# Used 2008 Mini Cooper S rear bumper crack **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** mini, coopers\ **Created:** [December 4, 2012, 12:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/used-2008-mini-cooper-s-rear-bumper-crack/75908 "2012-12-04T00:08:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![omargon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e36b37/32.png) [@omargon](https://community.cartalk.com/u/omargon)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 12:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/used-2008-mini-cooper-s-rear-bumper-crack/75908/1 "2012-12-04T00:08:29Z")
Hello, I’m in the process of buying a used 2008 Mini Cooper S with 44000 miles in good conditions but I wanted to get an opinion regarding a rear bumper crack. Please take a look at the attached photo and tell me what you think, not sure how serious it is or how much it will cost me to fix so I can negotiate the price. ![](https://www.dropbox.com/s/xybasprzvhpk6pt/Photo%20Dec%2001%2C%2010%2024%2019%20AM.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 12:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/used-2008-mini-cooper-s-rear-bumper-crack/75908/2 "2012-12-04T00:11:32Z")
You need to have a mechanic (and maybe a body shop) do a pre-purchase inspection - have you? There are MANY expensive problems an S can have. Make sure yours doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 4:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/used-2008-mini-cooper-s-rear-bumper-crack/75908/3 "2012-12-04T04:43:40Z")
+1. A bumper crack is minor. There could be more serious problems. ---
**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 5:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/used-2008-mini-cooper-s-rear-bumper-crack/75908/4 "2012-12-04T05:46:45Z")
+2. I advised my sister-in-law against purchasing one of these cars. She is now on her third clutch and her second set of tires in about 20K miles. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 7:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/used-2008-mini-cooper-s-rear-bumper-crack/75908/5 "2012-12-04T07:02:56Z")
Your photo did not attach. That said, if the bumper cover is cracked, they will be replacing and repainting that body panel. Call a body shop and tell them you’re about to buy the car, and ask them about how much they’d charge to replace the rear bumper cover. Don’t be surprised if it’s 4 figures. ---
**Author:** ![GSragtop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7c8e57/32.png) [@GSragtop](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GSragtop)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 8:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/used-2008-mini-cooper-s-rear-bumper-crack/75908/6 "2012-12-04T08:35:39Z")
There are guys out there that just fix and respray bumpers. Cost is 2-400 depending on the damage and the guy. Most dealerships have a guy they use so ask them for a recommendation. This is assuming no damage under the cover. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 8:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/used-2008-mini-cooper-s-rear-bumper-crack/75908/7 "2012-12-04T08:49:49Z")
Do you have any idea how this car was driven? Most guys drive the HELL out of them before moving on the next car. First of all, I hear dismal things about these cars (everything under the sun), so I personally wouldn’t get one, but . . . Pay a Mini expert to go over the car with a fine-toothed comb. Find out if any/all updates have been done. There have been many, from what I understand. Does it still have the first clutch? From what I hear, they don’t last, even if you know what you’re doing. Run a carfax. You’d be surprised what sometimes comes up, but only if it’s been reported. Set aside money each month for expensive repairs. You’ll need it, apparently. I know this was kind of off the mark, but I just had to add my two bits. Do some google searches on Mini issues, even if you do get the car. Forewarned is forearmed. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 9:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/used-2008-mini-cooper-s-rear-bumper-crack/75908/8 "2012-12-04T09:22:25Z")
@gsragtop Yes, but it’s not as good, and when you’re negotiating buying a car, you want to have leverage to deduct the amount it would cost to fix it right, no matter whether or not you’ll actually fix it that way.