FFS ... Someone Kicked My Front Clam?
Discussion
This month hasn't been great and I suspect next month will be a great deal worse 
As some of you know, I had a small accident the other week where I managed to crack the laquer on my rear clam - Nothing too serious, something that could probably be blended in. Then last week whilst leaving work I noticed a 12" scratch down the side of the rear clam, above the wheelarch, as if someone had accidentally dragged their bag or something across the paintwork ... Again, not too bad. Either a blend in or perhaps a full respray would sort, so I put aside cash for a full respray just in case.
I was talking to a mate earlier who said about bad things happening in threes ... I said, I don't mind as long as the third doesn't affect the car!
I decided to go for a drive - Did a few miles and needed the toilet - So I pulled up in Bourne End and used the public loos there. Unfortunately I passed a group of chavs hanging round outside the toilets, parked up behind a mini-bus and thought nothing of it. Anyway, as soon as I returned home and looked at the front of my car I noticed lots of dirt over one side of my clam, huge cracks, a deep scratch and paintwork that had flaked off! I'm so
off right now I cannot prove it was the group of chavs and even if I did go back to confront them, what can I do? Even if they admitted to it, me vs. 8 of them who could also be armed, I might just end up in hospital!
I'm at a loss as to what to do next ... I'm guessing this is going to be really expensive. I could go through my insurance, but the increase to my premium afterwards would probably result in me selling the Lotus. I'm only 22 years old, nearly 2 years NCB and last year I paid £2,600 fully comp. I know everyone advises not to buy such a car until 25 years of age, but I'm more annoyed that this is something I haven't done myself! Something that I knew could happen if I took a corner too quickly in the wet, which is why I've been incredibly careful throughout ownership.
I'm absolutely gutted - I feel physically sick ... Sorry for the rant, but thought other owners might just understand what I'm feeling.
Pictures to come ...
As some of you know, I had a small accident the other week where I managed to crack the laquer on my rear clam - Nothing too serious, something that could probably be blended in. Then last week whilst leaving work I noticed a 12" scratch down the side of the rear clam, above the wheelarch, as if someone had accidentally dragged their bag or something across the paintwork ... Again, not too bad. Either a blend in or perhaps a full respray would sort, so I put aside cash for a full respray just in case.I was talking to a mate earlier who said about bad things happening in threes ... I said, I don't mind as long as the third doesn't affect the car!
I decided to go for a drive - Did a few miles and needed the toilet - So I pulled up in Bourne End and used the public loos there. Unfortunately I passed a group of chavs hanging round outside the toilets, parked up behind a mini-bus and thought nothing of it. Anyway, as soon as I returned home and looked at the front of my car I noticed lots of dirt over one side of my clam, huge cracks, a deep scratch and paintwork that had flaked off! I'm so
off right now I cannot prove it was the group of chavs and even if I did go back to confront them, what can I do? Even if they admitted to it, me vs. 8 of them who could also be armed, I might just end up in hospital!I'm at a loss as to what to do next ... I'm guessing this is going to be really expensive. I could go through my insurance, but the increase to my premium afterwards would probably result in me selling the Lotus. I'm only 22 years old, nearly 2 years NCB and last year I paid £2,600 fully comp. I know everyone advises not to buy such a car until 25 years of age, but I'm more annoyed that this is something I haven't done myself! Something that I knew could happen if I took a corner too quickly in the wet, which is why I've been incredibly careful throughout ownership.
I'm absolutely gutted - I feel physically sick ... Sorry for the rant, but thought other owners might just understand what I'm feeling.
Pictures to come ...
I think you have every right to rant and be pissed off, I know I would!
It's a sad state of affairs when people have to demonstrate their jealousy by vandalising someone elses property.
Afraid it doesn't look like a particularly cheap option but no-doubt better to do it privately rather than through your insurance.
You have my sympathy!
It's a sad state of affairs when people have to demonstrate their jealousy by vandalising someone elses property.
Afraid it doesn't look like a particularly cheap option but no-doubt better to do it privately rather than through your insurance.
You have my sympathy!
Lotus Lewis said:
Really sorry to hear this mate ,I don't know Bourne End but was there any CCTV cameras around the car park that might have pick up on what happened just a thought, hope you get it sorted out
I've just got back from Bourne End in the hope that a CCTV camera might've been looking in the direction of where I was parked, but unfortunately not. I also had a quick scan of the ground and couldn't see any flakes of paint on the concrete, so it might not have been the chavs afterall ... I'm just struggling to think when this happened ... If another car did hit the clam, how come there are lots of little impact cracks across the front lip of the clam, the large crack in the headlight cluster and the deep gouge on the front? Just seems weird ... I'll be taking the car over to Specialised Bodywork asap to see what they think and get an estimate
Edited by Ikemi on Saturday 15th March 16:52
Ikemi said:
Lotus Lewis said:
Really sorry to hear this mate ,I don't know Bourne End but was there any CCTV cameras around the car park that might have pick up on what happened just a thought, hope you get it sorted out
I've just got back from Bourne End in the hope that a CCTV camera might've been looking in the direction of where I was parked, but unfortunately not. I also had a quick scan of the ground and couldn't see any flakes of paint on the concrete, so it might not have been the chavs afterall ... I'm just struggling to think when this happened ... If another car did hit the clam, how come there are lots of little impact cracks across the front lip of the clam, the large crack in the headlight cluster and the deep gouge on the front? Just seems weird ... I'll be taking the car over to Specialised Bodywork asap to see what they think and get an estimate
Edited by Ikemi on Saturday 15th March 16:52
Hi, as the others have said, feel for you there. There are some nasty people about. I'm in High Wycombe, so if you need a hand or a lift back from Specialised or whatever, send me an email through the site and I'll help out if I can. Can I also recommend you give Steve Williams in Maidenhead a call to have a look as well? He's fully equipped for fibreglass repairs also and probably a little closer to you?
