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Minor "Accident" - *Update* If you want something done...
Grundlestiltskin
Behind you!Registered User regular
Behind you!Registered User regular
So I went to move my car this morning (street cleaning) and found that my driver side mirror had been completely removed. I had folded the mirror inwards when I parked, there was no other damage to the car, and there was no sign of the mirror anywhere, so I've more or less ruled out a collision. My best guess is that some jerkoff took it, for reasons unknown.
My question is, do I report this to my insurance company, or just bite the bullet and take it to a garage out of pocket?
My question is, do I report this to my insurance company, or just bite the bullet and take it to a garage out of pocket?
3DS FC: 2079-6424-8577 | PSN: KaeruX65 | Steam: Karulytic | FFXIV: Wonder Boy
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A mirror will probably be around 200, unless it was a fancier heated with turn-signal model. If it's under $500, it may be cheaper just to do it yourself.
Sounds about right.
To be specific (not sure if it was clear) it wasn't just the physical mirror that's gone, it's the entire enclosure.
Edit: Though you mention the turn signal thing, so maybe that was clear.
Little frazzled right now, clearly.
check rockauto.com and see if you can list out a replacement unit
PSN - MicroChrist
I'm too fuckin' poor to play
WordsWFriends - zeewoot
It's a 2005 Audi A4, it didn't have a turn signal and I'm not really sure about the heating elements. Trying to look through that site now, it's a lot to sift through.
but that's an awfully neat break from the mount and that wire definitely looks like it was cut, so I'm thinking someone took it
The white mark on the door was surface dust, it came off between the first and second picture. Beyond the mirror itself, there's no damage to the car that wasn't already there.
I'm not sure it works like that with all companies but last year when I had an accident my insurance company handled the whole thing and then per standard procedure send me the bill for the work along with a calculation of what it would do with my insurance premium over the next years if they were to eat the cost. This is standard procedure here and gives total transparency. Only downside is that you must let a work shop fix the car so if it is a old car you're still likely to be better off doing it without the insurance company being involved.
Either way, you gonna have to get it replaced
Yes/no? Not a bad price, and to have it painted at a shop would probably be another 50 or so (maybe cheaper if you can schmooze)
PSN - MicroChrist
I'm too fuckin' poor to play
WordsWFriends - zeewoot
LT MIRROR OUTSIDE REAR VIEW
Yrs:2002-2008;
Power; Heated;
w/o Memory; Mirror Assy; see notes;
8E1858531AA01C/8E08575087GRU/8E0857535C;
European; NEW;
OEM # 8E1858531AA01C
$132.00 is the OEM List price, so probably cost you about $200 from a shop.
Check into aftermarket mirrors. Kool Vue and TYC/Genera are reliable brands and they're fairly easy to install yourself.
Where'd you find that one?
When I called Audi and explained they told me everything would cost over $600. I realize they mark things up a bit, but Jesus Christ.
a lot
If you were in VA I could sell you an aftermarket one. We don't ship outside the state though.
Would those fit on the Quattro? I realized I didn't specify that before.
Hmm... it may not. I don't show a separate listing for the Quattro, but I also don't show anything in the description that says the one I showed you does fit it.
The dealer is probably assuming replacing the entire mirror housing and support casing? (the part that attaches to the car), which requires taking the inside panel off the door. Plus you, know, Audi.
It was definitely a theft, since an accident would have ripped both off. They were actually nice in leaving you some wire lead; could have cut it short so you'd have to replace that too.
Don't know how nice they were either, it looks like they damaged the mirror mount pretty nicely
All in all it'd be your best bet to replace the mirror, mount and all. The wire harness should come straight with any replacement, and most likely it has a connector somewhere in the door. Don't be too scared about pulling the door panel yourself; they're pretty easy to take off. Replacing a mirror is not a daunting task; it's something most could probably pull off in a few hours (at most)
PSN - MicroChrist
I'm too fuckin' poor to play
WordsWFriends - zeewoot
I really don't want to screw around with all that, if I could order the parts myself and have them installed at a garage that wasn't trying to bend me over that'd be ideal. I'm just having a hard time identifying exactly which parts I'd even need at this point. Maybe that's something I should have a mechanic evaluate, since I seem to be pretty much brain dead when it comes to this sort of thing?
Further, should I be filing a police report about this or is it really not worth the effort?
Edit: People have been really helpful with links to some specific parts and part sources. I'm just really worried about buying the wrong stuff at this point.
Police report this late after it happened would probably not help. Especially if you've moved the car.
Yeah, sadly I had to do that. Street cleaning's a bitch.
I looked around the area both before and after, there was no visible evidence of, well, anything. Guess there's not much I can do at this point except deal with it.
Definitely report it! They weren't ever going to come and dust for finger prints but all you have to do is go to the station and file a report. We had to report something similar (the entire block got hit) and my bf couldn't do it until after work but he still reported it. You do it so the police can monitor the area. If they notice an uptick in the area they will increase patrols or look further into it.
First, I did file a police report. So hey, hopefully less tomfoolery in the future in that area.
I bought a new mirror assembly from a salvage yard for like $150, it's being shipped here hopefully towards the end of the week. It's silver, so I'd need to repaint it.
I stopped at one body shop I've had work done at and they told me they wouldn't install my own component, likening it to "bringing your own steak to a restaurant." Which is fair, I suppose. They did suggest that smaller shops might be willing to do something like that, just a paint job and installation for a single component.
So my question to any Boston locals or past residents is, does anyone know of any good small body shops that they've used before that might be willing to take something like this on? I figure it's a long shot but worth asking.
It's about as close to bringing a steak to a restaurant if you need the steak professionally mounted to your head. Damn bodyshops.
Actually, it's bullshit, because I've bought an entire new engine, carburator and intake manifold and took it to a shop to have them put it in because I didn't have time to do it myself. They just want to charge the markup on the parts.
Engine shops will do this - they don't really care, parts are parts. If they don't work they'll tell you and work out getting it taken care of
Body shops however are a different story. They are (generally) held to certain standards that include not installing parts from "unknown sources" as there's no telling if it will work, fit properly or even mount at all, thus leading to more time and lost revenue. Mom 'n' Pop shops aren't usually held to these rules and may be willing to do the work (though you may have to sign a waiver releasing them of all liability should the unit fail/fall off)
PSN - MicroChrist
I'm too fuckin' poor to play
WordsWFriends - zeewoot
West Newton Auto on Washington St in Newton, up past the Whole Foods and all that but before Chestnut St.
When I needed my front bumper and a side panel replaced they replaced them and painted them for under $1500. Which was far cheaper than any other place would have charged me. You might get a better deal by mentioning that a friend who works at The Barn recommended them to you.
Everything's attached and working now...except now the window won't go all the way up. More specifically, when it hits the top it goes back down about 1/3 of the way on its own. What did I do?
PSN - MicroChrist
I'm too fuckin' poor to play
WordsWFriends - zeewoot