Accident Damage - Approximate Cost?

viper_2003

viper_2003

viper_2003

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Joined
28 Feb 2003
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454
Had a bit of an off earlier in the week on the way back from work in the rain. Entirely my fault, too aggressive with the throttle for the conditions but it was fairly low speed thankfully.

Approximate cost and timescale for the repairs?

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Sadly thats going to be a big and expensive job - £6-10kish? It's that rear wing thats going to be the biggest issue. I cannot imagine it being quick, either. Month or so depending on bodyshop workload?
 
Mercedes recovery were kind enough to lend me a SLK 350 Sport for the 5 days so all is not lost, god knows what I will be left with afterwards.

Its currently sat in a Merc dealer, best to push to keep it there rather than going with my insurance companies "recommendation"?
 
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Absolutely best to keep it there! You might want to negotiate with Merc to get a loan car. When I had mine done by BMW years ago (Not as bad as yours actually, just front and rear wing) I told them I'd push to get it repaired by them if they'd supply a loan car - which they happily agreed to despite my insurance company not paying for loan cars unless I used the recommended repairer. So I had a brand new 320i for 6 weeks.
 
Thanks, thought as much. Its a lease so I dont want any hassle when it goes back.

My local dealer will supply a loan car for the duaration so thankfully not an issue and they apparently do work for Admiral so hopefully it shouldnt prove too difficult to keep it with them.
 
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As fox has said its not going to be a cheap job benz parts are expensive might be easier to go though the insurance as its nearly a new car
 
Just my hurt pride thankfully.

It was my first "proper" accident and its not something I'm keen the repeat, those few seconds where I was completely out of control were thought provoking.
 
And I get really ****ed off at kicking up stones.. :( Nasty one.

I have no idea of cost but yeah that rear wing is the biggest issue there. The front almost looks like that could come back out, but I'd get a few quotes anyway.
 
Surprised it's going to cost so much, the bumper will need replacing but I would've thought the wings/door would pull out ? Do dealer repairs just replace the lot on cars like this or is it because it's a lease it needs to be new parts all round?
 
It's hard to tell from the photo's but the paint has cracked on the front wing for starters and the dents are near the vent and wheel arch. The door is creased and you can clearly see the crash bar underneath, the rear wing is the only part which I thought could come back out but the dents pretty big and an odd shape.

I haven't seen the written quote so I can't say exactly what they are looking to do - I will get hold of it tomorrow to ensure nothing is being missed.
 
Don't see why it would take 2 months if they can get the parts. 4 weeks should do it.

Bumper, wing and door is routine replacement - 2 days to remove and fit new ones.

The rear quarter is more difficult. I'd say

Strip it down - 1 day
Cut it out - 1 day
Fit and weld repair panel/replacement panel - 1 day
Finish panel - grinding, filling, sanding - 2 days

Then paint the lot:

Prep - 1 day
Corrosion protection - 1 day
Priming - 2 days
Colour - 2 days
Clear - 2 days

Refit trim, buff and polish it - 2 days.

17 working days - and I think I've been generous with the times.
 
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blueboy2001 said:
Refit trim, buff and polish it - 2 days.
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Watch out for swirls after you get the car back. The place that repaired my car (insurance job) took a few weeks, but it was only after I got the car back and saw it in the sun light, the replacement wing panel is covered in swirls as is the drivers door (despite the door not needing any repairing). It really is noticeable compared to the rest of the car. :eek:

Almost thought about going back and trying my luck but I honestly didn't have time and really couldn't be bothered going through the process any longer.

Speaking to a professional detailer he said its because the body shop would blend in the colour so it matches the rest of the car. Not sure how inflicting a load swirls helps with this though. If anyone can shed some light on this, I'll appreciate it. :o :)
 
blueboy2001 said:
Don't see why it would take 2 months if they can get the parts. 4 weeks should do it.

Bumper, wing and door is routine replacement - 2 days to remove and fit new ones.

The rear quarter is more difficult. I'd say

Strip it down - 1 day
Cut it out - 1 day
Fit and weld repair panel/replacement panel - 1 day
Finish panel - grinding, filling, sanding - 2 days

Then paint the lot:

Prep - 1 day
Corrosion protection - 1 day
Priming - 2 days
Colour - 2 days
Clear - 2 days

Refit trim, buff and polish it - 2 days.

17 working days - and I think I've been generous with the times.
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I think you've been generous if you think they'll work on it non-stop, too. Mine was 6 weeks and the damage was not as bad as that.
 
Blackhawk47 said:
Watch out for swirls after you get the car back. The place that repaired my car (insurance job) took a few weeks, but it was only after I got the car back and saw it in the sun light, the replacement wing panel is covered in swirls as is the drivers door (despite the door not needing any repairing). It really is noticeable compared to the rest of the car. :eek:

Almost thought about going back and trying my luck but I honestly didn't have time and really couldn't be bothered going through the process any longer.

Speaking to a professional detailer he said its because the body shop would blend in the colour so it matches the rest of the car. Not sure how inflicting a load swirls helps with this though. If anyone can shed some light on this, I'll appreciate it. :o :)
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It should just need a machine polish to remove the swirls, the new clearcoat would likely have still been soft when they washed the car before returning it causing the swirls.

I just got my car back from the bodyshop and they advised it takes 30-60 days to cure porperly and not to wax/polish until after the 60 days.
 
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