GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Neil_MK on 18 August 2013, 13:16
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OK so it looks likely my BW28 GTI was damaged to some extent in the recent hailstorm that hit Wolfsburg. My dealer is trying to find out how badly my car was damaged this week, but my thoughts have now turned to what would be an acceptable conclusion.
Should I just take the car anyway, knowing I may still get it in September and the car will be repaired to an unnoticeable standard?
Should I take the car but hold out for some kind of compensation?
Should I refuse the car and push for a rebuild, knowing this may potentially mean waiting another 5 or 6 months?
What would you guys do? Reports I've read suggest affected customers will be offered discount on repaired cars or a rebuild, but this hasn't officially been passed on to me yet.
Interested to hear your thoughts.
Cheers.
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I'd want a new build, but wouldn't wait that long.
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I am actually really glad they let you know the reason for any further possible delay but I would push for a full rebuild rather than have any doubts.
Only exceptions would be say the a car that will be only with you for 36 months and then on to another one?
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I'm not sure I'd want to take the car knowing it had already suffered damage. I'd be insisting on a rebuild, and depending on how long that would take, an equivalent spec loan car to use in the meantime, possibly with compensation op top of that if it turns out to be several months.
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If it was me I would accept the car but seek some form of compensation. The internals of the car should be fine and I'm sure VW would fix the damage 100% correctly before shipping.
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My current thinking is keep with it, unless I get an expedited build week on a rebuild, and insist on hefty compensation for accepting a damage repaired car. As Craig says, VW won't release a car that's not 100% repaired. And cars probably get damaged in transit all the time and repaired without the customer ever knowing anything about it.
Like the suggestion of a rebuild and loan GTI while I wait, but not convinced VW will go for that one :smiley:
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It's true that the internals are unlikely to be affected, with any damage purely external and visual, and repairs will be 100% spot-on such that you'd never know. However, just knowing it had been repaired would play on my mind "just because".
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It's true that the internals are unlikely to be affected, with any damage purely external and visual, and repairs will be 100% spot-on such that you'd never know. However, just knowing it had been repaired would play on my mind "just because".
Yes but it would have been repaired (perhaps panels even replaced) by the VW factory and not some shoddy repair shop so you should have absolute peace of mind
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What about you will accept a repaired car with a further discount or if not then have a rebuild?
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I would want to know exactly what was repaired before I would be looking to accept delivery of it - with compensation.
I wouldn't be thinking "the professionals are repairing this - not a problem". The report for the incident that somebody linked to stated that external companies were assessing the damage and implied that they would also be carrying out repairs. This puts you in the hands of a VW approved repairer, for what is likely a series of concave dents mainly in the roof and bonnet, maybe the tops of the wings, with smashed front/rear screens (assuming they were parked close together, dents down the side of the car are less likely).
You will most likely be in the hands of a "VW approved repairer", and from past experience, they don't always do the greatest job. I've even had a factory body defect on a new Polo that would have been there since body assembly and prior to painting that was missed by the factory QC and dealership PDI - a pressed edge, making a sharp dent on the wheel arch, perfectly painted, but noticed by me when applying a coat of wax.
No man in a workshop is going to do a better job than the factory robots - dents will need pushing out, which may require the stripping out of trim to get to the back of the dent, and i'd trust a factory paint job over a garage. The dents may be so deep that they have stretched the metal, which mean filling those concave dents or replacing panels. Depending on the colour, replacement of panels but not spraying the whole car may result in shade variation which may be noticeable in overcast light - darker metallics and pearlescents are very hard to 100% match.
When you are involved in an accident, you take it to a good repairer that will get it as good as they possibly can - you have no other choice. But in the OPs case, they have the choice of another replacement car that should be A1/standard factory built.
If you always change at 3 years and have assurances that the car's repairs will not be detectable and they're willing to given you at least 10% off for the inconvenience, then I would think about it, 20% I would snatch their hand off. Any less than 10% then they can forget it - build me a new one and give me some compo anyway for the inconvenience of waiting.
