My damaged beauty...

[+44 Dave]

Good evening guys.

Today was a bad day all round for me. The main part involves me damaging one of my prized possesions, yes an Audi.

So here's the story, i was leaving a hospital car park going down a one way street, in the correct direction, when a refuge truck turned up the other end. As it was a one way street it was very narrow and had very high kerbs, ironically painted yellow. I thought the truck might stop, however it did not and the car is much wider than people think. I had to pull in and ended up hitting the kerb. I immediately heard the scrape and crunch and my heart sank. I got out immediately to check the damaged. It could have been worse as its only body damage. The worse part though was the truck driver continuing on his way, simply waving to me as he passed.

Now to tell you which car it was. I was not in my RS6 today but the A8. Which makes things worse due to the fact its made from aluminium and this means a repair is harder and more expensive.

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I pass my local Audi dealer on my way home and popped in to have the damage evaluated. They told me that they do not do body work repairs and i'd have to see a specialist. I ended up having to drive 40 miles, to my nearest specialist who could replace the aluminium parts and try to repair the body work.

The bad news is i need a new front left wing on the car. The bumper also needs to be replaced and the rest will be a patch up job. Unfortunately the area damaged is where 3 seperate panels meet and i have to replace 2 of them.

What makes it even worse is, as you may have noticed my car is not a standard Audi colour. Its Audi exclusive so the paint is having to be shipped from Germany along with the new wing and bumper. The costs just keep piling up.

The specialist i went to specialises in aluminium repairs and deals particularly in Aston Martin, Lamborghini Porsche and Audi. Luckily its not his first time doing this kind of repair that why i'm willing to pay more for it.

Now here's the soar part. Let's have some guesses at the costs quoted...

1000pounds?

1600pounds?

2400pounds?

3600pounds?

Nope - all wrong in total the guy got back to me with 4300pounds to do everything. OUCH ! :boring::(:cry::eye::bigeyes::nono::w:
I got him down to 3999 though which was the only good part of the day. :boring:

[cornishmoocher]

AHHHHH SHIT.

Bad day at black rock then. Real bad.

Sorry Dave, feel for you mate.

[DuckWingDuck]

Damn, almost $8,000 for that? Surely the damage can be repared rather than having the parts replaced.....

[+44 Dave]

Damn, almost $8,000 for that? Surely the damage can be repared rather than having the parts replaced.....

Unfortunately yes. I promise you that was my reaction to. Apparently due to the depth of the cuts and the fact its aluminium theres not other solution as they cannot work the aluminium back up. The main gash is the join between the bumper and the wing, which is the costly part :nana:

I'm so annoyed. Luckily my no claims is protected also, but still that specialist is having a laugh but he knows people are so dissapointed about there cars they will pay it.:deal:

[Rupert]

The wings on the RS6 are also aluminum. That quote is VERY high.

[+44 Dave]

The wings on the RS6 are also aluminum. That quote is VERY high.

Apparently there's only 8 places in the UK that will do a repair on my car. Audi will not touch it. I have to go to a third party. The next closest is in Manchester (200 miles away) either that or Milton Kyenes, and i feel they'd only rip me off more.

I don't know if many of you appreciate the difference in construction between a normal Audi (including S/RS models) to the A8. It feels like its been built in a different factory, due to the quality of the finish on the car.

[Mockenrue]

Gutted for you Dave, that's a real pisser. :w:



I don't know if many of you appreciate the difference in construction between a normal Audi (including S/RS models) to the A8. It feels like its been built in a different factory, due to the quality of the finish on the car.

Yes, I watched A8 construction closely during a Neckarsulm factory visit in 2005 and I know exactly what you mean.

Good luck in getting it sorted.

[Benman]

I don't know if many of you appreciate the difference in construction between a normal Audi (including S/RS models) to the A8. It feels like its been built in a different factory, due to the quality of the finish on the car.


Dave, it is the same story with the Acura (Honda) NSX. All aluminum cars are insanely expensive to repair/replace parts... Sorry mate.:cheers:

P.S. It is still a crazy high quote. ;)

Ben:addict:

[rubyblack]

Dave, can I ask a very obvious question please? Did you take the jokers registration number per chance? Are you in a position to follow up on reporting this to the police given he was principally responsible for the accident and he apparently made off without stopping??? :thumb:

[MPT]

That suck's :(. Guess you just have to live with that, when having an aluminum car.

a bit O.T: Is your color cherry black pearl ?

