Two questions, the first being that when idling the engine has a regular engine judder, its really a minor thing but very regular where the idle revs drop a little  then immediately catch up. It's not a misfire just a imbalance of smooth revs , i dipped the clutch and still the same and you cannot detect anything when the car is moving....any ideas ,  I can do a little video if needs be but wonder if your VRS does the same thing?

 

The idiot driver is a reference to the fact that while parked today some idiot decided to back into the offside wing and in doing so pushed the car about a foot to the side so you can imagine the level of impact. The car now has a more dented wing then before and the driver wants to not bother with the insurance companies....my question is what damage do you think would be done to the panel behind the wing and if this is damaged can it get replaced?

 

I had another idiot run into the back of me a year ago and the body shop did not repair the panel  behind the bumper but tbh i'm getting tired of people smashing my shi* up and then wanting a cheap repair job done!

 

I'm also thinking about the possibility of wheel alignment and possible gearbox damage if the wheel took the force of the impact , the car did seem to pull to the left a bit on the short drive home but I have not been out since so your advice would be useful.

 

I rarely use the VRS these days and as only thinking how good she looks with most of the little jobs sorted but now another idiot has changed all that!

@cello

1. Sounds like an issue with the idle speed controller from your description.
2. I'd want to know more. To start with, is the "panel behind the (outer) wing the inner wing or the crash bar, the bonnet slam panel or what? A damaged crash bar raises the spectre of bent chassis rails and/or engine subframe.

I would report the accident to your insurance company if I were you, do it as "information only" at this stage, that way you're covered if the other guy fails to pay.

 

Remember you're doing him a favour by not going through insurance so think of a cash sum that compensates you adequately for the damage and ask for that amount in full and final settlement of the matter.

13 hours ago, cello said:

The idiot driver is a reference to the fact that while parked today some idiot decided to back into the offside wing and in doing so pushed the car about a foot to the side so you can imagine the level of impact. The car now has a more dented wing then before and the driver wants to not bother with the insurance companies....my question is what damage do you think would be done to the panel behind the wing and if this is damaged can it get replaced?

People have a habit of changing their minds, so unless you have a legally binding statement in writing from him accepting responsibility for all damage caused by him to your car, he may fob you off for repair costs, then later deny all responsibility.

Alternatively, get a full estimate of repair costs and present that to him as @sepulchrave suggests, but then you run the risk of getting into a "How much?! You're trying it on, Mate! You're not going to make a mug of me. You can do one!" etc.

He's welcome not to use his insurers, but not going through your insurers initially (who would then pursue a claim against him) opens you up to risk.

If nothing else, if there's a problem with the repair and it takes longer than expected, who pays for a replacement car for you to use while yours is being repaired?

@cello up to you what you do, following is for your info only from my understanding but I'm not an expert in anything.  Note there is Insurance & Legal Issues section on here you could look at.

 

You are obligated to report the incident to your insurers and even if you do not make a claim it might have some effect on your premium, it is in itself a proof of risk.  He too should inform his insurers, even if he doesn't make a claim (if he has valid insurance that is).

 

Like all of us I've had experiences of car accidents and bumps and dealt with them in various ways, one thing I can guarantee you is that away from the bump or accident some people flat out lie for various reasons, not all but some, to get out of it entirely, for many reasons.

 

What path is best for you and what's worth perusing and how far is up to you, sometimes you can get the matter sorted and paid for without going through an insurance claim, sometimes it's not as easy as bits of paper being signed even if you can get that far. 

 

Putting anything on a public forum makes it, well, public so be aware of that.

 

Best of luck to you.