My 1st Porsche: 996... faller at the first (motorway) fence

OK - brace yourselves... go put the kettle on... Back in August I posted a Dear Santa message looking for a nice 996 Cab - (You know... childhood dream etc etc). I even named my first goldfish Porsche when I was 6 ... I'm sure this is no different than most of you on this forum.[ ] A bit about me .... I have two jobs - One as a I.T. Quality Manager (A profession with few skills that can be put to good use away from the computer screen) and one job as a Sax player in a damn good quality function/party/wedding band The Riverbrew (Shameless Plug). So using a whole lot of time and patience I scoured the usual online forums and auction sites, garages and google to create my excel score sheet that I tailored to my dream car... I assigned points for what was important to me Clour optionalextras wheel type c4 or c2 heated seats etc etc 60+ criteria in fact -available for download from me if you like!! eventually after reviewing 54 cars between Aug and Nov (996.1 & 996.2 Cab Tip 9 - 14K) and after viewing one (which was a big disappointment) and nearly being ripped off by a private seller in Scotland (thanks for the heads up gumtree[ ]) I eventually found the highest rated car on my scale (2041 out of a possible 2400) and quickly put a deposit down whilst I went for the all important PPI - completed by my new found friends at GT-ONE Chertsey. So after looking over the engine rebuild pictures (completed 20K miles previous) and borescope test and 200 other checks the car came out in the "OK" bracket by GT One - not a disaster but not too bad. So I travelled to view.... and sure enough my gut feel was..... this was "the one"[ ] Just a case of negociating a better price - she needed a new exhaust - so I took GT Ones advice and went for the nice sounding Dansk Sports exhaust (not the loud one btw) So just a case of waiting for this to be fitted and she would be mine.... Now in hindsight my next move may not have been my best decision - rather than travel up with a car and someone driving me - or taking a train - I thought.... why not get it delivered ! Now the more perceptive will be ahead of the game here - but "bear with..." So I research my options - take due care and attention in my due diligence - select the best option and presto 105mile motorway journey for £115. I wait patiently as the courier loads the car onto his transporter and leaves Chertsey 2pm Thursday - A phone call at 5pm informs me that the driver will be with me in the morning as he is sleeping overnight in a truck stop.... OK I think (I was promised a Thur or Friday delivery) I can wait..... One more sleep till 911 day (woop woop) I awake to these tweets... Oh dear...[ ] I cannot go into detail what happened - I wasn't there - I can say that 2 lanes of the M4 were shut for about an hour whilst the van and trailer which held my Porsche was removed from the fast lane where it had come to rest (facing the wrong direction) The driver taken to hospital - not injured but obviously in shock. No-one else injured (thank goodness) The trailer had hit the central reservation so I knew there was gonna be some damage - but I had to wait until today to get some more news.... As an aside - this is where my Quality Manager job actually helps in co-ordinating everything that is needed to solve my problem. I started to keep a full record of every conversation by phone text tweet and email ... when who and what has all been collected in a long timeline currently running at 31 entries ...this I know will help me in the coming days which I know are going to be hectic...! Out of pure luck I managed to get transferred this morning to recovery guy who was able to take some pictures of the damage Yes - that is my brand new exhaust [ ] I actually was thinking it was going to be a lot worse - so this was sort of a relief Unfortunately - the Insurance company do have hard rules around cost to fix vs market value. They are ready to write this car off - a valuation of £12K max was offered to me to walk away - if the cost of repair exceeds 7.2K then they will write it off (this may close as I have insisted on using an OPC for repair). So - what would you guys and girls do - take the money and run ?? .... or keep a classic on the road.. BTW - I may be on Santa's naughty list - trying to get my present early - its funny.. I remember by goldfish died on Christmas morning when I was 7 - was this never meant to be ??[ ] Greg

Hi Greg. What a bad start to your Porsche ownership. I'm no expert in this field, but would not the courier be liable for all losses? I don't see why you would be claiming off your own insurance.

Hi Andy - yes you are right - I will be claiming from his "Goods in Transit" insurance... But the company that supplies this insurance is not geared up for motor repairs - so all parties (my own insurance and theirs) have suggested that I make the claim through my motor insurance (including recovery / release fees /repair / incidental costs etc) and this will be onwardly claimed as a lump sum to the Goods in Transit insurance company. I pay an excess which will be refunded when the goods in transit company admit liability (they are still awaiting the insurance claim to be filled out by the driver of the van). My NCB will not be affected. Greg

Sorry to hear the news! Just a thought, but OPC route may make it expensive and thus a write off, would you consider one of the independent specialists? At least the Labour cost would be reduced even if paying for new parts from Porsche.

