53 replies to this topic

[fezzasus]

Obvious option is to change the airbag controller and airbag for the Lotus equivalent too.

[slindborg]

 

Jacob - Hard luck mate.  Look at the positives though, you're OK and you'll respect the car a lot more. Very similar situation to me when I got my first VX, albeit nearly 10 years ago and my car came off slightly worse. Good luck with the repair!
 
Tried to post an image but for some reason the forum won't let me. Probably a blessing as it'll save the eejits quoting it...
 

Sorry Mr P, but you love it

 

Dont be mean

[FLD]

Obvious option is to change the airbag controller and airbag for the Lotus equivalent too.

 

Yes, bet then the costs get astronomical, beyond the vxl crashbox price.  In my head (if it made any difference) it would make the airbag deploy in a lighter crash as the shock would be greater.  That's just the vague idea that floated through my head mind.  No sound evidence!

[jonnyboy]

Tow eye has to be changed but thats it.

 

You can still get an Elise Rover crashbox new from Lotus that is the same so they are available.

 

 

Now that is interesting.

100% identical?

Do you know the lotus part number for it, and maybe the price?

 

 

[Rusty789]

I did very similar damage, just hitting a deer instead! Personally I'd just buy a new lotus hardtops/johnnyboy clam if I had a similar accident again, just at the time the clams weren't quite in production... The time it takes the bodyshop to do the repairs usually costs more in the long run... I had an mvs clam fitted in the end as it was cheap at the time, but I do plan on replacing it at some point.

[fred666]

 

 

 

MVS can supply replica crash b oxes if you decided not to repair, also clams etc

 

If you want to risk your life in another crash, you are welcome to fit a MVS crash box.

 

To be honest I think it's appalling that MVS is making and selling them, and I don't see how anyone here can mention the production in a positive light. 

 

 

 

Perhaps fred666 wasn't aware of this information. If however, his comment and your reply make even one prospective buyer think about the repercussions, then that is a good thing.

 

 

Pretty sure he is aware considering his previous car was built in the MVS workshop. 

 

 

Strong judgement to make when you have no idea what repairs i had completed by MVS? For future information, a new crash box was not something i had fitted by MVS. I'm aware they make them, so simply trying to help out a member, if they are a poor fit etc then fair enough. With talks of repairing the original i was simply throwing the option out there.

[fezzasus]

 

 

Strong judgement to make when you have no idea what repairs i had completed by MVS? For future information, a new crash box was not something i had fitted by MVS. I'm aware they make them, so simply trying to help out a member, if they are a poor fit etc then fair enough. With talks of repairing the original i was simply throwing the option out there.

 

 

It's nothing to do with them being poor fitment. It's the production of a safety critical carbon fibre part in GRP. I have heard of the MVS crash box simply coming apart in two sections when pulled by two people.

 

I have no issue with people using the MVS fibreglass parts, however the crash structure is a different story as it puts unaware people at risk.

[Ormes]

Only just seen this

[FLD]

The OEM one isn't carbon.  Its biax high tensile nylon down the crush tubes and CSM acros the bottom / top.  The strange pattern you can see is a knitted infusion mesh as it is made by RTM.  The OEM part is bonded together with PU so I'd imagine they use a good primer/adhesive system so it sticks properly.  Its not out of scope for an owner to reproduce these but it would be a lot of work / effort which would give reasonably high costs given the production volume and the product testing / validation that would be required.  Not something I would do.

Edited by FLD, 02 September 2014 - 02:48 PM.

[ghand]

Glad your ok Jacob, shrubbery is much better than Armco to aim for hope your back on the road soon fella,

[jacobw94]

Update Had my diagnostic back, need a few parts, upper and lower wishbones on drivers side rear and new hub. The main thing is my sub frame is bent. The garage have got a price for the parts from Vauxhall, the sub frame is £1380 from them. Anyone know if I could get one cheaper from anywhere? Or is that what I'm going to have to pay? Thanks

[CHILL Gone DUTCH]

Try Christopher Neil's

[Wolfstone]

Or try pm'ing ElizP987 or Junks on here.

[jonnyboy]

If you need a clam I'll get you a subframe at cost price.