Sub-frame repair

[citroenxm]

We cant answer it, its down to how you value the car.. I wouldn't have thought it would cost that here in the UK to do at all!

A few of us can do work like this ourselfs, so the cost of work because neglible..

But in reality, both me and Robert have answered the UK question already... We would buy another one! So, you answer is no in the UK...

For me and robert too, it would never cost us that much becuase we do it all ourselfs..

[casalingua]

Well, the value of the car to me is immaterial to the estimate a mechanic will suggest. Whether my car is worth to me x or y pounds doesn´t affect the cost of working on it, does it?

What you can´t say is whether I would think £x or £y is too much.

Suffice it to say, I want to keep the car really badly. I´ve sprayed it a colour I prefer, it´s a rare-ish version and in any case in Denmark (and I´ve looked) these cars don´t exist anymore at any price.

In a nutshell, I interpret your (plural) views as follows: the sub-frame repair job would cost less than £1500 if done by a specialist. And it would cost nearly nothing if one did the work oneself.

What makes it confusing for my mechanic is he can´t understand why someone would spend on the car way more than he thinks it´s worth (nearly nothing). And my mechanic in Essex was similarly confused. He could never tell me a cost before telling me if it was worth it.
Me: How much will that cost?
Him: Oh, it´s not worth it. Way too much for a car worth what yours is...
Me: What is the price anyway.
Him: Oh...four hundred quid.
Me: Okay, do that and I´ll pay you four hundred quid and I´ll pick up the car when it´s ready, thanks.

[robert_e_smart]

Yeah, I know what you mean Richard.

Check out the Dutch. They might be more sympathetic than the Danes and us.

[captainhaddock]

Not too sure there! I sure thought you would be able to find an expert garage in the Netherlands, who would a. have sub frames and b. would be well able to do the job on your car, no matter what they think it is worth. This one for example : www.csjvg.nl/

[xmexclusive]

Are we talking about subframe repair or chassis welding around the subframe fitting points?
There is a very big difference in the work content.
Subframe repair could be a replacement swap or welding off the car.
Those are easy on quality work as any welding is close to bench work.
Should be well prepared and overhand welding.
Chassis repair or subframe welding on the car is virtually all overhand welding.
Poor preparation and poor quality workmanship are typical except for the most disiplined or tenatious of people.
No one likes working under the weld arc with splatter dropping on you.
Maintaining accuracy and concentration in these conditions is very difficult.
Some trades people price to avoid this type of work.
East of Germany there are countries that will give you a good cheap job.
If interested in this option you could PM to Kingas the strut head refurb man to see if he knows of a suitable firm.
Then take a few days holiday over there while the work is done.

John

[Dieselman]

I can't see either subframe or car body welding costing anything like £1500 for a proper restoration shop to do.

I could direct you to a restorer in Essex that could make this like new for a reasonable sum.

What exactly is the issue?

[casalingua]

Thanks for the Dutch link. I have emailed them now. Who did you have in mind in Essex?

[casalingua]

I have sent photos to a Dutch specialist who has estimated a cost of about €1000 or so. That sounds affordable and about one sixth the price guessed at by my Danish mechanic. I spoke to him about it and he admitted he just didn´t want to do the job. Simple as that.

[captainhaddock]

Seems that Danish mechanic is very recession proof! I've only met these Dutch people once but they are passionate about citroens.