bbvrod

Hey all,

I'm relatively new to the forum, and had hoped to post better photos!, but need to commiserate a bit. Few besides you all out here can really appreciate this...

12/4/04 Purchased an 01 CPOed Ming Blue S8 w/ecru interior from a remote dealer.

Brought car home - 10 hours of joy!

Took car to local dealer for 40K service & some minor warranty work.

Traveled on business on and off for 3 weeks driving the car only sporadically.

01/05/05 This happens on the way to take the kids to school. Careless driver was rushing to make a traffic light coming out of an apartment complex that parallels my street. The light was for my street, NOT his apartment complex, but people try to "steal" this light all the time. Both his airbags deploy. None do in the Audi.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86812/accident1.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86812/accident2.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86812/accident3.jpg">

No one is injured - ultimately all that matters - machines, even as fine as this one, can be replaced. People can't.

Cop sites driver of the 2000 Accord for improperly exiting a driveway.

01/12/05 I finally get a rental from his insurance agency.

01/31/05 Estimated completion of repairs on the S8.

So much for the clean CarFax record. Prior to the accident, since I've only had it for a month, I would not have dreamed about resale value. Now I know that when/if ever that time comes it will be severely impacted.

With all that suspension, and possibly transmission, damage I just hope it is in as good of shape as it was when I got it!

skiracer

Make sure that it is an Audi authorized repair center, specifically authorized to work on the A8 aluminum body panels. If there is any frame damage (I hope not), then there are only something like 8 repair centers in the US authorized by Audi to make repairs. Don't let the other driver's insurance company railroad you into a non-Audi authorized repair. If the repairs are done by an authorized repair center, resale value shouldn't take too big a hit. Document all repairs so that you can show them to a prospective buyer if they ask.

bbvrod

Good input.

I don't think there is any frame damage, though I do know that the engine sub-frame was bent. Most of the impact was into the wheel and suspension components though the axle is busted and may have damaged the transmission too.

Does anyone have a list of authorized frame repair faciliities? The shop my car is in claims to be one, but I don't know how to prove or disprove that claim.

Return 4 Deposit

Great car and color combo. I'll trade you cars right now (even though yours has a little damage).

I agree with skiracer - make sure the repairs are done by an Audi-approved shop if at all possible and document the heck out of the repair process with as many photos and as much paperwork as you can muster.

Check your State's Damage Disclosure Laws very carefully before settling your claim. Make certain you can still have a "clear" title once everything is fixed and you are back on the road.

If not, you will have to make another claim for the diminished value of the vehicle due to having to legally disclose the damage at the time of sale.

I'm not sure what state you are in, but here in Iowa if a vehicles damage exceeds 50% of it's fair market value and the vehicle is 10 model years old or less, you have to disclose it on the title.

Looks like a pretty easy repair - you should be as good as new! Glad no one was hurt.

Again - beautiful car.

Ross:D

skiracer is correct, it's not just the frame, but the body panels are also aluminum, and most body shops aren't qualified to work on aluminum. A pretty good list was posted. . .<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/75458.phtml">here.</a></li></ul>

JimR

You might ask your Audi dealer for an updated one.<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/43294.phtml">Click</a></li></ul>

JimR

You found it quicker.

Ross:D

Draw! 8^)

bbvrod

So on all of your inputs I called Audi and found that there are 25 shops in the US to do cosmetic repair on A/S8s specifically. There are only 4 in the US that can do structural repair. One of the cosmetic facilities is here in town, unfortunately it is not the one the car is sitting in. I'll be calling them tomorrow to discuss why I was told they were certified when they aren't and to have it moved to the correct repair location. Then I'll deal with the insurance company...

escapA8

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/31455/escapa8_accident_112203_a.jpg"></center><p>