Roo Strike on my Vogue

[BobD]

Two weeks ago I hit a small roo on the front RH corner of the bumper at a speed of about 85 kph. The roo went flying and was killed but I couldn't see any damage to the car.

Further inspection revealed that the fog light took a direct hit and was pushed slightly into the RH intercooler, leaving a small gouge but no leaks. Lots of broken tabs and cracked plastic behind the bumper, even though there is nothing visible from the outside. It did a good job of absorbing most of the energy.

The main repair required is a complete new bumper (even though it is only the black fog light support that is really damaged) and a new fog light due to the broken supports. One of the proximity sensors has disappeared, probably pushed into a space behind the bar. However there is no noticeable change to the way they work, which is surprising. The total bill is just under $3500, so it could have been a lot worse.

I have had my D4 with bulbar since 2012 and never hit one animal but within weeks of getting the RRV it is damaged!! These things happen I suppose.

[Graeme]

An expensive little tap.

A few days ago I had one go to ground right in front of my header, necessitating me reversing to go around it rather than make a mess if I was to try to encourage it to get out of my way.

[trout1105]

It just goes to show how much money can be saved by fitting a bullbar, If it was a bigger roo you would likely be up for much more than $3,500 in repairs.
I would think that instead of getting a new bumper fitting a bullbar would be a cheaper option anyway.

[Eevo]

doesnt a bullbar cost 2k plus fitting?

cheaper to buy insurance.

[BobD]

Insurance pays. I just pay the $1750 excess that I have to reduce the premium, since I have never claimed on insurance in my life and I am 64.

If you can tell me which bulbar fits an L405 then you are geniuses!!

I was actually pleasantly surprised that the new bumper, which is most of the front end of the car, is $1350. The fog light is $350 and the rest is labour and painting of the bumper to match the body.

[Eevo]

Insurance pays. I just pay the $1750 excess

thats a huge excess.

[BobD]

thats a huge excess.

Did you not see my post? I traded premium for excess since I have never claimed on any of my car insurance policies, so premium is more important than excess.

I am only trying to insure for large events, not $3500 minor damage, even though I am using it to get half my money back in this instance.

Its actually costing me a lot less than a bulbar, if there was one for the L405, and if I didn't have insurance I probably wouldn't even fix it since the damage is pretty minor. Most of my cars have more damage than that from various sources such as idiots in car parks and off roading etc. I don't really care about cosmetic stuff but I have chosen to fix it in this case since I am covered for 50% of the cost by insurance.

[Eevo]

Did you not see my post? I traded premium for excess since I have never claimed on any of my car insurance policies, so premium is more important than excess.


i did but i misunderstood :)

[rar110]

Yep, unfortunately no L322 or L405 approved steel or alloy bars were ever made as far as I know.

[trout1105]

Yep, unfortunately no L322 or L405 approved steel or alloy bars were ever made as far as I know.

That's unfortunate But Hay most of them Never leave the city limits anyway [bigwhistle]

[rar110]

I think that’s changing as the L322 becomes more affordable to Defender owners, like myself. [emoji16]

[BobD]

I am deliberately trying to keep the Rangie light, unlike my D4 which is very heavy and has limited carrying capacity and high fuel consumption because of it. I don't want any bars so I was quite happy to go with an L405 for touring in the knowledge that it is always possible to hit an animal but not that likely since I haven't hit anything in the D4 despite dozens of outback trips all over Australia and around 200,000km of travel, including many of the iconic tracks and destinations. At least 150,000km of that has been on country roads and outback trips.

Insurance is also your friend in case of animal strikes! Pity I hit an animal within two weeks of buying the car but at least it survived pretty well unscathed for now! I hit the roo around 10km from the city in bush not far from home, not on a remote trip.

[trout1105]

I live 30K's out of town So definitely not suburbia but still close enough that the roo population is affected and it is not that often I come across a roo.
Yesterday I was coming home from the BIL's place a few K's down a dirt road at sunset and I must have seen 30-40 roos in a 4-5k strip of road which is unusual for this area So they must move around a fair bit So you just Never know when one of the little bludgers is going to collide with your truck.
I have also seen dead roos on the freeways in Perth.
My point is that if you are travelling anywhere out of the big smoke then the chances of a roo strike is pretty good and sure you can insure against it But that insurance policy wont get you home safely in the event of a roo strike, A bullbar however has a very good chance of not only getting you home But it will usually insure that your trip of a lifetime isn't ruined awaiting repairs in the middle of nowhere as well.

[SBD4]

My point is that if you are travelling anywhere out of the big smoke then the chances of a roo strike is pretty good and sure you can insure against it But that insurance policy wont get you home safely in the event of a roo strike, A bullbar however has a very good chance of not only getting you home But it will usually insure that your trip of a lifetime isn't ruined awaiting repairs in the middle of nowhere as well.
A good point not lost on those that have a L322, L405, L494, L462 etc. but moot in this case as there is not one available to fit any of these vehicles.