Southwest Sydney Panelbeater/Smash repairs

[Luke]

Hi guys

Sad day today, had an incident in the 04 SE and have only had it for 3months.
Damn animals running across roads!

So basically I need a good smash repairer recomendation.

I live next to Wetherill Park.

The situation is this
Gone up a driveway at about 5-10km/h, Hit a metal post on the right front edge.

The damage is this.

It has smashed and pushed the edge of the bumper in.
Scuffed and chipped a bit off the edge of the head light.
Crumpled the guard in next to the light. Looks like there is a brakcet bent when looking on the inside of the gaurd.
ANd further scuffed the under spolier/apron which was already scuffed any way.
As far as I can see there is no structural damage, the guard hasnt been pushed back and the gaps are all even with the bonnet and door. The guard and bumper will most likely need replacing.

Can the headlight be relensed rather than getting a new one since it isnt to damaged?

Mehcanical damage as well.

The front right wheel is pointing a bit to the left. I can only assume the either that the steering arm is bent, or that one of the angles went out of wack when it hit the driveway. Just lucky it was a driveway and not the gutter! Going to a few local places to get qoutes and advice tomorrow.

From what I have searched here I can find lots of recomendations for Hume smash repairs in Lansvale.

That isn't to far for me maybe 15mins, but is there any other recomendation for anything close to my area.


Regards

Luke

[Boyracer]

Go to Hume...you won't be dissapointed.

can't repair the headlight if it's chipped...they are very expensive...about $750

[Luke]

Ok so the consensus is Hume. COol.

$750 for a headlight damn!
O well thats what insurance is for anyway.

Can't believe that a ~ 5km/h hit could do so much damage though. Then again it is more where i hit. 4 parts in one go!


Going to a couple of steering places now, to get qoutes and find the steering damage for insurance.
Seems like in my policy I can get $500 in emergency reapirs to get the car running which is good.

Only bad thing is I am supposed to do my first official track day in 2 weeks. I'll get the steering fixed, but now I have to ask if they will let me in with the panel damage. Can't see it being a problem since its minor but yeah, still a disapointment.

[sliq]

any accident, whether it's your fault or not is a bummer.. the only good thing out of my last minor prang was that i was still getting back & neck massages after i was fully recovered. thank goodness for green slip

[bigdog]

Definitely go to Humes. Very good service and great attention to detail.

[sliq]

i was surprised with Hume's services, i confess.

my car came out looking brand new. and the seats and carpets had been steam cleaned.

i haven't been to many other panel beaters (just another one, to get the front bar touched up). they didn't offer the same quality of service.

that reminds me. okibi, can you send me the forms to pass onto Mick from hume? the last time i checked he was looking to be a forum sponsor.

[Luke]

Just came from Rex Staford suspension steering and brakes in Yenoraa and suspension/steering wise we are all good.
Jax in smithfield didn't want to know about it since it is "accident damage"

The allignment was just knocked out. Been put back where it is suppoosed to be and drives straight again. No sructural damage either.

While I was there he mentioned another smash repair company called Westfield Smash.

http://www.westfieldsmash.com.au/welcome.htm

He does some of their suspension and steering repairs and from what he can see they do a pretty good job.

I know I'll have to probably get a few qoutes for insurance puproses but it looks like Hume smash is the winner. Maybe they can get rid of the small scratch I have (I thing that happened in this incident anyway since it wasn't there before) and the small dent while I am at it.

[Mr Morlock]

Sounds like Luke has the choice of repairers. Headlights can be repaired - there was one in Melb that did this work at least some years ago and I imagine there is someone doing it in Sydney. Repairers may choose to do this rather than fit a new one- depends perhaps on what the assessors have to say.

[connico]

+1 Hume Smash Repairs

You can also try Panel Pit Smash Repairs in Condell Park, they are also pretty decent. Most of my cars have gone through there for panel damage, respray and touchups in the past 4 years till I found Hume Smash repairs

[Luke]

Thought I may add 2 atachments showing the damage.

Advice will be appreciated.


*Edit
Note the headlight is not cracked, that is just the headlight cover. Only damage to the headlight is in the bottom left edge where it is scuffed and chipped a little.

[sliq]

my advices are.

find someone who wrecks mx5's. buy that panel on the cheap, no dings or dents, just respray and fit it in. might save you some $$$.

[Mr Morlock]

a headlight is the complete assy. The lens is a component of the assy. If the lense is cracked it can be removed and replaced if someone has a donor lens which are not a serviced part.If it is has a scratch and the lamp is not leaking perhaps do nothing. The guard can be replaced which requires a full repaint or it could be panel beated and repaired- but it is unlikely it will cost less than an insurance excess. Remove all doubt and get some quotes.

[Luke]

Yep will be getting qoutes in the week.

Bad thing about having a prang on a long weekend is half the places are either closed or running skelton crews. Plus its hard to conatct the insurance company for a minor incident.

Chances are it will be an insurance job, there is enough damage to warrant the excess costs. Mine is only $400. And if you are wondering why thats so low its because I'm in with insurance for my industry . Otherwise for a 20 year old, well I wouldn't want to know the excess!