The bill says it all really. No need for a new bumper and/or front splitters? The damage to these, if any, must have been totally insignificant (as must have been the collision) for them not to replace them at the same time. Why the need for new sensors (unless they are “one shot” sensors?
Yes indeed, the bill does say it all - an absolute disgrace !
Odd though how one customer got his car repaired for £1600, whilst this last bill shown by another member was for over 4,000 Euros !
Well, I won’t be buying an MX-5 with an active bonnet !
The front bumper can take a significant impact without requiring replacement - Mine mainly required heat repair when I was reversed into.
Assuming these were insurance claims, and above excess, then the cost difference is probably not relevant to anyone apart from the insurance company?
As the cars get older it might be worth investigating agreed value insurance. I believe insurance companies write of vehicles if the repair price is more than 50% of the value. An agreed value of at least double the repair price should do it.
Generally, its if the repair bill is 60%, but its not hard and fast.
Agreed value thought was only classic cars, so ND owners will have to wait until at least 2030. And we could be in a whole new (automotive) country by then.
One advantage (amongst many) of EV; no engine under the bonnet, so no need for reactive bonnets.
New bumper was not needed since there was 0 damage on the bumper on impact. This bill is just a result of the active bonnet activation. The front splitter took a bit of damage, but I didn’t decide to replace it. I actually took it off and put it in my basement. It creates a bit more space between the bumper and the road. If I ever sell the car, the next owner can decide to put it back on or not.
PS, the car is a curse on me: when driving on a B-road, a truck came past me and with the wind some stones came with it. It resulted in a small crack on my window. I went to Carglass, but they couldn’t fix it since the glass is so thin. They need to replace it and the bill will be 1.200 GBP (lol!). Of course, the bill will be paid by insurance, but I decide to keep driving with the crack for now since it’s smaller than my pinky. Bless you NA/NB drivers. Modern cars can be a pain in the ■■■
I’m about to take delivery of a pre-registered ND2 1.5 Sport + and having browsed some of this thread I’m feeling a little deflated. On reflection, you highlight a feature which is becoming prevalent in all new cars. Has Mazda produced the best solution, probably not, surely there is a less destructive way to do this? As they say, we are where we are, the system is not supposed to activate under 12.5 mph so minor bumps and scrapes while parking should not activate the bonnet (if it does it is clearly faulty and the responsibility of Mazda) Striking a pheasant on a country road has become more expensive as a result.
Looking into the future all of the current crops of cars will be exposed to the problem of ageing safety features and may throw up repeats of the recent airbag recalls. Cars are getting more complicated.
Having said this I really like the ND, I’m looking forward to keeping it for some time.
Bluntly, and not specifically directed at you Grandpa it’s what your insurance policy is for. If the insurers average price of repairs for the MX-5 goes up as a result of this then premiums will be affected. I don’t see it being such a common problem from reported incidents, a bit like the actual incidences of original ND gearbox failures so far. Pick a reputable insurer, whatever that is… and trust in them to take care of it if it does happen. It’s part of the price we all pay in order to enjoy a great looking excellent handling sports car. Otherwise buy a Dacia
i also had an issue with the ND active bonnet. I Hit a very small dog at around 25 mph max.
the dog ran away and there was absolutely no damage to the car except that caused by the deployment of the bonnet safety system.
The cost of the repair by the approved Mazda dealer was £3800 + vat. Yes £4500 total.
I’m a retired claims handler (not cars) and know that regardless of how good your insurer is you will be exposed to costs that are not recoverable under the insurance policy. Not to mention the deductible. My view is this is a risk that is acceptable even though the costs are regrettably increasing as a result of the new technology.
luckily the insurance company (AA) paid out with no problems, but obviously renewal was more expensive.
So you never found the dog owner and claimed from them then.
Reclaiming costs from the dog’s owner isn’t as simple as it sounds. Unless they have insurance on the animal, your legal costs in trying to recover several thousand pounds from them (which they likely don’t have) will potentially cancel out the value of the claim. I was fortunate that the owner of the dog that I hit did the decent thing and paid my insurance excess and a sum for future loss of NCB, but the cost of repairs was met by my insurer. The claim was handled very well and without argument, but will have a knock-on effect on my future premiums no doubt.
No. I reported incident to police, contacted all local vets and despite someone on facebook reporting the 2 dogs running loose at 6am i was unable to find out who the owner was. But as as been said whether this would helped i don’t know.
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I know the consensus seems to be just drive and enjoy the ND. I’ve had my NC for 13 months and love it to bits and really would love an ND Recaro but it depends where you live, mine is a sun out fun 2nd car and drive it how it’s supposed to be driven, unless the wifes with me trying to slow me down !. I live in a great driving area in the Cotswolds littered with pheasants and other wildlife that have never learnt the Green Cross Code, some lanes you literally have to weave in and out of them at certain times of the year. I think i would still like the ND regardless but it’s the thought what can happen and timescale to get repairs done is suppressing the urge.
Hey Guys. It is not just the ND that has this problem! The Jaguar F Type also has a similar problem (but the Jaguar appears cheaper to repair!). Take a look at the following link. Very interesting and some good legal advice.
https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/i-cant-use-my-pound68000-sports-car/n19539
Now I’m even more confused. If something under the wheels can set it off, where are the sensors and what are they detecting? Movement of the bonnet? Is faulty-by-design outside the ombudman’s remit or are they in agreement that speed bumps triggering bonnet release is a valid part of pedestrian safety?
Even if you were to accept that mounting speed bumps at below 10mph is acceptable, what about similar obstacles you can’t predict?
I doubt if it is exactly the same system but it has the same purpose. It seems to be able to function without destroying the bonnet on the Jaguar though. Perhaps this is because the bonnet is hinged from the front. Somebody else may be able to confirm this. It does appear that the impact speed is recorded in these events, so if the system goes off below 12 mph (or whatever Mazda say is the initiating speed) then people may have a case if it goes off when just tapping a kerb etc.
What if you tap a kerb at above 12mph, are the manufacturers saying that’s justification for blowing the bonnet? The schools near me have speed bumps designed to be driven over at 20mph, so should the bonnet blow in that case or not? And how does either circumstance relate to pedestrian safety?
Mazda and Jaguar appear to be describing what happens, but not how or why.