omgitspeeb

iTrader: (2)

last week while driving home from work on a divided hiway, an 18-wheeler became a 17-tire. One of the back tires blew and the tread shredded off in this big belt of rubber smacking the front of my "OMG MY BRAND NEW F*CKING CAR" R3. Consequently, I drove right over said rubber belt - which equated to about 4 feet of mangled steel belted rubber at 70mph. Just FYI, the car sits pretty low. Low enough in fact to NOT allow that rubber belt to fly neatly underneath without ripping parts and pieces out with it as it exited out the back. The car shook. I hit the brakes and pulled off the side of the road. WTF.

So, long story now short. The underside belly pan was torn to shreds and hanging down. I scanned up inside for leaks or other damage and didn't see anything. Having no tools on me at the time I decided to press on home as-is. Lots of scraping sounds LOL. Got home fine - pulled into the garage and unbolted what was left.

The radiator has this neat little stone guard in front of it thankfully or the car would be out of commission until I got the plastics replaced. Anyone else ever done something similar? Is it ok to leave it off? Helps! LOL... Here's what's left... you can see there's quite a bit missing. Yeah, that whole scraping sound and all :

ZumnRx8

OnlineMazdaParts.com

you can leave it off but i wouldnt suggest it... im in the middle of reinstalling all of my front plastics and welll... that piece is pretty cheap from online mazdaparts.com and there shipping is unheard of.... i ordered a fender from them... they price at about 30%retail from other dealers... at my local dealer a fender runs you $360... I ordered one from them for $250... they are a dealer located on the east coast....

that piece you are looking for is about $150 or less.... ill check for you

ZumnRx8

$111 from Onlinemazdaparts.com #9

ZumnRx8

JantzenRX-8

iTrader: (9)

Yeah, you'll want to replace that. Sorry though, that sucks.

omgitspeeb

iTrader: (2)

You'da! Thanks for doing that - I hadn't even looked online yet for it. I wonder if I show that page to my local stealership if they'll man-up and price match it. I'll ask and let ya know. Thanks again!

ZumnRx8

^No Prob. I'd hate to see an R3 without one.

omgitspeeb

iTrader: (2)

Well... I was able to get it at my local stealership for $99.99! My salesman lives 3 doors up the street from me so he pretty much hooked me up for their cost plus 6%. It'll be in Friday then I can remount that b*tch back up in there.

Thanks again for finding the info on it - much appreciated!

omgitspeeb

iTrader: (2)

ok what a pain in the **** installing that panel was. OMG. But, it WAS 97 degrees and humid outside so what did I expect? End result = the R3 is back to new again. Thanks everyone for the input!

Razz1

You should have reported it to your insurance company just in case something happens later.

Oil line got cut, you didn't notice it or the little leak and then the low oil pressure and lack of oil kills your engine. ETC....