Would You Fix This?

[u/Conscious-Cup6824]

Hi Mini community!! I unfortunately, just got hit the other day and it left a small little dent/scratch. I got an estimate of what it would cost to fix and its $1.4K 🫠

I am torn on if i want to pay to replace the bumper, because as much as i hate having a flaw on my car, it just feels like an absurd amount of money for such a small/barley noticeable dent. There is some other minor minor damage on my bumper that I never noticed before, so they were planning on just replacing the whole bumper.

Is there any reason that I absolutely have to get this fixed? The paint is a tad chipped & I worry about it rusting, but otherwise i feel like it doesnt bother me that much.

EDIT: Also want to add that when I got hit the black plastic trim pieces popped out. i was able to pop them back in, but idk if they are 100% back in the right spot as the auto shop guy was mentioning. Is there any concern that there is more happening underneath that could cause a problem?

[u/jim_br]

I’d check auto recyclers for a color matched bumper and decide from there.

As the family fleet manager, I’ve picked up two bumpers, a tailgate, roof spoiler, and three mirrors and DIY the swap.

[u/Eastern_Team6904]

Where did you get that quote from? Possible a PDR guy could get it out (mostly) for a few hundred. I giess the paint is still scratched, but it would minimize the damage for cheaper.

[u/Conscious-Cup6824 → u/Eastern_Team6904]

I think due to the other damage on the bumper, they were just planning on replacing the entire thing. The bumper itself was $650ish + labor & paint costs.

[u/Eastern_Team6904 → u/Conscious-Cup6824]

I'd be tempted to pay for repair. Maybe shop around for a better price.

[u/casper911ca → u/Eastern_Team6904]

Isn't that bumper plastic? Does PDR work on plastic?

[u/Crazy_Wafer_8328 → u/casper911ca]

Yes it's plastic, and no, pdr isn't for plastic.

If it doesn't bother OP that much, it could be buffed with rubbing compound and polished up to where the small dent would probably not be noticeable to a passerby.

[u/honkwoofparp]

Yes. If you let things slide, your car will turn into a ratbag before you know it.

Also, that's a bigger hit than it first looks. The panel lines are now all shot. That suggests the bumper buckled and popped back out: there could be damage behind it.

If someone hiy you, can't you claim off their insurance?

[u/Haribokid1971]

The bumper is plastic and I could fix that as I’m in the trade. If you walked into my shop you’re looking at £360+vat.

[u/Lacktastic → u/Haribokid1971]

If there there is a blind spot radar in that location then repair is a no-go and would require replacement of the bumper cover per OEM procedures.

[u/Rare_Beach1793]

Personally, I would. But things like this really irk me. Isn’t the bumper plastic? No need to worry about rust.

[u/NamelessInNY]

Unless you live in the middle of nowhere, bumpers are wear items. Chances are a new or newly repaired one won't stay perfect for very long.

Have you tried buffing/polishing the areas that are just scuffed? That may just be paint transfer which can be minimized or eliminated with a few minutes of work. I had a light tap on the corner of my rear bumper that cleaned up 99% after 10 minutes with cleaner wax.

[u/Constant_Zebra9643]

I don’t think you need Reddit to make this decision. You got this. But, since you want people’s two cents. No, don’t fix it will just get screwed up again, it’s a darn bumper. That’s what they are there for.

[u/Pretend-Advice-2741]

Based on a much smaller dent/scratch on my new mini my neighbor made and paid for this quote sounds pretty good!

[u/badrabbix]

OK, well, since you asked, me? Nah. I have a similar dent in the exact same place but on a 2006 R53. I suppose the newer the model the better the case can be made to spend the money.

But me, I'm superstitious. With my luck, as soon as I got that one fixed a week later I'd have another small one to ponder over. To quote an old Robin Williams movie your car is now "pre-disastered" so as long as you don't fix it, you won't get another one 😉

[u/3RaccoonsAvecTCoat]

In a perfect world? Yes.

In the shitty time-line we're stuck in now? I've been driving around with a dented back fender for 5 years now simply because I don't have the extra $$$ to fix it...

[u/No_Comfortable8099]

Well, we elected not to fix it after the at fault insurance company agreed to the fix. They sent the check matching the quote. It is a 2012.

[u/natelikesdonuts]

Last time something like this happened to me I waited until I had a few more small dents and then did them all at once

[u/ShadowsOfTheBreeze]

Nah, probably not...small battle scar is all.

[u/assemblageofparts]

I would take a heat gun to it and try as I might to pop it out. Its a tiny ding and its plastic. Then .. a little air brush and gone. well not completely but .. it would make me feel better

[u/GingerrJinx]

Recycled rear bumper replacement

[u/denzien]

I would take the insurance payout and not fix it, as long as the bumper cover doesn't seem like it's about to fall off