It could be goodbye...

[oxymoron]

Any update on the outcome? Hope it all worked out ok for you

[passatpout]

Any update on the outcome? Hope it all worked out ok for you

OK, the latest... It was assessed last night at the RACV hail centre in Essendon. We were worried at first, since some of the comments as we parked it weren't encouraging - and compared to the other 6 or so cars that were being checked, it was a shocker.

The first comment from the assessor was that it would be a "complete" or "comprehensive", something like that and which didn't have a good connotation.. They then explained that meant that a repairer would be assigned straight away, and it would be fixed no question. One assessor actually said he loved hailstorms, since they gave him lots to do...

Anyhow, after about 10 or 15 minutes waiting, the assessor came to see us, and said he needed to talk to us about the car... Which had us worried. He then said that it would need to go to a panel beater to get quoted, and since it was a VW wagon, it would need to be a specialized repairer. They then assigned me to Eurostyle in West Melbourne, and advised me to contact them for a time. Based on the quote, they'll advise what they'll do with the car.

Since we're going away for a fortnight, in a fortnight, planning about a 3,000km road trip, we asked about that, and were told to use the car for the trip (if we can handle using it with the damage, which we can), then get it booked in for the quote when we return. The assessor actually said that if people have trips planned, he tells them to take the car on the trip, since that way any dings or scratches from the road will be fixed with everything else... Good advice, in my book..

So, in about the second week of February, I'll arrange for it to be quoted. Fortunately it's only about a 5 minute bus ride from work, so relatively convenient. And hopefully it'll be fixed shortly after, preferably while I'm away for work in the last week of February.

As an aside, the toll from the storm in my wife's family alone stands at 7 cars written-off, 2 potentials (including mine), 3 other damaged cars, a damaged boat, and 2 damaged houses.... But luckily no injuries...

---------- Post added at 09:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:47 PM ----------

Also meant to add that the windscreen was replaced on Wednesday night (was originally meant to be Tuesday afternoon, then Wednesday morning.. you get the drift)..

Tossing up now whether to see, if the entire car is resprayed, about changing colour....

[anthony]

Keep the colour,as door jams,inside of motor,boot are not likely to get resprayed,and for resale,keep your colour origional.

[passatpout]

It's booked in for quoting in early February. Will wait to see what the damage is then... One of the first questions asked by the panel beater was "Will it need a new roof?"...

[passatpout]

It was inspected today for the panelbeaters to work out the details - they reckon it'll take another 2-3 days to compile all the parts prices from VW, and then they'll advise RACV.. Indicatively, he suggested between $12 and $15K for the full repair.. A PDR specialist viewed it and said it was too extensively damaged for PDR to be effective.

Anyhow, I told them my preference is for it to be repaired, and that once they work out if it is, then I'd like to know how long it will take to repair, and when they'd be able to book it in.. at the end of the day, it doesn't worry me too much if it takes a while before it can be done, I'd just like to know that it can be..

[ope126]

It was inspected today for the panelbeaters to work out the details - they reckon it'll take another 2-3 days to compile all the parts prices from VW, and then they'll advise RACV.. Indicatively, he suggested between $12 and $15K for the full repair.. A PDR specialist viewed it and said it was too extensively damaged for PDR to be effective.

Anyhow, I told them my preference is for it to be repaired, and that once they work out if it is, then I'd like to know how long it will take to repair, and when they'd be able to book it in.. at the end of the day, it doesn't worry me too much if it takes a while before it can be done, I'd just like to know that it can be..

Keep us up to date!!!

[passatpout]

OK, spoke to the panel beater yesterday... And the short version is it looks like it's a fixer.. Will find out more in a few days, but the quote was well below the level to declare it a total loss...

[richdave]

FWIW a mate of mine had his Black HSV hail damaged in the earlier storm last year - some 40 dents across the entire car. he has just had it repaired. It took less than week and he is completely satisfied with repair.

[passatpout]

OK, the latest...

Quote has been sent to the insurers and been approved. It came to just over $12K... Car is booked in for April 10, and will take a month to fix...

Tossing up whether to ask if they can fit a GPS antenna - when will I get another chance??

[passatpout]

Just been dropped off at the panel beaters... Will hopefully see it again around this time next month... They're going to see how much to install the GPS antenna...

[passatpout]

And it's going to be about a week longer... Should hopefully pick it up by next Friday, rather than Monday...

[passatpout]

Finally - picking it up tomorrow..

[anthony]

Good luck passatpout...

[passatpout]

Thanks - going to need it. Basically, I had a look at it on Saturday after being told it was ready to collect. Still 5 things wrong with it - 2 unrepaired panels, 2 electrical faults, and the piece de resistance - the windscreen wipers weren't put on properly so they clashed when sweeping. Having discovered the last thing about 100m after I drove it out the door, I turned around and took it back, then said they may as well have it until it's all sorted...

[passatpout]

It's back.. Collected it today, all issues sorted out and a case of fun in the front seat, for Friday night.

All good so far, although I haven't driven it much. Will check it out again tomorrow...