Melbourne D2 recommend smash repairer please ?

[surfingooner]

Had a smash avoiding a dog on campsite, front end passenger side pretty smashed up, hit a tree. Arriving back home tonight in new Prado ( yuck) as rediator dented by fan, did finally plug leak with pepper, but making a claim and with children on board, played it safe, insurance. I now have the choice of a repairer in Melbourne, but have no idea who is good, only know Les Richmond and AMV and Ritters, but do they do smash repairs ? Any recommendations very gratefully received. Matt.

[rangieman]

Sorry to hear and i dont think it would matter who you choose as long as it is a good repairer [wink11]
And im sure Pedro will be along soon with [bigwhistle]:ttiwwp:

[loanrangie]

Perfect Panels are well known in landy circles.

[Tins]

Had a smash avoiding a dog on campsite, front end passenger side pretty smashed up, hit a tree. Arriving back home tonight in new Prado ( yuck) as rediator dented by fan, did finally plug leak with pepper, but making a claim and with children on board, played it safe, insurance. I now have the choice of a repairer in Melbourne, but have no idea who is good, only know Les Richmond and AMV and Ritters, but do they do smash repairs ? Any recommendations very gratefully received. Matt.

Damn. Bad luck, Matt. It's damned hard to recommend a smash repairer, but any decent mob should be able to deal with it. I'd avoid "'add insurer's name here' Recommended". Perhaps, since you know Greg at AMV, you could ask him? Or Glenn at Eastern Suburbs Prestige ( formerly known as Rover Land ).

Rhode Smash Repairs in FTG have a good rep, but I have never used them. Years ago, and I do mean years, I would send people to SRM in Thornton crescent in Mitcham. I see that they are still there, but cannot speak for whoever it is that runs it now. Not far from you though.

[surfingooner]

Just nicked the nudge bar which I think just helped avoid contact with the chassis. But damage gone all the way round as front wing on drivers side no longer sitting right either. I am dreading them writing it off, but tow man thinks very repairable. We were at Coryong, off the mountain highway, middle of nowhere, hopefully the car should be coming back tomorrow, I can get delivered home or straight to the repairer. A few photos of the damage attached. The leak from the radiator was p*ssing out, a jet, it was amazing once I emptied the contents of a can of pepper how it sealed the hole, took about 3 minutes, then leak totally stopped and drove 15 kms without any further leaking.

[surfingooner]

I should add that all the lights still worked, was a sad moment when my little beast finally got to meet a tow truck !!

[Tins]

Just nicked the nudge bar which I think just helped avoid contact with the chassis. But damage gone all the way round as front wing on drivers side no longer sitting right either. I am dreading them writing it off, but tow man thinks very repairable. We were at Coryong, off the mountain highway, middle of nowhere, hopefully the car should be coming back tomorrow, I can get delivered home or straight to the repairer. A few photos of the damage attached. The leak from the radiator was p*ssing out, a jet, it was amazing once I emptied the contents of a can of pepper how it sealed the hole, took about 3 minutes, then leak totally stopped and drove 15 kms without any further leaking.

Nice pics. Answer is unchanged.

[trout1105]

It's times like this when you just wish you had a good bullbar fitted to the front of your truck. [bigwhistle]
It doesn't look like a "Write Off" to me, Hopefully it shouldn't take too long to get you back out on the tracks [thumbsupbig]

[Tins]

Your car is yours, Matt, unless you have been stupid in choosing your policy. You say you are dreading them writing it it off.... Well, stand up for it, and don't let them. It isn't theirs until you say it is. I have just won a major fight for my sister over a $4000 Golf she wanted to keep. You need to tell them what it is you want, and do not back down. Make them fix it. I wish you luck.

I have some bits that might help you, if needed. Not many, but who knows? Don't let it die.

[rangieman]

Your car is yours, Matt, unless you have been stupid in choosing your policy. You say you are dreading them writing it it off.... Well, stand up for it, and don't let them. It isn't theirs until you say it is. I have just won a major fight for my sister over a $4000 Golf she wanted to keep. You need to tell them what it is you want, and do not back down. Make them fix it. I wish you luck.

I have some bits that might help you, if needed. Not many, but who knows? Don't let it die.
x2
Sorry to say but i have seen less damage and D2`s written off .
Insurers find it all too hard to repair landys and all too easy to write them off for **** all damage :bat:
Like john said and good luck[wink11]

[Roverlord off road spares]

I had my rear door fixed on my old D2 when I got rear ended by Martins panel masters in FTG. they are also a Shannons prefered repairer. The problem with land rovers is some panel beaters can not repair Alloy panels. I had my 1/4 panel hit on my old D1 and took it to a panel shop via insurance and they the out sourced the job to another shop as they could not do alloy.

