[eleven11]

Hey gang, long time no post. Several months ago (October 07?) I immediately posted when someone backed into my parked car. At the time, I immediately got estimates, etc., but since, it hasn't bothered me so much, so I've put it off. For what it's worth, leased E90 335 in Jet Black.

The damage: rear driver-side 'creases' - one vertical, one horizontal, each about 5 inches. The surface paint isn't cracked, per se', but partially rough I suppose. Not glaringly obvious if you're not looking for it. If it'd help anyone, I'll post some pics. So, my dilemma is as follows:

Both of the estimates I got (one from the shop used by the local dealer) used non-OEM paint, and planned on using what sound like a high-tech version of Bondo. Both of these aspects of the repair don't exactly sit right with me. Am I being paranoid, or should I seek repair elsewhere? I have a week of vacation soon, and wouldn't mind getting this taken care of. Thanks, as always!

[L~R~G nor cal]

With creases sometimes it just needs a good sand and re-paint. But if it is cracked you have to use some type of filler AKA bondo.

I would go to your BMW deailership and ask what body shop they use. Then see what the shop BMW recomends, and compare the two.

Once you do this, tell me what they both say, and the price differences between them; I will be able to point you in the right direction.

[eleven11]

Thanks. Like I had said, one of the two body shops I had gotten an estimate from was the one the dealership uses (not in house). Again, they mentioned using non-OEM paint, and the bondo-type repair. They felt my front door needed repair also - the second estimate place thought that was nonsense, as do I. Needless to say, the BMW recommended place and their 2 door repair estimate is nearly double the cost.

[L~R~G nor cal]

Well the OEM paint thing is really nothing. You wont be able to find a place that uses OEM paint. The way they ensure that the paint is the same is by having a special mixing machine. They just type in the code to your paint and it adds the perfect amount of each color to create a matched color. Just as long as their machine is quite new and up to date it will not be a problem.

If you search FMINUS's M5 accident, you will see the machine I am talking about in some of his pic's.

I would just go with the cheaper route as long as the place is well known and has a good rep. Also make sure that they can ensure they will create a perfect match for your color and ask them how so you can get a better understanding of the process and grasp some confidence.

If you have any more questions, let me know.

[celticsfan]

I'm getting my left quarter panel repaired next week. They said that the would have to pound out the dent, bondo it, and repaint it. I also have 2 very small scratches(5-6mm long)and it's into the paint (into metal) on both the left front and rear door as well. They said that they would have to take out the doors/windows and repaint both doors and apply a clear coat afterwards. I'm just worried that after they repaint the doors and quarter panel that there will be a different gloss compared to the origional gloss/clear coat on the car. Do you know if the body shop can replicate the origional "wavy" gloss/clearcoat look before the repaint? if they can't then i will probably not repaint the side doors since the scratches are very minimal. I guess I'm just worried that the repainted reflection on the left side of my car will look different/off compared to the nonpainted areas. Any inputs would greatly be appreciated. thanks.

[corrupt23jj]

Dude, why don't you start your own thread in the appropriate forum and wait for a response instead of hijacking other people's threads all across the board.

Originally Posted by celticsfan

I'm getting my left quarter panel repaired next week. They said that the would have to pound out the dent, bondo it, and repaint it. I also have 2 very small scratches(5-6mm long)and it's into the paint (into metal) on both the left front and rear door as well. They said that they would have to take out the doors/windows and repaint both doors and apply a clear coat afterwards. I'm just worried that after they repaint the doors and quarter panel that there will be a different gloss compared to the origional gloss/clear coat on the car. Do you know if the body shop can replicate the origional "wavy" gloss/clearcoat look before the repaint? if they can't then i will probably not repaint the side doors since the scratches are very minimal. I guess I'm just worried that the repainted reflection on the left side of my car will look different/off compared to the nonpainted areas. Any inputs would greatly be appreciated. thanks.