"Jagvar" (Jagvar)
01/26/2018 at 12:44 • Filed to: None
0
21|
"Jagvar" (Jagvar)
01/26/2018 at 12:44 • Filed to: None | 0
| 21 |
The Phaeton has these individual headlamp washers that pop out to clean the lights every time you pull the windshield washer stalk. The other day, the driver’s-side washer became stuck in the extended position. I figured the motor had died, so I left the car with my mechanic on my way to work.
An hour later he called to ask when I’d been in an accident. I told him I hadn’t. He said, “Well, either this car hit something or something hit it.” The mount for the headlamp washer was entirely gone, broken off by an impact. The bumper was cracked in several places, as well as the trim pieces below the headlight. I hadn’t looked close enough to notice.
My best guess is that somebody backed into the car while I was parked nose-out in my apartment’s parking garage. Now the bumper is badly cracked in five places, and the cracks appear to be growing.
What should I do? Call my insurance company and explain what happened? I just dropped nearly a grand on maintenance and can’t stomach the cost of an entire bumper replacement right now.
For Sweden
> Jagvar
01/26/2018 at 13:01 |
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I recommend a drone strike on the perpetrator.
CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
> Jagvar
01/26/2018 at 13:01 |
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As an adjuster, claim it. It seems to be getting worse and the damage is very expensive to fix.
That’s what I would do at least, everyone has their own self insurance tolerances. I also can’t know how your rates would change.
SmugAardvark
> Jagvar
01/26/2018 at 13:08 |
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Weaponized anthrax.
Future next gen S2000 owner
> Jagvar
01/26/2018 at 13:08 |
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I fall in the claim it category. Life sucks but that is the point of insurance.
Frenchlicker
> Jagvar
01/26/2018 at 13:09 |
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Check to see if the impact on you insurance would be tolerable to you. I personally would claim it if it wouldn’t affect rates too much.
OPPOsaurus WRX
> Jagvar
01/26/2018 at 13:18 |
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see if you can find a used one
Svend
> Jagvar
01/26/2018 at 13:33 |
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Is there any place that you can source a scrap front bumper?
In the mean time to stop the crack from spreading too far, drill a small hole (4-5mm) at the end of the crack. It’ll stop it going on.
Is there anywhere near you that can plastic weld? or take the bumper off and patch from behind?
It may be you need a full damage assessment and plan a course of action to possibly have to make a claim on your insurance.
Chariotoflove
> Jagvar
01/26/2018 at 13:34 |
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I had a similar issue recently with a unilateral claim for damage. Claim it. It will eat at you if you don’t, and that’s what insurance is for.
ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
> Jagvar
01/26/2018 at 13:37 |
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Because that would be an unknown/uninsured motors claim (you notice someone had hit your car while parked), that should have a more minimal impact on your rates. That feels like you probably claim it (unless maybe the car is otherwise accident free, because your insurer will probably want you to file an accident report), take the cash and fix it your self.
As for fixing it, if you can find a used bumper in the same color, or have a new/used one painted to match, you could probably do the install and fix headlight washer yourself without too much trouble. Taking a body shop new (or used and prepped with the old paint stripped off) parts and paying them cash to spray them the right color tends to cost less than you might think.
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ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
> Jagvar
01/26/2018 at 13:43 |
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Also, if you can live with a less than perfect cosmetic result, you could probably pull off the bumper cover, repair the headlight washer stuff and then spend some quality time with a plastic welder on the trim piece and bumper cover. If you’re careful, you should be able to do a fair amount of repair from the backside without causing much more damage to the paint. I did a repair like that almost 10 years ago on the painted grill of my old Escalade, and it still looks unnoticeable from more than 10 feet away.
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For Sweden
> OPPOsaurus WRX
01/26/2018 at 13:43 |
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Unsurprisingly, Car-Part has no available Phaeton front bumper covers.
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OPPOsaurus WRX
> For Sweden
01/26/2018 at 14:18 |
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what yr? I just used 2004 as an example and it did have 1
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For Sweden
> OPPOsaurus WRX
01/26/2018 at 14:21 |
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I did 2006
Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
> Jagvar
01/26/2018 at 14:21 |
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I’d get it quoted by a body shop you like before claiming it on the insurance. Reason being it would be better to know if you’re in totaling range before making the claim. If they were going to total it, I’d figure something else out.
Most insurance companies you have a window to make a claim that you’re probably well within, especially since you don’t have an exact date of when it happened.
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OPPOsaurus WRX
> For Sweden
01/26/2018 at 14:23 |
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are the yrs interchangeable? They may not have a 2006 but if the bumper is the same for 2002-2008 than there are more options
Mechanically
> Jagvar
01/26/2018 at 15:18 |
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Remarkable timing. I was shopping used Phaetons last night. Your mention of the your recent repair costs have assisted in my jets being cooled. Thanks.
Sorry about the bumper. I’d file the claim.
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Jagvar
> Mechanically
01/26/2018 at 16:13 |
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It’s funny, the car will go several trouble-free years at a time without costing me anything, but then when it does need something, it’s obviously pricey.
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Jagvar
> CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
01/26/2018 at 16:15 |
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Because the car was hit while parked, it shouldn’t do too much to my rates. I called the insurance company, and the repairs should be covered. I’ll only be out the $200 deductible. I’m bringing the car into the shop next week for the claims adjuster to go over.
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Jagvar
> For Sweden
01/26/2018 at 16:16 |
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2004, 2005, 2006 are all interchangeable.
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CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
> Jagvar
01/26/2018 at 16:23 |
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OK, good. Hope things go well.
McMike
> Jagvar
02/09/2018 at 10:09 |
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Paging Jagvar
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