:( (long)
11-16-2001, 10:13 PM
#1
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:( (long)
This is a difficult post for me. After hearing about maugt's loss and basswood's frontender, I guess I just need to share...
<b>another ar down</b>
A couple of weeks ago, I was homeward bound after dark on a road I drove every day (2 miles from my house). It had been drizzling, really the first rain of the season. The first rain brings the oil out - making the road slick. That's the only explanation I have for what happened next. One moment I was rounding a sharp left hand corner, the next I was atop the guard rail
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12932/scene1.jpg">
sliding along it for about 30 feet. My momentum carried me off the other side, where I came to rest rather gently on the wrong side of the guard rail. I was totally unhurt. No air bag deployment. It didn't even spill the frapichino in the dashboard cup holder! But the car was perched at a 30 degree angle, still facing parallel to the guard rail
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12932/scene6.jpg">
with the potential of rolling down this 200 ft cliff. Of course, I would have been stopped by trees long before I got to the bottom. It was at a pretty steep angle, and as I gingerly opened the door, I wasn't sure why it hadn't kept going.
The reason turned out to be good news and bad news. The good news was that several old iron pipe guard rail supports were still in place, holding the car securely. The bad news was that several old iron pipe guard rail supports were in place, HOLDING the car securely. It took five hours to get the car out. There was a time when it was only being held straight up in the air by the rear tow hook, with the front facing straight down the hill and the front wheels barely touching. Quite scary.
The next morning, the damage didn't look that severe. The front passenger quarter panel was bashed, as were both bumpers, one fog light and the rear skid plate was broken.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12932/front1.jpg">
It turns out the real damage is much more extensive to the undercarriage. Fuel and vacuum lines ripped out, lower suspension arms damaged, need new gas tank, one new cat., two new wheels, exhaust system, etc. I think the engine cover saved it from being totalled - no drivetrain damage. The worst is the damage to the rear passenger footwell - it is bashed in
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12932/footwell3.jpg">
to the extent that a new one will have to be welded in - requiring disassembly of half the car. Of course, some of these parts will need to come from Germany. Repair time is expected to be measured in months, not weeks.
So that's my sad story. Audi roadside assistance took care of the transport to the dealer's body shop (not trivial - 220 miles one way). My insurance will foot the $16K bill (less deductible), and so far - they've paid for a rental car. I figure they may get tired of that expense before the car is ready - but we'll see.
If you've read this far, thanks for hanging on. I'm amazed at the structural strength of the ar.
I wish you all safe driving.
<b>another ar down</b>
A couple of weeks ago, I was homeward bound after dark on a road I drove every day (2 miles from my house). It had been drizzling, really the first rain of the season. The first rain brings the oil out - making the road slick. That's the only explanation I have for what happened next. One moment I was rounding a sharp left hand corner, the next I was atop the guard rail
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12932/scene1.jpg">
sliding along it for about 30 feet. My momentum carried me off the other side, where I came to rest rather gently on the wrong side of the guard rail. I was totally unhurt. No air bag deployment. It didn't even spill the frapichino in the dashboard cup holder! But the car was perched at a 30 degree angle, still facing parallel to the guard rail
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12932/scene6.jpg">
with the potential of rolling down this 200 ft cliff. Of course, I would have been stopped by trees long before I got to the bottom. It was at a pretty steep angle, and as I gingerly opened the door, I wasn't sure why it hadn't kept going.
The reason turned out to be good news and bad news. The good news was that several old iron pipe guard rail supports were still in place, holding the car securely. The bad news was that several old iron pipe guard rail supports were in place, HOLDING the car securely. It took five hours to get the car out. There was a time when it was only being held straight up in the air by the rear tow hook, with the front facing straight down the hill and the front wheels barely touching. Quite scary.
The next morning, the damage didn't look that severe. The front passenger quarter panel was bashed, as were both bumpers, one fog light and the rear skid plate was broken.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12932/front1.jpg">
It turns out the real damage is much more extensive to the undercarriage. Fuel and vacuum lines ripped out, lower suspension arms damaged, need new gas tank, one new cat., two new wheels, exhaust system, etc. I think the engine cover saved it from being totalled - no drivetrain damage. The worst is the damage to the rear passenger footwell - it is bashed in
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12932/footwell3.jpg">
to the extent that a new one will have to be welded in - requiring disassembly of half the car. Of course, some of these parts will need to come from Germany. Repair time is expected to be measured in months, not weeks.
So that's my sad story. Audi roadside assistance took care of the transport to the dealer's body shop (not trivial - 220 miles one way). My insurance will foot the $16K bill (less deductible), and so far - they've paid for a rental car. I figure they may get tired of that expense before the car is ready - but we'll see.
If you've read this far, thanks for hanging on. I'm amazed at the structural strength of the ar.
I wish you all safe driving.
11-17-2001, 02:52 AM
#4
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Glad you weren't hurt.. Any chance they will total car ??
I've heard of similar stories, that once work began the repair cost just keeped going up. Parts from Germany delayed and delayed !!
11-17-2001, 04:08 AM
#5
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dodge the bullet and still walking and talking
Sorry to read and see what happened to your car I would be crushed. In a lesser car you may not have been as fortunate. I think that is one of the main reasons we buy these kinds of automobiles. Good luck on the repairs and insurance.
