Any know if this damage is structural or not?

1482 Views 9 Replies 8 Participants Last post by BackToLifeBug, Dec 31, 2013

GaryTDI

Discussion Starter · Dec 29, 2013

Another New Beetle owner (2000 VW Beetle TDI) had an unfortunate accident today where he slipped in the rain around a turn and the rear of his Beetle impacted the guard rail. He asked me to post this picture to see if anyone could tell by looking at it whether it might have structural damage or whether he can repair it (Replace rear hatch/bumper etc.). He said he can't open the trunk because the latch mechanism is all bent up.

Anyone with experience and a keen eye with these things? Many thanks for any input.

See less See more

Save

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

VDubYah

· #2 · Dec 30, 2013

It appears that the hacth is twisted towards the driver side slightly. Larger distance between hatch and roof on passenger side. Need to see under the rear of the car to see if the "push" got into the spare tire well. If you friend can look at the rear ruck from inside and see any bulges or high spots on the trunk floor it has structural damage.

With the age and needing a rear hatch, both rear fenders, lights and bumper cover it's most likly a writeoff.

Sorry to deliver bad news.

Save

PRM502STREET

· #3 · Dec 30, 2013

Ooh, OUCH! Looks like it got poked in the hiney pretty good. Two good things I can see, number one is it looks like a square hit, i.e. no sway. Number two, it went up over the frame rails so your floor is probably not buckled. The bad news is, it looks like at least three to four thousand dollars worth of damage.... Total loss. Can it be fixed? Yes. You are going to need a new hatch and a new rear body panel, along with a rear bumper cover,and left fender for sure. Check LKQ for a rear clip you may be able to pick one up for about 1200 dollars. And it might even be the same color!

Sent from AutoGuide.com App

Save

GaryTDI

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 30, 2013

Thanks for the detailed replies guys. If there is no structural damage then I think he should purchase the hatch and rear bumper/fenders and repair it himself. I actually saw some of these parts used on EBay and craigslist for pretty cheap, $150 - $200. Thanks again, hopefully he can put Humpty Dumpty back together again. In my opinion, being a TDI it has a lot more life in it.

Save

janitz

· #5 · Dec 30, 2013

If you can repair it for under $3000 it might be worth it.

Save

turboturbo

· #6 · Dec 30, 2013

Just get the pry bars under that hatch and get bending until the hatch can open. Remove hatch, bumper skin, and bumper foam, then evaluate from there. Even if wrinkled, I would still put it back together. If a hammer can't get the metal back in place on the inner structure, use a bigger hammer ;-)

If you claim this, it will likely be a write off. If you pay a shop to do it, it will be a few thousand. Doing it yourself, without paint, it will only be your time and a few hundred in parts.

If you go to a U Pull It yard, you will have the double benefit of incredibly cheap parts, as well as the knowledge of exactly how things go back together.

Save

GaryTDI

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 30, 2013

turboturbo said:
Just get the pry bars under that hatch and get bending until the hatch can open. Remove hatch, bumper skin, and bumper foam, then evaluate from there. Even if wrinkled, I would still put it back together. If a hammer can't get the metal back in place on the inner structure, use a bigger hammer ;-)

If you claim this, it will likely be a write off. If you pay a shop to do it, it will be a few thousand. Doing it yourself, without paint, it will only be your time and a few hundred in parts.

If you go to a U Pull It yard, you will have the double benefit of incredibly cheap parts, as well as the knowledge of exactly how things go back together.

Thanks TurboTurbo, I like your thought process, I was thinking the same

It would be a shame for a TDI to die like this. He didn't have collision so there won't be any claim. He is already more hopeful now that I've been relaying peoples sentiments.

Save

MichelleRoze

· #8 · Dec 30, 2013

My only fear for this would be the structural damage underneath all that. I would take it all apart first and assess from there. The steal bumper underneath may be damaged. Plus you will more than likely need fender liners as well. And possibly the interior trim for the hatch. And the place I would watch most carefully would be the right rear pillar. Looks like the hatch is pushed away from it a good bit, but can't tell if it's the hatch or the pillar. Of course the obvious, fuel door, taillights, back up lights, bumper, fenders, hatch, etc

Overall I think it could be fixed and being a TDI, it SHOULD be fixed. Being a TDI owner myself, I know these things will last a LONG time. I would also check the exhaust, might be pinched somewhere as well. Good luck and let us know. Or add some more pictures and maybe we can give you a better idea of what to look for. And if you need any information, let me know, I work at a dealer and can look up some information for you.

Hope to see this beauty on the road again.

See less See more

Save

glassbuggy

· #9 · Dec 31, 2013

I know of a few silver parts bugs in my area, if you are up to a drive to Pennsylvania. Know your paint code though because Arrow silver and Reflex silver are only a shade off ( lol you'll have to get to the spare tire area to get the code ) - Bart

Save

BackToLifeBug

· #10 · Dec 31, 2013

Interested in silver bugs in PA.

Hey Bart,

I'm the guy with the totaled bug that GaryTDI posted. I think the only way I will be able to get this bug going again is if I had a donor car.

It would be nice if that donor car was silver. Where in PA are you/where are the bugs?

Thanks in advance. (David)

Save

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month