Damaged Front Grill

[timboa]

Hi All,

I managed to hit a rather large hare/rabbit in the wife's Rocco last night. Went with a bit of a thud but fortunately only damage is a smashed grill under the front number plate.

Been to see local dealer today and he's quoted 30 odd quid for a replacement (good news!!) but believes the whole of the front bumper will need removing in order to fit replacement grill...quote is now £220 (bad news!!)

Anyone know if this is the case or is my dealer trying it on?

Cheers.

[drnick]

I don't know for certain but i'd reckon the bumper probably will want to come off. Ryancooke will be able to tell you as he works at a VW bodyshop. Even if this is the case i'd get the part yourself and either try it yourself if you're feeling handy or try a local garage?

PS - welcome along! Hope you're enjoying your beast!

[DavidH]

I hit a Badger when i first got my last car. The damage was considerable, it bent the front chassis cross member, needed a radiator and a lot of plastic parts including a wheel arch liner, under tray, and other bits and bobs that shattered with the impact. It was a big badger.

I live in the sticks so am constantly avoiding animals, and i'm usually bloody good at it, my tally is extremely low considering how many years i've been driving these roads, it's all about predicting which way they're going to go and you get good at reading them (here's a tip, with a group of rabbits they nearly always follow each other if one bolts, even if it means crossing right across the road) but this time i couldn't make a descision, and it was at speed so i think i did the right thing. You could feel the impact through the car, big dog badgers get quite heavy.

[wigit]

found this today (you can thank kev) which may help you with your grille issue

[ryancooke]

if you have the right tools you could take the grill out without taking the bumper off, a good selection of screwdrivers and plasic screwdrivers/spreaders (so you dont scratch or mark the paintwork) would help.

the side trims are easially removed (fog light covers) and the indicator and side light holder is held in with a 20 or a 25 torx screw, but you can also use a flat blade screwdriver, as the screw has a slot for that aswel (you will have to bend right down and look upwards to see the screw).

then with everything out the way, the centre grill is just clipped on, but these are like the seat altea grills, so be carefull they will be tight, might be easier to take the bumper off

[wigit]

ryan cheers for the help on that one

[rehmondo]

so be carefull they will be tight, might be easier to take the bumper off

I'd recommend taking the bumper off too, you never know what you might end up scratching, bending or cracking when trying to force the grill in.

[timboa]

Cheers all. I'll wait to see exactly what the dealer says once the grill is in stock. £200 quid to take off a bumper still sounds dear to me, I'd have thought it was only an hours job...unless VW charge £160 an hour now!!!

PS - drnick, am enjoying it when I can get the keys off the missus, I swear she sleeps with them under her pillow and the hare incident has made her even less keen for me to take her pride n joy out (guess who gets to clean it though )

[adamj]

Interesting one this.

The trim around my offside fog lamp is loose and won't clip back in (no matter how hard you hit it) I have tried taking it off and putting it back in but it just pops out again.

I went to VW and they decided it needed replacing so will order new trims.

Just spoken to them now and they have ordred 3 parts which I assume is the center bit and 2 new fog lamp surrounds. Apparently they will be fitted while I wait in 30 minutes tomorrow morning

Keeping in mind this is the VW dealer that took 1 hour to replace my drivers wiperblade....

Will be keeping a close eye on them and will let you know how it goes.

[ryancooke]

Just spoken to them now and they have ordred 3 parts which I assume is the center bit and 2 new fog lamp surrounds. Apparently they will be fitted while I wait in 30 minutes tomorrow morning

theres 3 seperate bits where the fog lights are, so maybe they ordered them, theres the "fog light finns" then theres the "side light/indicator" surround, and then the bit that goes around the fog light itself, two screws hold these on, easy job

[adamj]

Just spoken to them now and they have ordred 3 parts which I assume is the center bit and 2 new fog lamp surrounds. Apparently they will be fitted while I wait in 30 minutes tomorrow morning

theres 3 seperate bits where the fog lights are, so maybe they ordered them, theres the "fog light finns" then theres the "side light/indicator" surround, and then the bit that goes around the fog light itself, two screws hold these on, easy job

It was the 2 new fog lamp surrounds and the center section.

They managed to damage my car though while putting it on the ramp to fit them:

http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... ?f=2&t=682

[arlurt]

The centre (un-painted) section of my front grill is not wearing well at all. Has anyone else had any problems?

The surface of the plastic is going rough, looks as though it's been blasted with sharp gravel. The car's now done 3600 miles, most of these on A and B roads, but hasn't suffered any stone chip damage to the paintwork at all, not even the painted section below the grill. It looks like the plactic is too soft for the position on the car.

I like the look of the painted grills I've seen, but if the plastic is soft, then it will look even worse with stone chips through the paint and into the plastic.

[Candy Monster]

The centre (un-painted) section of my front grill is not wearing well at all. Has anyone else had any problems?

The surface of the plastic is going rough, looks as though it's been blasted with sharp gravel. The car's now done 3600 miles, most of these on A and B roads, but hasn't suffered any stone chip damage to the paintwork at all, not even the painted section below the grill. It looks like the plactic is too soft for the position on the car.

I like the look of the painted grills I've seen, but if the plastic is soft, then it will look even worse with stone chips through the paint and into the plastic.

yeah it is too soft, i have no stone chips apart from the 'piping' type bit around the air dam. done 1400 miles.

[arlurt]

I'm going to mention it next time I'm at the dealer. I don't think I'm top of their Christmas Card List so there's nothing to lose...

[BlackRoc]

Arlurt - I know what you mean because I have it too. I noticed it 2 weeks ago when I was washing the car, It has got a 'sandblasted' look to it - I know I got cought behind a gritter several weeks back, I tried to stay back but I guess that could have been the cause. It shouldnt be that soft though should it?

[arlurt]

Well that's three of us with the same problem on low milage cars, then maybe VW already know about it? If there's a fix for later models the that must be the way to go...

[adamj]

Well that's three of us with the same problem on low milage cars, then maybe VW already know about it? If there's a fix for later models the that must be the way to go...

Mine is looking like this too.

[mjb766]

Glad I found this thread. Just got back from first weekend away in the new Roc, 20 miles from home a pheasant came out of nowhere and went through the grill, got wedged in there (and was still alive, which was a nice treat to see as we pulled over...). Luckily some friendly locals, far better adjusted to the country than I, helped get it out. Called the AA out as a precaution, the guy was relieved we'd got the bird out. Didn't look like there was any damage to the radiator or air-con, drove home fine and air-con still working properly.

Will call dealer tomorrow to get new grill ordered, timboa is there any progress on your repair? Am fine spending up to £100, but £220 for a £30 part seems excessive!

[tartangti]

Been to see local dealer today and he's quoted 30 odd quid for a replacement (good news!!) but believes the whole of the front bumper will need removing in order to fit replacement grill...quote is now £220 (bad news!!)

If the part's only £30 I'd be surprised if it cost £190 for labour to take the bumper off to replace it? MIght be worth buying the part yourself and/or going round a few more garages to get quotes? Guess it doesn't need to be a VW Garage either as long as you're got the replacement part.

[mjb766]

Have just been quoted £38 for the part and £50 for fitting (all +VAT) from my local VW dealer (Beadles Dartford). They've already ordered the part and say they can fix it saturday while I wait. Am really impressed, well I will be until they tell me there's more significant damage (a conversation I am hoping beyond hope doesn't happen).