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-   -   D2 was rear ended at car wash. what's next? (https://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=14952)

notorious 7th May 2019 01:37 PM

D2 was rear ended at car wash. what's next?
 
7 Attachment(s)
My D2 was rear ended properly at car wash.

Old disabled gentleman probably misused pedals, hitting my car, went through wooden fence, hit billboard and road sign. That finally stopped him.
All his front airbags went off. He's shocked, but not injured.

My situation:
I was in the car with engine off. The car was hit from the rear.
I rear ended the car in front of me since I have no power brakes with my engine off.
Rear quarter panel is torn through. Rear bumper dead.

Police said they'll provide with report and I'll let my insurance company know.

Any ideas what to do with the car now?
I don't think it'll be possible to repair torn aluminium properly.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1557232397

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1557232397

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1557232397

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1557232397

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1557232397

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1557232397

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1557232397

HPsauce 7th May 2019 02:31 PM

Sorry to see all that, it's pretty depressing. :(
My old S8 was damaged (admittedly much worse) in that area when relatively new and valuable and it took a long argument to get it fixed; yours may well be a write-off.
If the damaged area can't be straightened out it's a really massive panel that needs replacing, basically the whole rear quarter of the car from above the rear door to the back.
Mine was actually off the road for about a year getting fixed (really long story as to why) and the cost was way above any realistic value of any D2 now.

notorious 7th May 2019 02:46 PM

yeah, looks like a write off to me

steamship 7th May 2019 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious (Post 150243)
Any ideas what to do with the car now?
I don't think it'll be possible to repair torn aluminium properly.

As you've said, insurance company will just write it off (based on pictures of other Audi's being written off for similar small accident damage).

The question is, what does the car mean to you? Is it a tool to get you from A to B, or does it mean more than that? I know Andrew mentioned about the size of the rear quarter panel, and it wouldn't be getting it back to factory standard, but is there not a chance of getting someone to sort out the damage? Second hand bumpers, boot lid and lights can be sourced from the forum sponsors.

moltuae 7th May 2019 03:17 PM

That's terrible. I feel really gutted for you Sergey. I'd be devastated :(

I wouldn't write it off until you've spoken to a body shop. I think it's possible that a panel beater skilled in Aluminium might be able to repair that for not too much money, and hopefully the insurance company will fork out enough to cover it. I had an old guy in a Ford Focus plough into the back of one of my previous 8s some years ago while I was sat at a set of temporary traffic lights. He admitted he wasn't watching the road (never broke, hit me doing 30+ mph). The insurance company wanted to write my car off but reluctantly agreed to make a payout for the loss instead. I also got a whiplash claim (genuinely had whiplash which still affects me a little now) so the total payout was more than it cost to get it repaired.

EDIT: Also, I suspect the damage is purely cosmetic and not structural at all. These cars are VERY strong. When my car was hit (@30+ mph) there was no structural damage whatsoever.

Architex_mA8tey 7th May 2019 03:18 PM

Really sorry to hear of this Sergey, I know that nobody was injured but you really looked after that lovely car. :(

I recently has someone ding one of the D4 Cars in a car park and was simply amazed when a chap in Exeter (who MJ suggested) who specializes in Aluminium repairs was able to work miracles and "disappear" the whole thing. it may be worth contacting him if they do write it off to see what the feasibility or repairing it would be if you were able to buy it back

Really hope so, I know how much care and work youve put into keeping that car as immaculate as it was . . .

notorious 7th May 2019 03:35 PM

Thanks guys.
I don't believe it'll be possible to fix the bodywork to the standard that I need.
Which is a shame given the condition of interior.

Find a donor car with perfect bodywork and re-shell it?
That will take a lot of time and money...

HPsauce 7th May 2019 04:28 PM

It's always difficult dealing with insurance companies, which you will inevitably have to do, but remember:
1. It was not your fault, so your insurer should have little if any role in deciding what YOU will accept. This is not a "knock for knock" situation.
2. Your claim is against the other driver and probably their insurers will act for him. Your insurers may try to take over and settle your claim but be very wary of allowing that!
3. The so-called "market value" of your car should be irrelevant, your claim against him is to remedy the damage. If your car is special that's his problem, only if it's genuinely impossible to get an equivalent/suitable acceptable repair or replacement do you discuss financial compensation for the write-off of the vehicle.

So, the first thing is to get some genuine assessments of what repairs are possible, assuming you'd like to have the car fixed, properly.

When my old (first) S8 was damaged it was not my fault and I wasn't even there (it was stolen and crashed). The insurers only gave in and got it repaired when they realised it was so unusual that it was impossible to find an equal/equivalent car anywhere, but it was in fact repairable and in a much worse state than yours. How that all worked financially, given the criminal element involved, I don't know. Though I did get courtesy cars for a year, and decent ones too!

notorious 7th May 2019 04:54 PM

Fantastic advice Andrew.
Really very valuable info given the fact that I don't have experience claiming stuff from insurance companies in the UK.
I haven't notified yet insurance company since I'm waiting for police to provide me with paperwork, which may take some time.

Yes, would love to repair the car properly.
The only proper option I see given torn aluminum sheets of the body,
is re-shelling or selling this example for parts and starting new life from scratch again.

HPsauce 7th May 2019 05:26 PM

Read your policy VERY VERY CAREFULLY Sergey, straight away.
You will almost certainly have to NOTIFY your insurers, and promptly.

There may be clauses in the policy about them acting for you, try to avoid that as their easy way out is obviously a write-off.

If necessary, contact a Citizens Advice Bureau, they may be able to advise.

Is the car driveable if the bumpers etc. are patched/taped up?


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