If they pay you out, ask how much it'll cost to buy it off them and fix it yourself. Win, win situation.
What engine you got in there? 2JZ-GTE?
2GR-FSE,
Its a downtuned version of the Toyota Crown engine , don't know exact figures but its a 260ish BHP 3.5 V6 with 130-ish BHP of Hybrid Assist. Has both direct and indirect injection, which is quite odd. One of the smoothest, quietest engines I have ever had the pleasure of though, and it certainly shifts.
If they do write it off, thats the plan - I know quite a few car bodywork types - who frankly are the only people I would trust to do it right.
To be honest - assuming there's nothing catastrophic underneath, I imagine they would repair that panel and repair/replace the bumper.
Do post back when you know! Always interesting to see what bodyshops can do.
Will do, I am curious myself.
The panel itself really isn't the problem even if it needs to be cut out / welded back in it'll still "only" come to £2-3k (assuming it's not repaired by Lexus)
Really does depend on whether it was hit low enough to damage either the boot floor or any of the corners / structure at the back (which it doesn't look like). It isn't likely to be pulled out as you can see the accordion effect at the panel join - that would never look right imo
This is my biggest fear really, If they did a very good repair I would be happy - but if its going to be 5kg of Filler and mismatched paint then I would rather it gets written off than go through the hassle of fighting a poor job.
Probably worth raising with the assessor, the last thing you want is to claim for the cosmetic damage then find out later down the line that the traction battery or cooling system is damaged. Having Lexus do their hybrid health check seems like a reasonable precaution, even if your insurance don't play ball (it's normally about £60).
I think, just for piece of mind - I will do this as soon as I hear back from my insurance (hopefully today).
Hello fellow Lexus owner,
Sorry to hear of your woes. I hope they don't write it off since there are precious few of these cars around in the first place, especially GS450h's.
I can't imagine the hybrid battery will have a problem since it is further forward than where the impact occurred. Also, if it was damaged then I would have thought the Check VSC warning would have appeared.
Especially few with Radar Cruise that don't have horrid beige interiors!
My main concern is that although its a long way behind the Traction Battery, a lot of the control wiring runs along above that wheel. The last thing I want is to get it repaired now, and then have a later failure with the wiring, inverter or even inside the battery due to the impact.
Thanks for the comments all, seem to reflect my current thinking - I suppose its just wait and see now - and hope that with Christmas coming up its all sorted before everyone bogs off for their holidays!