Good point, thanks - I'll wait to get a quote then if it is ott I will look at Independent as the next option..

Pass the parcel time.. Isn't the transit insurance the only relevant insurance policy, most road car policies deny claims where the event is covered by other policies. Why do you need to care what they are geared up for? a claim is a claim. In any event, if the cost of repairs carried out to Porsche standards is not more than the cap on the transit insurance and therefore you do not need to also recover some cost from the transport company, it must be better for you to pursue remedy there.

PLease keep us informed we all feel very sorry for you Must admit no way would I buy a car without seeing it or having the fun of bringing it home - but that's hindsite

sue the transit company for ALL your losses including emotional distress !

Good grief Greg! What a shocker! Impossible to see what the extent of the damage is from the photos, but it looks like something has run up the back of the trailer. I would wait until the assessors take a good look, in case it isn't as bad as you think. Either way, as has been said, you'll get more work done for the money at an independent shop, which could easily be the difference between a good repair and a write off. Just to play devil's advocate, if it is marginal, would you want a damage repaired car? It wouldn't have been one of your 60+ tick boxes, would it? I sincerely hope it isn't as bad as first thought, and you can put this behind you and enjoy Porsche ownership soon. Don't give up, whatever happens.

Looks like you will get your New Exhaust FOC!! If its just PU and Skirt damage maybe get it repaired. Defiantly get a price from local Porsche Dealer but remember it will go on the Insurance History if you go through your Insurance May not if the Carrier pays (nearly put carer !!) What a disaster Got a similar one but earlier model (966a) Where are you based Ive just got insurance from Porsche Insurance with a guaranteed value. Ive got the Spoiler and Skirt pack and a lot of extras. 14k for a 2001 model before yours. You should get what you paid for it WHATEVER You must write to carrier and say you are going to go for Consequential Losses which is something you should do with ALL accidents. Have you worked out how much it cost to do all this work to find a car at say £15.00 an hour)

What a disaster for you after waiting so long. I really feel for you. It looks like there are 2 major and 1 minor parts that are damage here: 1. Rear PU 2. Exhaust 3. NS inner wheel arch liner You could offer to supply a second hand PU and wheel arch liner from the many suppliers of second hand cars - eg. Simon at 9apart . Maybe you could do the same for the exhaust ? I would be very concerned about further damage that has been caused when the exhaust was stuffed so badly. Has the accident caused damage the exhaust manifolds or cylinder heads? My advice would be to not use your own insurance as the claim will always be on your file and you would have to declare it for the next 5 years whoever you choose to go with. No matter what they say you will get loaded. Best of luck and keep us informed please. And don't let it spoil your Christmas.

Ouch!! Be interested to hear the outcome of GIT cover which is based on weight.... And I've just read 'van and trailer in fast lane....' ....tsk! Wonder if it was loaded nose on and just going toooo fast.... Next time use:- www.flyingbluedog.co.uk

Hi Greg, Sorry to read this, what a nightmare! I would not be claiming on your own insurance if I were you, non fault claims cost money on your renewals as they have to be declared the value of that claim will also affect your premiums. Surely the transport insurance should be geared up for motor repairs? that is what is being transported for income! Seek legal advise, and good luck hopefully you will be in a Porsche soon.

I don't think you've said what you paid for the car so it's difficult to judge if £12k is a good offer but it seems like a reasonable one to me. You've clearly put A LOT of work into finding the car and I suspect it won't easily be replaced. However, despite photos and all the evidence you can ever present to a potential future buyer about the nature of the accident and the amount of damage it caused, the accident will forever effect the desirability of the car. It's quite likely a buyer will notice the repairs even if you just stayed quiet. £12k seems like a good offer to me to get rid, learn some lessons (I bet there are things about the car you would change if you could) and have another go.

Nobody has suggested a FULL refund & start looking again considering the OP had not accepted delivery of the car...... As Peter has said who knows what unseen damage may have occurred! Hope you get a satisfactory result after such a painstaking search Rgds Paul

This is oft quoted by insurance companies, but they are not allowed to do this. If the value of the car exceeds the estimated cost of repair, then the insurance company MUST repair the car if the owner wishes. This is what I was informed by the Insurance Ombudsman when I had cause to complain some years ago.

What I would do is take 12k find out roughly how much to fix then ask how much they want for car (they usually will sell it to you for cheap as it saves them time) if price is right and cost to fix is ok you could drive away in the car plus a few k to play with. But I would go through transporters insurance not your own

That looks like a about a grands worth of damage, repainting a PU shouldnt be more than £250, maybe £350 if it has some splits in it....and you then have £750 to spend on a new Dansk exhaust, the other bits will polish out![8D][ ] Or am I missing out something obvious that I havent seen??

