New bonnet or it will knock out?

[Bobajobbob]

After an encounter with a flying piece of metal on the A1 my front end needs some tlc. I don't suppose anyone here is expert enough to say whether this will bash out and blend or a whole new bonnet required?

If so what's the damage for new bonnet these days? Thanks

[C. Grimsley]

Repaired worse.

That’s quite an easy job to most skilled panel workers.

Carl

[Bobajobbob]

Thanks. Good to know.

[Damianos]

No expert, but definitely no need for a new bonnet

[R129 300SL]

It’s aluminium so may not be as easy to bang out and fill as a steel bonnet.

[leerandle]

I think small repairs can be made to aluminium panels, but not the same as steel panels. Hopefully yours can be repaired and save yourself a few quid.

[Bobajobbob]

Thanks for all the feedback. Took the car to the body shop this morning. I’m going to need a new grill and the jury is out on the bonnet. For any other car it would be fixable but they will need to look closer to be sure they can get the car perfect. Managed to straighten pictures below. Apologies for flies.

[anonymous-user]

You have my sincerest sympathies with this bob. It looks like something substantial and it is only good fortune the place of impact wasnt the windscreen, or directly into the grille which I would think would have been smashed along with the radiator? Not that that is any consolation, I hope it gets put right without too much time or expense....

[hornbaek]

Had a similar dent in my DB9. Wasn't repairable due to limited access from behind. Also colour very difficult to blend in so had new bonnet. Remember a bill of some 4k at the time.

[JohnG1]

Bobajobbob said:

After an encounter with a flying piece of metal on the A1

Claim against the authority responsible for maintaining the road?

[Bobajobbob]

soofsayer said:

You have my sincerest sympathies with this bob. It looks like something substantial and it is only good fortune the place of impact wasnt the windscreen, or directly into the grille which I would think would have been smashed along with the radiator? Not that that is any consolation, I hope it gets put right without too much time or expense....

Thank you, much appreciated. Normally this would have really annoyed me but for all the reasons you make above I do have to look on the bright side as I got home in one piece, especially as I was on the way home from a funeral. I hope no one else suffered worse behind me.

If the insurance company tries to nickel and dime me then I might change my mind but fingers crossed.

I really don’t know if I could sue the local authority but I suspect it would be more trouble than it’s worth.

[oilit]

Yikes, sorry to hear that - but as mentioned before - at least the car is 'driveable' & repairable and everyone involved is still alive and uninjured.

WRGT the bonnet - my only comment would be just because it is repairable doesn't mean it should or have to be repaired.

If it were my car and it was a keeper I personally would want the new bonnet.

[mike74]

JohnG1 said:

Claim against the authority responsible for maintaining the road?

I'm not sure it's entirely realistic to expect any authority to be responsible for removing every piece of stray debris within seconds of falling onto the road.

[oilit]

mike74 said:

I'm not sure it's entirely realistic to expect any authority to be responsible for removing every piece of stray debris within seconds of falling onto the road.

fully agree - things happen - and sometimes you just have to suck it up

[bignoise]

mike74 said:

I'm not sure it's entirely realistic to expect any authority to be responsible for removing every piece of stray debris within seconds of falling onto the road.

It would depend on what the object was ie if part of a road sign or as a result of roadwork then Highways England as this is a major route

If from a vehicle, the responsibility would lie with the operator from whose vehicle the object came from, If this is known im sure the DVSA would also be very interested

But as previously mentioned it could have been a lot worse and I really feel for you

Hopefully insurance co will be realistic etc. If you do need a new bonnet at your expense I have seen a couple of used items for sale which might save a few££

Hope all works out well in the end

[RobDown]

I had a not dissimilar dent a few years ago in my DB9, think some cyclist had run into it, initially thought that would be tough to repair but Chiltern Aston made a lovely job of it. So don’t despair it might be possible

[Bobajobbob]

Thanks all. Sympathy much appreciated. I’m a bit OCD so I hate it when my stuff gets damaged and it will bug me until it’s sorted but hopefully that won’t take too long.

It’s funny but It doesn’t feel right to drive the car in this state. It’s like the car is wounded

[Manwhoneverwas]

I have sent you a PM if you are looking for a replacement V8 bonnet as I am replacing mine soon