DeLorean00

Well, today I was on the freeway and I had to get behind a big rig in order to merge onto another freeway. The semi hit a bump and a bunch of gravel few off of it. My SL got pelted, it didn't damage the windshield so when I get home I checked the front of the car. Sure enough a quarter size ding right on the front of the hood and lots of other smaller chips on the bumper and lights. I could tell they all happened today because every chip had a dirt trail coming from it. Needless to say I am upset, I never follow trucks but I didn't have a choice today. I called my insurance company and I will hear back tomorrow. Its seems silly to make a claim for this but it really upsets me.

Sigh.. Sorry I had to vent.

StephenK

Sorry to hear it, always some other A**H*L*, causing damage to our cars.

DeLorean00

No joke, I am SOOO careful with it. I never follow trucks, I avoid potholes, I park way away from anyone in parking lots, etc. My girlfriend says she is going to make a giant protective bubble for it. LoL!!

Now I am thinking about a clear bra. Anyone have one, are they any good?

Rook3300

Ha, ever since I bought the SL500, I've been trying to avoid potholes but a new one seems to pop up almost every day. Not to mention those graded driveways that you have to take at an angle really, really slowly. Ugh. I also park far away from everyone else at work and when I go out, but some dumbass with a crappy truck just has to park next to me. (I'm not saying everyone with a crappy truck is a dumbass, so don't get offended ya'll.) It's like, "man, I parked way the f^ck out here so I don't park next to your huge doors that you don't handle very well, why would you park way out here too? And next to me at that?"

And, is it just me, or does washing your car bring out the rain? It's a damn magnet.

Also, on the clear bra... on my Civic I had talked with people about it and even though it will prevent small chips, gravel pieces will usually just penetrate it and still chip the paint. It also won't prevent dings at all. On the silver it may be a good idea, but just try to fix any chips you have now as you can't get to them with the film on there.

Rook

mikeinsf

Bummer. Sorry to hear about your damage. It's a constant battle.

IngenereAMG

It is a never ending battle to keep the stone chips to a minimum.

I started having my cars front, mirrors, etc 3M'd, and it has virtually ended the problem. After a couple of years sometimes they yellow, but most have a lifetime warranty against color change so I just get them redone. Small price to pay for no rock chips!

Frankster

Sorry to hear about the damage. I'd say get the clear bra and get peace of mind when you are driving.

EX-BEEMER

Sorry to hear about the damage, but I agree with Frankster. After the damage is repaired. Consider a clear bra that covers the whole hood. My dealer did that for me and I love it. I wash it, wax it, and it looks great.

DeLorean00

Thanks for the reply's!! I was all depressed at work today, I didn't even want to look at my car in the parking lot.

The car is going to a body shop tomorrow. I am going have separation anxiety while its getting worked on.

As for a clear bra, how much do they cost? I really want one now.

mikeinsf

I'm definitely feeling your pain. I just got my car back after 2.5 weeks at the dealer, and now it's going to the bodyshop for 10 more days. Humph. Separation anxiety indeed.

I hope you get yours back soon. I'd say the prancing horse should be some consolation.

DeLorean00

Yea, but with my luck the F-Car will just break some $5,000.00 widget. I might however get my DeLorean out of the garage.

But the worse part is I am sure my insurance company will put me in some Kia Rio or something as a rental. LoL!

bigben320e

Yes, on all my cars. Xpel. 3M is excellent too.

The guy that owns the shop that did mines, SpeedFilm actually clear bra'd the whole car.


BTW - Speaking of bubbles they do make those too!

bigben320e

I need to ask a favor. Can you post a pic of your DeLoean? I have not seen one in ages.

Shake

I had the same exact thing happen to my c230 a while back. Everyone else thought the rock chips were a silly thing to make a claim over but I'm picky aboug little details. I wrote down the truck company and then called my insurance company and made a claim. There were little chips on the hood, windshield, lights. I got the whole front end repainted + new head lights + new grille + new mesh grille. The bill ended up being $4300 but I only paid for the $100 deductable. I would recomend the clear bra after you get it fixed. I think they cost around $500ish for a good job but don't quote me on that.

DeLorean00

If you insist!

DeLorean00

I am going to ask for new headlights and fog lamps. I will see if that flys, they both were mildly damaged.

EX-BEEMER

A good application by a professional consists of a full hood, lower rocker panels, entire front end and mirrors. They originally quoted $1200 (I got mine for about $800) I prefer the entire hood to eliminate any visible lines that show up from a bra type app.

I drove the car from July to November without a nick. (Bug guts come off easier too)

I can't stress enough how important a reputable installer is to the process. I've seen botched jobs and it's just not pretty. Go to your local exotic dealer, they usually have a good installer. (I had mine done at Lamborghini of Chicago)

Rook3300

LMAO, yea sure... I'll just pop right down to my local exotic dealer. Oh wait, that's 4+ hours away in Houston, Texas. You guys in Southern/Central California are spoiled rotten. The only "exotics" we have even close are a MB/BMW dealer here and a Jaguar dealer in Baton Rouge over an hour away.

I'd love to get the clear bra, but would have to get the hood and front end completely repainted. I also wouldn't trust a lot of these cajun beer jockeys here with a chamois cloth and a bucket of soapy water. They'd find a way to scratch it with just those.

Rook

Rook3300

@Delorean00, damn dude. A real Delorean! Does it still have the weak-*** 2.2L banger in it? I'd still be so tempted to drive it to nice restaurants all over. Sweet.

Rook

DeLorean00

Thanks! It doesn't see the light of day all that often.

As for the motor, it has a weak 2.8L V6, thats the stock motor.

jmf003

Time for an LS6 conversion project!

DeLorean00

Shhhhhh........ Do get me thinking! Actually I was thinking about buying another one and doing a L67 swap, thats a 3.8L Supercharged V6 out of cars like the Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. I think that motor would be better suited to the car due to its size a weight.

But this all a dream right now, I have to many obligations in my life to start another big expensive project.

Rook3300

Ah, a 2.8L. Doesn't it make only like 120 or 140hp or something pathetic like that? I've never actually seen one in real life and know so little about them except from what I've seen on Top Gear. All aluminum monocoque chassis and body panels FTW! (I think)

If you're gonna upgrade the engine, you'd have to go for the brakes and suspension as well... talk about a project!

Rook

jmf003

Plan now, execute later.

Actually, because of their aluminum engine blocks the LSx series is similar in weight to the L67 supercharged, 464 lbs for the LS6 specifically and 415 lbs for the more recent and higher horsepower LS3 version: http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/_r...ineQRC2008.pdf

Frankster

Not too sure for the SL. I got a lot done to my Black Series compared to the C350. The C class was somewhere in the neighborhood of $800 and the Black came in $2k and did a whole lot more. The guy that does it for me is www.premiermobilegroup.com - talk to sam and tell him Frank with the BS sent you.