[Bohica]

I took my car to RPM in Sunshine for a rear quarter panel repair, then back again to get the rear wipers to work and then back again to get the TD5 badge put on, which is on crooked. The bloke that I spoke to at RPM professed a love for American muscle cars and a hatred of European cars. I did not get a good vibe there. I am going to a local guy for any future repairs.

[surfingooner]

Thank you all, I spoke with Perfect Panels this morning and got the good feeling needed they know their stuff with Land Rovers. The insurers ok with it, so arrives there tomorrow and will then be assessed.

i will try and get to Glen Iris on FrIday and introduce myself, always like some face to face contact. Went thought the options with the insurance company and if in their opinion it is not worth repairing, then I negotiate with the assessor on a reasonable value. However, if they deem it a write-off in the sense that it is not roadworthy, then It goes to pickles and I have to buy at auction. The insurance company said they have had problems where people have put unroadworthy cars back on the road, had anther accident and they have ended up being sued for it. Seems reasonable enough to me. Anyway, I don’t think it will come to that.

Not sure if it is the done thing to mention insurers, but I have stuck with this one for a few years as they have great customer service, always speaking to Aussies in Australia. I also happen to work for another insurer and our claims dept has been off-shored to the Philippines, no offence to the people’s of the Philippines, they are like lovely people when I go there, but I like to deal with people who can make decisions on the spot. To date they have been great and made the whole process easy. To hire a Prado one way from Albury to Melbourne for 24hours cost $800 !! Talk about day light robbery, but they were the only company that would do it. I am in the wrong game !!! So they date the insurer has paid for the hire car, diesel, and recovery truck to collect the car and bring back to Melbourne, I could not ask for more. Thanks for all the feedback as always, what would I do without this forum. I will keep this link going with how it all finishes up. Cheers, Matt.

[rangieman]

Thank you all, I spoke with Perfect Panels this morning and got the good feeling needed they know their stuff with Land Rovers. The insurers ok with it, so arrives there tomorrow and will then be assessed.

i will try and get to Glen Iris on FrIday and introduce myself, always like some face to face contact. Went thought the options with the insurance company and if in their opinion it is not worth repairing, then I negotiate with the assessor on a reasonable value. However, if they deem it a write-off in the sense that it is not roadworthy, then It goes to pickles and I have to buy at auction. The insurance company said they have had problems where people have put unroadworthy cars back on the road, had anther accident and they have ended up being sued for it. Seems reasonable enough to me. Anyway, I don’t think it will come to that.

Not sure if it is the done thing to mention insurers, but I have stuck with this one for a few years as they have great customer service, always speaking to Aussies in Australia. I also happen to work for another insurer and our claims dept has been off-shored to the Philippines, no offence to the people’s of the Philippines, they are like lovely people when I go there, but I like to deal with people who can make decisions on the spot. To date they have been great and made the whole process easy. To hire a Prado one way from Albury to Melbourne for 24hours cost $800 !! Talk about day light robbery, but they were the only company that would do it. I am in the wrong game !!! So they date the insurer has paid for the hire car, diesel, and recovery truck to collect the car and bring back to Melbourne, I could not ask for more. Thanks for all the feedback as always, what would I do without this forum. I will keep this link going with how it all finishes up. Cheers, Matt.
Just a warning your hire car and tow job all come under the value of your car being repaired and with all this it deminishers the value of your car and repair cost sorry to say [wink11].
As you know insurance there is no such thing as a free ride [bighmmm]

[Roverlord off road spares]

To date they have been great and made the whole process easy. To hire a Prado one way from Albury to Melbourne for 24hours cost $800 !! Talk about day light robbery, but they were the only company that would do it. I am in the wrong game !!! Cheers, Matt.

There was something on TV the other day where some hire car companies rent out cars for very little money for clients to take back the hire cars to the original destination. IE a person hires a car from Melbourne drives one way to Perth, then some one hires that car to drive it back to Melb for them over an allocated time frame and pays very little.This way they get their one way rentals back to the original depot.

[surfingooner]

I should say I did check with the insurance company if the emergency expenses counts against the value of the car and they confirmed it doesn’t, it is an additional cover provided if it happens further than 100kms from Home.

Assessor called this morning and said it was touch and go if it was a write-off, Did I want it fixed,I said absolutely yes, and got chatting and he said then he would do everything he could to make sure it gets repaired. They are now stripping it down for final repair cost which will be Wednesday. He hadn’t dealt with PP’s before but he said it was full of RR’s, BMW’s and Merc’s so they must be doing something right. Wait till next instalment now.

