Beware of flimsy bodywork

guinchy · June 9

I was horrified yesterday to find a small dent on the small lip of the boot below the glass. The paint isn't broken and there were no scuff marks to give a clue of what caused it. After much brain searching, my wife asked "Do you remember me telling you not to lean on the car?" She was right! Last weekend we had gone on a fell walk and I had put my hand on that spot to balance myself when taking my boots off. I was that tired I forgot myself using the car as a rest, especialy our new beauty. Sure enough it is very easy to make that area move by pressing.

I just wanted to make others aware of how flimsy that area is, as it quite easy to prop yourself in similiar circumstances.

I only hope I can get someone to pop it back out for me.

GMB · June 9

The trend has been to use thinner metal in car bodies for quite a while now, using structural creases to give rigidity and strength, a bit like origami. The thinnest metal that I have come across was on Fiat, Renault and Citroen. Oh, and by the way, it makes them cheaper to make and slightly more economical ( lower weight ). A little story: The Missus tripped over a kerb while on holiday and luckily there was a car parked at the crossing ( typical Italian drivers parking anywhere.) Fortunately she saved herself from a nasty fall by pushing on the car rear wing with her hands. The wing was severely dented in two places where her hands made contact. We quietly moved on without looking back.😉 BTW It was a Renault and No she is not overweight.😅

RadicalCoupe-Fuji · June 9

Im surprised its not made from plastic.

GMB · June 10

12 hours ago, RadicalCoupe-Fuji said:

Im surprised its not made from plastic

Yes, Plastic seems all the rage nowadays. Is that a good thing? Dunno. This was an older car about 20 yrs and I think it was a renault 19 although we did not hang around to check. Plastic bends and does not rust but I wonder about the longevity. How many classics will be around in 40 yrs time with plastic panels? I think Lexus use a bit less plastic than most other manufacturers apart from the lower front and rear "bumper" panels.

Rabbers · June 10

Interesting observations about the trend to thinner but not necessarily weaker body metal. … I recall first noticing this about two decades ago with regard to the bonnet area of the IS200, which I found to have a tendency to give under slight pressure whereas the equivalent sections of a BMW328 I had at the same time stayed rigid. I was a little alarmed by the comparison even though I could feel the IS’s surface springing back to its original form readily enough. My impression has been that the relative flexibility of Lexus’ metal became even more noticeable in later cars like the IS250, IS300h and the RC. I must confess that I have always found the springiness of the RC’s bonnet slightly disturbing while consoling myself with the thought that design and material specifications must have been fully reconciled by the car’s engineers in order to meet official, as well as the house’s own, safety standards.