Its all too late now but NO WAY would I have involved my insurance company. You still haven't said what you paid for it. The carrier have total responsibility for delivering it safely to you However as soon as you mentioned it to your insurance company there are implications. As you had not "Taken delivery" you did not HAVE to advise your insurance company. Strictly speaking if some one scratches your car you should advise your insurance company even if you are not claiming. I had an attempted break in to my car phoned the insurance company decided not to claim and it is still registered as a claim LOve to know the latest REgards and good luck

Really sorry to hear this after all this time, even if this car is not going to turn out repairable then don't give up find another one. I also had the dream of a 911 and bought one 10 years ago I still own it and love it. Maybe a silly question but reading back over other folks posts there was mention about the transport company driving in the fast lane, if it was on a trailer then they should not be in the fast lane (3rd lane?) and I would have thought this is down to them 100%, if this was the case I am sure it has been thought of. Also I very much agree that a good specialist will do as good repair job if not better than an OPC just my view and this could save the car. If you have to go for another car let me suggest you collect then you can check it out before handing over the money, I think your a brave man even with a lot of research buying without seeing, I spend hours looking over second hand cars, then get a specialist to look over before doing a deal, the drive home is always so much fun. Best of luck. Regards Phil

On reading this I think he saw and tested the car but had it delivered When I bought mine I got the train down to Birmingham International and was collected by the Dealer. That was part of the thrill. Still love it. Weve not heard from him since this post so who knows what has happened

Yes that is true I did not read over every part but scanned over it. And I agree it would be nice to know what has happened. Cheers Phil

Thanks for all your comments... The car was deemed a write off from Tesco Insurance (The bill came in at £11.8K). I have an interim payment of £13K whilst I am taking my case to the Insurance Ombudsman for the additional £1.2K I spent on the exhaust. Not sure I'll get any of that back - but I'll try So in the meantime I'm back looking for a 996 Cab (not silver) with heated seats and good history - so please get in touch if you want to part with your Pride & Joy. Lets hope 2015 brings me more luck ! Greg

I don't think that's a bad outcome - it could have been a lot worse. I'm not even sure my insurance would have covered the trailer journey. Good luck in your search for your next one.

Crikey, that was a large bill for repair! What was the full extent of the damage just as a matter of curiousity? Good luck with finding a replacement. If it's any consolation, I spent months looking for a 986 & eventually found a nice car with good history, spec & in excellent condition. It was written off in a non fault accident less than 3 months later. However, a couple of months after the car was written off I found a lovely 987 to replace it with. It's a much better car & to be honest a good thing came out of the 986 being written off. Maybe a nicer car will be around the corner for you...

Full list of repairs for those interested - apologies for formatting Estimate No. 1186, Claim Ref : 6624660K, Dated : 15th December 2014 Thank you for the opportunity of allowing us to submit our estimate for the work you require to the above vehicle. It is important that repairs detailed below are carried out strictly to manufacturer's specification, and our staff, utilising the latest equipment and techniques, will ensure these exacting standards are achieved and the work completed to your satisfaction. Repair details :To Strip Vehicle And Renew Rear Cover Panels (Removed) Both Catalysts (Exhaust System Removed) Includes: R + R Lambda Probes Fit Vehicle On Chassis Jig Includes: Prepare Chassis Jig, Fit/ Remove And Refit/Renew (Check New Parts List) Remove Vehicle On/From Chassis Jig, Remove Straightening Angles From Chassis Jig Does Not Include: R + R Parts And Assem- Blies Front Bumper Includes: R + R Wheelhouse Shells And Side Flasher Lamps Dis/Ass Front Panel Number Plate Left Side Trim Right Side Trim L/R Window Channel Seal (Side Trim Removed) (Cabriolet) R/R Window Channel Seal (Side Trim Removed) (Cabriolet) Rear Bumper Heat Protection Rear Bumper Rear Bumper (Rear Panel Removed) Both Taillamps Left Side Panel Trim Right Side Panel Trim Left Rear Wheelhouse Shell Right Rear Wheelhouse Shell L/R Parking System Sensor (Rear Panelling Removed) L/R CTR Parking System Sensor (Rear Panelling Removed) R/R CTR Parking System Sensor (Rear Panelling Removed) R/R Parking System Sensor (Rear Panelling Removed) Both Front Wheels Rear Silencer Protective Panel Exhaust System Right Exhaust Manifold L/R Wheel (Removed) Both Rear Wheels Check System & Specialist Reset Check (LTW) And Quality Control Check And Road Test Repair L/R Wing R/R Wing Prepare And Paint Rear Panel New Part Painting S1 Front Bumper Repair Paint S3 L/R Wing Repair Paint S3 R/R Wing Repair Paint S3 4 Panels De Nib & Polish Rear Tow Cover Blend Front Tow Cover Blend Preparation For Painting S3 (Part/S Fitted) Preparation For Painting (Composite Work)(Part Fitted) Blend In L/Outer Sill Panel Surface Painting S2 R/Outer Sill Panel Surface Painting S2 Rebuild Vehicle Fitting New Parts Listed Labour Value £2093.00 Paint and Materials £727.20 Specialist/Other Charges £427.50 220.00Wheel Alignment Specialist 7.50E.P.A. Charge Specialist 200.00Jig Bracket Hire Specialist New Parts :- £6630.29 7.50Front Number Plate 17.18FRT No Plate BRKT 922.48Rear Bumper Cover 115.80R/Bumper Heat Panel Estimate 1186, Page2 37.58L/R Side Panel Trim 448.92R/Exhaust Manifold 6.31R/Exh Manif Gasket 195.50R/R Exhaust Mounting 1015.81L/Catalyst 1015.81R/Catalyst 287.01L/R Exhaust Bracket 287.01R/R Exhaust Bracket 638.11Left Silencer 638.11Right Silencer 24.86L/Exhaust Sleeve 24.86R/Exhaust Sleeve 28.75Catalyst Heat Shield 39.26R/R Heat Shield 222.21L/End Pipe Trim 222.21R/End Pipe Trim 305.00L/R Tyre 130.01Sundries End of New Parts _______ Sub-Total £9877.99 VAT £1975.58 _______ Estimate Total £11853.57 _______ Please note this is a visual estimate only, and further damage may be found when the repairs are started. Should this happen, we will seek your prior approval before commencing any additional work.