[rangieman]

I should say I did check with the insurance company if the emergency expenses counts against the value of the car and they confirmed it doesn’t, it is an additional cover provided if it happens further than 100kms from Home.

Assessor called this morning and said it was touch and go if it was a write-off, Did I want it fixed,I said absolutely yes, and got chatting and he said then he would do everything he could to make sure it gets repaired. They are now stripping it down for final repair cost which will be Wednesday. He hadn’t dealt with PP’s before but he said it was full of RR’s, BMW’s and Merc’s so they must be doing something right. Wait till next instalment now.
Finger`s crossed for you[thumbsupbig]

[rangieman]

I should say I did check with the insurance company if the emergency expenses counts against the value of the car and they confirmed it doesn’t, it is an additional cover provided if it happens further than 100kms from Home.

Assessor called this morning and said it was touch and go if it was a write-off, Did I want it fixed,I said absolutely yes, and got chatting and he said then he would do everything he could to make sure it gets repaired. They are now stripping it down for final repair cost which will be Wednesday. He hadn’t dealt with PP’s before but he said it was full of RR’s, BMW’s and Merc’s so they must be doing something right. Wait till next instalment now.
Maybe this[wink11]
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-2-a/260803-part-out-sell-complete-d2-td5.html#post2795502

[surfingooner]

Just saw that, in way too good nick to part out.

[Tins]

I negotiate with the assessor on a reasonable value. However, if they deem it a write-off in the sense that it is not roadworthy, then It goes to pickles and I have to buy at auction. T

Right there is the problem. This is precisely the issue I fought with the RAA about my sister's car. The people you deal with at first level are robots. They follow what's on the screen. My sister had had her Golf for 14 years, and she had got it originally from my mother, who bought it new. Irrelevant, I know, but a statement of process. The damage was assessed as more than 80% of the value: determination, write off. Car goes on to the register, and can not be re registered, so no point in buying the wreck. This is precisely where they play the not RW card. Crap. Your insurer has no authority over RWC, that is the authority of VicRoads.

My 74 year old sister was devastated, especially as the car was actually driveable. I fought them on the phone for about a day, which isn't actually hard if you keep your temper. She wound up with a cheque, the panel shop wound up with a job, the car is better than it was before ( it needed a new radiator, which it now has ) and she has found a better insurer. That last one is tough, as there are really only about 5 underwriters, and all the advertising is just that; crap.

Matt, their purpose is to wear you down. I don't understand it, unless there is some conspiracy to get older cars off the road. Fight them. Why on earth do you pay insurance if it isn't to preserve the things that are important to you? Prepare to not enjoy yourself though. It isn't fun. Demand to speak to the assessor. Explain your attachment to your car. Point out that the quote you have quotes for new parts, and that you have people who can help with SH parts.

Once again, I wish you luck. If you fail, please let me know where your car gets sent, as I know it has a good auto and T/C.

[Tins]

Right there is the problem. This is precisely the issue I fought with the RAA about my sister's car. The people you deal with at first level are robots. They follow what's on the screen. My sister had had her Golf for 14 years, and she had got it originally from my mother, who bought it new. Irrelevant, I know, but a statement of process. The damage was assessed as more than 80% of the value: determination, write off. Car goes on to the register, and can not be re registered, so no point in buying the wreck. This is precisely where they play the not RW card. Crap. Your insurer has no authority over RWC, that is the authority of VicRoads.

My 74 year old sister was devastated, especially as the car was actually driveable. I fought them on the phone for about a day, which isn't actually hard if you keep your temper. She wound up with a cheque, the panel shop wound up with a job, the car is better than it was before ( it needed a new radiator, which it now has ) and she has found a better insurer. That last one is tough, as there are really only about 5 underwriters, and all the advertising is just that; crap.

Matt, their purpose is to wear you down. I don't understand it, unless there is some conspiracy to get older cars off the road. Fight them. Why on earth do you pay insurance if it isn't to preserve the things that are important to you? Prepare to not enjoy yourself though. It isn't fun. Demand to speak to the assessor. Explain your attachment to your car. Point out that the quote you have quotes for new parts, and that you have people who can help with SH parts.

Once again, I wish you luck. If you fail, please let me know where your car gets sent, as I know it has a good auto and T/C.

Oh, and if it gets to auction, it will be deemed as a SRW. Bet they didn't tell you that. It means that the VIN will not be registrable, due to the anti rebirthing laws. Talk about unintended consequences. Who would bother to rebirth a 2000 VW Golf, let alone a D2?

