thats right, original alloys, 58 plate titanium, i did read on here that they are soft
the garage i've used, the owner phoned up and when he was saying all that was wrong with it, he was quite surprised about the shape of this tie rod (i don't know what it is)
it was a fair hole, i see that it's now been filled in by the council.
The tied rod is what pushes or pulls on the wheel hub to turn the wheel when you steer. I would definetly pursue it with the council. Write down when you hit it, see if you can get some pics of the damage (while it is on the garage ramp would be great), and go take a pic of the pothole, even if it has been filled in. (it is still proof there was one).
If you can't get a pic of it on the ramp, without damaging the car anymore if you can, stop the car with the steering on full lock in the direction of the damaged side, that should give you a good view into the arch and the tie rod.