If damage is extensive, it is in their power to make you a new one quicker than a damaged car can be repaired - if they allow replacement orders to jump the queue a little, maybe putting the factory back a week or so - surely they'd do that rather than make all those affected start a new place in the queue again? They can put off standard Golf orders - those that would ordiinarily be getting their car built within 8 weeks of order acceptance. Make someone wait 9 weeks instead of 8, as opposed to a GTI/GTD order that has already waited 20 weeks having to wait another 20.
I'd still be displeased that it was ony after a bit of digging that they admitted to this. Without that hail storm that car would undoubtedly be at your dealership now and available to collect. Were they ever going to tell you? How long will it be before your car gets through assessment and repaired?
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I don't see why they wouldn't just transport the car back to the factory for repair considering they have a rail link from the port to VW. I'd be asking the question anyway just to establish who is actually going to be carrying out the repairs.
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Given that the OP dealer nicked my allocation of BW28 (MK branch is the biggest dealer in the group and therefore took priority for their first delivery), this is an interesting question as this should have been my car. What would I have done then? I think if VW can give you 100% assurance than any damage has been fixed with new panels etc I'd take the car. But I'd want a massive discount, minimum 10%. I don't think I could have waited for a new order - unless they'd fast tracked it maybe.
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looks like this article answers a few of the questions - must have been some storm!!
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/498148/20130810/volkswagen-cars-wolfsburg-germany-auto-emden-hailstorm.htm
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looks like this article answers a few of the questions - must have been some storm!!
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/498148/20130810/volkswagen-cars-wolfsburg-germany-auto-emden-hailstorm.htm
28000 cars, 3800 built a day - looks like they had a weeks-worth of production sat at Wolfsburg rather than getting out to Emden and waiting for a ship.
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looks like this article answers a few of the questions - must have been some storm!!
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/498148/20130810/volkswagen-cars-wolfsburg-germany-auto-emden-hailstorm.htm
Fair enough, I see it says they have employed external workers. It certainly appears as though they are willing to discuss compensation.
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I like the way the article seem to say "don't worry, VW will be fine because they have insurance".
All the unlucky customers get is at best further delays, most likely re-build delays and possible issues with external help being brought in to do damage assessments and maybe even repairs. :(
If my car had been there with its panoramic roof, I doubt that would have lasted very long given the photos of the hail in related articles. I know its safety glass but still, that gets everywhere nonetheless.
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As said this is not the first time hailstorm has damaged VW cars in Wolfsburg - back in 2008 we had a company Golf that suffered the same thing and was put back into the factory for repair and came out good as new! Must be an area for that kind of unusual weather!
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I don't see why they wouldn't just transport the car back to the factory for repair considering they have a rail link from the port to VW. I'd be asking the question anyway just to establish who is actually going to be carrying out the repairs.
I'm only guessing here but I don't think the factory would have the facilities to repair a car.
Its an automated system and I think they would struggle if a car wasn't following its recognised pathway.
From watching the various factory videos, I think the shell is dipped in its entirety before being painted so painting say just a wing or roof would probably be a major operation.
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I have repaired many cars over the last year or so, that where hailstone damaged in storms around Leicester, particularly the Hinckley area.
All the cars that I have repaired, needed new roof panels, though some were lucky, and I know got away with a Dent repair specialist doing "What they could" to thousands of lesser damaged cars!
The roof panel on a Mk6, has 2 swage lines that run from the windscreen, to the tailgate, either side of the car, and I'm sure that the Mk7 will be constructed in exactly the same way, as its only a face lift of the Mk6
These "Swage lines" are in fact precision joints, cleverly disguised, that are spot welded, and/or bonded to the "Cant rail" underneath...
To change a roof panel, you would need to remove the front windscreen, and the tailgate, and pretty much all of the interior, including the delicate headlining. Doors should also be removed to avoid grinding and spark damage to the trim, and glass... sparks hitting glass will permanently damage the glass, and will need replacing, this is very common in body shops, and is generally overlooked!