[BLITZEN]

That sucks Dave. But it sounds like the guy you have working on it will make it look 100% perfect. Body work and repair is not a wise place to pinch pennies.

[Rutkowsky]

Dave, there's a place in Milton K. Thorney's motorsport - they have a very good reputation for quality work and good rates.
I can give you a number to them if you like. Good luck with repairs and i feel for you!

[JavierNuvolari]

That's one nasty scratch...and an even nastier repair value...as Benman said, it's the same thing as the NSX, aluminum body pannels....thei're god damn expensive.

Not piss you off but, why did you not have an insuranse to cover it ?

[skiwi]

I don't know if many of you appreciate the difference in construction between a normal Audi (including S/RS models) to the A8. It feels like its been built in a different factory, due to the quality of the finish on the car.

absolutely. the quality of my old s8 is night and day better than the rs6. until you need to drive it fast, that is....

[Barry]

Hi Dave, think yourself Lucky!
I am having a Body off Restoration plus upgrades on a Daytona Corvette, this sort of work takes time and you pay as the work goes on.

I had just paid £6000 last week for work upto date, On Monday I was just reversing my RS6 into a parking space in the Audi Dealership, the phone went my man was telling me of an extra cost to the overall Corvette job of £400.

I took the RS6 out with the Tech Guy to let him here a noise from the front suspension, I was going slow, braked and heard the front pads on the Discs, got the car in the workshop to find Pads 90% gone - needed new Pads and Discs all round - £1700 plus, booked the car in.

On the Way home my Corvette man Phoned again, another £400 addition.

Got home today £2000 bill from the Vette man, does not include the 2 x £400. The front tyres on the RS6 are almost out, and I have got to book another car in for a service next week.

I am having a Bad Time!

Barry - Daytona Avant.

PS I think a Trabant might be cheaper to run!

[LU-RS6]

PS I think a Trabant might be cheaper to run!


If you want I have one available. It's even an estate :hihi:

But it'll take you little more than half a minute to 100km/h...if that doesn't bother you, you're welcome for a testdrive :D :D

[Barry]

Thanks LU, I would Love it - but I have no money left.

Barry - Daytona Avant

PS Does it have Paddle Shifts.

[gjg]

If you want I have one available. It's even an estate :hihi:

But it'll take you little more than half a minute to 100km/h...if that doesn't bother you, you're welcome for a testdrive :D :D

and be carefull, there is no way to get out of trabi if you get a hard on ....:applause:

[+44 Dave]

That's one nasty scratch...and an even nastier repair value...as Benman said, it's the same thing as the NSX, aluminum body pannels....thei're god damn expensive.

Not piss you off but, why did you not have an insuranse to cover it ?

The insurance are covering it, but that doesn't mean it costs me nothing, the premimum will rise 500pounds this year and reduce gradually.

About the number plate, its just a standard one, i dont go for choosing plates particularly. Personalised ones are a bit tacky/sales rep in my opinion. I have pointed out in a previous thread that the plate on my car is the one after the plate that was registered to the A8 Clarkson drove in a Topgear episode, when he drove to edinbrugh and back to london on one tank of diesel.

Anyway i hope that it'll be sorted this/next week sometime, depending on when the parts come from Germany. Its rather embaressing having a 50,000pound car with a gash in the front bumper... :cry:
I've just been driving the RS6 instead this week and my wife is in the B-class Mercedes.

[Leadfoot]

That does sound excessive, I use to know a coach works that worked on making alloy bodies for vintage cars but alas the guy in die. I doubt there is too many guys out there working on alloy now so your options are very limited.

Bad luck mate.

[grizz]

I cant see why it's so much !!!! The new panel will come etch primed .It's only the same as fitting a new wing on any other car .

I use to do a lot of work on land rovers and they are all alloy as well .

I think they are talking sh*t .

[Barry]

Thanks Gig,

That is why I always Drive with the Sunroof OPEN.




Barry - Daytona Avant