Front guard - repair options

[Amanda]

Most of you probably saw my post about the guy walking into my car and damaging the front panel.

I see my options as follows

1. Use insurance, lose no claim bonus and pay excess - this guy wants to match the colour in by painting front guard, bumper and bonnet - gets new front guard fitted as well

2. Locate another front guard same colour, get that fitted

3. Repair the damage to the guard and get it painted myself, doing it cheaper than option 1.

Have I missed anything???

Now if I use method 2 how bad is this going to look, if I find another NB8B in Grace Green most likely the green will be faded more than mine etc dependant on how the car has been cared for. Has anyone on here done this already to their MX5???

I want it done properly. I dont want to sell the car in a year or so and have issues because you can see its been repaired. If I keep the car I want it to look fantastic, just as it did before the damage.

How would you guys fix it?

Here's the pic again

[Bevan]

It's hard to tell with the reflection but that should be able to be popped out. If there's no crease and it's a smooth dent, they get get most things out.

And I read about your concern about buying a second hand guard... Don't forget that yours is also a second hand guard. If you get something around the same age, you should be able to get an almost identicle colour match.

[RaYmO]

Im feeling your pain Amanda...

A guy drove into my bonnet with a tow bar a few weeks back.. that hurt

Anyways... The guy that did the damage was a good sport and left his details on my windscreen, managed to get the bonnet to a panel beater with a respray...

Whole exercise cost $750 which the guy paid for in cash.

My bonnet is now very clean and new, but it just doesnt feel the same knowing it's been dinged...

[JBT]

Get one of the paintless dent removal people to have a look to see if they can do it. They'll normally come to you.

[sab]

Get one of the paintless dent removal people to have a look to see if they can do it. They'll normally come to you.

That's s big ask for those guys. The nature of those creases/folds won't make for a good repair, especially if the paint is cracked. Looks like the metal has been kinked too much.

I affraid a new guard and paint is the best and only option.

[Amanda]

I was hesitant but ended up calling my insurance company and its all good news. I have Rating 1 for life, as I am not at fault I was told that I dont lose my no claim bonus!

So I am only up for $450! And I get to chose from their list of repairers which one of the companies is the mob that gave me the $1500 quote!

So a bit of good news to a bad situation....

[SpeedRacer]

I was hesitant but ended up calling my insurance company and its all good news. I have Rating 1 for life, as I am not at fault I was told that I dont lose my no claim bonus!

So I am only up for $450! And I get to chose from their list of repairers which one of the companies is the mob that gave me the $1500 quote!

So a bit of good news to a bad situation....

I'd be careful how much faith you put in your "fixed no claim bonus". While you might not loose the no claim rating, depending on the insurer, they just adjust your next premium up (I think NRMA does this)

[Amanda]

I was hesitant but ended up calling my insurance company and its all good news. I have Rating 1 for life, as I am not at fault I was told that I dont lose my no claim bonus!

So I am only up for $450! And I get to chose from their list of repairers which one of the companies is the mob that gave me the $1500 quote!

So a bit of good news to a bad situation....

I'd be careful how much faith you put in your "fixed no claim bonus". While you might not loose the no claim rating, depending on the insurer, they just adjust your next premium up (I think NRMA does this)

I'll take that risk, getting them to fix it is far easier than I having to run around to find a guard, get it fitted etc

[CT]

Amanda, the other alternative is buy a new guard (they are less than $200 at mazda, cheaper from other options), have it sprayed (sweet talk a spray shop, it should be less than $100) and pay the Vic dodgies a case of crownies to fit it. It will only take an hour or so to fit. Then there is no risk on your future premiums and you've saved $100. Paint matching shouldn't be too tough, modern paints don't fade like older enamels. It really isn't a tough job, just a little time consuming. Just an option

[Amanda]

Thanks CT. The repair is organised now via the insurance, so I will be pursuing that angle now.

I might regret it, we'll see

[CT]

Thanks CT. The repair is organised now via the insurance, so I will be pursuing that angle now.

I might regret it, we'll see

You'll be right, it's the simplest option and most times, a no brainer.