Smash Repair Cost?

ClintonL on 11/07/2017 - 09:46

Hey guys,

So woke up to my car being hit and no one left a note or anything. I actually had it hit in the exact same place 4 months ago by my neighbour (pretty sure it was him but unfortunately can’t pin it on him). Anyway last time it was covered by his insurance this time I’m paying out of my pocket.
I called up the place that did it last time and they quoted me 4k and said last time it cost 8k (albeit it was a bit worse last time although exact same panels etc, they said it was suspension/bearings/mechanical they had to fix as well as replace quarter panel).
When I turn left or hit a bump it makes a big scratching/grinding noise.
I called up a few smash repairers and some quoted me around 2-3k some quoted $800-1k. I’m not sure where to go. Not sure if places are trying to overcharge me etc. I don’t really care about it cosmetically but just mechanically and for the scratching to stop. Any advice on what to go with?

http://imgur.com/a/BXEwf

Cheers

Automotive

Comments

  • nocure on 11/07/2017 - 09:48
    +2

    pretty sure it was him but unfortunately can’t pin it on him….

    Check his vehicle for damage then report him for hit and run, let the popo sort it…

    • ClintonL on 11/07/2017 - 10:37

      He's got 5 cars and all have bumps around the back.

      • bargainbargain on 11/07/2017 - 11:52

        For the above damage to happen to your car given the noise you mention - the other car would be in pretty bad condition too !! so pretty easy for you to find out which car it is !

        but i dont think the bearing etc may need replacement..

        • ClintonL on 11/07/2017 - 12:01

          2 of his cars are utes with metal trays which make it hard. I confronted him about it before anyway and he denied it so not much I can do.

  • Master Bates on 11/07/2017 - 10:06
    +1

    The scratching noise is probably the wheel arch rubbing on the tyre when the suspension compresses.

    I would stop parking where your car keeps getting hit by others.

    • ClintonL on 11/07/2017 - 10:38

      Not much street parking on my road, both times i know it was him as you can only hit it like that by reversing into it.

      • Ughhh on 11/07/2017 - 10:58

        Put dash cams facing that direction?

        • ClintonL on 11/07/2017 - 11:40

          Will have to do that but in the meantime I think I'm going to park up a few houses.

        • Ughhh on 11/07/2017 - 13:27
          +1

          @Clinton:

          If there's a high chance he is going to do it again, you could leave the car parked in the same spot. Assuming he'll hit the same spot again, if you have the dash cam installed, you'll have proof to get him to pay.

  • Skramit on 11/07/2017 - 10:25

    You don't have comprehensive insurance?

    • ClintonL on 11/07/2017 - 10:38

      I do but $800 excess and $700 extra for being under 25.

      • Skramit on 11/07/2017 - 10:44

        It's basic maths then. If you can get a quote for under $1500, take that. For anything over $1500 use insurance.

        But in my experience the cheap quote will likely use refurbished parts and potentially do a cheap and nasty repair. Go for the proper quote and a reputable repairer and pay the insurance excess :)

        • ClintonL on 11/07/2017 - 11:51

          Not really math because I don't know how much better or essential the insurance repair will be vs a normal one. Posted this thread to see if anyone with knowledge on cars would know how much it'd cost just for a mechanically sufficient fix to cost.

  • [Deactivated] on 11/07/2017 - 10:35

    some quoted $800-1k. I’m not sure where to go. Not sure if places are trying to overcharge me etc. I don’t really care about it cosmetically but just mechanically and for the scratching to stop. Any advice on what to go with?

    Go with the $800 place. Even if the panels don't look great, the screeching/grinding noise should be fixed at the minimum.

    You could probably try to find what's grinding yourself too and just beat it out with a mallet, if you don't care about how it look.

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