£40K+ of damage

[Need4Speed]

My girlfriend spun off the road while driving my car to work on Tuesday. She was driving along the inside lane of a dual carriageway when the steering started to shudder, followed by the car losing traction and going into a spin which she was unable to control/rectify. The N/S/R then made contact with the elevated section of the central reservation barrier [start/end of the barrier at the gap used for emergencies & maintenance], which launched the car and resulted in two full rolls before coming to rest up side down.

Fortunately my girlfriend was able to escape through the smashed drivers window and most importantly only sustained a couple of minor scratches, a bump on the head and some whiplash. She was discharged from A&E within an hour and has since returned to driving her own car.

Her dented pride has been restored a little bit as one the traffic officers has since told her that he couldn't fault her driving whatsoever as from his viewpoint he saw her approach the roundabout before stopping at the lights and then joining the dual carriageway. Although now out of their vision, they realised something was wrong when the traffic suddenly ground to a halt. Also according to them the section of carriageway is notorious for German rear-wheel drive cars coming to grief even though it's perfectly straight? The driver of the car following behind saw her car spin out of control and he believes there was diesel or oil on the carriageway.

Not a single airbag got activated in the impact even though she hit the barrier at between 35-40mph. Is this normal or could it have been a possible fault with the airbag deactivation unit fitted on the passenger side, which had a child seat fitted at the time???

My car was taken to the local Porsche approved body repair centre [Stewart Rodens]. Their estimator advised me yesterday that estimated repairs to my car would exceed £40K so sadly a total loss.

As my car is write-off is it advisable/justifiable to remove any of the factory fitted extras as ultimately insurance companies don't insure these anyway?

Finally can anyone a hazard a guess on replacement & write-off values for my car? Jan 2002 2.7 /1 owner from new / Full OPC service history / 32,000 miles / immaculate condition.

More photos are available here http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ruth.gladwell@btinternet.com/album?.dir=/ae4bre2&.src=ph&.tok=phUXiFGBOGg5Agrc

 

[marlin]

Bl**dy Hell apart from broken car a happy ending, how about polishing out some of the marks.

I once a had a right off 911 (not me) could have bought from insurance company for the parts, did not bother as out of country at the time but if you want any bits, I am sure your insurance company will do a deal for the whole car.

 

[Guest]

Value of your car would be circa 18-20k .........a new replacement would be in the region of 35k + options.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Really really sorry to hear this.

Glad your Girlfriend is ok.

I am a bit concerned about a "shudder" in the steering - I can't quite square that with a skid on diesel. (I'm thinking more a problem with the car - not saying anything against your girlfriend!)

Do you have PASM...?

The good thing I can see in your photos is that for a car that rolled twice, there is remarkably little damage! It looks like the structure has held together fully - it looks like the windscreen didn't even break.

Airbags only go off if there is an impact of sufficient force in the direction where that airbag would do some good. So they don't go off if they would only hinder by doing so (and you don't need an explosive charge going off in your face or next to your ear if it's not necessary).

Your girlfriend is ok, That's the important thing.

 

[Need4Speed]

She has described it as a slight shudder, which may have been a result of a fault on the carriageway. i.e. dip/uneven camber. As she had only just joined the dual carriageway she was still changing up through the gears so possibly didn't have both hands on the wheel. She wasn't accelerating hard as the section of road has a 50mph limit and is regularly policed.

Due to the Xmas & New Year period, the car had an early MOT on the Friday before Xmas and passed without any problems. It was due to go into my local OPC for a minor service a couple of days after the accident. On the morning of the accident I took the car out the garage for a short drive and certainly didn't notice anything untoward with it whatsoever.

I didn't opt for PASM when I ordered the car but will certainly consider it when looking for a replacement.

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett

Really really sorry to hear this.

Glad your Girlfriend is ok.

Do you have PASM...?

Your girlfriend is ok, That's the important thing.

PASM? I think you mean PSM [] PASM is 987 onwards

 

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: Need4Speed

I didn't opt for PASM when I ordered the car but will certainly consider it when looking for a replacement.

