Oh...bugger.

[MattyB]

Took my car into NW today (that Honda Jazz is kinda cool ) to have a few things looked at - I even got an S2 wiper fitted, which was money well spent.

 

But they gave me some bad news - need a new front clam They'll charge about £2000 for a new one, drive in-drive out.

 

Which has really fecked me off.

 

Bro-in-law phoned Lotus Ecosse, who said they can supply a front clam for £375 - primed, but not painted. NW said it was about £900.

 

Anyone know anything about Ecosse? And the quality of those clams?

[malbon]

Not heard much about them. Harlequin in Leicester are supposed to be very good though and cd bramall use them.

 

its a bit of a hike but its worth a call and a quote.

 

dont have no. i got it from cd bramall

[Foley]

Matty,

 

Also posted on SELOC.

 

There's loads of stuff in the BCBBS archive re Ecosse clams, I'm pretty sure there's no negative comment

[Kris H]

Matty - going from a bit of a hazy memory here but I know that one of the alternative clams was thinner than standard. Don't know if it's this one or not, or whether it matters. Bad luck though.

[MattyB]

Surely Bramall et al will just tell me to get a OEM Clam? And at £900...ouch

 

I searched on BCBBS and there was a thread with someone asking about the Ecosse clams, and only one person commented, saying they are ok, but need to open the "holes" for various bits...

 

Might try and get a second hand one....emailed Elise Parts and a few people selling S/H

[Simon G]

Speak to Geary @ Eliseparts, usually has something knocking around. What's wrong with it anyway?

[Scott_Mac]

Yeah Geary may help...also try Owen or even eBay as there was a new alu one on their last week....

 

Have you tried Sinclaires too, they may have other suggestions.

[MattyB]

Eliseparts man emailed me - got a clam coming in on the 16th - its Red, damaged-repaired but is STILL £500+VAT+Delivery...

 

What wrong with it? Clicky

 

Apparently in sutton there is guy who specialises in Fibreglass repais - mainly boats, but has worked on TVR's and so forth....gonna get him to have a look.

[Simon V]

Isn't there a place in Leicester that's a Lotus damage repair outfit...Harlequin Motors or something?

 

Sy

[Scott_Mac]

Matty... not wishing to say the obvious, but at what point does it become economical to do it yourself and not go through the insurance.... you could get a new clam, fitted by a dealer, resprayed etc, i'm sure a GEO check could be factored in AND the major thing IMO is "what if" there is something else wrong.... aside from a new clam, you need a new headlight, new indicator etc... its all gonna add up, even with the "cheap" clam from Geary, after you've sprayed it (approx £400 i was quoted for an entire clam) you are talking well over £1200, factor that in against lost NCB, excess etc and I reckon the insurance company seem like a more sensible option.

 

Just my £0.02.

[MattyB]

Thats what I've been thinking recently.

 

I just want it sorted, and I just think its easier to hand it over to NW and say - look, sort it out, then give it me back.

 

Out of interest, its only 2 years NCB you lose when you claim, yeah?

[Simon V]

That's entirely dependant upon the policy Matty.

[Simon G]

I would also suggest going through your insurance, in the long run I doubt it will cost you as much in increased premiums as the repair itself. Do you know if the clam can be repaired or is it a write off?

[Ben (T25) Ruz]

Just to add to the pot..my wife went up the curb and cracked my front clam. Orchard quoted 500-600 quid to fix it or 2000+ for a new clam. I went for the repair option without going through insurance as I have 350 excess, so 200 quid hike for next years insurance (even with protected no claims) ment I might aswell just pay...

 

Wifey asked why bother insuring it at all....my reply...it's in case you right the whole bloody thing off...

 

Ben

[Scott_Mac]

The value of increase/lost NCB with Tesco would be 2 years i think.... my last claim was £1800 though them and i lost 2 yrs.... had v.little effect tbh though, i still only pay £780 with them now for the Liz even with that on my record recently...

 

I would say do it though, think of all the time and effort wasted, trekking around getting quotes, etc... is it worth it?