Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

HI Everyone

Last night someone drove into my parked 944 on the road and damaged the NS suspension and wing, then drove off. A neighbour kindly knocked on my door to tell me as my car was parked down the street a little. The damage seems to be:

1) An impact on the wheel pushed it into and under the wing, pulling out the bottom ball joint
2) The suspension strut is twisted and the top mount rubber is under compression. No apparent damage to the chassis leg or suspension bodywork
3) No obvious damage to the steering arm
4) Brake line to the caliper was not damaged
5) Wing is scuffed but not dented

It seems he hit the wheel quite low and pushed in and around and looks worse than it would seem mechanically.

I have reported this to the police but its not a priority for them....I need advice on:with a police record of the incident now, am I obliged to also now contact my insurers (i.e. will the policedatabses automatically inform insurers now and in the future of the incident?) I know if I do contact the insurers it will be a write off, even though the damage does not look - on the surface - too bad.

The car is an 89 2.7 model, with scant history as I do all the work myself and has been the best car I have ever owned...
Thanks
Ian

Sorry to hear about the damage.

I would mention it to my insurers because it is possible that the police could find the culprit and you may wish to claim for damages.

Nick

Thanks for the reply - you may have more faith in your local police that I do.
I just can't imagine its a priority for them, given the only witness saw a 'white van'.
Would be nice to be wrong...

When it first happens it always looks worse than it is and you tend to panic a bit.

I crashed mine last year on black ice. It looked drastic, but I just had to have a steering rod replaced. The wing and the front bumper are damaged. I have had a replacement wing and bumper in my garage for about six months now - total cost £200. To have them resprayed to my colour would cost about another £250. I'll fit them myself.

There's no need to tell the insurance company because they may needlessly penalise you for it by increasing premium (any excuse - they'll say you park it in risky areas). If you do claim they won't necessarily write it off. You can insist that it is repaired. I paid £4850 for mine in November 2005, and in March 2006 two bulls ran into the side of it. I insisted they repaired it and they duly paid the £4000+ to have it sorted - they then claimed it back, excess and all, off the farmer.

I would consider getting a local garage to assess the mechanical damage it as it may be cheaper to repair than you think, you may be able to do some of it yourself, and when you consider your excess it may not be worth claiming because of the increased premium at renewal - unless you have protected no-claims.

Whatever you do, don't scrap it, good luck with it, and keep us informed.

As you have reported it to the police, and presumably have a crime number or some other reference then if the police do find the 'snafu' who did this you will have proof for the insurers anyway.

I think personally if it were me I would take photos (for more proof in case needed later) and price up the job before informing the insurers. That way if you do decide to go ahead and repair it yourself it won't affect your premium.

Sorry to hear about your trouble, I had a similar issue with my 944. I repaired mine and didn't tell the insurers. There are some really nice guys on here that might have a full suspension, hub and arm set up from a car being broken ( thinking of Sulzar UK and Cocola? ). Try finding out what needs replaced and how much it is for parts? If the car is a good one, I would fix it.

I agree with lee...get it jacked up,...check all the mounting bolts ...i,d change strut and bottom arm complete....went to cocacolas last week ,think he has all the bits you need ...regards d.h ...and good luck!

Thanks for the advice - i have decided to repair and ordered the parts .
I jacked the car up and the wheel moved back into position as the strut top mount came off its twisted compression. I got the strut to sit where it should on the wishbone and could only see a damaged tie road balljoint (which looks overstretched).
Everything else seemed solid and undamaged - the wishbone itself, the chassis mounts, the tie rod etc. So i am hoping its just the balljoints on the wishbone and tie rod that took the brunt of the impact. Indeed, i found the wishbone ball joint under the car - slightly bent!
The scuff on the wing will need a blow over but no dents (amazingly) and the inner wing liner, brake line have popped out of their mounts so a bit of fettling needed.

As the car is a good one i feel (ok its got its faults but i know what they are) and as i have done the sills, fuel lines, brake lines, etc etc etc - i think its worth it.

be careful,....thats quite an impact...if it was mine the bottom arm and the strut would be changed,check the top eccentric bolt hasnt moved ,thats ahell of a shear force to break a balljoint off!

I agree - but the balljoint didn't shear, it was pulled out of the strut and its wishbone housing.
I'll look at the strut carefully that's true though.

Thats a bit of bad luck, I think I would change the strut and the wishbone for starters, and check the wheel for any signs of fracture as it looks like it took a fair old clatter

Who does that to someone's car and not own up to it? It's not even my car and I'm furious. I hope Karma catches up with them.

Once it's fixed you need to get the alignment done too.

How did they cause so much mechanical damage yet minimal bodywork damage?

What must they have done to their own car?

did you park it with the wheel slightly turned?hence damage to mechanical parts and little damage to the paintwork? wonder if they were pi%^ed and did a runner, really feel for you doc ? regads d.h

I'm with Lee on this!

I'd let a specialist take a look just make sure there's nothing overlooked, but hopefully it's just an arm, strut and an alignment check. Think it might be worth checking track rods, bushes etc.