Suggestions for front clam repairs please
Discussion
Hi,
I never thought i could be so careless! i over shot a parking space a couple of weeks ago and smashed the front of my pride and joy into the curb (i hadnt cried in a long while!). Unbelievably the damage is not realy visible from the front but it has cracked all around the number plate support and smashed a hole on the underside of the clam (behind the number plate.) I understand maybe less violent groundings arent uncommon, what would you pistonheaders recommend i do, claim off the insurance and pay the excess? or find a specialist to re-glass the damaged area and re-spray the front (and getting rid of those damn stone chips in the process.)
anyone else out there who has commited a similar sin?
I never thought i could be so careless! i over shot a parking space a couple of weeks ago and smashed the front of my pride and joy into the curb (i hadnt cried in a long while!). Unbelievably the damage is not realy visible from the front but it has cracked all around the number plate support and smashed a hole on the underside of the clam (behind the number plate.) I understand maybe less violent groundings arent uncommon, what would you pistonheaders recommend i do, claim off the insurance and pay the excess? or find a specialist to re-glass the damaged area and re-spray the front (and getting rid of those damn stone chips in the process.)
anyone else out there who has commited a similar sin?
I had the exact same damage, however this was caused by someone driving into the front of the car whilst it was in my works car park. They didnt hang around though, so had to get it sorted/paid for, by myself.
Initially took it to the local dealer, who qouted £1700 for new clam and respray.
After that shock, took it to a Caterham specialist who was recommended to me. He quoted £250 including VAT to repair the damage. The respray was done by Lotus under warranty, due to excessive stone chips. I think he was going to quote another £75 for the paint work if the specialist had done it.
The end result is "Like New". No one has ever commented on the work since it has been done and it was quite obvious damage and very prominant.
HTH.
Initially took it to the local dealer, who qouted £1700 for new clam and respray.
After that shock, took it to a Caterham specialist who was recommended to me. He quoted £250 including VAT to repair the damage. The respray was done by Lotus under warranty, due to excessive stone chips. I think he was going to quote another £75 for the paint work if the specialist had done it.
The end result is "Like New". No one has ever commented on the work since it has been done and it was quite obvious damage and very prominant.
HTH.
beachbum said:
I had the exact same damage, however this was caused by someone driving into the front of the car whilst it was in my works car park. They didnt hang around though, so had to get it sorted/paid for, by myself.
Initially took it to the local dealer, who qouted £1700 for new clam and respray.
After that shock, took it to a Caterham specialist who was recommended to me. He quoted £250 including VAT to repair the damage. The respray was done by Lotus under warranty, due to excessive stone chips. I think he was going to quote another £75 for the paint work if the specialist had done it.
The end result is "Like New". No one has ever commented on the work since it has been done and it was quite obvious damage and very prominant.
HTH.
Thats a relief to many of us I think, I have grazed one of the front spoilers off, and was panicking about how much it would cost to repair!! Only bugger is I had armourfend fitted to the front the week before, so I'm hoping for a very very localised repair!!
rpm100 said:
Cheers, i have actually got my car booked into Horizon Motorsport on tuesday to have the steering rack replaced, so I will ask them for a quote then.
Why is your steering rack being repleace. Just curious as mine was about 3-4 months ago. Reason for mine was possible tooth sheering off one of the cogs and floating around
i took my car in for a service at 23k and explained that there was a knocking noise just off centre. When i collected the car they said that the steering rack had worn and that it needed replacing, i think when i take it in i will ask him to check the ball joints first just to make sure it is none of them making the noise, but apperantly rack failures arnt uncommon. also getting the misfire sorted!
Apologies for hijacking the thread with this; Series2 sports tourer cracked behind the numberplate front to back, bent the read diffuser and twisted the wire mesh surrounding the rear lights. Greasy road, wet leaves, diesel on the surface....bloke with a new car going to fast round the bend in the wet, you pick which happened!
Anyway, any suggestion for repairers in the northwest / Liverpool / Cheshire etc area?
Sick as a parrot, only had the thing 4 days before crashing it - that's why insurance is so f**king expensive!
Muchos gracias.
Anyway, any suggestion for repairers in the northwest / Liverpool / Cheshire etc area?
Sick as a parrot, only had the thing 4 days before crashing it - that's why insurance is so f**king expensive!
Muchos gracias.
sorry to hear about your unfortunate 'off' tony, by the sounds of it, it doesnt sound like it's gonna be cheap! careful PistonHeaders its slippy out there!!!
i've just had my car back from horizon motorsport and they have done a top job on the car(replaced steering rack and sorted misfire) with excellant friendly service and even supplied me with a free car for two days (could'nt of asked for any more)! would highly recommend over main dealers to anyone.
the bad news is though that the repair to the clam ain't gonna be cheap, quoted 450+vat for local repair and spray or about 800+vat for front repair and full front respray (which would be a better job and get rid of those stone chips) gonna sit on it for a bit till at least the spring and maybe get another couple of qoutes.
sorry cant recommend anywhere near you tony but keep us posted if you find anyone good!
i've just had my car back from horizon motorsport and they have done a top job on the car(replaced steering rack and sorted misfire) with excellant friendly service and even supplied me with a free car for two days (could'nt of asked for any more)! would highly recommend over main dealers to anyone.
the bad news is though that the repair to the clam ain't gonna be cheap, quoted 450+vat for local repair and spray or about 800+vat for front repair and full front respray (which would be a better job and get rid of those stone chips) gonna sit on it for a bit till at least the spring and maybe get another couple of qoutes.
sorry cant recommend anywhere near you tony but keep us posted if you find anyone good!
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff