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Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: Snooze on 22 November 2013, 17:58

Title: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 22 November 2013, 17:58
Driving home from work tonight at 70mph, pheasant came out of nowhere. It hit the leading edge of my bonnet and has compressed it a few mm on one side. So the panel gap isn't even anymore.

What do you think my best course of action is to get it fixed? I obviously shouldn't tell the stealer (the car is on lease hire). But do you think a body shop could fix it? It wouldn't require a new bonnet would it?
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Booth11 on 22 November 2013, 18:18
Take it to a trusted body shop for a quote.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Eeef on 24 November 2013, 21:31
A friend did the same the other day. Unfortunately he was on a Ducati at the time...
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Jimble on 24 November 2013, 21:47
A friend did the same the other day. Unfortunately he was on a Ducati at the time...


Ouch! :sick:


Driving home from work tonight at 70mph, pheasant came out of nowhere. It hit the leading edge of my bonnet and has compressed it a few mm on one side. So the panel gap isn't even anymore.

What do you think my best course of action is to get it fixed? I obviously shouldn't tell the stealer (the car is on lease hire). But do you think a body shop could fix it? It wouldn't require a new bonnet would it?


Could do with a photo to get a better idea but Booths advice is spot on!
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 24 November 2013, 21:52
Gd shout. I'll get a pic up ASAP. Looks a bit worse than I thought in the light. Bit of a dent in the bonnet too. Oh well off to the body shop for a quote next week.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 26 November 2013, 15:09
Out of interest, before I get a quote from a body shop. Does anyone know how much a new bonnet and respray might cost? Cheers
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Ginge 35Edition on 26 November 2013, 20:03
Have a look here to see if this India stuff is covered:-

http://www.bvrla.co.uk/advice/guidance/returning-your-leased-vehicle

I have a full copy at work electronically which goes into more detail. I guess the questions are; how noticeable is it and can you live with it until it goes back?

Also, when you say its a lease vehicle, whose it with? I've had one before that was collected from my house and taken straight to the nearest auction house?
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 26 November 2013, 20:22
Defo won't count as wear and tear! I have the car for another 3 yrs and I certainly can't live with it as it is. Sorry I've not had a chance to get a photo yet.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Ginge 35Edition on 26 November 2013, 21:02
Defo won't count as wear and tear! I have the car for another 3 yrs and I certainly can't live with it as it is. Sorry I've not had a chance to get a photo yet.

Sorry mate but of this is the case bite the bullet and get it done VAG IMO.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: mark@vorny.co.uk on 26 November 2013, 21:05
Has it creased the panel or broken the paint ?

A good PDR man can work wonders. I had a dent in my door done by an OAP in a car park that to my mind needed a replacement panel. My PDR guy took a while but got it all out, I machined the paint out and you honestly couldn't tell  :smiley:
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 27 November 2013, 11:28
Bonnet is dented and the leading edge has dropped as a result of the impact. I am tending to think I should just go to VW to get it sorted. At least ill know VAG parts will then be used.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Ginge 35Edition on 27 November 2013, 20:25
Bonnet is dented and the leading edge has dropped as a result of the impact. I am tending to think I should just go to VW to get it sorted. At least ill know VAG parts will then be used.

Very little chance of any come back when you hand the car back either?
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Rossc0 on 27 November 2013, 20:56
are you having it for dinner, at least?
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: dubber36 on 28 November 2013, 16:59
I reckon you'll be looking at the thick end of a grand from VW. Seeing as it's not your car, I'd be looking at PDR first.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 28 November 2013, 20:08
A grand? You gotta be joking! What's pdr? Think im gonna see if I can claim on insurance perhaps.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: AndyG on 28 November 2013, 20:12
PDR. Paintless Dent Removal.someone who knows what they are doing are worth their weight in gold.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Booth11 on 28 November 2013, 20:28
A decent body shop will most likely offer PDR service too, so will be able to advise if that is possible or if it requires a replacement/respray.

Earlier this year, I had a repair and respray to left front wing (3" diameter dent on crease of wheel arch) and repair to misaligned fog light done.  Quoted price was £700 inc vat. 
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: wigit on 28 November 2013, 21:03
Snooze i can tell you whilst the Ridgeway bodyshop in Newbury is very good but not cheap

I have been recommended a PDR in Oxford by a body shop who recently polished out a bumper scuff on my wife's car which people wanted to charge between £250-£500 to rectify and going to use him on two small dents

bonnets are difficult as it depends if you can get to it given the structure

Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: dubber36 on 29 November 2013, 08:06
A grand? You gotta be joking! What's pdr? Think im gonna see if I can claim on insurance perhaps.

