Golf GTI- had accident, need help!

[Ice Halo]

Driving home last night during the rain... some idiot has left a concrete drill bit (about 10cm and sharp as hell) in the middle of the road- didn't see it, heard a massive BANG and then a scraping noise. Stop the car and have a look:

Basically the damage done is the drill bit has punctured through the walls of the rear tyre (in the centre of the tyre), and then THROUGH the wheel rim (protruding about 7cm), and as its rotated around embedded inside the wheel, has scored the surface of the rear brake caliper (about 2mm deep), as well as scored and cut through part of the rear brake dust cover (the cut itself is only 0.5cm long, but the score mark extends around its entrie circumference). The rotor looks fine (ie. not marked), and all hoses/ABS cables etc. are fine (not cut).

I therefore need a new Denver 17" wheel, new tyre, and I wondered what everyone thought regarding a new brake caliper and dust cover- how much would these cost to replace from the VW dealership (the tyre will of course be bought and fitted at the tyre shop)? Are there better alternatives? Should I go through insurance (although don't want to increase my premium, plus I want to get things done properly with minimum downtime)?

Am hoping the person who left the drill bit there suffers the same fate!

Cheers!

[Brendan_A]

The drill bit wouldn't have been left on the road deliberately, must likely would have fallen off the back of a tradesmen ute. I would probably go a insurance claim. Genuine Denver mag won't be cheap!!

[Ice Halo]

Some pics:

[Dyldo]

wowsers, that is impressive damage.

[ian]

Its a spade bit used for wood , looking at the hole i'm sure it could be repaired by a mag wheel restorer alot cheaper than a new one,
Although i managed to buy one off Ebay for $133.50 in as new condition i know a new one is $610 as i have a receipt here for one,
Find some one who welds aluminum , then respray the wheel.

VW volkswagen Golf GTI 17" rim - eBay Wheels, Wheels, Tyres, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 29-Aug-10 13:57:40 AEST)

[noone]

Wow, i'm amazed the drill bit was able to puncture the wheel so easily... Assuming that the only damage is what you can see, prob best to get the wheel repaired as it will likely not have affected the rolling shape and would be a lot cheaper than a new wheel unless you are lucky and can pick up a single cheap.

IMO, insurance is not worth involving unless you can keep a no claim setup and minimal excess...

[Ice Halo]

Yeah it is quite freakish (in a bad way) how it was able to go through like that.

Wonder if its worthwhile making a case to the council or Vicroads? There is a building site around the corner from where it happened.

Called insurance company and they said making a claim won't affect my policy for next year- need to double check this again tomorrow.

Also, it appears the wheel will cost $600+, add the cost of a Bridgestone RE001 and maybe new caliper and brake dust cover... well over $1000.

However, if I fix it myself I can be sure its done properly with OEM stuff. Do you think the insurance company will elect to repair the wheel/get a refurbished wheel/non-OEM brakes etc (i AM with AAMI after all...)

Cheers

[Dyldo]

Manaz, a frequent issuer of writs and bills to local councils, will have some good advice for you.

He has a Bora that had its "twigs and berries" bashed up pretty good by some nasty pot-holes on the M5 tunnel exit westbound and was successful in a rather large claim for damages.

[bazzle]

Unfortunate re the drill thru the rim and tyre.. junk on roads staking like this is more common than you would know.

Tell us about the accident??

Bazzle

[Maverick]

Wonder if its worthwhile making a case to the council or Vicroads? There is a building site around the corner from where it happened.

You have no chance, if the road was in a state of disrepair and this caused the damage to your car you would have but for something dropped from a poorly loaded ute driven by a Neanderthal they're not responsible.

Take it up with your local member if you want to do something about it and push them to have the police hang up their lasers for a day and instead throw the book at tradesmen with poorly loaded utes.

I had a tyre destroyed by a small sliver of metal on the road that damaged the sidewall and ended up forking out $500 for a new tyre. But I had a situation where I had a small chip on an alloy wheel and some tar from poor roadworks and ended up with an $1100 cheque for my troubles so you can get compensation but it depends on how it was caused.

[yowie]

Bloody spade bits, not safe anywhere.

Should this be in the "What did you do to your Mk V today" thread?

I'll get my hat!

[Ice Halo]

Unfortunate re the drill thru the rim and tyre.. junk on roads staking like this is more common than you would know.

Tell us about the accident??

Bazzle

Not much to say... was raining heavily last night, driving at a normal speed 60Km/h on a main road, didn't see anything unusual and then an almighty BANG! and then the most awful metal-on-metal scraping noise. Slowed to a stop straight away, got out to have a look, but being dark and raining, didn't see any obvious damage on or under the car. Drove another 3 metres and still the sound, seemed to be coming from one of the wheels, finally looking INTO the rear wheel and saw that massive drill bit. Took the wheel off and a space saver spare on.

I doubt that I would have seen it lying on the road in the daytime either...

**** happens I guess, should buy tatts.

[kinezo]

just letting you know i have a spare rim if you want it. pm me to discuss further