The steel roof panel would then need to be cut away from shell of the car, this would the reveal the remnants of the roof, that are spot welded to the Cant Rail, spot welds (Probably over a hundred of them) would then need manually drilling, very carefully to avoid drilling going through both panels... bonding sealer would also have to be cut manually from the car, then the fitting edges would be ground to bare metal, on the shell, and the new roof panel, so that a good electrical contact is made prior to spot welding... at this point your car has lost its anti corrosion integrity, that VW carefully builds into its cars in the dipping process!... you get the picture
If the roof needs replacing, then its a fair assumption that the bonnet would also need replacing, and the wings repairing etc etc etc... expect your new Golf to be fully repainted!
I would also question the turnaround times for repairs, this may be close to the waiting time of a new build...
Knowing what I know, would I want a Hail damaged car at any price, one thats been stripped out, cut apart, and fully painted. Answer, not on your life!
These cars should be repaired by VW, and then absorbed into the market through the likes of Hire car places etc
Thom
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Interesting post Thom,
I agree, I wouldn't want one. The question remains, what to do with it? I'd be minded to ask for £2000 discount or order another.
BTW, the Mk7 Golf is all new, built on the MQB platform, not a facelift by any description.
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Interesting post Thom,
I agree, I wouldn't want one. The question remains, what to do with it? I'd be minded to ask for £2000 discount or order another.
BTW, the Mk7 Golf is all new, built on the MQB platform, not a facelift by any description.
If the Mk7 has no separately attached gutter mouldings, then I'm sure the method of attachment will be the same as a Mk6
These will be cars riddled with problems from the start, rattling etc, broken clips, and not to mention the smell of burnt paint and welding etc!
As said, you wouldn't get me anywhere near one! no matter how big the discount, you'd be better off buying yourself a 6 month old car, in mint condition, and saving a whole heap of $$$
Thom
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Some food for thought to put you right off a repaired GTI/GTD - I can't say I disagree with Thom. With so many welded points on the car to “undo” and all the interior to strip out, the car is going to take a long time to repair properly. Interiors don’t seem to ever go back in the same way as a factory build, clips break when the interior is getting pulled out and don’t get replaced, and the interior can develop sags and rattles as a result. Just 1 or 2 failed spot welds on a factory build can develop into nasty squeaks and rattles – imagine what could be happening with a rewelded roof.
If you only want to keep the car for the warranty period and would be getting a sizeable discount then you might be tempted, on the assumption that VW’s network doesn’t flag this up as a “problem” car at trade-in time, offering you less money in p/x as a result which negates your discount for the inconvenience of having a repaired car.
For complete peace of mind, maybe look to a new build replacement, if VW slot them into the production schedule sooner rather than later.
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Thanks for all the valuable feedback guys. My dealer is due to be raising the issue further with VW today so hopefully I'll soon have all the facts to be able to make an informed decision. I certainly won't be taking a damage repaired car without significant compensation.
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I wonder what would happen in the future should the car suffer corrosion and need a warranty claim? Paint depths are taken to assess whether the car has be re-painted. If it is outside of the normal factory thickness, it will be assumed it has had previous repair work, therefore will not be covered.
How could any subsequent owner prove that the car, or parts of it, had been repainted prior to leaving the factory?
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I guess that unless VW informed them that repairs had taken place they would be none the wiser and would be left fuming at claims of prior work. Of course, if it is a second hand car they will probably blame the previous owner and grudgingly have to foot the bill themselves.
If they have it from VW in writing/email that repair work has happened prior to delivery that would surely be enough to invalidate any paint depth test results and the onus must be on VW to prove the owner has had previous repair work if the owner denies it.
The question is what about the (perhaps many thousands of) VW customers who have had repair work carried out prior to delivery and were not informed of such?
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Hi guys,
I can speak of experience of the hailstorm, I live in Gutersloh Germany, I'm in the Forces and have also ordered the GTI in CSG, 5 door, Pro Nav,winter pack Service pack. Luckily for me we get our cars from UK dealers dedicated to the UK Armed forces but we don't pay VAT and we also get a discount, my car with the extras is coming in at under 22k!!
The hailstorm was devastating, I currently have a BMW X1 and it was peppered by the hail, I had 97 dents alone on the roof.
