Just five weeks and 2000miles since taking delivery I was rear ended... actually more like rammed from behind, thankfully he wasn't going very fast. I was stopped at an intersection and the guy behind me stoppped and then started going. The damage is limited to a big scuff in the center of the bumper and two deep gouges where the license plate dug in. The bumper cover isn't dented and seems to be aligned properly. But am I pissed!!!! I got the guys name, address, and phone (which are legit) but he didn't give his insurace number. I was trying very hard to stay calm and keep myself from decking him (which I did a very good job of) that I didn't get the name of his insurance company (which could be a problem if he starts giving me trouble with paying up).<p>So does anybody have any recommendations for a top notch body shop in the Northern VA/DC are that has experience with Audis? Does anybody have experience with the shop at HBL in Tysons?<p>whatta Friday?<p>Kosta

I hope you at least got his license plate number. He HAS to give you his insurance info.

Just curious. I hit a guy once. It looked like he was making a right on red so I looked at traffic and it was wide open so I started moving. He had stopped and I hit him. No damage to his car and minor damage to mine so it wasn't a big deal. I'm more careful now. ;)<p>I feel for you. I try to keep my A4 prestine and would also be upset if someone hit it.<p>Good luck,<br>Mark (98.5 2.8 QMS)

If you don't get any specific recommendations (I'm not from your area, so I can't help you), call your Audi dealer and ask where they send A8's to be fixed. It takes a great deal of knowledge and skill to fix those aluminum bodies. In my case that would mean trucking the car to a different city, but I'd do it if I didn't already know a very good shop in my home town. Good luck, Partner.

I guess it happens more often then not. <p>Cris

Bumper covers aren't a dificult fix. Most any competent shop should be able to do a good job. The hardest part should be matching the paint. Some colors are harder to match than others. And then there is the fact that the bumper needs a flex agent additive that can shift the hue slightly. If your car is older and faded (from parking in the sun), it could be harder to match. If it were my car, I'd insist that the bumper is removed from the car. I don't want any blending to my sheetmetal or overspray or any other accidents.

<br>nt.

one of the few Audi factory trained & approved independent shops for work on the A8 aluminum spaceframe, among other things. Top quality work, not the lowest price but you get what you pay for. Mike Anderson is the owner. You can tell him Jon Cole referred you (I have no financial interest, etc., but they've done some nice things for me so I never hesitate to refer business).<p>Last time I needed work done (on my MB C280) the adjuster said he thought they were one of the top 3-4 shops in the entire DC/Balt. metro area.

DO NOT (REPEAT DO NOT) Let HBL send your treasured A-4 to their body shop. Their shop is auto body for the blind! My first A-4 was purchased with a door ding and HBL took care of it (their shop), well they ended up spraying the whole side of the car it was a mess. HBL did the right thing and took the car back, and reordered a '98. So I had MB C-280 for three months while my new baby was made.

Just got an estimate at HBL (where I bought the car). NT Autobody in Alexandria does the work. Any DC area people know of them, Ive never heard of them (they're listed in the YP but don't have an ad)? The estimator quoted $327 for refinishing the bumper cover and $650 for replacing it with a new one. Since the car is so new... Im inclined to make it as new as possible, even though I was assured that a refinishing job would be "just like new". But heck, Im not paying for it.<p>Yes it was at a stop sign controlled intersection (should have a light there have been several fatal accidents there in the past year) where I was stopped to make a right.<br>Traffic was pretty heavy. I inched up to get a better view, came to a stop then BAMM. Yes it is an understandable mistake... but there really is no excuse (no offence if you have done this, we all make mistakes). Even if I had pulled ahead to make a turn, the car behind still needs to stop before pulling into traffic.<p>He was a younger guy... probably a little younger than me (24). I got his Name, phone, address, license. He left a message on my voicemail at work to make sure I had the right phone number, so he probably isn't trying to dick me over.<p>calmed down and dealing with another one of life's annoyances...<p>kosta<p>PS. Based on my experience with another product called NT... Im kinda wary about a body shop with the same name ; ).

I'm on my third time of getting hit in the read, they just don't see those rear tail lights

ouch

Was there more than one bloody savage? He stopped and started going again? The important thing is that you weren't hurt. (I'm just giving you a hard time. You shouldn't take this the wrong way.) I'm just glad you got his name and number. If he gave you his name and number and address, but incorrect insurance information, he's probably hoping that eventually he can just blow you off.

Don't kid yourself. Just by "ramming you in the rear" it would appear he's already "dicked you over." I bet he will try to stick it to you by leaving you hanging. You should set him straight before the whole thing gets really sloppy.

Have him give you his insurance info. You don't need to submit it as long as he pays for it, tell him so. If he refuses, tell him that you are extremely uncomfortable with this and that you do not want to be difficult but maybe you should file a accident report with the police just to cover you incase you need to make a claim on your uninsured/underinsured motorists rider in case he walks. Otherwise, demand cash or a cashier's check up front before you commit to getting the car fixed. He can take an advance on his VISA for all you care, it was not your fault and you are not a bank.<p>Kirk

He was a pretty young guy and seems to be genuinely rmorseful. I have his insurance policy # and everything. I gave him until Monday to pay me before I report it to his insurance. The car is registered to his father,<p>The only thing that I realize I should have done was to get the name and number of a witness.<p>Also if this happens to you, just don't get their info by word of mouth. They have to show you license and registration.<p>Kosta

Did nobody catch the homoerotic undertones of my prior posts? I'm not gay, mind you, butt I couldn't ignore the young guy ramming you in the rear story. It just posed too great an opportunity for tongue in cheek humour (no, not that kind of cheek! Get your mind out of the gutter!).

Onyx should be black...<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM<br>