Damn - Trashed front grill

[stanwan]

Driving home today on the M11(on my birthday of all days) my V8 vantage grille took a direct hit from road debris kicked up by a neighbouring truck. Luckily the car was still drivable and so far there are no puddles of fluid on the garage floor.

I've contacted my insurer, but I've taken a look and I've managed to pop off most of the slats. The front plate plinth is pretty bashed up too.

My excess is around 250. Is it worth claiming, or would it be better to get a grille and just refit the slats myself?

[stanwan]

[RobDown]

from memory there's a thread on here if you search about replacing the grill. Got the sense it wasnt too tricky

So I would be amazed if you aren't better off doing it yourself (think of the NCB if nothing else!)

[dig123]

Not sure of the new price but there are some on eBay and Aston Bits depending on the one you want they are £300 plus to buy. The slats are easy to remove but check the screws as some are hard to undo depending on age, well one of mine won't budge.

[northernmedia]

Dead easy to change, 10 minute job.
As above, save your NCB and buy a used one for about £300.
Bad luck but some good luck that it didn't hit your windscreen!
Let us know how you get on

[V8V Pete]

Every cloud has a silver lining. Take the opportunity to rid your car of the horrible number plate plinth.

[stanwan]

I've been able to take a look this morning in good daylight. So far it appears that the damage is localised to the grille paintwork is ok and there's no fluid leaks.

The slats seem to come out quite easily.

[northernmedia]

Could be an option?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aston-Martin-V8-Vantage-...

[GenialZ]

Wish I'd seen that. I hit a crow and it took out a couple of those uprights and made a subtle curve in a couple of the slats. Quoted £850 at a dealer on a 2014 Vantage; and iirc about the same at astonmartinbits. I can straighten out the slats but the uprights are complex mouldings with broken, bent and missing elements. Anyone know where I might get some?

[dig123]

Anyone spotted this looks like a good price

Look at this on eBay:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...

ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE GRILLE - free postage

[GenialZ]

Good for an older Vantage as it's 8 slats.

This is the one I need - for the uprights alone
http://astonmartinbits.com/models/5-V8-Vantage/par...
although my slats are black.