dismantling a Cooper S). Certianly worth getting in touch with them.....

http://www.peninsulabm.com/

Good luck with the repairs

Ian

[rellik666]

Stear well clear of the Melbourne Bodyshop in Port Mel.......they not only did a bad job on MY MCS, but also another club member who had to have a whole new rof cause of a Kanga....and another members that had to have a whole new bonnet respray!

Go to Charlie Battisti and Co. - Prestige Smash Repairs, I have heard good things about them too.....Another Roo smash and that car looks fantastic now, new bonnet, quater panel ect.......

Go to Pt Mel at your peril!

[Pom Down Under]

Depending where you are, I can recommend European Auto Refinishers

16 Bruce Street
MORNINGTON, 3931
(03) 5975-9644
(03) 5975-0708

They fixed up my Cooper Hatch when a gum tree did its best to squash it. They also did a fantastic job on my wifes X-Trail.

[im_dave]

*****. Sorry to hear mate.

I too would go Charlie.