What a numpty! Crashed my Alpine

Martin, From the pics, the body work looks not too bad, and that rear side panel being GRP is easily repairable IMO having repaired damage on GRP boats in the past, the plastic bumpers are a bit more of a problem, but someone like Andy, our friendly painter, can advise I am sure.
However there is a more worrying thought in my mind going on the pics...I only hope it is an optical illusion. If you look at the pic of the offside of the car, the rear wheel looks concentric in its wheel arch, however when you look at the near side the wheel looks dropped, and does not sit well in its arch,
Also if you look at the pic of the rear, the car seems to be higher on the LHS than the right. It does look as if the car is on a reasonably flat surface, so is there any reason why she does not appear to be sitting level?

and good to see your Hosta is in flower too

My GTA has been 'off' a few times, nornally on grass banks and a tyre wall. these cars can be quite forgiving, lets hope all ends well.

Ah Martin feel for you and I know that feeling that you have. Dont be too tough on yourself I span the atmo at sprint a couple of weekends ago. It was 1st practice with a fast approach into a combination of bend that tightened into ahairpin. I carried a bit too much speed braked too deep as the bend tightened further and with no warning what so ever swapped ends faster than I can say it

Its so easy to make an expensive mistake on the road and I have learned what can happen so I try and save all my hard driving for the track now its a safe place to make mistakes and learn about the car.

So glad your ok Martin. I hope you can get it all repaired soon.

Si

[stephendell]

Having now looked at the pics after Martin called me I would recommend repairing the quarter panel rather than replacing if possible as cutting it out would probably affect the integrity more. As to bumper repairs Andy will advise in what could be done with plastic welding. Looks like you nave have bent a wishbone or something similar though. With regard to an insurance repair unless you don't have the funds at all it may be worth (once you have an estimate) weighing up the cost of repair against any loss of value if the car ends up categorised. I'm sure Andy can give u two alternatives. Anyway good luck getting it fixed and I will help with anything I can.

I would deffo not go through the insurance as it will be a cat c or d which is not good if you ever want to sell it!

[Alpineandy]

Glad you're ok (apart from the ego!).
I'd definately stay away from insurance IRO a self inflicted knock unless you're sure it's a write-off. Motor Insurance prices are shooting up at the moment due to all the fake injuries and kids causing financially enourmous claims, so you may be better financially to take it on the chin.
Plus you really don't want they making your cat Cat C or D (although funnily, this isn't noted in the rest of europe, so it wouldn't effect the price if you did sell it abroad!).

[BIG_MVS]

Had a good look at the stance of the car and I agree it does look a bot lob sided. The drive does slope to the right and the rear tyre has a very slow puncture it would seem. However, tyre pumped up and car the the "level" it is riding 10mm higher on the left hand side of the car. This is on both front and rear wheels.

I think the pic of the nearside rear is an optical illusion as it does seem to sit ok in the arch in reality, just the ride height is out.

What would cause both wheels to be out?

Like I say I can't see anything in particular underneath and it drives fine.

From memory it's always been slightly high on the left, could worn shocks cause that or am I clutching at the old straws?

Get it four wheel measured, unless it's going to a body shop that can do that, otherwise it's guesswork.
We have established that wheel in centre of arch means little on an A 610 so measurent is the only way.
Good luck
Lee

I've noticed mine sits slightly higher on the left than the right. I took a look and the shocks are different on the 2 sides (at the rear) so presume mine is down to that? Maybe its another Alpine oddity though? Anyone else noticed a difference?

Do hope it's nothing too serious on yours though Martin.

Had a good look at the stance of the car and I agree it does look a bot lob sided. The drive does slope to the right and the rear tyre has a very slow puncture it would seem. However, tyre pumped up and car the the "level" it is riding 10mm higher on the left hand side of the car. This is on both front and rear wheels.

I think the pic of the nearside rear is an optical illusion as it does seem to sit ok in the arch in reality, just the ride height is out.

What would cause both wheels to be out?

Like I say I can't see anything in particular underneath and it drives fine.

From memory it's always been slightly high on the left, could worn shocks cause that or am I clutching at the old straws?

As well as the geometry, I suggest you also get it "corner weighted", this can point to any corner which is set up too high (suspension/spring not reassembled correctly etc), or any corner which is too low (failing/sagging suspension).
I have found centres that use a HAWKEYE system are excellect, and not that expensive either.

wooops!
glad you're ok m8y
MT

I had mine hawkeyed at both Elite (on the a13) and Cambridge performance cars- Elite are cheap for a check (25) then charge you an hourly rate for the adjustments.
As well as feeling better, the tyre wear has slowed massively after getting everything in line. In fact I think the savings on tyre wear paid for the work.
I think Kwik fit have Hawkeyes all around the country, so you could always get it measured there to see if its OK. Although I wouldn't let them loose on adjusting it.
As the system takes the operator through the work step by step (including any adjustments) most places should do a good job.
In both cases I was impressed buy the level of knowledge. Unfortunately a stuck bolt prevented elite from getting mine right first time, so I needed to repair that before it could be set up finally.
Well worth it- and it could give you confidence that the problem is only cosmetic.
Lee

[BIG_MVS]

I'll definately get it laser aligned (hopefully if I get the chance).

Had a call this afternoon from the insurance assesor who is coming around to my house in the morning. That has changed from going straight to the body shop

We will see what he says....Any tips for dealing with him, shall I polish it and get all the docs/service history out to prove it's worth fixing?

Anyone else had a chance to measure their A610 gap between the top of the wheel (rim) and top of the wheel arch both sides?

Hi Martin, Not just me then! Sorry see your fantastic example in the wars.
I would offer some sort of race as to who would get theirs back on the road first! But you may beat me by several years.
I haven't involved the insurance in my accident, knowing that it would have been written off, also I've got a local bike repairers to look at plastic welding my front bumper which may be a good option for yours.
Look forward to seeing it back together.
Good Luck.

Sorry to hear about your car Martin.
Hope you get it sorted OK.

For what it's worth, when I had my car resprayed, the guy patched up a piece in the rear spoiler - big chunk missing. Did an excellent job and basically said fixing fibre glass panels was more straight forward than metal - dont get the same issues with different rates of expansion.
You cant see any evidence of the repair at all.

Good luck