[Dazzler]

On the way home from the new house in the dark tonight.. a middle size Kangaroo (probably around 90cm - about 3 feet tall) jumped out from nowhere.

I was following the wife in her Tiida and she only just missed a slightly smaller one just a few hundred metres earlier. I tried to get her to stop by hitting the horn and flashing the lights but she had her music up loud 

So as the steering felt ok i decided to keep following her home at a reduced speed.

I hit the animal hard and actually drove over part of it so expected major body damage but was pleasantly surprised only appears to have shiftd the bumper by a few millimetres. Fingers crossed not worse in the daylight. Will take a photo 2moro.

Hit a dog about half the Kangaroos size once in my 1993 SSS Bluebird and did a lot more damage including taking out a driving light etc.. (and the dog limped away)

So the i30 is a pretty solid little car. Guess i'll have to get my alignment etc.. checked at the 30,000 service in the next couple of days.

[whitbomb07]

Oh No! 

Dazz that's terrible news. But the most important part is you are safe.

When I saw the thread I just thought it was going to be some sort of joke.

I hope she's (the car) not to badly damaged........poor thing........the kangaroo's not so lucky I think...............

Regards

Daniel

[Shambles]

Bloody hell that doesn't sound too good Dazz me old mate

Least you "walked away" from it, so to speak.

Why are our cars getting damaged in March?

[MyChemR]

I'm sorry to hear that The most important part is you are safe. 

[Dazzler]

Thanks guys.. I just took a couple of quick pix with my phone I'll upload them 2nite. There is a small crack in the bumper but it isn't obvious. 

[Shambles]

Thanks guys.. I just took a couple of quick pix with my phone I'll upload them 2nite. There is a small crack in the bumper but it isn't obvious. 

And there's me... fussing about a scuff mark when you have more serious issues 

[accim]

Pore animal 

But most important thing is that you two are OK..

Dazz,

Bad luck old boy.  I would hate it if I hit one.  Hope everything is OK.

Bob

[bumpkin]

Bad luck Dazz, I feel your pain brother

I hit a pheasant (no not peasant ) once in my Citroen AX and can report that it completely obliterated the fron bumper and body kit, complete replacement required.

At least the i30 stood up to Skippy pretty well

Cheers
Brian

[Dazzler]

Gee you're a good bunch (Glad I helped to start this club.. )

Damage as per photos below is pretty minor really considering the whack I gave the poor animal.

I would estimate he was about the size of an 8 y/o child it was a sickening thud.

Unfortunately there was nowhere to stop safely last night and it was very dark (no sign of him on the road or verges today?)

Bumper a few millimetres out of alignment now..



Crack in bumper



Close up of my crack... 

[Shambles]

I have to say, Dazz, that you are taking it very well.

I would normall say "good pics" but that sounds rather inappropriate right now.

What's the plan buddy?

[bumpkin]

Hey Dazz

I am pretty sure that in the UK we have guys who could fill your crack invisibly

They can do plastic welding and I reckon that cos yours is on a seam that could be repaired quite well.

[Hemmi]

Not good 

but still a strong car obviously

Is there some kind of insurance that covers this?

[Dazzler]

I am pretty sure that in the UK we have guys who could fill your crack invisibly

We have people like that over here but I try not to associate with that type...

I will do some asking about...

Shambles, I guess I am taking it ok because I expected a lot worse after the impact.

I will give her a good wash soon and see if I can adjust the bumper myself. Because the crack is on a seam it is nearly invisible ..

As eye said I might see if anyone does plastic welding (but might be better to leave it in case they stuff it up..)

[Dazzler]

Not good 

but still a strong car obviously

Is there some kind of insurance that covers this?

 

I have a fairly low excess ($250 I think) but wouldn't be worth claiming. 

I have a fairly low excess ($250 I think) but wouldn't be worth claiming. 

Betcha it will cost much more than $250 

[Dazzler]

Betcha it will cost much more than $250 

 

Yes they know how to charge for that type of work...I might even try and fix it myself later on

My car is getting a tough time at the moment backwards and forwards to & over my block (at the new house) so I'll probably wait till we move in, in June and she lives in a large insulated garage (instead of out in the open) and give her a very thorough "tart up" 

[eye30]

As eye said I might see if anyone does plastic welding (but might be better to leave it in case they stuff it up..)

Not me boss.  It was Bumpkin.

Would it be cost effective to claim in insurance or would it cost you more when you renew?


Try warranty claim. Say gap appeared overnight due to change in temperature