I still think that the carrier should have accepted TOTAL LIability. However did you advise in writing that you held them responsible for CONSEQUENTIAL LOSSES. This covers everything for Loss of NCM, Earnings Heartbreak a cold because you could not use the car. You must issue this at the time you found out about the accident. Good luck in finding a new car and please keep us informed On advantage is the Convertibles are generally cheaper in the winter than Summer

Agreed, and me being a carrier -that's why a carry full insurance and not Goods in Transit which will currently pay out at about £800 per tonne.... Just get frustrated at these under insured, over loaded guys stealing my business!!

Ouch, big bill & lots of work so can see why it was written off. Good luck with finding a replacement.

can you email you details

where are you based

thank you may have needed to get a car from Shrewsbury to Horncastle nr Lincoln You sound professional!!

Richard, I think you need Melv. As in his previous post, see http://www.flyingbluedog.co.uk

OK Reading all of the above in part.. I would look at it this way If your happy with the car it'self then I would BUY THE SALVAGE This is not as strange as you might think You are in control here and I have personally done this, I have personally advised others of the process and they have also done it. Here's why.. it's the insurance company that decides the fate of the car in terms of Cat C or Cat D you can and I have, bought the car off them and made sure it's not recorded. As there was no 3rd party involved ( another car ) you will be able to buy the car back at a price that is sensible for you to repair and the repair at what I am looking at is nothing , really it's nothing.. ** OPC ** more on this later you will get a repainted car and a repair of new parts and still have the car.. if your happy with the car in general then your come out ok OPC why the hell do you want an OPC to repair the car................ Trust me, Ive see work there in some of them and I wouldn't use them if they where the last ones around. It's not saying their rubbish it's about costs, knowledge and blending of paint work to match. I repair my own and I have back up from a friend in the trade who runs his own body shop. Trust me when I say .. a good local repair shop that know Porsches will repair this better in my view for less and it will be a better outcome all round. that's what I would do... if you don't and take the £12k then ask them for the salvage price as I will buy it !and I'm not joking. just read you have been paid out.. do you have contact details for tesco's as I would like to ask if i can buy the salavage where inthe UK are you? as it might be with one of the salvage yards I know of? Ive checked Copart and Salvage market nothing there, which means thats poss going to be repaired by the yard them selves as they buy the good stuff sell us the crap.

Hi - Thanks for the post - yes it did cross my mind to buy off of the Insurance company - but too many unknowns for me... In the end I got 13.2K from Tesco and working on an extra 1K to cover the new exhaust. I have a feeling the car is going to auction this week - email me [email removed] for more info on this. Anyone who is selling a black tip 996 with heated seats also email me Greg

mailed

Hi All -this car is now for sale on ebay CAT D http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-Pors...6968238?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item259ebce02e I do not own it any more but have info on the vehicle if needed

That has to be one of the worst adverts I've ever seen. No detail at all, and I could have taken better photos with a Kodak Instamatic.