In total the insurance cost was €4500, luckily it is covered by the insurance it came back from the workshop good as new, you would never know it had been damaged.
Over 30,000 vehicles have been damaged in the local area and people are still waiting for repair.
As for my Golf, I have been told a wk35 build date with collection from beginning of Oct.
Photos to follow!!
This is a great forum with cracking advice
Cheers to all!
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Hi guys,
I can speak of experience of the hailstorm, I live in Gutersloh Germany, I'm in the Forces and have also ordered the GTI in CSG, 5 door, Pro Nav,winter pack Service pack. Luckily for me we get our cars from UK dealers dedicated to the UK Armed forces but we don't pay VAT and we also get a discount, my car with the extras is coming in at under 22k!!
The hailstorm was devastating, I currently have a BMW X1 and it was peppered by the hail, I had 97 dents alone on the roof.
In total the insurance cost was €4500, luckily it is covered by the insurance it came back from the workshop good as new, you would never know it had been damaged.
Over 30,000 vehicles have been damaged in the local area and people are still waiting for repair.
As for my Golf, I have been told a wk35 build date with collection from beginning of Oct.
Photos to follow!!
This is a great forum with cracking advice
Cheers to all!
You couldn't order is all one for that discount.
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Its surprising no one was killed in this hailstorm from the sounds of it!
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It was pretty shocking, i have never seen anything like it.
As for ordering cars, we are only allowed 1 car tax free per household per year, it does mean i can swap after a year and usually make a bob or two and get a replacement model for the same money! :grin:
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It was pretty shocking, i have never seen anything like it.
As for ordering cars, we are only allowed 1 car tax free per household per year, it does mean i can swap after a year and usually make a bob or two and get a replacement model for the same money! :grin:
Funny how this is not considered a taxable perk... given recent news events. :whistle:
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Ha ha, we have to have some perks!! we have to live in Germany!! - they dont like it!
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Its surprising no one was killed in this hailstorm from the sounds of it!
someone was killed.
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Well I've now received my resolution offer from VW/my dealer. I'm being given a rebuild with priority build slot (October). On top of that they're taking my px as planned in September and I'm getting a hire car (fully insured) while I wait for the new one. I find out what car I'm getting next week, but I'm told it wont be smaller than a Golf. They're also throwing in the service plan FOC.
Overall pretty satisfied with the outcome and how my dealer and VW have dealt with this. Bring on the anxious wait for confirmed build dates etc once again! :huh:
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Well I've now received my resolution offer from VW/my dealer. I'm being given a rebuild with priority build slot (October). On top of that they're taking my px as planned in September and I'm getting a hire car (fully insured) while I wait for the new one. I find out what car I'm getting next week, but I'm told it wont be smaller than a Golf. They're also throwing in the service plan FOC.
Overall pretty satisfied with the outcome and how my dealer and VW have dealt with this. Bring on the anxious wait for confirmed build dates etc once again! :huh:
Not too bad I guess, and at least the only inconvenience to you is one of having to wait a bit longer, but it will be worth it. I'd have wanted a re-build too, so good on ya'.
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Well I've now received my resolution offer from VW/my dealer. I'm being given a rebuild with priority build slot (October). On top of that they're taking my px as planned in September and I'm getting a hire car (fully insured) while I wait for the new one. I find out what car I'm getting next week, but I'm told it wont be smaller than a Golf. They're also throwing in the service plan FOC.
Overall pretty satisfied with the outcome and how my dealer and VW have dealt with this. Bring on the anxious wait for confirmed build dates etc once again! :huh:
Are you using VW solutions? If so the service plan is a £199 freebie for having to wait a few more months. I suppose you could say you're saving 2 months depreciation on your p/x too (which will be somewhere in the region of £500 if you have something that was circa £23-25k a few years ago). Seems that they are not immune to compo, but I thought you'd get a bit more than that out of them, in all honesty.
