Crash! Now I need advice- Fender
03-31-2008, 09:46 PM
#1
2004 Silver RX-8 Sport MT
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Crash! Now I need advice- Fender
Crash! Now I need advice- Fender
Hi all, just got my RX-8, and now I've gone and got in an accident! I'm hoping to get some quick help because I need to act fast at the body shop... and I know very little about cars!
I will happily send presents (Xbox 360 SWAG, coffee gift cards, whatever) to people that really help me out here, you could save me hundreds of dollars with your wisdom!
I'm going to break this up into a couple threads by topic... I've got other questions here about my headlight, fender, corner lights, fog lamp, and and aftermarket bumpers... if you're feeling really generous with your time.
QUESTIONS:
Is the shop being honest about not being able to repair the fender for less than the replacement cost?
Is it a good idea to consider aftermarket fenders?
If so, which ones are as practical, well made, and fit as well as original Mazda parts?
CAR:
I have a stock Silver '04 sport with no body mods at all, but I have fog lights and auto-leveling Xenon HID lights.
DAMAGE: $2500-3500
Fender-
There's a ding in the fender that the body shop says is too hard to repair due to the type of steel, they want $300 for the fender, total 1.7 hours plus 3.5 hours paint... this also requires the additional cost (below) of stripping and tinting the door to match the new fender too!
Fog Lamp-
It popped out when the bumper was pulled off in the accident. The bulb itself is dying, and the plastic "pot" that the plastic holding the glass cover goes into needs to be replaced. You apparently can't buy without the bulb so they want $220, total 0.3 hours
Headlight-
The outermost tab that secures the headlight assembly to the car snapped, and they want $1000 to replace the whole goddamn thing. That one I either want to leave slightly broken (it seems pretty secure), or make a new tab for it from scratch!
Bumper-
I've basically destroyed the thin plastic bumper shell, though there's no damage visible to the bumper underneath, they want $410 for the bumper cover plus $14 for the emblem, and $17 for the retaining bracket, total 2.5 hours plus 3.5 paint hours
Corner Light-
It's toast, they want $40 for a new one, total 0.5 hours
Additional-
They want 1.2 hours for removing & installing parts, plus 4.5 hours painting to tint match the door and hood, etc.
Hi all, just got my RX-8, and now I've gone and got in an accident! I'm hoping to get some quick help because I need to act fast at the body shop... and I know very little about cars!
I will happily send presents (Xbox 360 SWAG, coffee gift cards, whatever) to people that really help me out here, you could save me hundreds of dollars with your wisdom!
I'm going to break this up into a couple threads by topic... I've got other questions here about my headlight, fender, corner lights, fog lamp, and and aftermarket bumpers... if you're feeling really generous with your time.
QUESTIONS:
Is the shop being honest about not being able to repair the fender for less than the replacement cost?
Is it a good idea to consider aftermarket fenders?
If so, which ones are as practical, well made, and fit as well as original Mazda parts?
CAR:
I have a stock Silver '04 sport with no body mods at all, but I have fog lights and auto-leveling Xenon HID lights.
DAMAGE: $2500-3500
Fender-
There's a ding in the fender that the body shop says is too hard to repair due to the type of steel, they want $300 for the fender, total 1.7 hours plus 3.5 hours paint... this also requires the additional cost (below) of stripping and tinting the door to match the new fender too!
Fog Lamp-
It popped out when the bumper was pulled off in the accident. The bulb itself is dying, and the plastic "pot" that the plastic holding the glass cover goes into needs to be replaced. You apparently can't buy without the bulb so they want $220, total 0.3 hours
Headlight-
The outermost tab that secures the headlight assembly to the car snapped, and they want $1000 to replace the whole goddamn thing. That one I either want to leave slightly broken (it seems pretty secure), or make a new tab for it from scratch!
Bumper-
I've basically destroyed the thin plastic bumper shell, though there's no damage visible to the bumper underneath, they want $410 for the bumper cover plus $14 for the emblem, and $17 for the retaining bracket, total 2.5 hours plus 3.5 paint hours
Corner Light-
It's toast, they want $40 for a new one, total 0.5 hours
Additional-
They want 1.2 hours for removing & installing parts, plus 4.5 hours painting to tint match the door and hood, etc.
Last edited by the4v3ry; 04-02-2008 at 07:40 PM. Reason: error
03-31-2008, 11:28 PM
#2
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I've got amber corner lights if you want. Just pay shipping. Fog lights you get get from ebay for 50 or 60 bucks.
Last edited by spokenstone; 03-31-2008 at 11:35 PM.
