Crumple zones

[Tom Nas <tnas@euronet.nl>]

Hi all,

After my Audi met with its Waterloo yesterday morning, my friend the VAG
mechanic helped me take the front end apart yesterday. His remark: 'you're
the luckiest guy around'. However horrendous the damage looks, mewchanical
damage has been limited to a bent water pump and destroyed radiator. The
radiator was pushed against, but not into, the distribution cover. No
-repeat no- structural bits have been bent, and everything that has been
wrecked is bolted on and therefore easily replaceable. So far, the new
parts count is:

-Hood
-Striker plate, latch mechanism
-Headlights
-Headlight frame
-one turn signal
-radiator
-radiator support beam
-grill/Audi badge
-metal strip under grill
-bumper
-front license plate and plate holder

My friend and I both 'phoned around for parts prices, and have come
remarkably close. The differences can be found in original parts vs.
pattern (ie non-galvanised) and aftermarket headlights vs original (quality
differences? price of pattern is about half that of original, ie $135 vs
$250 for two) Any thoughts on buying these as non-OE parts?
I'm definately going for OE panels, as the galvanising is one of the
reasons I bought my Audi in the first place. Besides, getting aftermarket
panels to fit is one big PITA, BTDT lots of times.

Having phoned most of the scrapyards in Holland, I can safely say that
there are no Audi 80s here that still have their front end intact. My hopes
are pinned on a car that's said to arrive next Thursday with its front end
OK, but the message was a little vague. Keeping fingers crossed... the
alternative is horrendously expensive! Our conservative estimate was $2500
including paint for all-new panels- more than half its current value,
making it a total loss.

I'll keep you posted!

Bye,

Tom

 _______________________________________________________________________
 Tom Nas                                          Zeist, The Netherlands
 tnas@euronet.nl
1988 Audi 80 1.8S, Tizianrot metallic, 212,000km

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