I bought a V8S in March of 2014 and a deer committed suicide by Jaguar a couple of months later. Took it to an approved Jaguar shop out of state at my own expense, they had it all last summer and eventually we parted ways. Had it shipped to Accurate auto Body in Redmond, Washington where they finally checked for frame damage, found some, and helped convince insurance to declare a total loss. The first estimate from the first shop was for around $5,000 in mostly cosmetic work. Just a heads up for members - Jaguar basically does not authorize repair of panels. BTW Accurate Auto Body in Redmond was fantastic in helping me get a total loss on the car.

 

What do you mean Jaguar doesn't authorize repairs of panels?

 

If true, it can only mean they have to be replaced rather than repaired.

 

my understanding is that Jaguar's repair standard for accident damaged panels is replacement rather than trying to rework the existing panel. Apparently reworking the panel quickly work hardens the aluminum and cracking may result. Jaguar also does not like any welding of torn panels. Was fighting with The insurance company about that issue and finally got authorization to replace the quarter panel which had been straightened at the first shop...fortunately we found a frame issue before I went through that process.

 

OK, got it. I just assume repair = repair or replace depending on situation. makes sense, can't really repair alum when it's been shaped the way it has been.

 

Yup but the prior "jaguar certified" shop did just that. They quit the job when I demanded to inspect the metal work under the filler/primer. the only Jaguar Cerified body shop I will use going forward is Accurate Auto Body in Redmond, Washington. Brandon's service was such s breath of fresh air after the months of fighting I had done to try to get a proper repair.

 

I was showing off my car to a professional panel repairer whomis also a car enthusiast very involved with the classic car and super car communities.

He said that if you do attempt any repairs on these aluminium cars you need to use a specialist aluminium shop that has tools they only use on aluminium otherwise traces of the ferrous metals from other work get transferred from the tools and then the reaction between the different metals inevitably leads to corrosion.

 

Yep, Accurate has that set up and pointed out the issue. The prior shop did not. Not sure how they got certified without it

 

It is certainly possible to repair aluminum, but it does take a special craftsman. After all, the original AC/Shelby aluminum bodies were entirely hand made, largely with the English Wheel, hammers, and dollies. They are still made almost the same way today, as in the link below:

http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com/book_aoe/aoe_18.pdf

 

That is correct, it can be worked. I believe the first step is annealing the metal to soften it. My point in starting the thread is to help others whose insurance company is balking at replacement of panels by pointing out that repairing panels is not the jag approved repair method. My car would have been "fixed" cosmetically and yet had frame damage until I got proactive and forced a total loss. Much happier with a brand new car but had to fight for it. The repairs that were initially approved were not to Jaguar specs, yet my insurance carrier was more than happy to save $50,000 or so by letting the substandard, non-approved repairs happen.

 

Yes, I got all that, and it was a good thing you were so persistent. That was absolutely the only correct remedy in your case.

However, I'd moved on and was just providing a link that I thought some might be interested in seeing. You won't see any body filler used in those photos.

 

somewhat related, be careful of "minor" cosmetic damages. Things may look just cosmetic but in fact result in serious, including frame, damage. A guy in a 991 got rear ended at 10 mph. Hardly tell it was in an accident, would have "buffed right off". The body shop reported frame damage!