You were suggesting that you would need a new bonnet. I based my estimate on having to have a rusty wing replaced on my previous Passat. It was done under warranty (albeit with a percentage having to be paid by me) but VW's retail cost of that job was over £800. That was 2 years ago, so I can't see their rates being any less.

You also need to factor in how shockingly bad some so called approved bodyshops can be. Mine was not good and I know of many others that have had issues too. By the time you've been backwards and forwards a few time, it could be more hassle than it's worth.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 12 December 2013, 22:29
Going to bodyshop for quote 2moz. Dreading it a little, especially just b4 Xmas!
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 13 December 2013, 14:55
Awaiting two quotes. First shop said they'd push out the dent and fill it. Then respray the entire bonnet and feather in the wings. Sounds expensive.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Booth11 on 13 December 2013, 16:03
Awaiting two quotes. First shop said they'd push out the dent and fill it. Then respray the entire bonnet and feather in the wings. Sounds expensive.

Yes it's not going to be cheap.  What did the second place propose?
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 13 December 2013, 18:47
Second place just said they would push it out. I didn't ask details of what they were gonna do. First place was ridgeway Vw bodyshop and id already decided I'm gonna take my car there to be fair. Just thought I ahould get a couple quotes for comparison. Second place seemed a bit cowboy! I'd rather not risk a shoddy job to save a few quid. No sign of the quotes yet.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 17 December 2013, 13:21
Finally got my quote through from Ridgeway VW for my bonnet repair after some chasing. £725!

Think it's gonna be cheaper to get a new bonnet and get it sprayed. Found a new bonnet online for £104, so just looking at getting some quotes to get it sprayed now.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: andygo on 17 December 2013, 14:36
Get down to Halfrauds. They do a superb range of aerosols, albeit a bit runny. The colours almost match up with VW originals so win win!  :whistle:


Having said that, if you can get the dent repaired paintlessly, your car will still look original. Paint can be a 'mare to match up. I'd try it as prviously advised, if it doesn't work, dont pay the guy and go back to getting a new bonnet.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Booth11 on 17 December 2013, 16:06
Price is as expected.  If you get a new bonnet and spray it, you'll still need to get it feathered into the adjacent wings though.  I'd be inclined to try and get decent repair to the original first.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: dubber36 on 17 December 2013, 17:35
Price is as expected.  If you get a new bonnet and spray it, you'll still need to get it feathered into the adjacent wings though.  I'd be inclined to try and get decent repair to the original first.

With it being black, you could get away without having to flick any colour onto the wings. As the bonnet is on a different plane to the rest of the panels, the light will sit on it differently and will not stand out if it is a shade out. It's down the side of a car where differences can be apparent if there is a colour mismatch.

Mine is in having the rear bumper painted this week. Even tho' there will be a but joint where the bumper meets the quarter panels, I am 100% confident that my man will get the colour bang on so that he won't need to blend onto the quarters.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 17 December 2013, 19:46
Yeah slight change of plan. Turns out the bonnet I was looking at were patent parts. Got a quote for a new bonnet from Ridgeway and with labour respray etc it's gonna be £900!

Can't really afford £725 for the repair so gonna have to go through my insurance. Gonna give them a buzz 2moz. The saga continues!
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Booth11 on 17 December 2013, 19:58
Yeah slight change of plan. Turns out the bonnet I was looking at were patent parts. Got a quote for a new bonnet from Ridgeway and with labour respray etc it's gonna be £900!

Can't really afford £725 for the repair so gonna have to go through my insurance. Gonna give them a buzz 2moz. The saga continues!

I ended up going through insurance when mine got damaged.  Was initially going to pay for the £700 bodywork repair myself but when they were doing wheel alignment they discovered further damage, resulting in a new wheel and tyre being needed.  Added another £800 to the price  :shocked:  so insurance jobbie it was!


With it being black, you could get away without having to flick any colour onto the wings. As the bonnet is on a different plane to the rest of the panels, the light will sit on it differently and will not stand out if it is a shade out. It's down the side of a car where differences can be apparent if there is a colour mismatch.

Mine is in having the rear bumper painted this week. Even tho' there will be a but joint where the bumper meets the quarter panels, I am 100% confident that my man will get the colour bang on so that he won't need to blend onto the quarters.