Well, I was thinking more of the possibility of a fault in it causing the shudder, or the shudder being the PSM working. But that's eliminated that possibility.

Daro911, You are right []

 

[Rob Edwards]

Jeepers!
That truly is an awful thing to happen , and I'm just glad your girlfriend wasn't seriously injured - she sounds a plucky sort getting back into a car and driving so shortly after the accident, which I am sure would have left many very shaken.
The 'shudder' through the steering column - is it possible she may have had a blowout or other sudden loss of pressure? That may well account for the sudden and uncatchable 'oversteer' leading into the spin.
I am impressed however, on the integrity of the car after such an impact - the roll hoops and roofline to not seem to have suffered much and the windscreen frame seems to have done a fine job. I shudder to think what might have ben the outcome of a less well designed and built car.[]
I hope it all works out for you with the insurance and you're not long in finding a replacement Boxster.
Rob

 

[Dapster]

That's amazing! I too am so glad to hear that you're girlfriend escaped unhurt - all I can think of is how little damage the car seems to have sustained despite 2 rolls. However, £40k+ costs to repair shows just what punishment the car took in absorbing all that force.

 

[912UK]

I would say from the pictures the car would take a huge amount to get right ....because take a look at the soft top roof.

It's out of shape and with any car accident the roof is always the place I look for.. I know I used to repair them..

No but sorry let this one go.. shame to see it go, not nice to see. Glad every one was ok.

 

[Need4Speed]

I went to see the car yesterday for the final time and to check for any remaining personal items.

While I was there I took the opportunity to have a really good look at the damage. I'm pleased to report that all of the damage is superficial/excessive panel damage and amazingly no major structural damage occurred.

I was shocked to discover the N/S/F brake disc is badly shattered"¦see attached photo. I didn't notice when I first saw my car at Police's appointed recovery company storage yard as they had positioned my car close to another and didn't leave much room on the nearside.

Is it possible this brake disc shattered and caused the accident or would this damage have occurred as a result of the accident??? Bear in mind the front-end of the car is virtually damage free, save for the wheels and some wing damage.

Despite the car having just turned 5 years old, all of the discs and pads where the original factory fitted ones and had covered 32K miles. For the past couple of services I expected the OPC would have replaced them but each time was told not necessary. Futhermore, when the car was MOT'd on the Friday before Xmas I was told the pads still had a good bit of life left in them and that the discs looked OK.

 

[Guest]

Mate,

Sorry to hear about this and glad that your girlfriend is ok...

The car looks remarkably intact considering it did 2 rolls and finished upside down! I've seen a F355 spider and an F355 coupé that had both been rolled at similar speeds and they looked far worse!

Very annoying that something like this (diesel spill or fault with car) will end up in lost NCB !!!

 

[Guest]

Hi, Having written off a Boxster S in 2005 ( although no where near as bad an accident as your other half has had ) in what I can only describe as slightly damp conditions, I was accelerating down a slip raod ( straight line ) onto a duel carrigeway before i felt a judder, like the tyres couldnt gain traction beford the back end swung out and put my nose into a crash barrier at about 35-40mph. One of the only problems you will get from me about the Boxster is that when the back end wants to go in slightly damp conditions, it goes and ( relitavely speaking ) there is nothing you can do about it.

From that day to this I pootle around when its anything above moist on the road because they can be unpredictable. Still, I wouldnt change my car for all the tea in China, they are by far and away the best roadster you will ever get and if you can get another from the insurance payout, I certainly would.

PS I would remove everything you can from the car including, wind deflector, Crested Centre Caps and all optional extra's, you will either want to put them in a new boxster or make a couple of hundred quid on ebay !!!

Glad your other half is ok.

Danny

 

[Rockape]

Glad your Missus is Ok. Must have shook her up.