03-31-2008, 11:53 PM
#3
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First PM G3tR3DDY2GR3DDY he has 1 or 2 parts cars and can probably get you the parts you need for reasonable prices.
Now The List :
Fender-
Without a picture of the damage I can't say, if you were in an accident I'd say you probably need a new one, You could go with Aftermarket accolade fenders but they don't really fit very good so I don't think you'd be happy with that.
Fog Lamp-
Do Not have them do those, as they are seriously lying about them, you can get them off ebay for way less as stated above, and if you are NOT getting either a Mazdaspeed or Stock bumper, you might not want to bother with those yet either, as I'm not sure what Aftermarket bumpers have brackets for the stock Fog Lamps.
Headlight-
Headlights are unfortunately expensive if you can deal with trying to make a tab from scratch or having it broken, then leave it till you feel like replacing.
Bumper-
You can get an aftermarket one for around that if you are lucky, or a used stock one for less from junkyard.
Corner Light-
You can replace them both for around that price(Clear or Stock). and they are so easy you can do it yourself in like 15 minutes for both on your first time, and like 5 minutes for both after you learn.
You should be able to get all the parts from G3tR3DDY2GR3DDY so hopefully you get it figured out, and are alright from the accident, hope everything works out.
Now The List :
Fender-
Without a picture of the damage I can't say, if you were in an accident I'd say you probably need a new one, You could go with Aftermarket accolade fenders but they don't really fit very good so I don't think you'd be happy with that.
Fog Lamp-
Do Not have them do those, as they are seriously lying about them, you can get them off ebay for way less as stated above, and if you are NOT getting either a Mazdaspeed or Stock bumper, you might not want to bother with those yet either, as I'm not sure what Aftermarket bumpers have brackets for the stock Fog Lamps.
Headlight-
Headlights are unfortunately expensive if you can deal with trying to make a tab from scratch or having it broken, then leave it till you feel like replacing.
Bumper-
You can get an aftermarket one for around that if you are lucky, or a used stock one for less from junkyard.
Corner Light-
You can replace them both for around that price(Clear or Stock). and they are so easy you can do it yourself in like 15 minutes for both on your first time, and like 5 minutes for both after you learn.
You should be able to get all the parts from G3tR3DDY2GR3DDY so hopefully you get it figured out, and are alright from the accident, hope everything works out.
03-31-2008, 11:57 PM
#5
The Professor
All the panels on the rx8 are aluminum (except the trunk), so if you do any damage at all, its likely you will need to replace.
Corner light - you can likely get these for free or $20 on this site in the used section
bumper - sounds ok.
I would leave the headlight alone unless it leaks water.
The fog lamp bulb is burnt out? And they want you to buy a new one?
Corner light - you can likely get these for free or $20 on this site in the used section
bumper - sounds ok.
I would leave the headlight alone unless it leaks water.
The fog lamp bulb is burnt out? And they want you to buy a new one?
04-01-2008, 12:16 AM
#6
i cant believe a word when they say they cannot repair the fender bc it is a certain type of steel???? i got my fender repaired and my fender was BADDDDD~. they used bondo, but did a veryyyy good job. i think this body shop is just very lazy to do any repairs, they just want to replace an paint it.... =/
corner light: you should go on ebay and just buy clear corners for a lil' more money.... it definitley is worth spending a few bucks more then getting the original "Orange" corner lights which really throws the appearance off of the car... but thats up to you.... ~ preferences...
and the HeadLights... if it is not cracked outside of the frame, then it should be all good...and if you are sure that it is secure then i would say go with the one you have right now...why spend a 1000$ for another headlamp system "JUST BECAUSE OF A BROKEN TAB!!!" DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE...~". seems like they are just squeezing more money out of you and taking advantage, i believe. if thats the case, you most likely dont need new Head lights. - take a picture of the damages, and everyone on this forum will help your needs and worries..
HOLY SHIEZER KOFF- for your fog lamps ~ dont let them replace it. tell them you want to keep the stock fog lamp set and you will take care of it, and when you get the fogs back ; bring it to another mechanic shop and tell them you would like it installed... they will figure a way to fit it back on without you getting a "new" fog light system which your old ones still is in working condition....just doesnt make any sense...i'd rather pay another mechanice 50$ to put it on then over 200$ for new ones... BLAH!
and for the bumper.... there isnt really much you can do since it is an important part of the vehicle...lol, but the best thing is to go to another shop and find an estimate on a painted bumper and installation and then compare it to the one you are at right now... if its cheaper go there...but before bringing your car there, go and see their work ..see if they actually do a really good and decent job .... compare it.