From the time they're making you wait it would seem as though you are slotted in just beyond the point of the very latest confirmed builds (those on BW 38 or 39?). It would seem then that BW38/39ers wont be delayed by the replacement cars getting allocated into production, but those on BW40+ (estimated) are probably going to be set back a week (assuming most hail damaged cars are replaced - it was about 1 week's worth of production) in addition to the 2 week delay they already seem to be runing to (or is that just us TRers?).
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Well I've now received my resolution offer from VW/my dealer. I'm being given a rebuild with priority build slot (October). On top of that they're taking my px as planned in September and I'm getting a hire car (fully insured) while I wait for the new one. I find out what car I'm getting next week, but I'm told it wont be smaller than a Golf. They're also throwing in the service plan FOC.
Overall pretty satisfied with the outcome and how my dealer and VW have dealt with this. Bring on the anxious wait for confirmed build dates etc once again! :huh:
Priority build slot - in October? :rolleyes: priority would have been next week. Service is £199 as MH says - get your GAP free as well at the least!
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Yep suppose I could have pushed for more, but they have agreed to pay for a hire car for 2-3 months (however long it takes) and the free service plan is better than nowt. Just wanted to get the wheels set in motion on the rebuild asap and at the end of the day they couldn't do much about a freak hailstorm.
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They have to offer you the hire car as you have gone past 20 weeks - so they're not doing you a favour! Ask for more!
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Neil, glad they sorted you out ok.
Fingers crossed for a confirmation asap!
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Yikes whats going to happen to all those damaged cars if the original owners are getting rebuilds!!
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Yikes whats going to happen to all those damaged cars if the original owners are getting rebuilds!!
BW51 guys will end up driving them? :lipsrsealed:
Nah I'm sure the vast majority are Golf SE models destined for the euro market. Serves those German buggers right for making you lot wait so long for your cars! Heh heh :whistle:
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Yikes whats going to happen to all those damaged cars if the original owners are getting rebuilds!!
Well I know for a fact my dealer are still taking my original GTI, they obviously know they'll have no problem selling on and its an extra GTI allocation for them effectively.
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So they would be selling it as a brand new GTI with no history of what has happened to it?
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Bloody hell!
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So they would be selling it as a brand new GTI with no history of what has happened to it?
Wouldn't surprise me in the least.
The dealer may have another GTI going spare soon if they don't get there backsides in gear and let me know for certain when I'm getting my replacement GTI (still no estimated build week yet despite asking), and what my hire car will be. For the first time since ordering in April I've found myself considering the cancellation option and looking at alternative models today (No, not an M135i - maybe a basic spec S3? Hmmm).
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Video footage of said hailstorm! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wWuH7MIeCA&feature=player_embedded
Thom
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Video footage of said hailstorm! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wWuH7MIeCA&feature=player_embedded
Thom
At first I was thinking "wait a minute, that's not Wolfsburg..." :huh: then it's all "OH sh!t, THAT CAR IS f**kED" :shocked:
Wow man, just wow!
Just realised this happened only a few hours ago! Mental.
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Video footage of said hailstorm! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wWuH7MIeCA&feature=player_embedded
Thom
Jeebus!! :shocked: Makes me think of those falling rock signs you see when driving through the hills, wtf are you going to do if it happens?? :huh:
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Go back and look at the peak of the mountain at 2 seconds into the vid. :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:
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Go back and look at the peak of the mountain at 2 seconds into the vid. :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:
Thats crazy! Thats one big ass stone! I hope the bloke with the camera has shown the lucky dude in the car the video?! Sucks that his car might be messed up but someone was looking out for him.... :shocked:
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Chip repair guy will be working over time :grin:
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Video footage of said hailstorm! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wWuH7MIeCA&feature=player_embedded
Thom
He is the luckiest sod alive. Also took another look at the spoof Merc advert "adolf" which was linked there -anyone seen that yet?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytVdBLMmRno (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytVdBLMmRno)
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Jeebus!! :shocked: Makes me think of those falling rock signs you see when driving through the hills, wtf are you going to do if it happens?? :huh:
Wow...unbelievable! Well, I guess the survival manoeuvre in such a case is to brake slightly and swerve a bit to the left! He is one lucky guy to have got sway with that :shocked: