Argument with speed hump

[shangani]

Hi all. I have a 2003 111s with normal ride height, suspension etc. Managed to crunch the fibreglass at the bottom front of the clam - where a splitter would attach. Particularly nast new speed hump.

I am based in Shinfield near Reading. Any suggestions of where to get it repaired in this area - will need a patch of fibreglass and a limited respray. Alternatively does anyone have experience of aftermarket front splitters for a mk2 111s and where to get them? Not that it will help the groung clearance.

Cheers

[tanman]

I know the elsie is quite low, but they shoudn't be that low that the front clam has got damaged. Were you breaking as you went into the speed bump? I'd look at investigating if this new bump is 'legal' (don't know if there is a max height for them though!) but if its caught your car out it may catch others. It may save you a few quid for a few phone calls, if you can claim some money back.
Good luck
Tanman

[abz 7001]

Same thing happened to my 2002 S2 a while back coming out of a garage with a particularly nasty dip, I had Alvan Front Splitters colour coded and fitted by Sinclaires in Romford. Covered the damage perfectly and looks a treat, check Bogies profile, I am sure he has a pic of the same splitters on his black and gold T72 if you want to see. IIRC is was about £400 all in and looks great!

[tanman]

Sorry- forgot to add that years ago i went over a security gate where i used to live and managed to catch the gear linkage and exhaust (in an AX GT). it ripped it all apart. That was £270 worth of damage 10 years ago but i did manage to claim this back off the flats i was living in insurance (took about 6 months). they sent someone round who investigated the clearance height of the car and the height of the security gate when it was in its flat position. they did ask me if i was breaking over the gate whilst driving in but i wasn't.
Tanman

[telecat]

Measure the hump and check againest the Regs for them. If you were being circumspect over the hump then contact the council and claim. This is one aspect of the claim culture that works as it makes them think about the road "safety" measure they have put in. Also if the hump is too big you can bet making a fuss about it to the local papers could bring up other people whose cars have been damaged and have been repaired.

[shangani]

Thanks folks

Actually the hump has aleady caused mayhem. A busload of kids hit the bump and several ended up in A&E. I will go measure and get hold of the council. In the meantime I looked up the alvan splitters and it seems as though this would cover the damage visually as well as give better front downforce. Thanks for that. I hope Alvan were reliable. Cheers

[bogie]

I have the Alvans for exactly the same reason - cheaper to fit them than repair the mess...they are about £400 sprayed and fitted from Sinclaires www.sinclairebodyshop.co.uk

[Monkey Boy 1]

found this info on speed humps

The maximum legal height of a speed hump is 100mm, but the Department for Transport say:

"To limit the possibility of grounding, investigations suggest that road humps generally should not exceed 75mm in height."

Go back & check the height, if it's more than 100mm then you may be able to claim against the local council for damages to your car.
It's worth a try

[scottm]

Hi,

I had my damaged front repaired by Specialised Paintworks. They were fantastic and did a great job. Cost about £350. They are also close to you too - just behind Porsche HQ at Calcot - just off J12 M4.

www.specialisedpaintwork.com/home.htm

Just out of interest what road was this evil speedbump on? I work in Reading and don't want to run into it.



>> Edited by scottm on Wednesday 29th June 10:01

[S Works]

I was thinking about this the other day. When I used to have (proper) Mini's you could buy sump-guards for stuff like this.

Would be smart for someone like Eliseparts to make some kind of bolt-on lightweight clam-guard for the front to protect the clam from scrapes.

I was thinking of hammeriting the underneath of mine at the front in black to see if that would help btu I'm nervy about screwing with the paintwork on Fibreglass.

Anyone got any novel ways of getting around this (apart from sticking the suspension up a few clicks!)

[nmh]

Sorry that this isn't related to the original post but can I ask, S Works, what is the usual running temperature you are experiencing in your 160s?

[S Works]

I've only had it a week but its running at 'normal' temps. IIRC about 86ish then fans kick in when it gets hot (102ish?).

[nmh]

Thanks for the response. I'm relieved to see a figure beyond 100.