Ow, ow, ow OW!
08-03-2004, 05:52 PM
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Ow, ow, ow OW!
<center><img src="http://www.harwoodperformance.bizland.com/1941buick/images/bam!_1.jpg"></center><p>Hi guys, long time lurker, occasional poster. I guess it had to happen--I drive the car to work, nice car, beautiful day, freshly waxed and detailed, most expensive car to repair we own, and BAM! Truck tire tread separates and wipes out the front of Julia's beloved TT. The hit was so hard the tire flew over my head. Some dope next to me yells, "Hey! You just hit a tire!"
I pull off as soon as possible and by the time I roll to a stop, the temperature gauge is pegged and the display is beeping and showing the thermometer. Uh-oh... Then I smell the sickly sweet smell of coolant, and I know I'm boned. Call wife with bad news about her baby and wait. Fortunately, I had my digital camera with me, so here's the damage: bumper, all four grilles, A/C condenser, radiator, hood. I'm concerned perhaps the intercoolers got whacked too, or that I didn't shut it down in time and did some damage to the turbo. We'll find out, I guess.
I'm having it flat-bedded to the body shop tomorrow. I figure this is also a great time to upgrade the car's schnoz, so are there any suggestions that perhaps I can get in there that cost the same or less than the OEM parts (grilles, in particular)? I'm hopeful that the body shop will work with me on that, even though they're in cahoots with the insurance company. Thoughts?
Thanks in advance, guys. More photos to follow. I'm really bummed, even more than Julia. I didn't realize just how much I loved this car...
I pull off as soon as possible and by the time I roll to a stop, the temperature gauge is pegged and the display is beeping and showing the thermometer. Uh-oh... Then I smell the sickly sweet smell of coolant, and I know I'm boned. Call wife with bad news about her baby and wait. Fortunately, I had my digital camera with me, so here's the damage: bumper, all four grilles, A/C condenser, radiator, hood. I'm concerned perhaps the intercoolers got whacked too, or that I didn't shut it down in time and did some damage to the turbo. We'll find out, I guess.
I'm having it flat-bedded to the body shop tomorrow. I figure this is also a great time to upgrade the car's schnoz, so are there any suggestions that perhaps I can get in there that cost the same or less than the OEM parts (grilles, in particular)? I'm hopeful that the body shop will work with me on that, even though they're in cahoots with the insurance company. Thoughts?
Thanks in advance, guys. More photos to follow. I'm really bummed, even more than Julia. I didn't realize just how much I loved this car...
08-03-2004, 06:18 PM
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Re: Ow, ow, ow OW!
No specific advice on front end mods, but a general comment on dealing with your body shop.
I had something similar happen to the rear end of my 2001 225 TTQR, and ended up putting a Borla exhaust on to replace OEM. Body shop guy was willing to work with me and let me order it, but I offered in advance to cover his mark-up on the OEM parts. Made it a much easier situation to deal with.
He told me they only made 15% mark up on Audi stuff, but it was still around $125 out of his pocket on the exhaust system if I supplied it. We compromised at $50 and I got a better exhaust than OEM at around OEM prices
I had something similar happen to the rear end of my 2001 225 TTQR, and ended up putting a Borla exhaust on to replace OEM. Body shop guy was willing to work with me and let me order it, but I offered in advance to cover his mark-up on the OEM parts. Made it a much easier situation to deal with.
He told me they only made 15% mark up on Audi stuff, but it was still around $125 out of his pocket on the exhaust system if I supplied it. We compromised at $50 and I got a better exhaust than OEM at around OEM prices
