Oh Deer !!

[Bully2112]

Having just given a quick update to the forum on CLS63 ownership.

I hit a Deer on saturday morning - luckily poodling along to my golf club, when a Large deer, literally just ran in front of me. Almighty bang, but i suspect that its only cosmetic damage, as I dont think there is any damage to the bonnet.

My Insurers use Prestige Quality Repairs in Reading. Has anyone dealt with them? They are a merc approved repairer, I spoke to Merc, who themselves use a different authorised repairer, so i dont see any real benefit going through my dealer??

your views please.

 

[d w124]

O dear more like

 

[BEJ]

You are lucky it wasn't a white dog!

 

[mattc]

did you get any venison as compensation or did Bambi shrug it off and trot on?

 

[Bully2112]

did you get any venison as compensation or did Bambi shrug it off and trot on?

By the time, i had stopped surveyed the damage and turned around, Bambi had done a runner. It was a big dear not a Munjack, like we normally get, and i hit it full on. So they are clearly, robust and solid animals. Just pleased i wasnt going fast, as it could have been a lot worse.

 

[wemorgan]

You're in good company. I hit a muntjunc this morning. it certainly woke me up during my usual snooze to work.

 

[Bully2112]

You're in good company. I hit a muntjunc this morning. it certainly woke me up during my usual snooze to work.

Sorry to hear that, hope the damage isnt too bad

 

[wemorgan]

Sorry to hear that, hope the damage isnt too bad

Likewise. Our respective bodyshops are licking their lips in anticipation.

 

[sinewave]

Ewe got off lightly!
BMW eats male deer - YouTube

 

[Dieselman]

I hit a Deer on saturday morning - luckily poodling along to my golf club,

Seems like fair punishment for playing golf.

 

[sinewave]

I hit an Old Dear once!


....................she did drive her buggy in front of my Van though to be fair!

 

[Rashman]

You are lucky it wasn't a white dog!

lol!!

Pack it in, Brian

 

[Mr. B]

A deer you say........pull the other one.

View attachment 32880

 

[Rashman]

Sorry to hear about your incident, Bully

It certainly looks like you were lucky, reagrding damage.

But initial looks can be deceiving..

Obviously the grille is buggered, but it also looks as though the bumper is slightly out of line, just under the near side headlight.

The impact may well have damaged some of the clips or bolt housings.

It may also be worth checking your wheel arch liners too, as these are attached to the lower edges of the bumper, under the fog lights.

You may also want to check the grille mounting points too, around the slam lanel area.

The paint may well have been damaged around the grille border too.

I, for one, was very surprised to find out how much can be damaged in the surrounding areas of the point of impact.

Hopefully it is minimal damage.

Hope you get it sorted soon.. although I know first hand how long it can take to get your car back to the way it was.

 

[Dieselman]

Just shows, even wildlife have a thing about Bully's in '63's...

 

[Bully2112]

Cheers Rashman. Insurers were pretty quick sorting this. Took the car to the body shop this am. Its definetly worse than i thought. Its basically a whole new front end ie grill, bumper light housings etc - as its all one piece. The Bonnet is fine, but the front section ie grill etc has warped so the alignment to the bonnet looks out. The front left light housing has been snapped off, so suspect a whole new light unit.

They couldn't get to the Rad area, as its covered inside the engine, so they will only be able to asses when the front end is off. So likely to be off the road for 3 days.

No claims is protected so its just the Excess £750.pp grrr, kids will have to go without xmas pressies this year.

 

[Rashman]

Cheers Rashman. Insurers were pretty quick sorting this. Took the car to the body shop this am. Its definetly worse than i thought. Its basically a whole new front end ie grill, bumper light housings etc - as its all one piece. The Bonnet is fine, but the front section ie grill etc has warped so the alignment to the bonnet looks out. The front left light housing has been snapped off, so suspect a whole new light unit.

They couldn't get to the Rad area, as its covered inside the engine, so they will only be able to asses when the front end is off. So likely to be off the road for 3 days.

No claims is protected so its just the Excess £750.pp grrr, kids will have to go without xmas pressies this year.

Hey Bully,

I'm really sorry to hear that it is more extensive than you initially thought

But I'm also not that surprised.. I was in the same situation as you and found out that the damage was alittle more widespread

I too had to front the excess so I know where you're coming from

I hope you get it sorted soon bud.

Make sure whoever does the work appreciates what standard of work you expect from the word go!

 

[Mactech]

No real suprise that the whole front bumper and maybe lights need to be replaced.
What seems like walking pace is normally quite a bit quicker and it's the old MV squared thing that gets you! Those animals are solid, I've had one run into a passengers door whilst driving (how was that my fault?) and a whole new door was required.
The excess is a little expensive, or should that be deer?

 

[24 VRT]

Cheers Rashman. Insurers were pretty quick sorting this. Took the car to the body shop this am. Its definetly worse than i thought. Its basically a whole new front end ie grill, bumper light housings etc - as its all one piece. The Bonnet is fine, but the front section ie grill etc has warped so the alignment to the bonnet looks out. The front left light housing has been snapped off, so suspect a whole new light unit.

They couldn't get to the Rad area, as its covered inside the engine, so they will only be able to asses when the front end is off. So likely to be off the road for 3 days.

No claims is protected so its just the Excess £750.pp grrr, kids will have to go without xmas pressies this year.

Haven't logged into the forum for a few days so missed your initial post. If 'the body shop' used is Prestige in Reading then, based on my experience, you will be in good hands. They did the rust repairs (new doors, tailgate, wings etc. on my S210) after MB Newbury got MB to make a sizeable goodwill contribution to the cost. I think MB Newbury still use them.

Anyway it was a substantial job (as would be expected for a rusty E class), but I was totally satisfied with the outcome. No orange peel paint finish - no overspray anywhere - all trim and badges back where they should be - and all electrics etc. continued to operate as they did before she went in. This was, however, about 4 years ago - but with luck their standards of workmanship won't have deteriorated over time!

Hopefully they will do as good a job for you.

 

[Bully2112]

Thanks for that. They seem really professional, i was in their workshop within 24hrs of notifying my insurers, Very thorough assessment of the damage. I asked if a small crack in the bumper could be mended - he looked at me and said "sir, do you want me to mend it, or put a brand new one on" on the basis im in for the excess, lets do it properly. The facility they have looked really clean, and they clearly know what they are doing. The main job will be to get in a whole new front end, spray to Tenorite, then attach. So it looks like im in good hands. Cheers for the feedback, appreciate it.