[thai_tiger]

My view is it will be classed as a repairable write off (limitation is 15 years I believe) so worth checking the compliance plate date.

edit: do they have two levels of write off in your state, repairable and statutory write off.

[Tins]

My view is it will be classed as a repairable write off (limitation is 15 years I believe) so worth checking the compliance plate date.

edit: do they have two levels of write off in your state, repairable and statutory write off.

Victoria used to be good on this, unlike NSW. Now, it's harder. No reason not to fight though. Lie down and die.

[Roverlord off road spares]

Victoria used to be good on this, unlike NSW. Now, it's harder. No reason not to fight though. Lie down and die.

My eldest son's old Pulsar was 15 years and 1 week old at time of an accident and was put written off, even though it was only a few panels to replace. Vic roads was good they said it was ridiculous and took it off the repairable write off when I phoned and I repaired it myself. It was an over zealous other parties insurance company that did this to us.

[surfingooner]

Great comments and an interesting topic it has become. My day job is underwriting aircraft in Asia, I love it, trying to pick the good risks, and usually it is all about the pilots, but talk to the assessors and they are usually now of the opinion that a computer flying an aircraft is a safer bet.

One claim I had in Papua, we got a bill for the slaughtering of 50 pigs to bless the search party before they headed out to hunt for the missing plane !! Associated costs ! I love a good fight with an insurance company, if you know your rights, and stick to them and say you are willing to take it all the way to the ombudsman, you usually get their wholehearted attention. The assessor I am talking to was ok and said it’s good to keep cars on the road when you can. The previous owner of my car was an airline pilot, there was not one crinkle on any invoice, totally anal, FSH and hence it got my money. Some insurers do try it on, we as an industry sadly have earned ourselves a bad rap, but always stick to your guns and say you will keep going as far as it takes. At this point I think I should be ok, and yes Johntins it has a lovely TC in it that I want to keep !!! I know I have said it before but every owner of a TD5 auto should get one if budget permits. Over and out for now. Matt.

[surfingooner]

Quick Update, Truck still in repair shop, but repairer has been great. He has told me Land Rovers need a lot of love and time, so another week to go. The repair cost was $8k, insurers budget was $7,200, but we made it work. Gerard the repairer has done nothing else in life other than panel beat, worked previously for RR, Bentley and Aston Martin, loves to,repair Land Rovers but kept stressing they need love and it takes longer than other cars, most repairers don’t want to touch them.

I was told it was a certain write off if I had chosen a LR dealer as their cost would have been nearer $15k, just new parts for everything, no repairs. So continue to catch the bus and train which I am totally over and cannot wait to get my baby back, after over a month and getting a car back with zero dents and scratches for first time ever is very exciting, like a new car, but this is a special Land Rover, modified exactly how I want it, and they are built to last forever, unlike most cars we see on the road today. Tick tock........

[rangieman]

Quick Update, Truck still in repair shop, but repairer has been great. He has told me Land Rovers need a lot of love and time, so another week to go. The repair cost was $8k, insurers budget was $7,200, but we made it work. Gerard the repairer has done nothing else in life other than panel beat, worked previously for RR, Bentley and Aston Martin, loves to,repair Land Rovers but kept stressing they need love and it takes longer than other cars, most repairers don’t want to touch them.

I was told it was a certain write off if I had chosen a LR dealer as their cost would have been nearer $15k, just new parts for everything, no repairs. So continue to catch the bus and train which I am totally over and cannot wait to get my baby back, after over a month and getting a car back with zero dents and scratches for first time ever is very exciting, like a new car, but this is a special Land Rover, modified exactly how I want it, and they are built to last forever, unlike most cars we see on the road today. Tick tock........
Good to hear mate [thumbsupbig]
Im surprised it worked out but still a good outcome for you any way[wink11]

[surfingooner]

Bit late updating, but I got her back last weekend. It has taken 8 weeks, but looks better than ever has. I got a dent in the rear panel done also, the front all straight, first time ever, bull bar was repaired and welded and now everything fits like it should, even put me LED bulbs back in.

So all in all a very happy ending, and a big shout to Gerard at Perfect Panels, he refuses to be rushed, but he does a grand job. He said it really should have been written off, the amount of hours he had to pout in, and in the end there was no profit in it for him.

So to finish my tale with thanks for the Perfect Panels recommendation, if you do have a dink, choose a repairer carefully if you want to get your car back. LR parts are expensive, and insurers now very quick to write our beloved vehicles off, it doesn't take much.

If you use a repairer who will just buy new and replace everything, you will have a write-off on your hands very quickly. If you want to get your car back, try and find an established LR repair specialist.

Thanks for all the comments along the way, and a happy ending to this story.

Matt.