My XM's been smashed into - help!

[cxprestigeauto]

You really need to take the bumper off to check for damage to the panel behind the rear bumper crush pads. As has already been said be prepared for a wrestle with the two 13mm side bolts that go through the bodywork mounts (visible once you have pulled out the wheel arch liners) and into the threaded mounts at the ends of the bumper. Apply lots of WD40 (or releasing agent of your choice!) and have a good cup of tea. Then approach with 3/8 ratchet or good quality ratchet spanner!

Good luck.

[jamescarruthers]

Hi Sam. Sorry to hear about your bump. Richard is Ely is close-ish to us. He still has his XM V6 which he is breaking. You may be able to get some parts from it if you need them, like those brackets if you are lucky and the rear lens.

[kingp]

It would be a write off just for the fact the bumper is NFP...

Have you checked on askmid that the van was insured and for that driver as always better to be armed with the right info before going down any other lines and make sure the details he gave you are right as well. It's not uncommon for false details to be handed over when the vehicle that caused it isn't legit...

[MTXM]

Richard is Ely is close-ish to us. He still has his XM V6 which he is breaking. You may be able to get some parts from it if you need them, like those brackets if you are lucky and the rear lens

I took away both the bumper and lights from Richard's car James and although the bumper in this case seems repairable I do have spare lights if needed. With regards, Matthew T.

[Eddie nuff]

Brackets and fixings must be okay or they would have popped. Rub the bumper down, bit of filler, spray, cut and polish and a new light. Charge him a couple of hundred quid for your troubles. Job done in an afternoon.

[russ92xmsed]

I have totally missed this post. Very sorry to see you have experienced this Sam, but at least the lesser vehicle came of worse!

It does look cosmetic. Be thankful it didn't have a towbar on it. Mine did and the damage was nasty. It shunted all the energy forward and I couldn't open the rear doors as Matthew found out... he managed to get them open.
Floor damage will be very obvious, there are weak points where it is designed to crumple.
One thing to check, there are spot welded seems in the corners of the boot floor. Approx under the corner light clusters. Just make sure they haven't split open.

Hope you can get it fixed up quickly.