Lots of swear words!
 

Hit a bl**dy bollard in Asda this morning :mad:

The front o/s wing and door are damaged, probably in need of new panels, I suspect, as they're aluminium.

Does anyone know (well I'm sure at least one person here knows!) if the front wings are just bolted on? And what the cost of new panels are before I call A8 Parts?

Ouch! I feel your pain Jim :(

Have you considered contacted a dent removal expert? You'd be amazed how some of the more skilled guys can make dents disappear. You'll need to find one who is experienced in aluminium of course.

Failing that, I would imagine a good body shop could straighten and repaint the existing panels.

Ouch :( The wings are bolt-on yes. New panels aren't available any more so thats moot.

Given the damage to the paint, and that the dent has pulled in the edge of the wing I would say that's beyond dent removal but its worth asking. Can you get more pics from slightly further away? I can ask my dent guy who is pretty exceptional with aluminium, but I suspect I know what he'll say.

It looks like the door at least is only damaged below the trim, however that section is mostly behind the bonded-in side impact bar so would also be practically impossible for flawless dent removal. The best you're likely to see from that is to push most of the damage out and then fill & paint.

Aluminium work-hardens so its relatively straightforward for an expert to get shopping dings out, but creases of that magnitude are pretty much impossible.

Personally I would be inclined to replace both panels as Prestige have both in stock in Ebony black, assuming yours is actually Ebony of course. Hard to tell with FEs as yours and Stephen's are definitely different blacks, despite FEs only allegedly coming in one black. You'd need to take the car up to Stockton and compare the panels side-by-side I think to be sure. That would also be preferable to shipping them to reduce the chance of damage.

I knew that you’d know, MJ. I’m sure that mine is Ebony Black Pearl - I’ll check the build sticker, but I share your thoughts on new panels, Michaela. Will the glass need swapping out, or do the panels come complete from Prestige?

More pics:

Paint colour/code is 4Z/LZ9W. Is that the same as yours Mark?

The door would come as a bare panel so you would swap your window frame assembly, glass, wiring harness, lock etc over to the replacement.

The bumper and arch liners need to come off to get the wing off. I'd say its comfortably a day's work to get it all changed over sympathetically and line all the panels up.

LZ9W is what Prestige have in stock +++

Wing

Door

Those two are now mine!

And my insurance company is happy for me to choose a repair shop and to fit the used panels. But I suppose that I’ll have to wait until the lockdown eases. So, back to the TTS then.

It is. AKA "Ebony Black Pearl" I believe, as you mentioned earlier.

Glad you (well, MJ) found some suitable replacement panels +++

RESULT!! Good luck with the repair.

That doesn't look undriveable, or even not safe, so why not still use it?

My son's (now-replaced) S4 had very similar damage and was driven round for ages before getting fixed, largely because the door blades (one was pretty much ripped off and destroyed) were (to quote MJ) non-obtanium! However I managed to source him one from Audi Tradition via a German parts supplier.

Of course an S4 is steel not aluminium and his damage was at the rear (door and wheel arch) but it got repaired by conventional means, I think without new panels.

You'll need a set of door card clips too as they will break when the door card comes off.

Can't think of anything else consumable in the door, although a touch-up pen might be handy for the visible wing bolts as paint will likely chip when they are removed and replaced. Or use some of those D3 bolt covers that Sergey found.

I’m planning on a paint job for both wings, bonnet and front bumper once rhe panels are replaced.

I must have missed Sergey’s D3 bolt covers - is it on here somewhere?

As for driving it, I’m embarrassed about driving such a great car being in that state!

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5969 +++

Oh no Jim
That will cost thousands to do prorerly.
Good luck fixing it!!

What about that little itty-bitty clip that secures the bowden cable to the interior door handle. Not exactly a consumable, but very easy to drop and lose. You did some bright 3D printed versions.

Oh yes good point.

Jim, I will send you a set when I can get to the post office +++

Really sorry to hear this Jim, :(
I guess you're lucky that a). those panels are bolt on and. b). that PMS have them in your colour.

Thanks Michaela, that’s very kind of you

Glad you got the parts sorted that type of thing is gutting as anything :(

Will look better than before when finished! +++

The old gal was returned today :)

They replaced the wing but fixed the driver's door. And whist she was in the body shop, I had the wheels done (painted, not powder coated), the bonnet and bumper painted, a bit of corrosion sorted on the n/s front wing and a small dent (probably a trolley ding) removed form the o/s rear door.

Just need to give her a good wash and polish now.

Looking sharp again +++

Good to see her back and shining :D

Very nice - all ready for summer and loosening lockdown +++

Glad you got it sorted, Jim +++ Looks like they did a good job.

Looking good +++

Great job +++ :cool: :love:

Looks like a lovely job they've done Jim +++
Now enjoy the car with renewed vigour soon! :D

Wot they sed!!!

Can I ask what the going rate are for a bonnet and number respray these days as my one has picked up few chips etc?+++

A decent job is in the region of £600. You might get a ‘blend in’ across the front wings as well if you’re lucky.