[sacamano]

Has anyone seen/experienced what's happened to their Mini after its been severely rear-ended? It's a great car, but I'm a but I'm a bit apprehensive about getting hit from behind and what would happen to the passengers. The front seems well protected (airbags, breakaway engine, etc.), but I'm concerned about the rear. Please calm my concerns! Thanks.

[Z1GZAG N]

Severely? Come on now. If a Cadillac is hit in the rear by a semi at sixty mph, the people in the back seat are out of luck. If you look at this in a scientific way, the Cadillac weighing more will take more force from the semi to make it move so it should be crushed more. The Mini weighing much less would be bounced out of the way. At least we all hope this will be the case if it were to ever happen. As for me, I think I'll stay away from the semis.

[tip]

Like any car that is rear ended by a speeding SUV you are pretty much out of luck.

Just make sure your dental records are upto date.
You'll be fine.

[MiniMan7]

I think thats the reason they put the back seats in? To keep the SUV that much further from you?

Just kidding, a speeding SUV is going to do damage to any car.

[RedUn]

To be honest the mini is a two seater maybe a three, just use the mini agility to get out of the way

[lugnutz]

BAD NEWS: I was rear ended in my '03 Cooper while sitting still in traffic on the freeway. A large A/C service van (Ford 3/4T or 1T) cut accross three lanes of traffic behind me and (while watching his rearview mirrors) slammed me! I saw him in the mirror right before impact. He was doing 25-30mph & never slowed. I had released the brakes, so the van collected the Cooper and smashed it into the car in front of me and pushed that one into the next one!

GOOD NEWS: There was little damage to the rear! A repaint of the hatch, new tail lights (scratches), a new impact beam, and new bumper cover.

BAD NEWS: The front actually absorbed the impact! New bonnet, cover, impact beam, fender, radiator core support, ac condenser, radiator, water pump, serpentine belt, etc, etc. About $6,000 in damages.

GOOD NEWS: While I suffered whiplash, I had no other injuries.

BAD NEWS: I was MINI-less for five weeks while the dealer tried to get the correct parts??? (10 days for the bumper cover??!)

GOOD NEWS: My MINI is back & good as new. I'm happy once again.

I think the MINI did admirably in the accident. My wife has since ordered hers.

[sacamano]

Lugnutz:

Thanks for sharing your experience and I'm glad you weren't seriously injured. The reason I started the thread is that I'm considering buying a Mini and it was just a question I had. It seems that BMW considered protecting the front and sides of the car (airbags, collision beams, breakaway engine) but it seems that the back of the car could be pretty vulnerable, given that a back seat passenger is sitting about 20 inches from the rear bumper. I'll still probably purchase the car, but I wanted to get some perspective from current owners.

[lugnutz]

Only you can decide what's right for your situation. I am comfortable in the MINI and have respect its structural integrity. But, I also drive a classic! The MINI is my "big" car

Most accidents are frontal and the MINI seems well equiped for that. As for the rear impact, it all depends on the laws of physics. I can only attest it worked for me, but it may have been different. I do carry my grandkids in the car and I'd be less than honest to say similar thoughts hadn't occured to me. But with a smaller car I try to increase the degree of defensive driving and am constantly alert in ALL directions. That again comes from using a classic Mini as a daily driver for years.

Good luck in your decision.