I'm not sure how to post pictures or I would but I was rear ended last night in hollywood by your typical idiot actor who was tipsy, it being st. patty's day, and admitted he was on the phone.

I've inspected the damage and it's hairline cracks around the two center rear parking sensors and a small paint chip on the bumper as well as a couple faint vertical black marks.

He was driving I believe a RAM with one of those large tubular bumpers. Anybody know about the sensors being sturdy or not, etc? He'll give me cash to settle obviously since he'd be in very deep sh't otherwise. Whadya think?

 

I would report it....

 

Cash to settle. Unless they're a horrible actor, then you report them to the police. lol

 

I don't know I'd like to avoid a stain on "Princess'" record even though I don't plan on selling her anytime soon. I proposed 500 and he agreed. Anybody know what a small paint chip on the bumper would cost to repair? What about the sensors?

 

Mine was $700 to refinish the rear bumper and nothing was destroyed underneath the bumper as far as mounts, body deformation, etc. My insurance offers lifetime warranty on repairs regardless if body shop does or not.

I would rather have it on record with the warranty, then a future buyer find out about it and then wonder why it wasn't disclosed.

 

Yeah there's no structural damage just cosmetic, it's hard for me to want to ruin a guy for that. A DUI would cost in the thousands, etc.

I don't have a warranty, have had a hard time even finding an aftermarket warranty. The dealership gave me some guys number to call.

I guess it just bothers me to see the damage since I baby it and I do worry about the sensors. A car like that needs to be and look new, I hate to see other XK's not taken care of on the street. I'll look at ebay for what the sensors cost for reference but they are still functional. I'm gonna pass and take the cash. Thanks!

 

Parking sensors? Do I have them?

I don't have working ones unless they are silent... Anyone know which fuse, or what might cause them to stop working?

 

Hmmm,
So this guy buys his way out of a DUI? I'd have called the cops immediately. And had my car repaired by a high end shop. Just my two cents worth.

 

The parking/proximity sensors are the little round things on your bumper, when you get near things you hear a beeping. I'm not sure if they were an option or not. The first owner did get a lot of extras.

Well he was tipsy, unknown if he was full drunk but I'd say yes. There was actually a cop about 3 cars in front of me when it happened. It could have been him being on the phone too which is also illegal but not taken very seriously here(I never use my phone while driving btw). He said he's going to have to get the money from his parents in Texas, he definitely fit the actor mold and it was @hollywood/highland. Why is it everybody has to get plastered just because it's st. patty's anyways?

 

The bumper bar (what the bumper bolts to) is plastic and very easy to damage with even a small bump.
It could cost far more than you think, would be best to get it checked by removing rear bumper.

Bob

 

The bumper bar is moulded polyurethane and requires specialist fillers and elastomeric paint to avoid cracking as it flexes in use. This is costlier than refinishing metal panels.

US spec bumpers use two energy absorbing struts which will take minor impact without structural damage. You need to be sure these Menasco struts aren't damaged as they are expensive and likely to be a Jaguar dealer only part.

The mounting bar behind the bumper will be either GMT (Glass Mat Thermoplastic) or aluminium, depending on market spec. All the UK ones I've seen are GMT but I don't know which would be fitted to a 2001 US spec XK8. Again, this needs to be checked for spec and possible damage.

The parking sensors are fairly low cost items other than having to have them finished in the appropriate colour. They clip into circular holes in the bumper and each has a separate harness connector. The module for the parking sensors is bolted to the rear LH corner of the luggage compartment and should be well away from any damage caused by the incident.

Graham

 

I'd report it, and him. Why cover for the drunk? And why chance having unforeseen damage and have to pay for it out of your own pocket?

 

So this happened last night? If you didn't call the cops last night, they guy already got away without a DUI. I don't think they can do a "retro" sobriety test.

Good luck getting paid. I hope his parents come thru for you, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Vector

 

At this point you need to get him to put something in writing with a witness signing off on it. I don't know the legality of calling in the police at this point, but you can tell him that if he does not put his promise to pay in writing that you will call them. Get his driver's license number, address and license plate number.

As others are telling you, this may end up costing far more than you originally thought, and then there is a car rental for you while yours is being fixed.

I have let people off the way that you are currently doing way back when I was young, and I always got screwed on the deal. Suddenly, the guy does not know you or what you are talking about and refuses to pay anything, and with no police report or anything in writing, you are SOL.

Oh, and I should add, this this will force him to put his cards on the table. If he is very reticent or refuses to sign anything, then you should go to the police immediately.

 

No matter what you need to file a accident report to cover yourself most states have a dollar amount requirement. I actually had two teen drivers hit my front bumper with minors scrapes cost to remove and repaint each time was $1400.00. The first insurance company had no problem paid in full no questions asked. The second one only wanted to give me $400.00 turned it over to my insurance and they paid all but the deductible. They collected the deductible later and sent it to me.

 

Thanks for all the comments, I do have pictures of both his license plate and immediately after the event in the street. He did call me immediately after I texted my offer, he knows I could claim it even if there is no DUI or otherwise. Let me see if I can find a host for some pictures.

 

Well he made the claim and is just taking the fault for it so it's all good from here. It needs to be repainted and has hairline cracks around the parking sensors as mentioned. We'll see what the auto body/paint shop says when I drop it off tomorrow.

 

$300 estimate to refinish the bumper by the progressive guy, BS I paid the same for ONE tire. They have to take it off and see if there's structural damage though, I drop it off next Monday.

 

In my experience small bumper damage starts out at $750.

 

Yeah, I am using one of Progressives shops. I don't really care as long as they fix it. It'll suck having to drive the rental for a few days won't feel as cool