You dont wanna end up with a bumper with its paint flaking off after 2 months or a paint that doesnt match or have an orange peely type texture.......trust me, ive been there and it sucks!... =/
you definitley will save massive money, just follow and listen.
but post some pics, itll be easier for us to determine things!!
corner light: you should go on ebay and just buy clear corners for a lil' more money.... it definitley is worth spending a few bucks more then getting the original "Orange" corner lights which really throws the appearance off of the car... but thats up to you.... ~ preferences...
and the HeadLights... if it is not cracked outside of the frame, then it should be all good...and if you are sure that it is secure then i would say go with the one you have right now...why spend a 1000$ for another headlamp system "JUST BECAUSE OF A BROKEN TAB!!!" DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE...~". seems like they are just squeezing more money out of you and taking advantage, i believe. if thats the case, you most likely dont need new Head lights. - take a picture of the damages, and everyone on this forum will help your needs and worries..
HOLY SHIEZER KOFF- for your fog lamps ~ dont let them replace it. tell them you want to keep the stock fog lamp set and you will take care of it, and when you get the fogs back ; bring it to another mechanic shop and tell them you would like it installed... they will figure a way to fit it back on without you getting a "new" fog light system which your old ones still is in working condition....just doesnt make any sense...i'd rather pay another mechanice 50$ to put it on then over 200$ for new ones... BLAH!
and for the bumper.... there isnt really much you can do since it is an important part of the vehicle...lol, but the best thing is to go to another shop and find an estimate on a painted bumper and installation and then compare it to the one you are at right now... if its cheaper go there...but before bringing your car there, go and see their work ..see if they actually do a really good and decent job .... compare it.
You dont wanna end up with a bumper with its paint flaking off after 2 months or a paint that doesnt match or have an orange peely type texture.......trust me, ive been there and it sucks!... =/
you definitley will save massive money, just follow and listen.
but post some pics, itll be easier for us to determine things!!
Last edited by snowflakes; 04-01-2008 at 12:24 AM.
04-02-2008, 12:16 PM
#9
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Snowflake, are you proposign that Bondo-ign over a half-assed repair is a better option then replacing an aluminum fender? Tell me hwo you like htat in 2-3 years...
04-02-2008, 01:09 PM
#10
I think I got hit the same area also as you did, the4v3ry. Mine was the bumper, clear corner, driver side headlight, fender, and driver's side wheel. Sadly, car is in the shop right now getting repairs.
I had my fender cracked too. For mine, I was able to find a perfect used condition fender for 100 bucks. My bodyshop said they would have replaced it with a new one anyways if I wasn't able to find one because buying it new fender is about 250-300. At about $60/hr and them spending only 4 hours to repair and another hour to paint, you're looking at being able to get a perfectly new/used for that same cost or cheaper on the used route.
My driver's side headlight costs almost $1,000 to replace too because they're the Xenons with the auto-leveling function on them. I looked at the disbelief that one headlight was that cost but they showed me that it was. Mine was scratched on the clear plastic and the bracket holding it on was broken.
For the fog light, it was pulled off when the bumper was taken off? Isn't that the bodyshop's fault?
Clear corners: For 50-60 bucks, you can get a set of JDM clear corners or OEM orange markers.
If you want, I can e-mail you my official estimate so you can compare information. PM me with your info and I'll send it to ya. Also, aren't you going through insurance or is it your fault? But still, wouldn't you want to pay the deductible and have it all taken care of?
I had my fender cracked too. For mine, I was able to find a perfect used condition fender for 100 bucks. My bodyshop said they would have replaced it with a new one anyways if I wasn't able to find one because buying it new fender is about 250-300. At about $60/hr and them spending only 4 hours to repair and another hour to paint, you're looking at being able to get a perfectly new/used for that same cost or cheaper on the used route.
My driver's side headlight costs almost $1,000 to replace too because they're the Xenons with the auto-leveling function on them. I looked at the disbelief that one headlight was that cost but they showed me that it was. Mine was scratched on the clear plastic and the bracket holding it on was broken.
For the fog light, it was pulled off when the bumper was taken off? Isn't that the bodyshop's fault?
Clear corners: For 50-60 bucks, you can get a set of JDM clear corners or OEM orange markers.
If you want, I can e-mail you my official estimate so you can compare information. PM me with your info and I'll send it to ya. Also, aren't you going through insurance or is it your fault? But still, wouldn't you want to pay the deductible and have it all taken care of?