Oddly, I experienced somthing remarkably similar just last night, but thankfully didn't have the same result. I was traveling along the Gatwick straight, between south and north terminal. I was in the outside lane having just come off the roundabout. I had straightened up and was travelling on a perfectly straight piece of road. I was at about 62mph and in 5th. I put my foot down to get past someone and got the shudder followed by the rear end wanting to come and join me at the front!! It fished tailed a litle but I came off the gas and let it settle down, but it was enough to make my knees go weak!! There was a slight dip in the road, but not enough IMO to have caused that. I have noticed in the recent wet weather that I really miss my Golf 4Motion. Mine is a 5 year old S without traction....next one will have it! Even pulling out of junctions in the wet has become an art.

Hope the insurance company pays out buddy.

 

[Need4Speed]

Fortunately I have protected NCB and AXA still use a use a 3 year period for counting claims, unlike others who now use five years.

I was amazed when I saw the car because I expected it to have more substantial damage considering it took quite a battering. Still it speaks volumes for the safety design and build quality.

 

[Need4Speed]

Sadly I'm not allowed another Boxster because my girlfriend probably wouldn't drive it again plus she wouldn't feel safe allowing our 2 year old daughter travelling in it.

I have had 5 extremely enjoyable years/32K miles with the Boxster. The only slight negative point was the RMS having to be replaced a couple of times. Obvioulsy the highlight was the factory collection.

I'm keen to go for a late 996 or a Cayenne S but I think the latter will become my replacement. In the long term I might be able to get a Boxster for my daily commute as the existing family car would need replaced but as the Cayenne would have already replaced it then I should be OK for a late 986 or 987.

 

[Need4Speed]

I would really appreciate some views/expert advice on this fractured brake disc and have attached a better photo of the same. Cheers....

ORIGINAL: Need4Speed

I went to see the car yesterday for the final time and to check for any remaining personal items.

While I was there I took the opportunity to have a really good look at the damage. I'm pleased to report that all of the damage is superficial/excessive panel damage and amazingly no major structural damage occurred.

I was shocked to discover the N/S/F brake disc is badly shattered"¦see attached photo. I didn't this notice when I first saw my car at the Police's appointed recovery company storage yard as they had positioned my car close to another and didn't leave much room on the nearside.

Is it possible this brake disc shattered and caused the accident or would this damage have occurred as a result of the accident??? Bear in mind the front-end of the car is virtually damage free, save for the wheels and some wing damage.

Despite the car having just turned 5 years old, all of the discs and pads where the original factory fitted ones and had covered 32K miles. For the past couple of services I expected the OPC would have replaced them but each time was told not necessary. Futhermore, when the car was MOT'd on the Friday before Xmas I was told the pads still had a good bit of life left in them and that the discs looked OK.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: Need4Speed

Sadly I'm not allowed another Boxster because my girlfriend probably wouldn't drive it again plus she wouldn't feel safe allowing our 2 year old daughter travelling in it.

Understandable, but really a shame as to me it seems that this has demonstrated graphicly how strong and safely the car is constructed. []

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Andrew,

(In reply also to your email)

I'm afraid I have not responded to your brake disc issue as I have no idea what could have caused this.

I'm not avoiding it - I just have no information to impart [&o]


Has anyone else got any input on this issue?

 

[Alex Postan]

I am not an accident investigator but would not think that the disc broke and caused the accident. If it had, then the wheel would have locked and there would have been an almighty tug on the steering combined with the loud noise of skidding. More likely would be that need4speed's girlfriend was hard on the brakes as it rolled and as the wheel touched down during its acrobatics, a big shock is put through disc as it's being held by the caliper, and kerbang it's bust. You can see that the wheel took a significant impact can't you?
I think that there was diesel on the road, a bit of wheelspin created the tremor through the steering (as it does) and the back end formed a desire to get ahead of the front. What made the accident such an event was the impact with the object that flipped the car over into a tumble. Otherwise it might have been only a glancing blow.
Can I suggest that need4speed and his girlfriend have some fun booking into a skid control course (Castle Combe or Silverstone race schools both offer them) and develop some pilot safety skills?
As a sensible car for the transport of your 2 year old, have a look at a Golf V6 4motion. Amazing value 2nd hand for a very clever piece of kit and the 4wd will avoid most unexpected loss of grip events.