HELP:-( Honey, someone's crunched my offside wing :-(

[mikeonb4c]

..my daughter woke me up this norning to say a guy driving a big van and doing a 3pt turn outside the house had just knocked at the door to say he had hit the Bongo. I'm lucky though because (1) he was a decent old fashioned honest kind of guy that are a vanishing species in the modern world and (2) he hit the front wing square on but it looks on first inspection that the damage may be confined to only the front wing. He knows a local guy who does top bodywork and I was able to cheer him up with news of this forum and how we find 'stuff' at good prices etc. so I'm hoping we can keep cost down all round plus get a good result.

So, I need to source an offside front wing in perfect condition (this one was, no rust, no dings) preferably in neat green (the colour the dark green / silver early ones come in). I'll get on to Bellhill, Bongobits etc. but does anyone happen know of one hanging around?

Life's never dull with a Bongo

[mikexgough]

Shame to hear that Mike...... the Big guns in breaker world you have already mentioned should sort you.....if it had been a year ago there were some Neat Green ones up for grabs in Essex....

[helen&tony]

Hi Mike
OH (censored)....but do take a look at some other repairers....and at least you have the guy's name.
Shouldn't be too hard to find a nice replacement!
Cheers
Helen

[mister munkey]

PM ebygum Mike. his are still there & I can collect.

[Alison01326]

That's terrible news Mike Hope you weren't too nice to him, just because he was old fashioned and honest.

Back in the snow and ice I was very nice indeed to the man who slid into my husband's car. At least I was as soon as he told me he'd just bought a Bongo. Hell, I invited him in!!

Hope it's sorted soon.

[helen&tony]

Hi Alison
Now I know you're crackers
Letting a Bongo owner into your house
Cheers
Helen

[bigdaddycain]

I know where you are coming from Mike... In this day and age i'm surprized he didn't petrol bomb your house for having the affront to park your own car outside your own house, never mind fess up his misjudgement and actually do the right thing! i say good on him for being as honest and as decent as we'd like others to be!

I've been told Mike that there are a few different shades of neat green... Two of the shades are obviously different when parked next to each other. (pics don't show it up though, naked eye only). I'll look out for a wing for ya

[mikeonb4c]

I know where you are coming from Mike... In this day and age i'm surprized he didn't petrol bomb your house for having the affront to park your own car outside your own house, never mind fess up his misjudgement and actually do the right thing! i say good on him for being as honest and as decent as we'd like others to be!

I've been told Mike that there are a few different shades of neat green... Two of the shades are obviously different when parked next to each other. (pics don't show it up though, naked eye only). I'll look out for a wing for ya

Cheers BDC and everyone else. The moment I saw we weren't looking at a write-off situation, I was actully quite cheerful. What an honest guy too - originally from Bury, which tells me a lot (shame they are a dying breed). We had a nice chat (me in my dressing gown) and I tried to put him at his ease. Us older blokes can do without getting stressed. We'll find the least painful way for all parties to get the job done.

I phoned Adrian in Bury straight away. He said a new wing from Mazda is actually not that dear (could be as little as £100 he said though I find it hard to believe) and it is easier for the bodywork guy as prepping one that is already painted can be more work. So, I guess I'd better try and phone Mazda (did Ron Miel say the Warrington one v. helpful?). I'll also contact ebygum about his wing (thank you MM + for offer of collection - no-one should be out of pocket on this though as payment should come from the guilty party etc.). The van driver has a local contact for quality bodywork and I'll let him look at the job. Might just see what he'd want for attending to one or two other tailgate dings also - maybe this cloud will have a silver lining

[mikeonb4c]

I phoned Mazda Warington. They sound helpful but maybe 15 days to get one to me in the UK. Can't advise on price / availability until I give them my chassis number. Can anyone advise me where to look for this (I think it isunder the bonnet on a plate somwhere but not sure where? not the VIN plate in the door is it though?)

Thanks chums. What a chore it all is when you are busy

[waycar8]

Mike, bad news ............ theres a bongo being broken on ebay at the moment thats neat green, drop him a pm and ask him for the paint code and price ect

[You've Been Bongod]

mike pop the bonnet open
look on the drivers side on the same level as the drain hole and you will see
sgl5
sgl3
one of these and a number with it

[mikeonb4c]

mike pop the bonnet open
look on the drivers side on the same level as the drain hole and you will see
sgl5
sgl3
one of these and a number with it

Thansk Wayne & YBB good tips both, will follow them up

[mikeonb4c]

mike pop the bonnet open
look on the drivers side on the same level as the drain hole and you will see
sgl5
sgl3
one of these and a number with it

I've looked for the chassis number here (and everywhere!) under the bonnet but just can't seem to find one. I'm about to go out and look again but if anyone can point me to a likely spot I'd be really grateful

The plate on the inside front passenger door pillar has a Vehicle ID number that says SGL3-102500 but Mazda Warrington think this doesn't sounds like the right number of digits (though their specialist isn't in until tomorrow so they can't say for sure - any ideas anyone?).

Thanks as ever.

Mike

[missfixit70]

mine's SGL3101394 definitely the right number of digits, put a couple of noughts in front if he wants more

[mikeonb4c]

mine's SGL3101394 definitely the right number of digits, put a couple of noughts in front if he wants more

Thanks Kirsty. The guys who are going ot fix it have been by, and they agree with you i.e. the door plate, and another sticker on it, both seem to confirm that this is my Vehicle ID. So I think we'll go with that, and thanks again

Main problem now is how to sort a new wing without it taking yonks to get into country etc. Don't like driving a tatty Bongo about and holidays etc. coming up before too long