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It's been a while since I've posted on here, and regrettably this post isn't the best news. A few days ago, I had a crash, completely my own fault, no-one else involved and I had no physical injuries.
I'm looking for some advice as to whether or not it is safe to try and save her, so I can start to move in one direction or the other.
What happened -
I lost it on a roundabout, after have fresh tyres on the rear. Rear left quarter hit Armco barrier (I'd say 25mph +/-), then brushed alongside a lampside, which popped front left window, jammed both doors. The exhaust has also split at one of the joins. I drove her home, slowly, and stuck her in the garage.
Since then, I've removed plastic, seat and pulled back the carpet, to assess the pillar etc. From the underneath, it looks ok.
Hopefully, I've attached a couple of pictures, and someone out there has experience in dealing with this sort of stuff.
Doesn't look great think the floors down it could be like a banana. Get the datum points and measure it but that will involve a bit of stripping but no matter what its going to be expensive.
Thanks for the reply. I didn't upload this pic earlier, but I've stripped back the floors on the inside and underneath look un-touched, no crimples, cracks, splits that I can see.
This was before opening and taking the doors off -
I had a quick look on the web with regard to car datum points, but I'm not sure where I'd even start with that
Last edited by JusticeEmpire; 12 August 2018 at 10:19 PM.
Reason: Added photo
I wouldn't be surprised if it costs more to fix than to buy a similar car (without knowing exactly what model it is), so to me it seems pointless to fix it.The B pillar doesn't look good at all and the rear section will need a lot of work too by the looks of it.
Last edited by Turbovin; 12 August 2018 at 11:40 PM.
Would it not be easier to just get it to a crash damage repair shop and ask them? If you want to keep it then decide whether your going to pay or insurance company is going to pay. Depending on model and spec you could recoup some of your loss via a breakers as (sadly) some Scoobs are worth more in bits if your not repairing or getting insurance to repair.
You can actually do a quick search on line and learn how to assess for chassis damage on a vehicle using a steel (engineers) rule. A plumb line and just choose your own datum/reference points. You can also buy a lasor measuring device from most DIY places for £25 which will make things more accurate. You will still need use a steel rule to check for differences if your looking to measure deflection in the B pillar. If your not confident doing all the measuring yourself it’s really best just handing it over to a professional (don’t want to insult your intelligence). Either way I hope it’s not a write off. Depending on which route you go there are also a few bodies for sale on here! Again a breakers will sell you one for a few hundred pounds! Good luck.
No point trying to fix that if you’re going down the insurance claim route. Bound to be a structural write off and then worth bugger all if you fixed it anyway.
It is a tricky one, and until I know what I'm working with it's hard to make a decision. She only had an MOT a week before hand, 63k miles :/ gutted, but at least I know now I'm not Ken Block
Your car can be repaired but the cost of the repair will end being very expensive.
It will need to go on a Jig and pulled back to spec. It will need a complete new side,Inner and outer b post, inner sill, back panel, replacement doors.
when fitting a complete side the roof has to be removed so you can fit the comple new side as the join is under the roof skin.
With this type of repair the roof can sometimes have a crease from the accident.
To give you idea of how much work is involved watch this video.
Thanks for the vid/link. Although mine isn't as bad as that, it certainly does show a lot more work than I had initially thought.
I've spoken with a local bodyshop place, who have said that it can be repaired, but they will need to have it for a day or so before they can quote.
The challenge is, my son (10 this year) and the car, and my father, share the same birthday. I had planned on doing the car up, with my son, as a trackday type toy, and giving it to him a few years down the line. However, £5-6k (my estimate) to get the pillar and rear quarter fixed, is too much to spend just for that reason. As others have mentioned, I could get a shell, or even a donor car, for MUCH less. The downside being that it would take a lot longer to get back on the road going down that road. I also don't think that the ex (boys mum) would be too happy spending that, when we have talked about getting back together and getting a house, although she liked the car too.
Sorry, that was a bit of a ramble. Once I've got it down to the bodyshop for them to look at, then I will give an update.
Thanks for the vid/link. Although mine isn't as bad as that, it certainly does show a lot more work than I had initially thought.
I've spoken with a local bodyshop place, who have said that it can be repaired, but they will need to have it for a day or so before they can quote.
The challenge is, my son (10 this year) and the car, and my father, share the same birthday. I had planned on doing the car up, with my son, as a trackday type toy, and giving it to him a few years down the line. However, £5-6k (my estimate) to get the pillar and rear quarter fixed, is too much to spend just for that reason. As others have mentioned, I could get a shell, or even a donor car, for MUCH less. The downside being that it would take a lot longer to get back on the road going down that road. I also don't think that the ex (boys mum) would be too happy spending that, when we have talked about getting back together and getting a house, although she liked the car too.
Sorry, that was a bit of a ramble. Once I've got it down to the bodyshop for them to look at, then I will give an update.
I have worked in Body Shops and Garages for many years. I strongly recommend not repairing your Car.
Save up and buy a replacement Impreza.
Most small body shops do not have the equipment to carry out repairs like this.
Manufacture approved body shops have to be up to date on equipment and training.
Your car needs to go on a jig to be repaired, the approved Jig for BMW, Porsche, Mercedes is a Cellete Jig.
Please ask your Body Shop what jig they have, if it is not a Cellete jig, walk away.
Point taken, and to be honest, the more I try to weigh up the pros v cons, it's beginning to look like a no-brainer. And to get around my sentimental issue, I'm thinking about cutting out the chassis plate and number, and mounting it somewhere on a new one.......
What do people think, do I look for a bare shell, or a donor car? What do I need to consider for legal road use again?
I agree with all the points above, ref shelling is the best way, or just start again and sell the parts off your car or the complete lot to a breaker.
If you are after a track toy, then there is probably better examples to start with anyway, and lets face it, should you track it and it somehow goes wrong, do you want to be in a solid shell or in something that's got new weak points...
12 August 2018, 07:13 PM
Crash Damage Advice
