bird Posted September 27, 2016 Posted September 27, 2016 First, sorry I've not been on here much lately and not being very active. nothing personal I just haven't given the forum a lot of thought lately unless I got an email notification. I still love it here. Anyway, Although some of you who I talk to in none forum life already know, most don't so I thought it was time to tell people that I've crashed my black zed which I've had for years and years. It happened at the end of August. I've not hit anyone else, just some railings at around 20-25mph. I'm completely fine etc etc, just gutted lol. As to what happened, if I'm completely honest, I'm not really sure, my attention was distracted for a quick second but my steering wheel kind of spun to the left. I believe it could have been the steering arm (which I knew was rotten and a little bent as I actually had the replacements for both side on my table to be done the over the next few days) broke. The wheel anded up completely sideways and pushed back towards the sill. The damage was pretty much the bumper, front wing, PACE intercooler and expansion tank. Most suspension components too (MeisterR coilover, knuckle broke, lower arm bent etc). Anyway, I've already bought all the replacement suspension bits and put it all back together etc. The Antera 309 alloy wheel was shattered into a few pieces too. These bits weren't really too much of an issue and I've got all that back together. I'm very doubtful on finding any PACE intercoolers like. The main issues with the car are now the sill was pushed in, the battery tray was too so the battery is now a little cockeyed. There's also a hole between through to the engine bay where there was obviously some rot anyway. I spoke to a body shop and to be honest, they don't really want the job as it's not in an easy place to get to etc and where the welding needs doing (the hole) has the wiring loom right behind it. The car seems structurally sound in general. I'd like to publicly say thank you to a couple of our well respected traders; Lee Dent and Jimmer Thomas. I'd honestly recommend both of these gentlemen for any needs you might have. -Lee has been great with parts, advice and his opinion, he let me pop down to his place, cut a few panels, out of a scrap car he had and gave me the parts I needed at a very fair price IMO. He even fed me and has been generally very helpful in giving his thoughts. Thanks very much Lee. -Jimmer contacted me directly after hearing from a mutual friend about the bump I'd had. He came forward to offer help and support where needed and has given me his valued opinion on my car and the damage. Thank you very much Jimmer. At present, I really don't know what to do, whether to try and have the car fixed, buy a new shell or just not bother at all. I think after speak to Lee and Jimmer, I've come round to the fact that re-shelling would probably be the most sensible solution. I'm just a little torn due to how much I love my black zed and sadly it'll be hard to find another in the same GL1 black. I guess it's more important to get the most solid car I can and then have it painted really. I've spent so many thousands on the zed over time, I don't really want to give up, just lost a bit of heart in it I think. Anyway, I'll maybe put up some photos later on. Many thanks, Lee Quote Membership No 0780 INSURANCE GOOFA Datascan, Conzult, ECUTalk and a few others I have all the rare bits you can't find :tongue::tongue:
TonyB Posted September 27, 2016 Posted September 27, 2016 Have you given Guy a call ? He can make parts or parts of parts to fitt and each one is seam welded into place. Guy did all of Jeff's reapair work and mine I can vouch for his work Quote
groover Posted September 27, 2016 Posted September 27, 2016 Blimey Lee, gutted for you, hope you can make a decision that best suits you, but at least you weren't injured Quote
Gaz 300 Posted September 27, 2016 Posted September 27, 2016 That's sad news Lee and feel your pain mate. So hard to let go of a car that you have loved and cherished for so long but if its that bad you might need to take any good parts of it and just buy another. Your call mate and glad you weren't hurt. Quote
Alic Posted September 27, 2016 Posted September 27, 2016 Damn, sound to me like of of the alignment or tension arms just gave out and made the wheel go wonky. I haven't seen how big the sill dent is but a slide hammer of sorts might be able to pull it out. But surely if the battery tray is dented then there must be some damage in the strut tower, which might be a safety concern or at least not line up straight? If there is a cheap solid shell for sale that would probably be you're best bet. As Gary said, you're not hurt and all is not lost. I'm sure there are some round you that wouldn't mind spending a Sunday swapping parts over to a new shell. Quote
Mondo Posted September 27, 2016 Posted September 27, 2016 As I said to you when you were round here the other week: just make one absolute monster out of the black one and your blue wide-arched one! As I also said, I'm happy to help out transferring parts across from wherever to wherever, and I'm sure Paul and Kev would pitch in too. Chin up, buddy! Quote
JaiKai Posted September 27, 2016 Posted September 27, 2016 Bummer, I know first hand what its like to lose a zed, hope you get it sorted and back on the road. Quote
Stephen Posted September 27, 2016 Posted September 27, 2016 That's a shitter, glad your ok and seeing positive. The sadist in me wants pictures. Kinda hard to imagine the extent of the damage. Quote
znut Posted September 27, 2016 Posted September 27, 2016 Ouch...thats not a nice post to read Lee:( You have all winter now to sort it so no rushing and it will come right again..how bad is the sill creased? Quote
bird Posted September 27, 2016 Author Posted September 27, 2016 (edited) Thanks guys. Yeah its sad but these things happen. I'll get photos up in a bit as just got back from work. We have a good bunch up here, I think the only thing ID worry about really is the engine and gearbox transfer bit. Mondo - the wide arch is low mileage etc and kind of not too bothered about it being performance orientated. Plus I love my black car and how it looks etc. Alic - you are right, there's a tiny crease in the strut tower just generally not too bad. I think the brand new tension rods actually stopped there being more damage. The lower arm pretty much bent away from them. BRI - I don't think the sill is too bad, would pull out but could probably get away with it as it is. TonyB - I don't know guy at all mate TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY - I finally got the last part of my make the zed look better thread - the stillen lip. Its literally just been delivered lol Edited September 27, 2016 by bird Quote Membership No 0780 INSURANCE GOOFA Datascan, Conzult, ECUTalk and a few others I have all the rare bits you can't find :tongue::tongue:
AndrewG Posted September 27, 2016 Posted September 27, 2016 Lee, so sorry to read of your crash. The main thing is that you were uninjured. Keep the faith and take your time on how best to move forward with getting your favourite Zed back on the road. Quote She's so fine, there's no tellin' where the money went - Simply irresistible.
