Sad day, but at least they paid. Give me advice!!
Discussion
Well, the saga is over, and it’s bittersweet. I crunched my beloved S2 in November, avoiding someone overtaking on my side of the road. It was already a Cat D and so not worth a huge amount, (despite being in pretty good condition) – so they wrote it off as there is damage on the nearside to bonnet, door and rear wing. I have been quoted £1000 (mates rates) for a fix-up to get her looking respectable and back on the road, and £2k for a proper repair job including dealing with the door, which has dropped. Pre accident she was in great mechanical condition, except for needing a new water pump; a job I was about to spend a Saturday afternoon doing; and then the crash happened. No suspension/underbody damage, according to the engineer’s report – but I will be confirming this.
Body damage really not that bad actually – no extensive reglassing required, really (will try to get some pics for you lot, so that you can help with the advice!). Certainly no huge cracks, smashes, more like edges chipped away. Damage was caused by mounting the kerb at speed and smacking along a low wooden fence. Which has scraped off the edges of the wheelarches and scraped along the door, and taken out the small side repeater light on the front wing. Mounting the kerb will have delivered a heavy blow to the suspension though, as the alloy was heavily buckled by the impact. It was either that, or hit the idiot head-on, and I didn’t fancy my chances at a combined speed of at least 80mph.
One alloy is buckled– so will need a new set of wheels, and I gather that this can get expensive (unless I am willing to run some cheapish alloys instead of the OZ originals)
They paid the agreed value. And have offered me the salvage.
Now – is it worth it? I could have a cheapish trackday/fun car and the balance of the insurance money in the bank. However, I am uncertain as to whether to cut my losses and let them scrap her/sell her on; I haven’t really the time to oversee the repairs, and know that unless one is willing to muck in and do bits, costs can spiral.. So, two questions:
1) Do you reckon £1k is reasonable salvage value? If front suspension is damaged, should I just walk away?
2) I don’t have the time to buy her back and beak her – but is there anything of breakable value there? Sadly down to just three wheels, so they won’t be worth much as not a complete set.
3) Anyone else want her, before I tell the insurance company to keep her? I reckon £1k is a first offer - must be able to get another 20% of that just by negotiating, surely? She will need picking up from parents’ place in Virginia Water, Surrey, and won’t be for a month or so. Engine is a corker, putting out about 170bhp on Austec's rollers. Interior a bit grubby (but all there). Chassis absolutely sound - in great condition, actually.
All the best, chaps,
Harry.
>> Edited by Harry Flashman on Wednesday 22 March 18:23
Body damage really not that bad actually – no extensive reglassing required, really (will try to get some pics for you lot, so that you can help with the advice!). Certainly no huge cracks, smashes, more like edges chipped away. Damage was caused by mounting the kerb at speed and smacking along a low wooden fence. Which has scraped off the edges of the wheelarches and scraped along the door, and taken out the small side repeater light on the front wing. Mounting the kerb will have delivered a heavy blow to the suspension though, as the alloy was heavily buckled by the impact. It was either that, or hit the idiot head-on, and I didn’t fancy my chances at a combined speed of at least 80mph.
One alloy is buckled– so will need a new set of wheels, and I gather that this can get expensive (unless I am willing to run some cheapish alloys instead of the OZ originals)
They paid the agreed value. And have offered me the salvage.
Now – is it worth it? I could have a cheapish trackday/fun car and the balance of the insurance money in the bank. However, I am uncertain as to whether to cut my losses and let them scrap her/sell her on; I haven’t really the time to oversee the repairs, and know that unless one is willing to muck in and do bits, costs can spiral.. So, two questions:
1) Do you reckon £1k is reasonable salvage value? If front suspension is damaged, should I just walk away?
2) I don’t have the time to buy her back and beak her – but is there anything of breakable value there? Sadly down to just three wheels, so they won’t be worth much as not a complete set.
3) Anyone else want her, before I tell the insurance company to keep her? I reckon £1k is a first offer - must be able to get another 20% of that just by negotiating, surely? She will need picking up from parents’ place in Virginia Water, Surrey, and won’t be for a month or so. Engine is a corker, putting out about 170bhp on Austec's rollers. Interior a bit grubby (but all there). Chassis absolutely sound - in great condition, actually.
All the best, chaps,
Harry.
>> Edited by Harry Flashman on Wednesday 22 March 18:23
More cunning than a weasel with A-levels?
I'm in mate! Thanks for your texts - shall call tonight. I guess it's all down to whether there is suspension damage. Also - cooling system needed sorting properly before the accident; but I reckon that that was just a new water pump and a question of sealing the pressure cap properly, so not too worried about that.
I'm in mate! Thanks for your texts - shall call tonight. I guess it's all down to whether there is suspension damage. Also - cooling system needed sorting properly before the accident; but I reckon that that was just a new water pump and a question of sealing the pressure cap properly, so not too worried about that.
Damage sounds less than Silverback Mike fixed on my old S3 so I'd say don't let her die..
Suspension can be sorted reasonably easily, assuming nothing is bent then shocks and springs aren't too pricey. I hit a huge pot hole a couple of years ago which bent an arm which IIRC Joospeed simply cut, bent back into shape and welded back.
I should if you can find the time and get a deal or two on mates rates, you'll have her back on the road in no time..
Suspension can be sorted reasonably easily, assuming nothing is bent then shocks and springs aren't too pricey. I hit a huge pot hole a couple of years ago which bent an arm which IIRC Joospeed simply cut, bent back into shape and welded back.
I should if you can find the time and get a deal or two on mates rates, you'll have her back on the road in no time..
I think, at worst, I will have to replace the nearside wishbone; waiting to talk to engineers today to see if suspension OK (preliminary report says it is - hooray!!). Buying her back may cost a bit more than I envisaged though - as insurance company has not made formal offer, they are being funny about the price - scumbags!
Although, if I forget about the bodywork, and spend that money on, say, a roll cage, kill switches and fire extinguisher...anyone else thinking what I am thinking? Cheap (sub £2k), fast, rear wheel drive trackday machine??? She already has uprated engine, brakes and suspension...
Although, if I forget about the bodywork, and spend that money on, say, a roll cage, kill switches and fire extinguisher...anyone else thinking what I am thinking? Cheap (sub £2k), fast, rear wheel drive trackday machine??? She already has uprated engine, brakes and suspension...
Talked to the engineers - there is suspension damage! So I am not going to touch the car myself; Chris - thanks for the help, but the engineer wasn't too encouraging about the state of the car and I am not willing to take the risk.
On the other hand - I still bought the salvage; because I sold it to a friend of a friend at work (who knows the car), with full disclosure of its condition, for a reasonable profit over the salvage value! Result!!
So look out for F994 FGP chaps - she may well be resurrected over the summer!
Thanks for all the offers of help and advice (especially Chris & Tom - princes amongst men - and with whom I will have that promised beer with when I get back from the US after Easter). Maintains my view that S owners (especially on PH) are the most generous and friendly bunch around. Sad to be leaving you chaps.
Best regards,
Harry.
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