Car park bump (with note) - advice? Cheapy MX-5.

[TooMany2cvs]

sebhaque said:

As I'm dwelling on it further tonight, I get the feeling that realistically I've lost my Mazda tonight. It drives okay - I took it out briefly earlier and, while it may be the placebo effect, it felt like it was hurting. It coughed on start up, the electric windows have stopped working, the pax mirror has obviously taken a knock and there's new wind noise coming from the n/s/r.

That's all placebo. 100%. How can being hit on the wing stop the electric windows working, or make it cough on start? It'd have to be hit a LOT harder than that for a new wind noise, although it's not impossible the door's moved slightly on the hinge adjustment.

[Mr2Mike]

SeeFive said:

I personally think £500 could be light. I had a 10 reg three layer pearl white rear bumper done on my daughters mk3 mx5 and it was over a grand. Admittedly, it was not a cheap body shop as above, as it needed to be immaculate and it was.

This is not an 10 plate car in pearl white. It's a twenty year old car with a solid colour (no metallic/pearl) that the OP bought for £350, so it's hardly likely to be showroom fresh. I'm not suggesting he does a half assed job, but you could get it looking at good or better than before for well under £500 assuming no suspension damage.

TooMany2cvs said:

That's all placebo. 100%. How can being hit on the wing stop the electric windows working, or make it cough on start? It'd have to be hit a LOT harder than that for a new wind noise, although it's not impossible the door's moved slightly on the hinge adjustment.

I think someone's decided they just fancy a newer car.

[kiseca]

Firstly, she's been honest enough tl leave a note, that's a good start.

Get the three quotes, send them over. If there is suspension damage explain that too. If they are over the £500 or £400 cash limit or whatever it sounds like she'll just go through insurance. Don't be concerned about the cost of the damage, just be honest.

[james_gt3rs]

TooMany2cvs said:

That's all placebo. 100%. How can being hit on the wing stop the electric windows working, or make it cough on start? It'd have to be hit a LOT harder than that for a new wind noise, although it's not impossible the door's moved slightly on the hinge adjustment.

Knocked some wiring? I think the airbox is on that side in an MX5, might have blocked that a bit?

Could be a catD?

[Herman Toothrot]

Seriously an old mk1 is the simplest of simple cars to work on and worth about 5p, you would not take this to the insurance they'd say throw it away and start again. What you should do is eBay / MX5parts a new wing fit it yourself about an hours work with no special tools required then find the cheapest place to just blow over the panel.

I'd be amazed if wishbone or track road arms bent and if they are again so what just buy a replacement on eBay for 5p.

I have broken and sold off 2 x mk1 mx5's parts are massively abundant and super cheap.

[em177]

Herman Toothrot said:

Seriously an old mk1 is the simplest of simple cars to work on and worth about 5p, you would not take this to the insurance they'd say throw it away and start again. What you should do is eBay / MX5parts a new wing fit it yourself about an hours work with no special tools required then find the cheapest place to just blow over the panel.

I'd be amazed if wishbone or track road arms bent and if they are again so what just buy a replacement on eBay for 5p.

I have broken and sold off 2 x mk1 mx5's parts are massively abundant and super cheap.

From experience of racing the things they need a fair whack to start bending suspension bits.

[TooMany2cvs]

james_gt3rs said:

Could be a catD?

Go near insurance, and that'll be Cat C - damage more than value.

[sebhaque]

Thanks for the responses guys. I've been driving the car around today to get some estimate and, aside from a new rattle, which I think is just the loose indicator lens on the bent wing, the rest of the car seems fine. The windows not working is something new though, they were always a bit reluctant to go up and down but in all honesty if I need some fresh air I can drop the top. The start-up cough was presumably just due to the car getting a bump, the mirror will be readjusted when it's getting painted and I assume the wind noise is a result of the enlarged panel gap between the pax door and the arch. I was a bit downheartened last night at the thought of losing the Mazda but having slept on it I think I can keep the little fella.

I've had a quote from DingMaster of £490 + VAT which the other driver is prepared to pay for. I'm pretty happy with the quote although it doesn't include wheel alignment - I can get that done for about £30, which I'll probably do anyway for peace of mind.

I'll get the car up on jacks tonight and have a look at the n/s suspension, if it does look knackered then I'm back to square one, but I'm taking this little nugget of good news and running with it

Appreciate the help.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Id get the suspension looked at asap, they are tough, but that looks a bloody good whack

Mx5s must be invisible I had 4 people drive into mine, 2 of them when I was in the car stuck in traffic and I leave a biig gap as well, must be because they are so low.

One of the culprits reversed into me in a jam , tore off , when I caught him he challenged me to a fight with him and his 12 year old son, whilst his wife and baby looked on......

The other hit me from behind, when I got out and went to her drivers window, told her she went "eeeerrhhhh yeah I think I just drove into you, I'm not surrree" whist her car was imbedded in my bumper. Silly bint wouldn't get out the car or talk to me!!

[paulmnz]

em177 said:

From experience of racing the things they need a fair whack to start bending suspension bits.

This...

I race them too, and have hit the wall at castlecombe and ripped the front wheel off (broke the front hub, track rod, shock snapped at the bottom, upper wishbone buckled). Hit the wall with enough force to break the engine mounts and leave a sizeable dent in the bonnet from the engine tiring to escape...

My team had the car out for the next race in less than an hour with £100 worth of 2nd hand bits plus a new race shock. it drives just the way it did before and aligns perfectly.

They are strong cars (being quite light).

If you can get £400-500 and its cosmetic (wing and a door) I'd DIY the fix with ebay parts, if there is suspension damage, I'd ask one of the many garages/teams that race MX5s to sort it out - they carry all the bits (wings, suspension etc) and will know exactly how to fit them quickly and cheaply - can also do your alignment.

There are at least 5 garages I know all over the UK who I'd trust to sort this out at minimal cost

[TwigtheWonderkid]

S10GTA said:

How the fk does someone get parking that wrong? Bint should had in her driving licence at the same time.

Oh ffs. Someone made a mistake, and owned up to it. Christ, if that's the level of misdemeanour for handing in your licence, there'd be no one left on the road.

[AyBee]

Why are you not taking it to be checked out properly? Most places will stick it up on the ramps and provide you with a quote for repair without charging you and that way you can be sure what, if any, damage there is to the suspension. Then you can decide whether you want it written off or if it's worth taking some cash and doing it yourself.

P.S. Possible that the wiring for the window runs through the door and has been mangled, stopping the window working?

P.P.S That's a huge hit for a car park - would love to know what she was trying to do!