ebeldesign

It actually wasnt a cinderblock, it was the block of concrete that holds a sign in the ground...and the sign was still attatched to it. Needless to say, it was a horrible incident. Anyway, here is the damage that I can see:
1. Front bumper is toast, split on the passenger side
2. Fenderliner is gone from passenger side front wheel well
3. Underbody plastics including the front bellypan is gone.
4. 4 inch deep dent on the bottom of the car right in front of rear wheel.

It looks like the car got airborne when the front wheel hit it and then came down on the rocker in front of the rear wheel. The alignment is still okay and it seems to drive alright. Obviously I am going to be well past my deductible for the bodywork alone, so how do I check the shocks, bushings, etc. to make sure no permanent damage was done during this little incident. The shocks are Koni yellows with 1500 miles on them. I am positive that the suspension bottomed out..hard. I know that this is worthless without pics. I'll post them tomorrow.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

xviper

Even with pics, it's pointless to ask us. We can't see the actual car or touch it or take tools and gauges to it. Only a professional shop can make this assessment.

ebeldesign

Would you trust the bodyshop to find any damage that may not be visable to the naked eye? I think very highly of them and have been impressed with their work. Or do I need to try to keep the insurance claim open until a suspension specialist can look at it, if that is even possible.

xviper

Again, I have no knowledge of what quality of shops you have in your area. A good shop should be able to check everything and take measurements. You may need to go to different shops to thoroughly go over the car. Body shop, alignment shop, maybe even a Honda dealer for very specific inspections. Not sure how your insurance works but always leave the option open to have more work done until you've had time to drive the car enough to know if it "feels" right.
I attended an incident that involved vehicles running over several cinder blocks that fell from a pick up truck on a freeway. The worst damaged car was a newer Benz E Class. The damage was extensive and I'm not even sure if it wasn't possibly written off. All 4 rims and tires were toast and it puked out every fluid it had. Suspension parts were bent and broken. And it didn't even run off the road.

SenderGreen

I wish I knew a good shop in this area. I have only used two (not on the S) and both places did pretty poor work in my opinion. I would avoid Holmes (I think that is who Honda of Pasadena sublets to) and Seidners. Wherever you end up make sure you insist on Genuine Honda parts. Both of the shops I mentioned as well as many others will claim that the insurance company won't pay for OEM parts. There is however a consumer protection law in California which entitles you to them. They won't use them unless you insist. If you insist on Genuine OEM parts make sure they don't use used OEM parts.

BTW That sucks, best of luck.

AssassinJN

I agree with sender, make sure you demand new oem parts, that is what your paying your insurance for, and that is what they are suppose to give. Do not accept refurbished/refinished etc parts. Make sure they're new from factory, if they give you a hassle find out the phone# of the main office in your area and call them, when you rattle the cages of the higher ups, they'll get things moving. Also insurance adjusters are just that, adjusters. As explained to me when I was in an accident with my 944 Porsche, they are able and required to make adjustments to your claim until the time that your car is completely restored, this means that even if they file a claim and you find something else broken once they take some body panels off or you take it to a mechanic, they are obligated to adjust the claim to fix it.

In my case I had to special order a fender from germany to be made, so it cost more then they thought it would and they had to adjust the claim to take into account the extra money. Also don't forget that your claim covers labor, paint and even to some extent a rental usually. So make sure you get someone to take a good look and fix everything they can find.

ebeldesign

As far as quality of work goes, I have complete faith in the body shop, Marco's for those of you in So. Cal. I guess my original question should have been more specific about what type of damage may have occured to the bushings, shocks, etc. that a general body shop who doesnt have specific expertise in S2000s might miss. I am just hoping to not have to deal with going back for something that they didnt know to look for.

henesse

see if you could get the city to pay for it.

ebeldesign

That doesnt make me feel too good since that is my other car.

xviper

Each situation is different. That's why it's impossible for anyone here to make a call on what may need fixing on yours. At that same incident, another vehicle (a truck pulling a 5th wheel) tried to avoid the obstacles and flipped over in the ditch. Another one hit the same blocks and got a bent rim. Changed the tire and went on his way.