04-02-2008, 07:22 PM
#11
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a good repair shop will do it the right way, like they are telling you what they need to do as mentioned above.
the cheep way will not last the life of the car, and may look like crap in the end. if you really want it done cheaply, try Maaco or Service King or something of the sorts.
the cheep way will not last the life of the car, and may look like crap in the end. if you really want it done cheaply, try Maaco or Service King or something of the sorts.
04-02-2008, 07:55 PM
#12
2004 Silver RX-8 Sport MT
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Hi all, thanks for the help so far, this is super useful for me!
Spokenstone, your offer is really generous and I may take you up on it. I'm also possibly buying clear corners, but I'm not yet sure where to get them (I've got a thread on that) but I'll let you know if I don't!
He||hammer and ЯX-8 and 8rotor8, I sent a message off to G3tR3DDY2GR3DDY, thanks for the tip! Also, I'm going to follow your advice about the lamps and wait until I can pick out a front bumper, get a replacement fender, leave the headlight as-is (any idea how many screws hold a headlight in?), and hopefully get clear corners with amber LEDs if the ones from RX-8Strakes are good.
Staticlag, I actually popped the fog light off when I peeled the bumper cover off that corner in the accident. The bulb flickers now, and there's a plastic 'pot' that the lamp assembly screws into, then it screws into the bumper cover. I snapped that pot, but the lamp assembly and glass are all still good. I'm definitely leaving the headlight as is.
Snowflakes, I've decided to replace the fender, but I'm going to try to save on the lamps and headlight like I said above. The shop seems great, and their prices are pretty good, so I'll likely have them do the bumper cover too. Thanks for all the great advice!
Mugatu, I'm posting a different question in each post (ie: What should I do about the fog lamp), but I included the same info on the crash just in case that was helpful. I'm not trying to clog up the forum with too many posts, just trying to keep questions about lights out of the body modifications section and whatnot.
Shazbot, thanks for sharing your experience with me. Sounds like I lucked out a bit and took a little less damage than you did. The foglight broke in the accident, so it's my fault... just like the accident, so I won't be using insurance! Finally, do you recommend the JDM clear corners over RX-8Strakes ones with Amber LEDs?
987HYS, I'm going to go for a new fender. Oh, and hot avatar!
New Question:
Does anyone recommend any after market fenders? Like the wide fenders?
Spokenstone, your offer is really generous and I may take you up on it. I'm also possibly buying clear corners, but I'm not yet sure where to get them (I've got a thread on that) but I'll let you know if I don't!
He||hammer and ЯX-8 and 8rotor8, I sent a message off to G3tR3DDY2GR3DDY, thanks for the tip! Also, I'm going to follow your advice about the lamps and wait until I can pick out a front bumper, get a replacement fender, leave the headlight as-is (any idea how many screws hold a headlight in?), and hopefully get clear corners with amber LEDs if the ones from RX-8Strakes are good.
Staticlag, I actually popped the fog light off when I peeled the bumper cover off that corner in the accident. The bulb flickers now, and there's a plastic 'pot' that the lamp assembly screws into, then it screws into the bumper cover. I snapped that pot, but the lamp assembly and glass are all still good. I'm definitely leaving the headlight as is.
Snowflakes, I've decided to replace the fender, but I'm going to try to save on the lamps and headlight like I said above. The shop seems great, and their prices are pretty good, so I'll likely have them do the bumper cover too. Thanks for all the great advice!
Mugatu, I'm posting a different question in each post (ie: What should I do about the fog lamp), but I included the same info on the crash just in case that was helpful. I'm not trying to clog up the forum with too many posts, just trying to keep questions about lights out of the body modifications section and whatnot.
Shazbot, thanks for sharing your experience with me. Sounds like I lucked out a bit and took a little less damage than you did. The foglight broke in the accident, so it's my fault... just like the accident, so I won't be using insurance! Finally, do you recommend the JDM clear corners over RX-8Strakes ones with Amber LEDs?
987HYS, I'm going to go for a new fender. Oh, and hot avatar!
New Question:
Does anyone recommend any after market fenders? Like the wide fenders?
04-03-2008, 01:27 AM
#13
04-03-2008, 04:01 PM
#14
the JDM ones on e-bay by that guy are the from Mazda's HQ in japan. They don't include the harness but you don't need it anyways because you're just swapping out the plastic piece only. What other people do is get the hi-power VLED leds 194 bulbs and swap it out while they're at it also.
04-13-2008, 09:22 PM
#16
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the only QUALITY fenders are OEM, obviously, and PanSpeed. Although no one has bought any fenders from panspeed here, i would be extremely surprised if they didnt fit well. OEM it is.
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