So, Crashed the GTI a bit...

"liquid_popcorn" (liquid-popcorn)
11/24/2013 at 07:48 • Filed to: gti, crashlopnik, dumbass

Slid on gravel, hit a dirt embankment. Picked up the pieces, drove it the last mile or so to the house. Here's what I've found so far:

Most of the front bumper/bumper cover is okay. I'm not certain yet if it'll go back on. Fogs and indicators are fine, everything above the bumper and behind the radiator is fine.

What's broken: one of the fans behind the radiator lost a blade, radiator is bent up on the bottom, coolant line near the bottom left of the radiator broke, wiper fluid line broke, honeycomb grille and lip are shattered as is the cover for the underbody, whatever that's called. Photos below; advice is appreciated. My thoughts now (since insurance won't cover single car accidents) is to repair the cooling, remove broken fan, limp it to work at VW monday (20 miles), have them tell me what it'll cost to fix, and just get the essentials repaired for now.

Unfortunately, I have no money to repair this right now, and won't until I get paid for december. So, I basically will repair the cooling, zip tie the bumper cover back on, and look like a fucking idiot for a while until I can afford to get it repaired in a month.

EDIT: Turns out I was looking at the wrong insurance card; the GTI, mercifully, has full coverage. It was towed yesterday, insurance will cover everything but the deductible. I apologize for the many stupid posts about driving it while broken, etc. I also repent of my sin of ruining my new car.

Thanks for the comments, troopers.

DISCUSSION (20)

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > liquid_popcorn
11/24/2013 at 08:24

Looks like you destroyed the intercooler too.

No boost for you.

Glad it was a minor thing though, I've destroyed an intercooler and bumper once on my car, hit some ice and slip up into a curb.

liquid_popcorn > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
11/24/2013 at 08:36

Time to upgrade, amirite??

Seriously though, looking at parts it may be worth it to just upgrade the IC while it's broken.

Me too - first time I've done anything like this, so it was a bit of a shock.

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > liquid_popcorn
11/24/2013 at 08:41

Look at upgrading anything you broke. That's what I've done.
its cheaper and most parts are better quality.

JGrabowMSt > liquid_popcorn
11/24/2013 at 09:00

Is there a U-Pull in your area? If so, Id look for the essentials there, (rad, intercooler) and take care of it...cheapest way to not break it more, but I'd get a ride from a friend if possible...

95HondaV6 > liquid_popcorn
11/24/2013 at 09:57

Depending upon the severity of the smack(down), you may want to check for other possibly-related physical damage; such as alignment and/or movement between major components, torsion bars, locators and/or springs and shocks as well as shock towers and connectors, front/rear-end alignment, headlight alignment, tire balance (balance points or tabs, may have spirited away), any broken, loose, or damaged bolts, plus anything seemingly out-of-place or just not-quite-right. Getting your car (up) on a lift or rack just as soon as you are able would allow you to visualize nearly all of these items. Good luck.

95HondaV6 > liquid_popcorn
11/24/2013 at 10:18

Also (and as you most likely already know), repair shops hardly ever re-use damaged parts (even minor damaged items), so be prepared for a hefty cost-to-repair. There are also other items that might not be readily visible (to you) that have been damaged and will also require replacement. These may include attachment hardware and closely-related components. Additionally, if you must drive your vehicle, keep a watchful eye on that temperature gauge, as radiators are easily damaged, and because you lost a fan blade, the blade may have impacted the core which will result in fluid leakage as temperature and pressure increases.

liquid_popcorn > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
11/24/2013 at 10:36

Definitely. Once I get a list of parts that are broken from VW (I work there, hah. Monday is going to be filled with my coworkers making fun of me), I'll start figuring out what to do from there as far as replacing parts with stock/OEM or upgraded.

liquid_popcorn > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
11/24/2013 at 10:37

Also, unrelated, but your username just kills me. So great.

liquid_popcorn > JGrabowMSt
11/24/2013 at 10:37

There is, but they don't have any MKVIs right now; I was just there earlier this week looking for parts for a friend's car. :/

liquid_popcorn > 95HondaV6
11/24/2013 at 10:38

Absolutely. I'll be getting it on a lift tomorrow with one of my friends in Service/Parts, and hopefully he'll be able to give me a comprehensive rundown of what I fucked up. After that I can figure out what to do.

liquid_popcorn > 95HondaV6
11/24/2013 at 10:41

Got it. Unfortunately I will have to drive it, but I'm going to leave super early and take little back roads the whole way to avoid having to take the highway. Additionally, it will start and run readily, I just get warnings about low coolant, low washer fluid (like that matters right now, hah), and check fog lights (I unplugged them to remove the bumper cover). So, I think it'll be okay if I can plug the radiator leak today, and if I take it super slow on the way down to the dealer tomorrow. As Black by Popular Demand pointed out, I've also ruined my intercooler, so there's that too... :`(

JGrabowMSt > liquid_popcorn
11/24/2013 at 10:54

Time for craigslist or if you're a member on any specific MKVI forums, someone might have what you're looking for. I know it's helped me, and for WAY below parts store or dealership costs.

liquid_popcorn > JGrabowMSt
11/24/2013 at 11:34

Just posted something up on VW Vortex, haha. We'll see what I turn up.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > liquid_popcorn
11/24/2013 at 11:40

Ouch! D:
That sucks
sorry, man...

liquid_popcorn > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
11/24/2013 at 12:17

Yep; we'll see what I find out tomorrow. Hopefully it won't be too expensive, haha. I'm too poor for this shit.

RaymondStantz > liquid_popcorn
11/24/2013 at 14:49

Oi! It's nice to see another NovaDubs member round these parts.

Vracktal > liquid_popcorn
11/24/2013 at 15:05

Judging by the wounds I'd say.... 36mph?

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > liquid_popcorn
11/24/2013 at 16:24

Look to APR, they are the highest quality from what I have seen and heard. Even if they don't make it, they can probably point you in the right direction with it.

Also with the larger intercooler you may notice a dip in boost levels, as there is more space but the wastegate is still set the same. Look for a tune maybe too if money is no big issue when you make the leap.

Compare APR or whoever to your price at the dealer.

Also, yeah I was kinda overtired and bored and made my name tihs. I will be changing it soon as I always do, just gotta find the right one lol

liquid_popcorn > RaymondStantz
11/26/2013 at 10:06

Thanks! Haven't been out to a meet yet; my coworkers at Lindsay VW told me about it recently, so just joined.

liquid_popcorn > Vracktal
11/26/2013 at 10:06

No idea, haha. It happened pretty quickly, so I was focused on hitting clutch/brakes/not a deer.