Golf VS Bus...Bus wins

[LSDJ]

:mad: I bought a 2000 W plate 2.0 GTi on Saturday and have been over the moon since I got it. Was looking at Passats but this Golf was too clean and low mileage to refuse.
Everything was peachy til this morning when I got in the car and noticed that a bus had smashed the O/S wing mirror clean off! I'm left with a bit of jagged metal strut (that presumably bolts onto the door frame).
Has anyone had to replace the whole wing mirror unit before and has anyone an idea of how much this is gonna set me back?!
I intend for the bus company to pay for this (and will go to the local press if they deny liability) but I'm trying to get an idea of the damage just in case.
I'm insured with a protected NCB but I'm not sure if the insurance company will still me for this...
Any help gratefully received!

I'll be back on again soon as I need to sort a few things out on the car (and kid proof the back seats!)

[chazel]

thats sum sad news mate - had a couple of friends of mine go thorugh the same thing on my street ( a bus route barely wider than a lane yet they slam speedbumps and bollards all over it) which is why i built a driveway - price wise check a few places , vwspares.. and take them a bill for the largest , even get a quote for a respray on it ( primer isnt the best look) my mates used the oppertunity to go for dtms and the likes, i love my electrics to much for that though!

[Lukeveedub]

The wind mirror and base bracket will set you back £40 from ebay, don't touch VW garages with a barge pole for something small. They made me pay £40 for the heated glass when it's £5 for the same thing on eBay.

Just get a Golf Haynes manual and it should be a reasonably easy job following the steps.

[dubcruiser]

The costly bit will be the painting of the housing, but you can pick the mirror units up from breakers yards or salvage dealers...

[Lukeveedub]

I imagine the professional car sprayers laugh themselves to sleep, prices always seem extortionate.

I have no idea what they put in the paint that puts the price up to what it is as well, body work is the one part of the car that is the most infuriating to fix. Takes a moment to scratch it and an eternity to fix.