speedcameraaction Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 (edited) I thought this only happened to other people. After leaving my immaculate R8 at a service centre for a routine dashboard trim replacement I had the phone call that any R8 owner would dread. "Sir, I have some bad news, your car has been involved in a road traffic accident" "How bad an accident?" "Sorry don't know as yet" "Anyone hurt" "No but our driver is shaken up" "What about the third party" "Urm ............ the car went into a spin in the wet conditions and hit a lamp-post":ffs: My car is believed to be a write off at the time of posting. I know its a long shot but just wondered if anyone had experienced or knows anyone who has experienced anything similar and how the matter was sensibly resolved. Informed opinion will be greatly appreciated. Edited September 5, 2011 by speedcameraaction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZURES3 Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 I think its a call any car owner dreads. It will be interesting to hear more on this one clearly its their fault and admitted full liability. How old is the car and do you have GAP insurance etc. Where I used to work there was bodyshop close that did all the Ferrari repairs in the area, one day there was a huge bang. One of the bodyshop guys has spun on a wet corner in an almost brand new Ferrari 360, he side swipped 5 cars and did almost all the panels in on the Ferrari and crunched 2 of the wheels on a kurb ! You should be able to get the police involved if needed and get them to check the CCTV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedcameraaction Posted September 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Its an 08 plate and I do have gap insurance but that is in my name. The garage has admitted full responsibility, the police have been involved but are less than interested as it is a one car accident with no injuries. They have said that it would be difficult to prove that the car was being driven wrecklessly as the conditions were extremely hazardous at the time (heavy rainfall). There are so many questions that the garage is failing to answer to my satisfaction, particularly with regard to the test drive being undertaken in intense rainfall. The car is (was) immaculate with only 17k on clock and not a mark on the bodywork or alloys. It is a real shame that such a beautiful piece of engineering will now be broken up and used for spares. Will keep you updated on how things are starting to resolve themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 A test drive for a dashboard trim replacement? Hmm, not sure how they're going to get out of that one easily. Good luck getting it sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Screw them for every penny. I'd also be down the prestige hire shop and taking out a nice toy to cover you in the meantime at their insurers expense. Sad story, but you should suffer any loss. I'd also suspend your own car insurance just to hold it over awaiting settlement or a 1 for 1 replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZURES3 Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Hope you get this sorted and look forward to the updates, I am sure you have already requested a meeting with the dealer principle. My comment about GAP insurance relates to the fact that their insurance may only cover the current value, your GAP insurance will obvioulsy make this up. DONT suspend you insurance as suggested above as this maybe needed and I am sure you have legal advice as part of your policy, they should have a field day with this one. I guess the only issues will be the wait time for a new R8, what is this at the moment ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedcameraaction Posted September 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Do you think that the garage should be able to avail themselves of the benefit of my gap insurance? Particularly as I paid the premium. If there is a shortfall I was reckoning on suing the garage for the difference between their insurance settlement and the cost of a satisfactory replacement vehicle. I was worried that my next GAP premium would be affected if I made a claim, particularly as it is such a high value claim. Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZURES3 Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Do you think that the garage should be able to avail themselves of the benefit of my gap insurance? Particularly as I paid the premium. If there is a shortfall I was reckoning on suing the garage for the difference between their insurance settlement and the cost of a satisfactory replacement vehicle. I was worried that my next GAP premium would be affected if I made a claim, particularly as it is such a high value claim. Any thoughts? It will come down the discussion you have, I would involve as many people as possible such as the dealer priciple, legal service on our insurance and the GAP policy team. At then end of the day if the dealer admits liablity and offers to pay you the market value for the car which they may well do then your GAP insuarnce will be the best monry you have ever spent. Get Audi involved too as with all the dealers with stock of new showroom cars you may not have to wait and get a good spec What has the dealer said so far ? I guess its fair to give them a few days to asses the damage, I would demand to see the car and get some pictures, post them up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedcameraaction Posted September 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2011 It will come down the discussion you have, I would involve as many people as possible such as the dealer priciple, legal service on our insurance and the GAP policy team. At then end of the day if the dealer admits liablity and offers to pay you the market value for the car which they may well do then your GAP insuarnce will be the best monry you have ever spent. Get Audi involved too as with all the dealers with stock of new showroom cars you may not have to wait and get a good specWhat has the dealer said so far ? I guess its fair to give them a few days to asses the damage, I would demand to see the car and get some pictures, post them up! Thanks for good advice. I'm trying to adopt a reasonable approach, which as you can imagine is quite difficult as it was a one car accident which leads one to believe that there has been an element of recklessness during the test drive . As you say, its early days but there has been a marked shift in their approach as they realise the true financial implications of the incident. I will start to ramp things up and follow your advice by getting as many interested parties involved as possible. This garage's reputation is on the line right now. I am sure most posters on this forum would think twice before sending their cherished vehicle to a workshop with this kind of skeleton in its cupboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted September 7, 2011 Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 How do you spin an R8 in the wet without 'hooning' it about? Might be worth asking who was at the wheel -- if it was the specialist R8 tech or a normal/junior tech? Ask some awkward questions, to make them squirm - and I'd have thought THEY should supply a decent courtesy car until