Annoying, really annoying.
Unfortunately you may have to learn some lessons of modern day Britain here. I am almost twice your age, but would never stop for a pee in chavland - you are dealing with low self esteem people and need to give them a wide berth as they, sadly, will look on you owning an Elise as even more evidence that they did not make it. That is their problem - and you don't need to fuel it.
Lack of brains and basic manners means they then live by the modern day rule of Britain, namely that if I'm having a bad time, so should you. It is sick, sick and sick.
But what you MUST remember is that if I can make them feel that way yet I am old enough to be their father, how much more 'provocative' will it appear when a young lad as yourself parks up and steps put of a Lotus?
Of course you are 100% innocent and it really should not be this way at all....but you can't beat them, and you most certainly do not want to join them - so next time, drive on and get out of there, even if it means pissing your trousers.
Unfortunately you may have to learn some lessons of modern day Britain here. I am almost twice your age, but would never stop for a pee in chavland - you are dealing with low self esteem people and need to give them a wide berth as they, sadly, will look on you owning an Elise as even more evidence that they did not make it. That is their problem - and you don't need to fuel it.
Lack of brains and basic manners means they then live by the modern day rule of Britain, namely that if I'm having a bad time, so should you. It is sick, sick and sick.
But what you MUST remember is that if I can make them feel that way yet I am old enough to be their father, how much more 'provocative' will it appear when a young lad as yourself parks up and steps put of a Lotus?
Of course you are 100% innocent and it really should not be this way at all....but you can't beat them, and you most certainly do not want to join them - so next time, drive on and get out of there, even if it means pissing your trousers.
- On the damage side, keep getting as many quotes as you can but make it clear you are paying yourself. You may find by asking around you can get in touch with part time sprayers who work at home, where you can get a good job done at around 1/2 - 1/3 of garage prices.
Looks more like vehicle damage to me too, although there isn't any paintwork from the other vehicle which is odd. That said, the front is really low so could have been hit by the underside of something.
There can be some very strange damage from other vehicles. My mate bumped his MX5 lightly into the back of a lorry. The only damage was a round hole about the size of a £2 coin due to something behind the bumper.
I love my car but I have to say that whenever I leave it is public place I worry about it a little. I always try to park it out of sight or hidden by a larger vehicle (which could be anything!).
There can be some very strange damage from other vehicles. My mate bumped his MX5 lightly into the back of a lorry. The only damage was a round hole about the size of a £2 coin due to something behind the bumper.
I love my car but I have to say that whenever I leave it is public place I worry about it a little. I always try to park it out of sight or hidden by a larger vehicle (which could be anything!).
That is p*ss poor luck! You must be gutted..
I tend to agree that it looks more like something has hit you rather than chav damage. If it was chav damage you'd see imprints of reebok classic & i'd of thought they'd of stamped on the centre of the car rather than the edge. Also if they were to vandalise it they'd do something more in keeping with chavness such as scratching it with keys.
To me as the damage has been localised to the front right, it looks like something big like a chelsea tractor has reversed into you at an angle, whacking the front right of your car. The hole could of been caused by a towbar of something metal sticking out the back piercing the bodywork.
Either way, some f*cking lowlife has chosen to drive off & leave you to pay the damage. Scum.
I tend to agree that it looks more like something has hit you rather than chav damage. If it was chav damage you'd see imprints of reebok classic & i'd of thought they'd of stamped on the centre of the car rather than the edge. Also if they were to vandalise it they'd do something more in keeping with chavness such as scratching it with keys.
To me as the damage has been localised to the front right, it looks like something big like a chelsea tractor has reversed into you at an angle, whacking the front right of your car. The hole could of been caused by a towbar of something metal sticking out the back piercing the bodywork.
Either way, some f*cking lowlife has chosen to drive off & leave you to pay the damage. Scum.
sorry to hear that mate - don't give up specialised paintwork are great and hopefully the quote will be reasonable.
it does look like vehicle damage to me as well - could the mini bus have reversed into you? i'm thinking less chance of paintwork marks if its higher but a bigger bumper..??
hope you get it sorted.
it does look like vehicle damage to me as well - could the mini bus have reversed into you? i'm thinking less chance of paintwork marks if its higher but a bigger bumper..??
hope you get it sorted.
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