NC Rear Crash Damage

[fcortia]

Hi All,

Was keen to know if anyone like myself has had the unfortunate experience of their NC being rear ended?

Mine was hit hard recently whilst I was stationary at a set of lights. The car took a big blow. Impact would have occured at approximatly 50km per hour. Took my foot off the brake pedal to lessen some of the impact to the car and ourselves.

On the surface there doesn't appear to be as much damage to the car as expected. Some work needed to the panel behind the bumper and new exhaust necessary. Rear guards and lights came away unscathed. On closer inspection though we noticed that the doors have taken some of the imapct as small kinks/raised creases have appearaed in the top lip of both doors near the window seal. Gaps between the rear door and guards appear relatively normal so we assume the rear of the car has contracted and then expanded somewhat back out again.

Like to know if anyone has had a similar experience and what extent of hidden damage there may be that we should be concerned about to the chassis and general car geometry? As well, are there any experienced MX5 repairers in the general Melbourne area that you'd recommend? Happy to travel the distance for good work.

Thankyou in advance!

[Juffa]

Greetings and welcome to the obsession.

Sorry to see that your first post is of an accident.

The MX-5 Factory (aka Oven Baked Enamel) has been repairing MX-5s almost as long as they have been available in Aust. I have had work performed on all three of my MX-5s over the years and have always been happy with the work.

http://www.mx5factory.com.au/

They are in Molan Street, Ringwood. Owned and managed by Dick Richie. Phone 9870 0520
Let them know if you are a member of the Mazda MX-5 Club of Victoria as they are club sponsor and usually go that little bit further for members.


http://www.mx5vic.org.au/
J

[Mr Morlock]

You would need to check with yr insurer to see whether you get a choice of repairer. I think Juffa is right about the MX5 factory as a choice. One can only speculate at damage and assessment/ quote is the only way to find out.

[fcortia]

Thanks for the heads up. Unfortunate that I have to make a post on such a sour note.

After digging around through other posts 'The MX5 Factory' has been spoken of positively. Shouldn't be a problem with the insurer. Choice of repairer and warranty on repairs part of the policy.

[lowmiata]

I'd be having it looked at closely and measured (which an assesor will do anyway)
Its possible the the doors have taken a substantial amount of force from the impact if this is the case it is more than likely the chassis has bent in the middle (only tiny amount) but it you were to buy two brand new doors they would not shut properly
they would touch at the tops of the front and rear gaps

if the chassis has taken a fair wack you might be looking at a write off as the car would need to be stretched back out length ways it definatly wont expand back out.

kinda imagine it being stepped on in the middle!
lot of stuff has to be removed to straighten it back out!
got to think of all the small things too like all the clips holding the door trims on would be broken and need replacing, all sorts of things drive the $$ up

you might not have noticed if the rear quaters have been damaged because they have transfered the damage somewhere else they are a very strong part of the car

very unfortunate though.

[bruce]

I would be concerned regards having a slightly bent car. Definitely get it properly assessed and measured. May be impossible to align (the wheels) properly after that sort of hit.

[fcortia]

Time to post a brief update.
After some time, Xmas break to blame. Received the car back from Dick @ Oven Baked Enamels. He's been great to deal with (hope your listening Dick) and quite thorough. Car needed the slightest of TLC and now looks it old self and drives just as well. Workmanship appears to be all of a high standard. Must add that Shannons (my insurer) have been fantastic also to deal with.

Thanks again to all those who replied with advice on this post.

Safe driving

[Juffa]

Thanks for the update, wish more people did that. Glad to hear that Dick took care of your NC (and you of course).

J.

[Mr Morlock]

I thought the same as Juffa- glad it worked out.