it is all sorted. S8/V10 R8 etc etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedcameraaction Posted September 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 How do you spin an R8 in the wet without 'hooning' it about? Might be worth asking who was at the wheel -- if it was the specialist R8 tech or a normal/junior tech? Ask some awkward questions, to make them squirm - and I'd have thought THEY should supply a decent courtesy car until it is all sorted. S8/V10 R8 etc etc? I have asked the question and was informed he is a fully qualified R8 technician and has been on a driving course but I have no way of checking that out as I will be at the mercy of the garage to provide the supporting evidence. I also spoke with the copper who attended the scene who informed me that a witness said it went into a spin from a standing start at some traffic lights (the first set of lights as you leave the garage). From personal experience I know that driving the R8 takes time time to master, but once you get used to them they are a dream. Early experiences I had with clutch and throttle co-ordination were comical as the sensitivity of the accelerator and the clutch caused me problems. Whether it was deliberate reckless driving or a genuine mistake there is only one person who truly knows what happened. I do have a very nice courtesy vehicle but its not an R8. I will be working on that this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted September 7, 2011 Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 I'd be talking to a solicitor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted September 7, 2011 Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 I'd be talking to a solicitor. +1. No question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted September 7, 2011 Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 Personally I would stay calm and wait to get all the facts, then see what 'package' the dealer is going to offer before talking to a solicitor. It could have been a simple accident (greasy wet road and to much power)? maybe the driver was authorised to drive the car (by the garage) and the test drive was part of the installation process? Hopefully the dealership does the right thing for the OP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted September 7, 2011 Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 You can still speak to a solicitor and remain calm. Letting them know you're protecting your own interests and you hope they understand that never does any harm at all. In my experience it also tends to get matters expedited and you get fecked around a lot less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mort Posted September 7, 2011 Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 Yep - as above....get a solicitor.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedcameraaction Posted September 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 Thanks for advice to all posters. As you can imagine, trying to remain calm in such circumstances is difficult, but I am trying to negotiate a satisfactory permanent replacement for starters and to get the garage to put down in writing exactly how they are going to achieve this on a like for like or better basis. I have already briefed my lawyer but asked him to hold fire until we have written details of the garage's intentions. For the moment the garage is making the right noises as their Directors have a brand image to protect. It is approaching 2 weeks since the incident occurred and we have not, as yet, been visited by an assessor although it is thought to be a write off by the repair shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted September 7, 2011 Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 Sorry to hear of your situation. If in the unlikely case that it can be repaired, i would be pressing for the garage to purchase it back off me, and supply an unmolested and equivalent, if not better replacement. I do not care what anyone says, a crashed car, is always a crashed car, and wether it looks perfect and drives perfect after repair, it will affect its future resale value. Good luck, and welcome to TSN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_simon Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 It's been 2 weeks; give them a reminder they are in the wrong. Talk to the Dealer Principal soon for an update and some idea of when they will be making their opening offer; Mention that you do not feel they are taking this seriously and that you have of course taken legal advice and that your solicitor is awaiting the details. Make it clear you are not feckin around..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 Precisely, and I second what Paul says too. A dealer wrecks an item (forget its a car for now) worth what, £65-80k?, and 2 weeks later there is no real knowledge about what they're going to do to compensate the owner? Not funny, not the time to be showing more patience and not a time to be overly polite - in my opinion. p.s. one more thing, I don't know where in the UK this is but if you do find you're not getting anywhere or exactly what you want, this is exactly the type of story that you'll find your regional daily newspaper AND a few tabloids would be VERY interested in. Don't underestimate the power of the press on your side in this instance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulboy Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 I am sorry to hear your situation, but at least you have discovered us I agree with MrMe and the others and would now be getting a solicitors letter out asap. I would also go to a good, ruthless, hard-nosed firm of lawyers as oppposed to your jack of all trades (conveyancing, family law) sort - who dont know the meaning of speed and efficiency. I think you can get details of who specialises in what from the law society. But I may be wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Went into a spin from a standing start at traffic lights and hit a post with enough force to write it off? Something doesn't add up here. The only way you could get enough speed up to write off a £60k+ car from a standing start is by launching it at 100% from the lights with the ESP disabled. I've driven a couple of R8s and pulled away from several sets of lights and didn't write either of them off even once! They're not that hard to drive, and very difficult to spin from a standing start with quattro and ESP, wet or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Welcome to TyreSmoke, what a dramatic first thread, and what a surprise that it hasn't been mentioned elsewhere, and what a surprise that there are no pictures of this 'accident'... /cynical old bastard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Welcome to TyreSmoke, what a dramatic first thread, and what a surprise that it hasn't been mentioned elsewhere, and what a surprise that there are no pictures of this 'accident'... /cynical old bastard. Oh no! Not again! Surely we are not that gullible (again)..... I hope not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 I'm saying nowt. A few years ago I'd have said this at the start of the thread, but I'm nice now. So there. Cynical feckers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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