Stolen surf: advice please!

[KRISTALMAZIE]

Hi again. Surf's been assessed and the garage is saying it's been driven to within an inch of it's life and needs £6k worth of repairs - which obviously makes it a write off but insurance co are offering me a deal to buy back which would give me £500 cash towards repairs.

There seems to be no major problems underneath and I can live with the bodywork damage however they are saying that there is gearbox damage that the wheels are locking when driving in 4WD (which has caused heat damage to tyres) and are suggesting I will (at least) need a new transfer box (which are no longer available new?)

Any one have any idea how much this might cost me. I am wondering if I should keep it given how harshly it has been treated, I know these are tough trucks but have the garage says its been abused - or just write it off and use the money towards another one.... anyone like to offer some advice please?

[biosurf]

What are they offering you exactly?

[POPEYE]

Hi i'm sorry to hear this, sounds like the bstds gave it a hard time and used it in 4wd on tarmac. i'm not sure what long term damage has been done but is it driveing ok? going through the gears and 4wd engageing alright, if it is then i cant see what the "long term" damage is!! i assume it's a 2nd gen btw? if all is opperating as it should i would be inclined to change the diff, trans box etc oils and fit some manual hubs on the front, this will take the pressure off the front diff and box, i locked up my front end by mistake and got it freed up by jacking all four wheels off the deck and starting it up and engageing.disengaugeing the 4wd button, eventually there was a bang and it disengaged, been ok since, i'm sure the more knowalageable will be along shortly, hope ya get sorted ok

[KRISTALMAZIE]

What are they offering you exactly?

It's a 92 in great condition apart from the recent damage. They know I am keen to keep it so are offering £700 towards repairs (less my £200 excess), so that's a £500 cash settlement if I take it back. We haven't talked a write off figure yet

They are also settling the bill for the hire car, £150 police recovery and £100 for my sunglasses

[Sancho]

What kind of garage was it? If they don't know it has no centre diff and have put it in to 4wd on tarmac, the wheels will lock.

[KRISTALMAZIE]

What kind of garage was it? If they don't know it has no centre diff and have put it in to 4wd on tarmac, the wheels will lock.

Insurance company arranged it - it's a body repair workshop specialising in luxury sports cars like Aston Martins, Range Rovers and the like, I wouldn't have thought they've had too many 92 surfs thru the door. Sounds likely this is what they could have done. I drove it to them (about 15 miles) and it drove like it normally does on the road, didn't notice any problems, but I obviously didn't try 4WD. Infact I've only had it 3 weeks and had not had chance to try 4WD at all

[Sancho]

Insurance company arranged it - it's a body repair workshop specialising in luxury sports cars like Aston Martins, Range Rovers and the like, I wouldn't have thought they've had too many 92 surfs thru the door. Sounds likely this is what they could have done. I drove it to them (about 15 miles) and it drove like it normally does on the road, didn't notice any problems, but I obviously didn't try 4WD. Infact I've only had it 3 weeks and had not had chance to try 4WD at all

So what's the deal they're offering you? £500 and the truck back?

[KRISTALMAZIE]

So what's the deal they're offering you? £500 and the truck back?

YEP

[Sancho]

I'd take it, spend £500 on beer and get this lot round on a sunny weekend to tinker with it....

Seriously, I'd consider taking it unless they offer you a tasty figure to write it off (significantly over a grand). If it really is shafted, one of the breakers on here will but if off you for a few hundred and you'll have enough money to buy another one. I suspect it's not as broken as they think it is though.

[BUSHWHACKER]

Get it back.
I suspect the insurance/garage are not familiar with the Surfs drivetrain and are quoting mega amounts so you'll just scrap it.
500 quid is more than enough for a transfer 'box and or transmission if thats whats needed.

[greecysurf]

Hi, is it 2.4 or 3lt, manual or Auto, if 2.4 manual i have agearbox transfer case plus whatever else you need, cheap. If you are going to buy it back from the insurance company never accept the first offer, they will come up with a better 2nd offer, if they scrap it the have to pay recycling etc, costs more than they are offering you. Hope this helps,

[KRISTALMAZIE]

I'd take it, spend £500 on beer and get this lot round on a sunny weekend to tinker with it....

Seriously, I'd consider taking it unless they offer you a tasty figure to write it off (significantly over a grand). If it really is shafted, one of the breakers on here will but if off you for a few hundred and you'll have enough money to buy another one. I suspect it's not as broken as they think it is though.

You guys are great. I was thinking that it must be really hard to break one good and proper but you've confirmed that so I am going to get it back. I think I will use the garage report try and get another £100 from insurance co - if you don't ask you don't get! I only paid £700 for it so I can't lose really can I. It only has 1 UK owner who was a disabled driver and I have full service history since import, every MOT, receipt for every job done and it has been really well serviced and looked after so it's too good to scrap

[Sancho]

You guys are great.

We know

[Predictable Bob]

I love it - if you push a little bit you should be able to beat the insurance company !

[darkdezigns]

just dont take the first offer,explain to them u feel its worth more than that,u can be 99% sure u will get more out of them