19 replies to this topic

[Dan 4]

Hi Guys,

I have had my VX now for just over 5 weeks and use it as my daily drive. It ways puts a smile on my face driving it and has been great. However the other day after I took a girl out she was getting out of the VX in the rain and slipped. She managed to fall on the sill and crack/split it along the line where the sill meets the bottom of the door when closed. The crack/split is about 6inches long and needs sorting.

Not knowing too much about body work I have a few questions. I’m sure the sill can be repaired but where and how much is it likely to cost to get it looking like new? Anyone know a good place for the work to be done?

I’m based in Stone, Staffordshire and Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

Any help on this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Dan

[2.2_na]

the other day after I took a girl out she was getting out of the VX in the rain and slipped. She managed to fall on the sill and crack/split it

I don't think I would have been very happy. What did you (and she) say about it ?

...She should pay for the damage!

[theotherjonnymac]

Many years ago I was quoted £200 to fix. They were to include putting a metal plate underneath to strengthen the area.

[robin]

Not the easiest place to fix Could be as much as mentioned plus. Just send her the bill and a membership aplication to weight watchers.

[Big Steve]

Not the easiest place to fix Could be as much as mentioned plus.
Just send her the bill and a membership aplication to weight watchers.

[Whiteboy]

Poor girl I bet she felt really bad, although you could use it to your advantage - if you are that way inclined. Steve

[denno]

Poor girl I bet she felt really bad, although you could use it to your advantage - if you are that way inclined.

Steve

this man talks sense!

[simsy]

Ask judge Juddy..... as the repair is not practicable.... The repair would consist off grinding down the area very deep, filling with fibre fill, and refinishing (i.e bog, 4 x primer, top paint and clear.. Getting the fibre fill to latch in position and give strength is the hard bit, as you can not really get to the underside of the repair, hence the possible steel plate riveted in position inside first... Major job to get as new and strong.......... original sill tops flex when you sit on them, and can break easy. The repaired area will not flex, unless it is low profile repair... so may crack again too easy..

Edited by simsy, 16 February 2011 - 10:47 AM.

[Nev]

You could consider expanding foam squirted into the area behind. Ive use this stuff before round the house and its amazingly dense and strong as a filler.

[robin]

Expanding foam wouldnt work as you would have to fill the whole void to get it to stick to underside. Fiberfill is rhe only meathod or gring a largish area bond a layer of carbon fibre onto it then fill with fiberfill Failing that take the woman home and take it out on her crack!!

[FLD]

I can glass it for you but you'd then have to sort getting it painted yourself.

[ChrisS1]

Is it the sill or just the cover that's split?

[Dan 4]

Hi Guys,

She was really upset about the situation. She has offered to pay but I will just get it fixed up first and see. It wasn’t the first time she had been in the VX and she had been given all of the getting in and out induction etc. NO she wasn’t a Hippo! So WeightWatchers is not needed. It’s just one of those accidents that happen and will probably end up costing a lot of money.

It’s defiantly the sill that’s cracked/split and not the cover. If the door is closed, from the outside of the VX you can see the crack/split on the sill running apparel with the door under the door.

Has anyone had body work done before? If so where? Anywhere near Stone, Staffordshire or Huddersfield, West Yorkshire? Any idea on costs for the work that is needed?

Cheers

Dan

[Wolfstone]

She was really upset about the situation. She has offered to pay but I will just get it fixed up first and see. It wasn’t the first time she had been in the VX and she had been given all of the getting in and out induction etc. NO she wasn’t a Hippo! So WeightWatchers is not needed. It’s just one of those accidents that happen and will probably end up costing a lot of money.

Good on you for the way you've taken this. Accidents happen and she's clearly very upset by what's happened. Give her a hug and tell her not to worry and that its only a plastic car that can be repaired.

[Zoobeef]

Its a bit sh** but she must feel terrible. maybe contact your nearest few lotus places and ask them where there accident repair reccomendations are

[Jezter]

I live in Sandbach, Cheshire (used to live in Stone about 12 years ago). There's a guy with a body shop on the north side of town who has done work on my Bora in the past at reasonable costs. His unit is attached to a Ginetta race team, who's 'gentleman drivers' seem to rip the front/back/both off their G50's nearly every weekend, so most of his business appears to be glueing plastic cars back together. If it's not too far, let me know and I'll get his details to you?

[2.2_na]

Good on you for the way you've taken this.

[Dan 4]

I have taken it ok i suppose. I was really pissed off and angry at the time but kept my cool. At the end of the day shouting etc isn't going to fix the VX. Whats done is done! I'm still looking for somewhere to take it so again if anyone has had some good body work done just let me know where. I don't mind travelling for the work to be done. Cheers Jezter, if you could send me that guy's info that would be great.

[TubbyNorman]

From bitter experience, the crack is best repaired by an expert cutting a hole underneath the sill, repairing the top of the sill invisibly, then repairing the hole he made underneath, where a good repair will be almost invisible anyway. BTW, say £500 for a perfect repair. BOT had mine repaired, can't speak highly enough of them, but as in anything else, you get what you pay for. Best of luck with it anyway.

[turbobob]

Poor girl I bet she felt really bad, although you could use it to your advantage - if you are that way inclined.

Steve

this man talks sense!

Not always. He keeps banging on about chargecoolers. What nonsense

However, on this occasion