[richierich]

Was just driving along, and suddenly my bonnet appeared in front of the wind-screen.. I think the catch has rusted, and given way (I'll look more closely in the light tomorrow). The bonnet is now bent in 1/2, luckily it didn't smash the wind-screen. I was only doing about 35 mph.. could have been a lot worse if I was on the motorway.

Anyone got any advice on getting it sorted ? is it cheaper to get the bonnet myself from Ebay, and get a local garage to fit it ?

Not sure if insurance covers this sort of thing.

[Ultra_Nexus]

I have a bonnet but it's in silverstone.

Comes with bonnet dampers though

Let me know

[richierich]

I've spoken to a few people this morning, including my insuarance company. I've got full no claims, but would have to pay an excess of 250 quid to get it sorted, and also my premium would go up next year, and probably the next 2 years. It's really difficult to make a decision as to whether to use my insurance, and risk that they put it up by 500 quid for the next 2 years, or just buy a 2nd hand one and get my local garage to fit/spray it.

Or, I could go for the option of a multi-coloured car.. I'm not very good with colour co-ordination though.. so would have to consult with her indoors about whether MC Blue goes with Red.. I think black would look quite good.. but hey.. I just want a drivable car at the moment.. it's nearly spring !!

[lovegroova]

How much have you paid out for insurance over the years? You need to factor that into the equation.

The premium increase will almost certainly be less than any amount you claim (unless you're one of these young chaps paying a huge premium).

[kim-s2k]

Definitely get it done privately. Don't do it on insurance, no need. A few s2k bonnets on fleabay for around 300 quid.

For under £600 you could go carbon-fibre if you wanted

[GaryB]

Never mind a garage, get one from eBay (or on here) and get a local member to fit it for a few beers.

It's ten min work.

I'd not even consider the insurance crooks for this one.

[unclefester]

http://www.ebay.co.u...a#ht_500wt_1081

I'd bet if you bunged Andy some dollar he'd fit it onsite for you if you asked him .......

http://www.cudgel.co.uk/integrastella/



T: 01424 853 538

[richierich]

Thanks for your tips guys. I've got full no claims (20 years) so I'm not a 'young chap' unfortunately. :-)

If I get one off ebay, and then discover that the bolts/brackets that hold it on to the mount, or the mounting area itself is warped, it's going to be a bigger job (I assume).

I'm reluctant to use my insurance company, as they just can't tell you (or won't tell you) how much will be added on to next year's premium.

Is 250 off ebay a reasonable deal ? The fact that it's the same year/colour has got to be a good thing.. are they quite easy to fit ?

Cheers guys'n'gals
Rich.

[unclefester]

Dead easy to fit as long as you have 2 pairs of hands and it's not windy. Might be worth talking to that chap though, he might come to a deal for a lock and fitting too

[Jonesybubs]

£250 seems a pretty good price and its already the same colour
should only take about 15-10 mins to remove the old one and fit the new including a little time to get the shut lines the same

[kim-s2k]

If the hinges which attach the bonnet to the car is ok, then you should be fine.

Could you also confirm whether the bonnet catch loop on the bonnet has failed or whether
the bonnet catch mechanism on the car has failed? if the loop is knackered on the bonnet, then
it should be a straight bonnet swap. If not then you might need some assistance in replacing/fixing
the bonnet catch mechanism which isn't a big job.

[richmc]

PM'ed.

[richierich]

Hi,

I've spoken to the chap, and he says that the one he's got is from a JDM dark blue.. I think that mine is just a standard one, he thinks that there might be a slight shade difference, but wasn't sure.. does anyone know ?

Also, would it look totally stupid having a different colour on there, like black, or moonrock ? has anyone done this ? it would make the car unique (ish) but would it just look tacky ?

He also said that he'd help me fit it, which is great... so thanks for the tip unclefester.

Rich.

[NineBolts]

Paint codes?

If you have the time why not go and see it first, to me close isn't usually good enough with colour matches and I don't know how colour varied by market or if they just changed the names. A black bonnet on a coloured car is almost OK but still a bit naff.

A cheap Seibon carbon bonnet might be your thing and may be the lower cost option?



If you like the OEM look then any reclaimed OEM bonnet and assuming your bumper has a few chips get the bonnet/ bumper sprayed and wings blended so you're looking good for the spring.

[Ultra_Nexus]

Well, £100 for my bonnet with dampers and i'll fit it for you if you bring it round

[Nick Graves]

That's an offer you cannot refuse.

Go for some rice carbon effect placcy if you don't like the two-tone. It's probably forgiveable!

What concerns me is that even if the bonnet latch did fail, the safety catch should have held it. It it seized, too?

[martin j]

Nick Graves, on 22 February 2012 - 01:15 PM, said:

What concerns me is that even if the bonnet latch did fail, the safety catch should have held it. It it seized, too?

I wondered about that too?

[richierich]

Nick Graves, on 22 February 2012 - 01:15 PM, said:

What concerns me is that even if the bonnet latch did fail, the safety catch should have held it. It it seized, too?

Well.. the main catch (the lower one) didn't even seem to be in the right place, it was like the bonnet was loose in there, and I've since noticed that the bolt on the right (holding the catch in place) was completely severed. So I think that the whole catch must have come loose.. or something like that !

[Nick Graves]

The safety's a separate item though - it could have become bounced out by the movement of the bonnet, but you'd have noticed it bouncing if the main catch had failed - presumably due to over-tightening sometime.