never lend your car to a mate
never lend your car to a mate
Author
Discussion

mr_tony

Original Poster:

6,350 posts

297 months

Thursday 27th February 2003
quotequote all
Especially if they're not insured fully comp, and stack it into a signpost. :Shoot:

It's been a trial over the last few weeks trying to sort this one out, so I can only present this as a cautionary tale. Never, no matter how much you trust them, let your mates drive your motor on just 3rd party. It's way too much hassle to sort out when it goes wrong. It's bloody expensive, time consuming and downright depressing.

In fact the only thing thats cheering me up, is the thought of going car shopping! (anyone got any recommendations?)

see here
http://ltsc.brinkster.net/images/car/after1.jpg

here (underneath - bent suspension/axle/sils ouch)
http://ltsc.brinkster.net/images/car/after2.jpg

and here
http://ltsc.brinkster.net/images/car/after3.jpg

Looks like the end of the road for the taxi, several breakers yards are now quoting for the carcass. Should be shot of it by the weekend. If you want to see what it used to look like check out my profile for a pic if it screeching around Folembray in happier times.

[blatant plug]
If any of you enterprising types out there fancy buying it and doing it up (or just buying the thing for the 276Bhp 3.6 AMG V6 lump to drop in your westie) then give me a call. 3000 quid secures the wreck. No damage to front of car at all.[/plug]

Thom

2,745 posts

301 months

Thursday 27th February 2003
quotequote all
Hi Rich,

I really feel sorry for you, especially after having seen it being so well driven in Folembray.

Really sad

Bonce

4,339 posts

307 months

Thursday 27th February 2003
quotequote all

In fact the only thing thats cheering me up, is the thought of going car shopping! (anyone got any recommendations?)

I recommend you don't take your mate with you on the test drives.

Seriously though, hard luck mate. A cautionary tale for all of us. I've driven friends cars on third-party before and have mused about how bad it would for both of us be if I damage it!

Agent006

12,058 posts

292 months

Thursday 27th February 2003
quotequote all

[blatant plug]
If any of you enterprising types out there fancy buying it and doing it up (or just buying the thing for the 276Bhp 3.6 AMG V6 lump to drop in your westie) then give me a call. 3000 quid secures the wreck. No damage to front of car at all.[/plug]


Not meaning to sound incredibly naive, but the damage on the photos doesn't look too bad. I assume there's huge strutural stuff that the photos don't show.

PetrolTed

34,468 posts

331 months

Thursday 27th February 2003
quotequote all
Blimey, I had visions of spectacular damage. What's the unseen damage?

mr_tony

Original Poster:

6,350 posts

297 months

Thursday 27th February 2003
quotequote all
Damage is localised to the rear left offside around the wheel, and also the bootlid is bent and the rear screen is smashed.

As far as I have been told the main chasis is fine, the sil on the rear lhs side needs new parts and welding, as does the floorpan. After that add in the cost of new suspension bits, new wheel etc etc and you're looking at about 5ks worth of official merc parts. On top of that labour and VAT and it's getting expensive.

We could do it cheaper with recon parts, so it's possible that someone could take it on and do it themselves and put together a very slick motor for less than it would cost to buy.

Personally, I want to avoid that possibility of the car causing hassle for either of us again. e.g. If I get it repaired using recon parts what happens if a part fails if 3 years time - is my mate still liable then? etc etc etc



I really feel sorry for you, especially after having seen it being so well driven in Folembray.


Cheers Thom, flattery will get you everywhere mate


In the end the cost of me taking it to a garage and saying make it like new is gonna be at least 7k.

mr_tony

Original Poster:

6,350 posts

297 months

Thursday 27th February 2003
quotequote all
Edited because I'll be sensible and stick an ad up if I am going to flog it.

>> Edited by mr_tony on Thursday 27th February 20:08

Bonce

4,339 posts

307 months

Friday 28th February 2003
quotequote all

Thom said: I really feel sorry for you, especially after having seen it being so well driven in Folembray.
Who else drove it then?


Agent006

12,058 posts

292 months

Sunday 2nd March 2003
quotequote all

mr_tony said: Edited because I'll be sensible and stick an ad up if I am going to flog it.

>> Edited by mr_tony on Thursday 27th February 20:08


Now... if i sold everything i own, i could get the £3000 together. The sad thing is, i'm really tempted.

JonRB

79,936 posts

300 months

Sunday 2nd March 2003
quotequote all
Sorry to hear that the taxi may have taken its last fare, Rich.

Presumably the old "you bend it, you mend it" rule wasn't explicitly made when you lent it then?

At the very least your repentent mate should contribute something towards the cost of repair / replacement?

domster

8,431 posts

298 months

Monday 3rd March 2003
quotequote all
Mr Tony - I have a friend who may be interested in purchasing the remnants of your beastie. Please email me through my profile asap.

Cheers
Dom