Accident turned opportunity??

[RJRAUDI]

Hey guys, last weekend I had the unfortunate event of sliding off an icy exit ramp and hitting an exit sign before my car came to rest on the side of an interstate (I do have dedicated snow tires and I was traveling at a conservative rate of speed). Important thing is that I escaped without harm (no airbag deployment) and no other vehicle or person was involved in the accident. My baby though...not so lucky . The snow here is pretty deep and the underside could have been torn up, the sign I hit had metal legs and the impact did a number to my front clip. I just received the initial quote and I am very thankful for insurance. I am currently unsure of the extent of the damage at this point (frame, suspension, underside, etc.)

The shop that my car is at is a very professional quality shop that my family has used on all of our vehicles before. My question today is that should I use this opportunity while my car is being reconstructed to sneak in some modifications (I remember seeing a similar thread to this a few months ago but I couldn't find it)? The shop said if I can find parts that are the same price or cheaper than the OEM replacement, they would have no problem installing them for me.

I had FUTURE plans (like a year from now) of doing an RS4 Grille, preferably silver mesh and possible the ECS aluminum skid plate. Is there any other mods that I should/could get done while my front clip is being repaired that may save me some money in the end?

Thanks - Pics will be loaded later today.

[s14roller]

If the aftermarket is same or cheaper than the OEM you wanted, I see no reason why not.

[doug97gxe]

when my rims were stolen on my 350z they also damaged my side skirt with the jacks they used.. i used that opportunity to get a full body kit and paint along with new rims .. its your money.. that's what you pay your insurance premium for.. do as you wish .. Ins companies will provide you with the money you need to return to how your car was before your accident.. they can't force you to do what they want.. only provide you the amount of money needed for the repairs

[mr shickadance]

Hey guys, last weekend I had the unfortunate event of sliding off an icy exit ramp and hitting an exit sign before my car came to rest on the side of an interstate (I do have dedicated snow tires and I was traveling at a conservative rate of speed). Important thing is that I escaped without harm (no airbag deployment) and no other vehicle or person was involved in the accident. My baby though...not so lucky . The snow here is pretty deep and the underside could have been torn up, the sign I hit had metal legs and the impact did a number to my front clip. I just received the initial quote and I am very thankful for insurance. I am currently unsure of the extent of the damage at this point (frame, suspension, underside, etc.)

The shop that my car is at is a very professional quality shop that my family has used on all of our vehicles before. My question today is that should I use this opportunity while my car is being reconstructed to sneak in some modifications (I remember seeing a similar thread to this a few months ago but I couldn't find it)? The shop said if I can find parts that are the same price or cheaper than the OEM replacement, they would have no problem installing them for me.

I had FUTURE plans (like a year from now) of doing an RS4 Grille, preferably silver mesh and possible the ECS aluminum skid plate. Is there any other mods that I should/could get done while my front clip is being repaired that may save me some money in the end?

Thanks - Pics will be loaded later today.

idk about external, but if I was allowed to go back into my car at the accident I would certainly try my best to bend/break/anything to destroy a regular steering wheel and replace it with a flat-bottom.

[RJRAUDI]

Here's what she looked like after the accident.




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[RJRAUDI]

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[doug97gxe]

idk about external, but if I was allowed to go back into my car at the accident I would certainly try my best to bend/break/anything to destroy a regular steering wheel and replace it with a flat-bottom.

i think he already has a flat bottom steering wheel...

OP your headlight is damaged.. i would take this opportunity to get ecodes .. i would also get the black optics grill as well

[landfill]

Damn that sign banged you up pretty good. The whole east coast has been getting hit hard this season.

[MrFunk]

Maybe upgrade to ecode headlights?
Do the RS Grill now - I'm sure it's cheaper than the S4 OEM replacement. This is a no brainer. Or Black optics (which should be same price as your OE replacement).
If the inner cooler needs replacing see how much the OEM one is. If it's anywhere near 2k then get upgraded to a proper boost cooling system - http://www.amsperformance.com/cart/a...st-cooler.html
If suspension needs replacing then look at upgrading end links and sways.
If your exhaust got jacked up then replace that with an AWE or Magnaflow (IMO).

I guess it just depends on what got damaged - then based on that replace with upgrades...

[RJRAUDI]

i think he already has a flat bottom steering wheel...

OP your headlight is damaged.. i would take this opportunity to get ecodes .. i would also get the black optics grill as well

Car is a '14 so flat bottom already there.

Good call on the E-codes, I didn't think of that. After a quick look E-codes on ECS aren't available until Mar 23, and TAG has a 2-4 week lead time...I probably can't wait that long. As far as the grill, I like contrast, I'll probably end up with a silver painted RS4 option.

[MrFunk]

Car is a '14 so flat bottom already there.

Good call on the E-codes, I didn't think of that. After a quick look E-codes on ECS aren't available until Mar 23, and TAG has a 2-4 week lead time...I probably can't wait that long. As far as the grill, I like contrast, I'll probably end up with a silver painted RS4 option.

Your car will be in the shop until end of March... guaranteed... order up those E-codes. I'd go with Phillips bulbs too - http://hidconcept.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=223

[Dominick's S4]

I was rear ended and my OEM exhaust was damaged and I had it replaced with an APR exhaust at no additional cost.

When the insurance adjuster quoted the repair, they of course included a new OEM exhaust. I advised the shop to not order the OEM exhaust and that I would provide them with the APR exhaust to install in its place. Then the shop credited me the amount of the cost of the OEM exhaust (as they were paid by the insurance company) and wrote me a check. Net-Net, the shop installed an APR exhaust at no costs to me and gave me the damaged OEM exhaust to take home. The only negative is that my OEM exhaust tip is damaged if I ever had to go back to OEM again..

[emnahum]

As far as the grill, I like contrast, I'll probably end up with a silver painted RS4 option.

I think the RS4 grill is the right move. While I love the black optic grill over the standard grill, I don't think it will work well with the remaining chrome trim, and the RS grill is gorgeous.

[Saud]

e-codes

[Saud]

+ rs4 bumper, there is a member in a thread started a group by, not sure how to locate it tho

[Midnight_Rider]

Here's what she looked like after the accident.




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WOW... It looks like you need total engine work. Like standalone EMS, meth injection, bigger supercharger, and everything else. :D

[El Presidente]

Get a alpha intercooler, rs4 front bumper, enlaes rear diffusor and ecodes

[saxon]

Get a alpha intercooler, rs4 front bumper, enlaes rear diffusor and ecodes

this...

[Elderan]

Dang sorry to hear that. I know the pain right now..

[ballinb5]

Great move on the rear diffuser getting torn so you can get a nice aftermarket (deval or enlaes) diffuser lol ;)... hope it works out

[Usa]

Rear diffuser and RS4 grille at least

[stereojorge]

Get a alpha intercooler, rs4 front bumper, enlaes rear diffusor and ecodes

So much this!

[zwickau]

Here's what she looked like after the accident.




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Makes my heart ache to see that :(

[RJRAUDI]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I would have loved to do all of those mods! However...
-The shop ordered parts almost immediately after they received my car and shipping was shockingly fast so that eliminated the Alpha cooler (for now )
-Only one headlight was damaged so that eliminated E-codes unless I wanted to drop the $$ for the other headlight (I did not)
-Call me odd but I'm not a fan of any of the rear diffusors offered - eliminated
-This leaves the RS4 grill...with a little DIY I turned the top into the bottom



And here how she sits now



I got the car back on March 11, but have been dragging my feet on posting until now.