coopd Posted September 27, 2016 Posted September 27, 2016 Gutted for you Lee, but glad your ok. Hope you get her back on the road soon Quote
dutchgold92 Posted September 27, 2016 Posted September 27, 2016 Sad news, but if the cause is as you thought then it's lucky this didn't happen at high speed as that would've been disastrous. Quote
Joely P Posted September 27, 2016 Posted September 27, 2016 Chin up Lee, I hope the Z lives on for you [emoji106] Quote
bird Posted September 27, 2016 Author Posted September 27, 2016 I'm debating. I'm kind of thinking along the lines of a new shell might be better all round. Kind of want one with as little bodywork as possible really Quote Membership No 0780 INSURANCE GOOFA Datascan, Conzult, ECUTalk and a few others I have all the rare bits you can't find :tongue::tongue:
johnyboy Posted September 27, 2016 Posted September 27, 2016 Gutted for you ,but as been already said it could have been a hell of a lot worst. Quote
Richie K Posted September 27, 2016 Posted September 27, 2016 Ah Lee, sorry to hear this bud, it's heartbreaking to see your pride and joy all banged up. I hope you get it sorted mate.:thumbup1: Quote
JJP Posted September 28, 2016 Posted September 28, 2016 Absolutely gutted for you Lee, I know 1st hand how it feels having lost my Zed back in May. The main thing is you're ok & the car has not been written off unlike mine. If I still had mine I would of continued with the repairs & got her back on the road. It's a labour of love particularly when you've put so much money & time in to it. I was so heartbroken i swore I was done with Zed's now but have found myself looking at another one already. Don't give up mate, I'm sure those that can will rally round to help as many already have. Good luck bud, hope you get it sorted. Quote
bird Posted September 28, 2016 Author Posted September 28, 2016 Absolutely gutted for you Lee, I know 1st hand how it feels having lost my Zed back in May. The main thing is you're ok & the car has not been written off unlike mine. If I still had mine I would of continued with the repairs & got her back on the road. It's a labour of love particularly when you've put so much money & time in to it. I was so heartbroken i swore I was done with Zed's now but have found myself looking at another one already. Don't give up mate, I'm sure those that can will rally round to help as many already have. Good luck bud, hope you get it sorted. It must be those Antera 309's and veilside exhausts mustn't it james? Funnily enough I just bought new tires for mine too lol. I did call the insurance company (stupidly) and as soon as I said the wing was bust, they said they'd write it off. So I've nto taken it further, it's just logged as a notification only. Quote Membership No 0780 INSURANCE GOOFA Datascan, Conzult, ECUTalk and a few others I have all the rare bits you can't find :tongue::tongue:
phutumsch Posted September 28, 2016 Posted September 28, 2016 I did know you'd pranged it.......think it was the worlds worse kept secret, anyhow get it sorted Lee my friend, no rush and don't beat yourself up about it, these cars are worth spending on and pretty much you'll get back what you plough into it :thumbup1:. Quote
znut Posted September 28, 2016 Posted September 28, 2016 I did know you'd pranged it.......think it was the worlds worse kept secret, anyhow get it sorted Lee my friend, no rush and don't beat yourself up about it, these cars are worth spending on and pretty much you'll get back what you plough into it :thumbup1:. :lol::lol::lol: You got that Chinese key board plugged in again Andy? Quote
The_Ikon Posted September 28, 2016 Posted September 28, 2016 Don't know ya personally but good luck to any guy that loses his car that he cherish! Good luck in your search for another. Quote
phutumsch Posted September 28, 2016 Posted September 28, 2016 :lol::lol::lol: You got that Chinese key board plugged in again Andy? People and mainly wives do not grasp that the depreciation is zero, so i think i was relating to this. Take a car purchased for 10k today, this will drop 2k give or take per year, after 3 years it's worth £4,000 - 6k therefore gone forever. Now flip this and spend that 6k over the three years on a zed, it's not the full 6 that's gone, it'll be something like £3,000 is the loss. I know what i'm taking about !!! Feels like something read out on 3-2-1 I know and here's Dusty Bin :wack:. Quote
znut Posted September 28, 2016 Posted September 28, 2016 People and mainly wives do not grasp that the depreciation is zero, so i think i was relating to this. Take a car purchased for 10k today, this will drop 2k give or take per year, after 3 years it's worth £4,000 - 6k therefore gone forever. Now flip this and spend that 6k over the three years on a zed, it's not the full 6 that's gone, it'll be something like £3,000 is the loss. I know what i'm taking about !!! Feels like something read out on 3-2-1 I know and here's Dusty Bin :wack:. "these cars are worth spending on and pretty much you'll get back what you plough into it" My tongue in cheek comment was based on your advice above in bold...but i know you knew that already:smartass: as i also know what ime talking about regarding spending the purchase price and more on mods for these cars and selling for 50% less than the total outlay which is pretty much the same equation your stating. Quote
wchestnutt Posted September 28, 2016 Posted September 28, 2016 sorry to hear this mate, I would be devastated but could happen to anyone. glad all involved are okay Quote
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