Oh dear, not a good day yesterday

[mac]

I had a phone call at work from my wife yesterday afternoon.
"don't know how to tell you this, but someones smashed into your Masser"

Parked up on my drive, minding it's own business and someone crashed into it.

When I got home, this was what greeted me.



The drivers car was a bigger mess, but no one hurt much, the driver did have to go to hospital but was released, bumps and bruises only, so could have been a lot worse.

So now I'm going through the trawl of getting her fixed.

I'm in Hemel Hempstead, can anyone recommend a good indy that will do a good job mechanically AND bodywork wise?
Bill McGrath is local, anyone used him for this kind of work?
I don't think she will be written off, but does anyone have any views on this?

So, upshot is six months to find her, six weeks driving her, ??? getting her fixed.
GUTTED!

 

[safrane]

I have seen plenty on Euro Spares written off with less, the parts cost £££ new and it is unlikely they will use used parts...however you may be able to buy it back for a song and DIY fix.

 

[mac]

I'm kind of hoping for a write off, something tells me no matter how good a job is done, it just won't be quite right.
I suppose I'm in the hands of the insurance company with that one.

Dicky (Grace), keep a look out mate

 

[mjheathcote]

I assume someone has driven through your garden fence?
How does your insurance see such an accident? Not a claim on yours, but in the future is such an accident a knock againat you?

 

[mac]

Hmmm, not sure Mike.
my insurance company has told me this will not effect my, but not sure what they will say come renewal time.

The wood you see in the photo is what remains of the log roll cladding covering a wall I park up against, not only did he hit the car but ran into this wall too.

 

[mjheathcote]

If you have only had her 6 weeks, and, you get a payout equal to the purchace price, i would prefer it to be written off.
Its getting a suitable payout though.
Mines going on a classic policy next, possible being 10, for an agreed value.

 

[Parisien]

Gee....sorry to see that Mac....such an annoying and awful thing to happen to your pride and joy....lots of advice on here, hope you get it all sorted to your satisfaction.


P

 

[GransportFan1]

Very sorry to see that Mac, hope it all gets fixed, if not, write it off and buy a Gransport

 

[Emtee]

Oh dear, really sorry to hear Mac. A bizarre one for sure.

Never used Bill McGrath, but they do seem to have a great reputation. Not sure what their labour rates are though?

What are the wheels and front chassis like? If they're okay an insured repair might be viable?

 

[dem maser]

So sorry to hear and see those pics....

Sad to see maserati in that state, i know a good reasonable bodyshop in enfield where they do 355s & 550s but no fancy shop with a dolly bird or courtesy cars if your interested.....

 

[mac]

Thanks guys.

not had a chance to get near it yet, the other car is still in the way and when moved i will only get to see one side as it's pushed up against the wall now.

The issue is, I done want to try to start her, jet in case somethings been knocked out of line and I do more damage. I can see the insurance company not paying out for any damage I do if I try to move her, so will leave it to those who are covered by insurance to do this.

"What are the wheels and front chassis like? If they're okay an insured repair might be viable?" - that's one of the reasons why I want a good indy to look at her, if I go to an insurance approved body shop I"m sure they will miss half the mechanical issues and leave me with years of trouble in the future.
not worried about labour rates tbh, (as I'm not paying) I just need to have someone look at her that knows what to look for both mechanically and bodywork.

just going to weep into my coffee for a while now.

Mark

 

[mac]

So sorry to hear and see those pics....

Sad to see maserati in that state, i know a good reasonable bodyshop in enfield where they do 355s & 550s but no fancy shop with a dolly bird or courtesy cars if your interested.....

Thanks dem, I'm more interested in a good job than a dolly bird mate, will you PM me the details please?

 

[safrane]

Some idea for parts;

Front bumper £1,075
Bottom under-shield £185
Air deflectors £90 each
Nuts bolts etc about £250
Front fogs £175 each
Head-lights £475 each
Bonnet £452 s/h
Front Cross member £175
Grill £575
Trident £80
New Rad £500

Sub total £4772 +VAT
Labour £2000 + VAT
Paint £1500 + VAT

So close to £8k, OK I know its hard to guess the garage charges etc but these are based on estimates I have had in the pst for re-paint for stone chips.

 

[Brendan]

This place is near you

http://www.sbraceengineering.co.uk/

 

[TridentTested]

Bl00dy ****. You would think it would be safe parked there, wouldn't you?

Sorry for you pain. I hope you get it sorted without too much grief.

 

[dickygrace]

Mark, absolutely gutted for you especially as it was such a low mileage mint example with perfect history. As you know, so hard to find. Autoshield will repair it, just get it up there on a truck. I'll call you later this afternoon.

 

[Parisien]

Yes, indeed Autoshield has a ll the contacts and regional knowledge if you're close plus give good advice, take some of the grief away for you too


P

 

[Rex B]

Mark

I can't imagine how you must be gutted especially as it was such a nice example. There are lots of good repairers around but few with Maserati experince. I have had my car serviced at Bill Mcgraths and they are good and are only down the road from you in Kimpton . Alternatively you could go to someone like Autoshield but they are a long way away and you may have to pay to get the car to them. Looking at the pictures the car it will repair and will be as good as new but given the price of 3200 parts and the sale value of 3200;s it could well be beyond economical repair.

Rex B

 

[mjheathcote]

Don't forget the insurance company may stipulate where it is repaired, they like to use only there own approved body shops these days.

 

[dem maser]

you have a pm