*CRUNCH!*

[DavidW]

Something bad just happened.

Turning into a narrow driveway I have misjudged the gap and managed to clip the rear passenger wheel arch on a low wall (sickening crunch)

It looks terrible and expensive.

My main worry is that it seemed to also cause a big puddle of water (it's not fuel) - where would this be coming from?
Is it just water that had found its way in somewhere when it rained or has something split?

The picture shows it dripping where I've parked it, but there was quite a lot of water.

Any advice/sympathy appreciated.

[Dave Eds]

Looks like the sill was full of rain water.

[Nige]

I agree, most likely cause is water trapped in the sill (worth clearing drain holes as the steel in the sills will rot)

If the metal work inside is undisturbed (and as I assume this was a low speed impact) then this should be no more than a cosmetic repair. It is possible to cut out the damage and replace with a new section, but if it's not structural I'd be disinclined to do that. Find a competent body shop who know what they are doing with fibreglass (Miles Wilkins is near you and they don't come much better) and get a quote, you can then decide if you simply want to pay or make an insurance claim. An insurance claim could be painful and tortuous though.

[Jackonicko]

OUCH! You have my sympathy.

I have no advice, but I'd be inclined to ask Phil as he seems to be something of a whiz when it comes to fibreglass.

[muley]

Bad luck - you have my sympathy, too.

It's almost certainly water and as Nige said if the metal is relatively undisturbed then it should be a pretty straightforward job.

(no wonder our inner sills are prone to rotting...)

Jim

[rip]

(no wonder our inner sills are prone to rotting...)

[surfboardfiller]

Check the drain hose from the fuel filler cap area down to the end under the sill, it may be leaking. Or just a bodywork seal (hood lid).
Post a picture of the damage and we can see what it is.

[DavidW]

thanks everyone.

just a quick update - I've taken it along to Ocean Coachworks in Brighton (who I've used before for other cars) and they have quoted me £225 to fix it.
not as bad as I had feared, but still annoyed with myself for doing it in the first place!

will keep you posted and will put 'before and after' pics up for those interested.