Busted brakes

[mercedes13156]

Yesterday, I drove over a wheel trim at about 60 after it came flying over the barrier on the central reservation onto the road. I'm sure I hit it and when I looked in my rear view there was a load of shrapnel and a cloud of dust. I checked the brakes and the steering, all fine, so I carried on to work. Last night, I nearly rammed the car in front at the traffic lights as the car started creeping while I was looking elsewhere. After a couple of hours, I went out again and when I had to stop, I had to give the brakes some welly, then the red light came on. No brakes and a pool of fluid as well as wet underside.

The rescue guys were brilliant, my insurance company was also brilliant, and my car was whipped away to their approved repairer this afternoon. So far today, I've called four times and everyone I spoke to said they could see it in the yard, but no-one knew what it was in for, or who should be looking at it. I finally got to speak to the girl who was supposed to liaise with the insurance company. She said that someone would look at it tomorrow, probably. They'd contact my insurer and get approval to fix the bump in the body shop.... It's got no brakes, I said. Back to square 1. Oh and, it will be Friday before I can get you a courtesy car....

Meanwhile, I'm stranded, they've got my car, and they appear to be quite happy to take their time, once they find out why it's there.

And it's not a Mercedes Dealership. Depending on what happens tomorrow, this could get worse. If things don't improve, I'll tell you which dealership it is at the end, whenever that might be.

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

Guessing at what may be damaged I would have thought it would be cheaper to pay for a repair and brake bleed yourself rather than pay the insurance excess and then have a blemished claim history and possibly also lose some no-claims discount? it will probably only be a flexi-hose or fixed brake pipe that has been nicked.

And also most likely to be quicker!

 

[jberks]

Presumably your insurance policy includes a courtesy car, if the car goes to their 'approved' (read gives them a discount) repairer. That means they guarantee you a car, wherever it comes from. They give this offer as it costs them nothing because the garage actually provides the car. If the repairer hasn't got one, go back to your insurance co and demand they hire you one ..NOW. It's their problem, not yours and you shouldn't be off the road.

I had this with eagle star. After a few phone calls (and threats), someone from Europcar picked us up and gave us a shiny new astra to run around in.

I would also demand that they give you an acceptable date to return your fixed car, or it's transported to the main dealer and repaired there. As you say, they are in no rush. Make it very clear to the insurance co that yhe service you have had from the repairer so far is wholly unnaceptable and you are very close to demanding it goes elsewhere. Let the ins co speak to the garage. They will muck you about if you let them, in these situations, he who shouts loudest wins.

I also agree with Sprint'n'Go, it does depend on what other damage has been done, but it its a brake pipe only, you'd be far better off paying yourself.

 

[Blobcat]

I go along with Sprint, have the hose replaced and change the brake fluid at the same time. Much cheaper (and faster) in the long run than going via the insurance.
I ran over a motorcycle chain on the M4 (distracted following a new DB9 at the time) heard it hit the underside of the car. Pulled off at next services to check brakes etc, all ok. When I got home had a better look and the plastic trim under the rear suspension arm was damaged. Took it to my dealer and had them replace it and check the whole underside for damage.
Even if you think there is no damage it is really worth checking throughly if you drive over anything. You just have to look at the central reservation next time your stuck on the M-Way to see all the junk that drops off of vehicles.

 

[mercedes13156]

Thanks guys, Took your advice, Insurance not interested. I paid foir the repair myself at the local garage. They were brilliant and fixed it the same day. ("It's only a brake pipe".) I'm currently writing to the insurance company to complain. Thanks for the replies. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[Ron Palfrey]

Well done, and thanks for the feedback.