Exposed Engine
 

I checked on the progress of my 8 being rebuilt at a "reputable" body shop and found her sitting outside without a cover, exposed to the elements with no hood. I'm thinking this can't be a good thing. Pine straw, leaves and crap all over her. I asked the manager to cover her but I'm concerned that rain for the last several days may have caused additional rust and damage that they may not repair. Any suggestions?

If you really feel like a dealer needs to do something and they dont.... Just say give me a damn cover and I will go do it myself.

They will notice that you are unsatisfied with the service you are receiving.

Remember customers are always right. ;)

I don't like the fact the intake is wide open to rodents and flying debris

Yea, that bothered me too. The more I think about it the madder I get. I have Friday off so I’m going down to rant on someone. Any suggestions you can help arm me with I would appreciate it.

Honestly, if I were you, I wouldn't want that car back, exposed to rain or not... the way it looks, I think it'll never be the same again.
Any way to get it written off so you can buy a new one?
How much is the estimate for getting it fixed? It looks like the front is totally twisted, I doubt that can be fixed properly - but I might be wrong.

The insurance company said 75% = Total. The shop told the insurance company around $16,030 to rebuild and the insurance company said they will not total it and they have told the shop to order parts. Is this something I can contest?

OMG! They are going to rebuild your car!!! The front is completely twisted!!

My car was in a small 30mph accident hit front and rear and it cost $12,000 to fix and I had no where near the structural damage you have. I think your car needs to be re-appraised. Ensure that it is being repaired with genuine Mazda parts, that should raise the price. I had mine repaired at a Mazda dealer for that reason.

Good luck!

100% genuine Mazda parts are a must anyway - that goes without saying. Insist on that and require the Mazda receipt for all parts they are ordering.

Thanks Tamas & stangmatt66, I will do that. I think I will also try one more time to get a total but I think it's a dead case. I was told by the company working on the car that they will use "new genuine Mazda parts". I will ask to see the receipts as you suggested. Would I be out of line to go by a couple times a week to check on the progress? The Mazda dealer is within 1 mile of this place and I understand that this is the shop they send their cars to get body work done. I did not see any other mazda but I did see a 2004-350Z, an new Infinity SUV, a Jag and several other expensive cars. They seem to be an upscale type of body shop.

I think you should be fine - if the dealer uses this shop to do their body work, then your car is in good hands.
If you can not get the write-off, then this is probably as far as you will get. I still say that you'd likely be better off getting the car totaled with that kind of damage but I understand that this is not in your control.
Checking as many times as you want is not out of line - if that makes you feel better, by all means go ahead and do it. After all, this is your car and you are entitled to check on the progress whenever you want. They might not like you much after the first few occasions though :) but it sometimes helps to show them that you're anal about the car.

Thx

Whadaytalkin'about? Honestly, that is just a nudge, it is not that serious. Front sub frames are easy to replace, the photo makes it look a lot worse than it is. The main cost is probably parts, not chassis repair. Just let the shop repair your car and don't pester them with questions about the bill. Your car will be fine...

But DO tell them to cover the engine! Don't ask, TELL! Ingress of dirt and water into the intake could cause problems down the track, and of course other components will be water/rust damaged. If the shop doesn't cooperate, then tell the insurance company to expect an engine replacement claim from you in six months!! They will probably be able to do something....maybe.....

Good luck.

rebuild
 

Im pretty sure that a insurance co can't tell you what shop to use. that should be your choice i would go to the best most reputable shop in your area and ask them for an estimate to get a second oppinion.

When I crashed mine all it did was damage the bumper, core support and both airbags. I hit a tree doing 15 mph and it hit the front bumper DEAD center.

$18,100.

It's a retardedly expensive car to repair.

Where? I know someone who had a 328i rebuilt at a place way north on Buford Highway, and they did an amazing job. Don't remember the name right off, maybe it'll come back to me.

Dude, that's your opinion - mine is different. If you would want a car back with that sort of damage, fine with me. I wouldn't.

Are you satisfied with the work. Did they take it back to like new? I wonder why at $18K plus they didn't total yours?

I just don't want to get the car back and every time I check my oil see some piece of crap rusted bracket that reminds me of my screw up in November 04.

The shop I'm using is "Classic Collision" in Duluth, Ga. I understand they are very good but I just don't understand the leaving an engine exposed to the elements crap. I don't think I would have questioned their work if they had not done this. Does anyone have experience with this company?

Spoke to the body shop yesterday and they had wrapped it tight with a heavy weight plastic wrap. When I mentioned the rusting parts I was told any surface rust would be taken care of and it would be like knew when I get it back. When I told them how anal I was about my car... washing it at least once a week and considering it a member of my family and how it broke my heart to see her sitting out in the elements as it was, he told me not to worry. He feels the same way about his car. Said I could come down anytime I wanted and take pictures or just check on her. He even Volunteered to to it for me. If the workmanship is as good as the attitude then I'm in good hands.

This seems to be a very good body shop and I'm sure they are going to do a great job. I guess my problem is I think my car is a member of my family and it's in the hospital and the car should be treated as a patient. Sounds a little obsessive, doesn't it?

No, not to me.
I suspect the majority of the members here consider their 8's to be more then "just" a car...
You probably work hard and appreciate the things you have!
I agree with you, I would be concerned about leaving the engine exposed to the elements.
After the repair is complete, take it in to the Mazda Tech who regularly services your 8 and have him (her) check under the hood for damage.
Besides the aerodynamic functions of the hood, it's also there to protect the engine compartment.
I'd be upset too...
Good luck!
Al