Recently i hit a Pigeon (bird) that took flight as my car was travelling rather fast along a country road. It hit my front wing (fender) and it has caused light damage, there is no scratches or paint damage, just some light dents.

This same panel has had previous repairs done in the past, when i bought the car i could see under very close inspection it has had body repairs in the past, i thought the repairs looked professionally done and i still bought it. At the time i did not notice that this same wing had been repaired poorly, the paintwork is very good but due to the curves and profile on the front wing, it has not been panel beaten back to shape perfectly, it does not stand out but i know its there.

This recent dent looks a bit minor to bother with my insurance. So im wondering if i should acquire a good second hand wing and get it painted or do you think its still worth giving a professional panel beater a chance to get the wing back into good shape. My car is in very good condition and so i dont want some sub-standard repairs.

It is not easy to get a pic to show the misshape but i could try and take a video if it helps get a better opinion.

 

I would go for the new wing. Then you know it's as good as it's going to get.
Painters are very good at getting the right colour today.

Wayne

 

Rob L, First try to find a good used one in the same color as your Coupe...Then the Body Guy can just polish it out without having to repaint Paint it and all will be good! If not, go for the New one! I believe that the same Fender that fits the 04 will also fit any Coupe or Convertible from 1997 on.........thru 2006...Better check that out though! Should be in the Body Parts book.....I think the only thing that changes is the Nose Piece...

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

Rob,
When I read the first sentence of your post, I thought: no paint damage, so try a 'Dent Wizard'.

It won't be cheap to replace & possibly repaint the wing, but - you're already not happy with how it is at the moment, so you're always going to see that.

Replace would be my choice, unless you know a very good bodyshop.

 

Rob,

I tried to look up the Part numbers for those Wing/Fenders just to make sure they would fit and the only guarantee I can come up with is 2003 through 2006 but as I said 1997 -2002 may fit also.....Just not sure....I can't find an older Parts Manual right now! sorry!

Billy Clyde

 

If it is within your budget: replace. Otherwise, I suspect you'll become increasingly aware of the minor imperfections that would remain after a repair. But try to avoid pigeons in the future!

 

Thanks to everyone for the good replies, i was also thinking of replacing it, this may be the only way to get the wings correct. I dont know any good body shops and im reluctant to ask their advice because they might suggest things which gives them more profit.

I think i do want to replace it, my paint colour is Seafrost MDV which is not the most common colour to find. I also dont know if the same colour of wing would be a good match or not, as Billy suggested they might be able to polish it. If however its not a great match and it still needs painted, i would be better going for the cheapest good second hand panel i can find rather than pay more for the same colour.

I have used an indie for my servicing so maybe he could recommend a body shop. I moved th this part of ENgland just over a year ago and so im not clued up on these things anymore.

 

JEPC gives the same part # all the way through to VIN A25113:

LH FJA1071AE

RH FJA1070AE

... both showing as superseded, after which the final letter changes from E to F, so this is presumably what the dealer would supply you with for an older car if you were to turn up clutching a (large) roll of notes.

Like Billy, I suspect there's very little, if any, difference between the two.

 

Seafrost coupe is my favorite. The color is just so pretty!

 

[QUOTE=prettybluefin;1742273]Seafrost coupe is my favorite. The color is just so pretty![/QUOTE

"Sea Frost is just so pretty....It's my favorite color"! "prettybluefin" quoted, as She drove by in her really beautiful "Silver" XKR Coupe......Could someone be so kind as too show me a photo of a Jaguar XKR Coupe that's painted "Sea Frost"?

Billy Clyde

 

There were two Seafrosts - metallic and pearl - according to this. My '05 XK8 in pearl:

 

gorgeous. it's just so unique. I had my heart set on a seafrost, but when my coupe came up with tons of dealer paperwork, I couldn't pass. is yours in the Golden gate bridge video?

 

It's amazing to me how different the character of these cars changes with the different color combinations of paint/tops and interior.

Lots of options to suit many tastes.

 

We all have our Favorite Colors but as you say, some look better on a Convertible than others and then again, the Coupe looks best in others.....

Going back to Rob L's problem with the "Bird".....I have found that the Right Front Fender/Wing is the same on the 1997 as it is on the 2006.....so you have quite a few different "Wings" to choose from...I am assuming you Guys have what we call "Wrecking Yards" in England....If not you can get a new one here for $1,036.00 plus Sales Tax and Shipping..........or....you could buy one over there! I would try to find one on a wreck and let the Body-Man do his thing to it.....One way or the other he's going to have to Paint it so it will match!

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

No, but I'd love to see that video

 

And you've got to take into account where you are IMHO. A dark color in So FL? I don't think so. A pastel on the other hand, yeah..

 

here ya go...Seafrost is the first coupe...

Rob, I think since your fender had prior damage, maybe sourcing a good used one might be better than patching? good luck with your cat.

 

Yes, that is a great clip.
I believe the Seafrost car belongs (or did) to Bill McLeod, of 'X-pipe' fame.

 

Prettybluefin, The Sea Frost really is a pretty color as it is similar to your Platinum color except for the Blue that was thrown into the mix.....I still like the Platinum best on the Coupe but the Sea Frost kind'a perks up the Convertible.....So we are back to some colors look best and other colors look better and Thank God for Individuals.............!

The first time I made that Golden Gate drive was in 1957, in a Black 57 Chevvy Bel Air Hardtop! It's a beautiful drive but I'm sure it's more enjoyable in a Jag XKR!!

Billy Clyde

 

Hi guys, im sorry for the late late reply, i have been having some problems lately and i did not get the chance to come on the internet much.

Its good to get all the replies, i read with interest and joy, the part number are very helpful also. It seems like the same part was fitted to all years of the xk8/xkr so this will make finding a replacement part easier.

The cost of new part is horrendous and so i intend to track down a second hand wing in the correct colour if possible. We have 'scrap yards' or breakers yards' here in the uk and many of them advertise on ebay but none of them seem to be in the colour im looking for. I will try other jag part specialists that do second hand cars to see if they have the lovely Seafrost.

I'm glad to hear there is so many people who love the Seafrost colour, it is odd that they do a metallic and a pearl version of Seafrost but have given it the same paint code MDV.

I love the video, good to see such nice cars crossing the golden gate bridge, sadly it not something i'm likely to do I was driving along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond in Scotland the other day and the scenery there is truly stunning too, the weather in Scotland was not stunning though ha ha.

This is a few nice clean pics of my car, the previous owner took these when advertising the car.


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