See your point, but still think you'd notice it if it was a shade out.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: stevieC on 17 December 2013, 21:22
I got a new bonnet and wing fitted and painted on my gtd by lomond audi cost £1600.the work was spot on but expensive but you still retain your vw warranty.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 17 December 2013, 21:38
I got a new bonnet and wing fitted and painted on my gtd by lomond audi cost £1600.the work was spot on but expensive but you still retain your vw warranty.

Warranty has run out now. But it is a lease car so need to get a proper job done else they will no doubt charge me wen I hand it back.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: mark@vorny.co.uk on 19 December 2013, 20:30
Have you spoke to a PDR man yet ?
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 22 December 2013, 08:57
Not spoke to PDR man. Pretty sure it's bit too bad for that what with the leading edge of bonnet dropped too so not jus a dent.

Called insurance and wasn't till I did that I remembered I've got a £700 excess. Doh! Got the second bodyshop quote through; £477. Gonna get a few more quotes then take the plunge in the new yr.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: dubber36 on 22 December 2013, 09:06
£700??? :shocked: Jeez, are you really young, or do you have history?
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 22 December 2013, 22:04
No history. 31 yrs old. Insurance is £300
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 05 February 2014, 16:41
So had three quotes now and awaiting the fourth. Quotes so far as follows:

£725 - Ridgeway bodyshop
£477 - Headley bodyshop
£300 - Berkshire bodyshop
Awaiting - Woodland autos

What ya think?
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Booth11 on 05 February 2014, 18:15
Who knows? :grin:

Have you any knowledge of the work quality of any of the body shops, personal recommendations etc?
Also compare the detail of the job breakdown, are they all offering the same solution?  I'd avoid the cheapest.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 09 February 2014, 17:27
Well Woodland autos quote was gd, £342. They were by far the most professional of the bodyshops I visited, and they were recommended by a mate too. Got it booked in for a couple weeks time. I'll get some pics up of the finished article.

Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Booth11 on 09 February 2014, 19:37
Well Woodland autos quote was gd, £342. They were by far the most professional of the bodyshops I visited, and they were recommended by a mate too. Got it booked in for a couple weeks time. I'll get some pics up of the finished article.

Bet you'll be glad to get it finally sorted.  Fingers crossed they do a good job  :smiley:
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Voodoo on 13 February 2014, 09:48
Hey folks,
just joined & this thread caught my eye as this happened to me just before Xmas.
My car is a lease too but I have no probs calling it in as it's as suggested elsewhere it's not 'wear n tear ' but it is an accident.
The lease company would rather keep the asset in tip top condition just as you would.

I live in a rural area down a country lane, often got shoots going on in the surrounding fields. One Saturday morning with a shoot in progress nearby I'm rolling down our lane and startled three birds who panicked out the hedgerow straight at me. One hit the bonnet and the nearside a pillar midway up.
It chipped the bonnet down to primer and put a neat round dent in the pillar.
I left it a couple of days while I mulled over the what if's but logic and sense kicked in, after all it wasn't mental driving that caused the damage..

Loads of photos were mailed to the company with the explanation and within three days I had a body shop calling to arrange booking in.

It's a lot of money to get these things fixed properly yourself but like you Snooze, I was a bit wary about calling it in, in case they billed me but talking to them and being straight up seemed to reassure them I was looking after the car, which I am.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 17 February 2014, 20:27
Cars booked in to get fixed end of month and now Sod's law I've managed to scuff the corner of my front bumper in a car park. More work for the Body shop and more pounds out my pocket! Doh  :sick:
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 25 February 2014, 20:03
Off to the bodyshop tomorrow then. Dent in bonnet is going to be pushed out, filled and resprayed, front bumper is going to be stripped down and resprayed too. Can't wait to have my pride and joy looking like new again!

Just paid for a years tax and my front tyres aren't going to last much longer. It's going to be an expensive couple of months!
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 27 February 2014, 19:59
Picking my car up from bodyshop tomorrow morning. Bloke doing work commented how mint my car was otherwise, which made me smile  :smiley: Only been without her for two days, but can't wait to get the old girl back!
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Booth11 on 27 February 2014, 22:07
What have you been driving in her absence - did you get a courtesy car?

Hope it's all good when you pick her up.
Title: Re: Hit a pheasant
Post by: Snooze on 28 February 2014, 07:14
Didn't bother with the courtesy car. Te mrs had been taking me to work in her Polo. Quite nice to be chauffeur driven for a couple of days!

Off to get my car now. Hope I'm happy with the results too!