Mudman Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 (edited) Took the car over to France last week for a final big run before the enforced winter season. Was a work trip and had one the guys from Singapore with me, Ferry over and Eurotunnel back - quick hop Booked the car with Brittany Ferries Portsmouth to Le Havre. Those that have seen my car will now she's a little low but not super low mainly from the skirts. Did the normal notification, Notes in the booking car is lowered etc, told the receptionist on check in , Then told the land side lane marshal , who advised me to take the ramp at an angle and basically didn't seem that interested . I put that down to the hundreds of lowered cars that must make the annual trip to Le Mans. All seemed OK so just followed the car in front. Went over the rear ramps nice and steady no problems, then the fun started- the ramp marshal directed me up the steeper ramp to the car deck - I did again point out car is low but the French crew waved me on, Again no problems going up the ramp but at the at the top... CRUNCH !!!!!. Skirts grounded badly - so bad couldn't drive forward. Top deck marshal appears from nowhere screaming down his radio. Loading stops the 9 or so cars behind all have to reverse down - that was more fun and I nurse the Zed down to the lorry deck with some other cars ( where it should have been in the first place.) Front lip is untouched but drivers side skirts has take a whack - you can't see it from the side but badly damaged from underneath. Once on board went to reception and they advised I needed to speak to the loading officer who by now was aware there had been a problem. However its was 11pm and I was exhausted having flown in from Germany to pick up the car then drive to Portsmouth. I did bang off a mail to customer services voicing my displeasure. Following morning after the rest of the cars had discharged, the deck officer came over and was very apologetic and admitted the car should not have been directed to the top deck. He did a damage report and I have received a mail from Brittany Ferries to get the car inspected and obtain an estimate. I am tempted to go Main Dealer as one but will use my normal guy as well, mainly as he knows the car so well. So at this stage I don't see the point in involving the Insurance company and fingers crossed its going to be a bit of filler and partial respray. I did drive the car back to Calais - no issues with exhaust etc. The weather was dreadful so had to take it very carefully. I haven't reviewed the dash cam footage of the ferry load yet - might be too painful to watch ! More to follow...... Edited November 25, 2015 by Mudman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veilside z Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 God how annoying. The left arm doesn't know what the right arms doing. Lets hope the idiots learn from this and hope the car soon is as back as it was. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richf Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 A friend of a friend had similar happen on his xj220 it damaged the front spoiler , repair cost was over £10k ! Id get the usual three quotes and send them in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopedmark Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 My own solution Sting them mate there idiots 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 What a PITA. Sorry to hear that Mudman and hope you get it all sorted asap without too much hassle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tea and wax Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 My own solution Sting them mate there idiots If that's your boot install , then that is a very tidy looking install. Like that 👠Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopedmark Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 My own solution Sting them mate there idiots If that's your boot install , then that is a very tidy looking install. Like that í ½í± Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopedmark Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 My own solution Sting them mate there idiots If that's your boot install , then that is a very tidy looking install. Like that í ½í± Yes it is mate Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy.farrow7 Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Thats rubbish news Rob hope you get it all sorted mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudman Posted December 9, 2015 Author Share Posted December 9, 2015 UPDATE Got the car checked over yesterday and no damage underneath. There was a bit of a dent on a support plate towards the rear but not convinced the ramp did that - the drivers side skirt is a bit of a mess though and cracking on the wheel arch So just the body shop and the estimate was £362. Passed that to Brittany Ferries and have just got the OK to go ahead so all good Think I might get a skid plate fabricated for the low points before the skirt gets refitted ! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeybrain1234 Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 Sounds like it all should work out hopefully for you. My experience was the same at Le Mans (Portsmouth to Caen), told everyone I could its low, but still ended up on top deck. But for me there was no grounding, and they were actually very helpful, the captain of the boat was on his hands and knees guiding me in at an angle making sure the front was okay. Was quite impressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 Tunnel is much better for this, they tried to make me go upwards the other day and I just shook my head at them, low level it is then sir 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veilside z Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 So glad they paid out without fuss. Hope the repairs go all good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnymonno Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Nice to see a positive result with minimum hassle, just a pity it had to happen in the first place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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