[Sprydle]

Yesterday my Cooper S was hit by a 6 foot snake of 18 wheeler retread at 60 MPH on the freeway. The car in front hit it, and I couldn't get out of the way as there was traffic on both sides of me. It smashed the front in, and caused the radiator and condensor to dump fluid everywhere......
Not sure what damage there is under the car.


Tow truck finally came after 2 hours and took it away. Looks like I'll be in a rental car for a week or so.

[Sprydle]

Here's a piccie from my 'phone. The damage looks worse in the flesh...

[Jordan210]

Aww Sprydle sorry about your car mate. Hope it gets better soon

[AprilWhine]

That rubber roadkill can be lethal. Sorry Spry, horrible way to end a vacation.

[mGP]

Snakes on the freeway! Had to double read your post for a minute there!!

They may only be rubber snakes, but judging by the pics they can be lethal!
Hope you get it sorted, without having to fork out too many dollars
At that speed I'm only glad it didn't flick up and hit your windsheild.

[MINIAC]

Sorry to hear about your mishap

[LMB]

I am gutted for ya for Spry.

I am glad you're ok though.

[Mister]

That's awful, Spry!!! Good thing YOU weren't hurt, though. I knew a fellow M2er who had owned her 2005 Cooper for less than 8 hours when the very same thing happened to her. Scary stuff.

[Sprydle]

Thanks all!

My insurance will pick up the tab - I have to pay a $50 deductible, and they will pay for a rental car for a month. It should only take a week or so. It would have been $250 if I'd hit a stationary object, but the retread was moving I tells ya! The car in front flicked it up. It could have been a lot worse, those things are heavy, and as I said, I was traveling at about 60 MPH......

[AprilWhine]

If you were only doing 60mph in TX, they'll probably write you a ticket for impeding traffic.

[Bhozar]

I think retreads are illegal in the UK. Makes sense when one can do so much damage. At least it didnt hit your windscreen and you. Bonus that the insurance company are paying for everything except that small excess.

[mjmedlen]

Glad to hear you were not injured. I knew someone who was decapitated by a errant tire!

[Smurfn]

Sorry to read this, these things on the road are ridiculous and shouldn't be allowed.

Glad that you weren't hurt though, and that the insurance is covering everything

[Ferroequine]

That sucks mate! Even worse than rocks from gravel trucks. I sometimes wish the trucking industry were better regulated, like they are in Europe.

But at least it can be fixed, it could have been a lot worse and you're not out of pocket too much, just some inconvenience.

[ScottyB]

Damn! Sorry to hear

See these on the road here quite often and always feared hitting one of them

Hope its all sorted for you soon matey

[vickietots]

Sorry to hear this!! Hope it gets sorted soon.

[:: Jon ::]

thats bad news matey.. hope its back on the road soon

[Carlos.]

Bad news Spry It could have been much worse though - at the end of the day its only a bit of tin, and can be mended - the good thing is that it didnt end up causing YOU any hurt.

[simeds]

glad your'e ok,
people should keep their six foot snakes under control,. I know what trouble mine causes when its let loose and its only 6 inches

[SamHarrison]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bhozar (original)

I think retreads are illegal in the UK. Makes sense when one can do so much damage. At least it didnt hit your windscreen and you. Bonus that the insurance company are paying for everything except that small excess.

Not sure that statement is correct.. i'm always seeing re-moulds on the road side.. just this summer i had to swerve at 60-70mph to avoid one...shame the car behind never had the handling....