[banana3]

Not sure if just random road debris or someone throwing stuff from their vehicle on the highway but something hit my roof right above windshield while driving interstate this evening and left minor dent and paint damage.

Just bought the car less than a month ago. Is PDR an option here? Should I just set appt with the dealership to give estimate? Just make the claim with insurance? Any advice super appreciated.

22’ 330i xdrive

[Efthreeoh]

Take it to a PDR shop for a consultation and estimate. It's close to the windshield but shouldn't be an issue. The PDR guy will not deal with the paint scratch.

[banana3]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Take it to a PDR shop for a consultation and estimate. It's close to the windshield but shouldn't be an issue. The PDR guy will not deal with the paint scratch.

Thanks for the response. I'm running by an indy shop tomorrow. Will update.

[banana3]

Update: indy shop quoted ~$1800 to fix. Called insurance and have another estimate scheduled for Monday. Will update.

[Fredo]

Oh, man. That's more than I expected. Did you check with a PDR shop?

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by banana3

Update: indy shop quoted ~$1800 to fix. Called insurance and have another estimate scheduled for Monday. Will update.

Agree with Fredo , did you take the car to a Paintless Dent Repair shop? You said "Indy", not sure what that means. All PDR shops are "Indies".

$1,800 seems way too much for a PDR shop repair.

[banana3]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Agree with Fredo , did you take the car to a Paintless Dent Repair shop? You said "Indy", not sure what that means. All PDR shops are "Indies".

$1,800 seems way too much for a PDR shop repair.

It seemed high to me too. Shop I took it to performs PDR but not dedicated PDR if that makes sense. I’m not great at reading estimate breakdowns but I attached for you guys for reference.

I have appt in morning with reputable commercial shop. I can ask that guy what he thinks but you guys think it’s worth me finding dedicated PDR garage?

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by banana3

It seemed high to me too. Shop I took it to performs PDR but not dedicated PDR if that makes sense. I’m not great at reading estimate breakdowns but I attached for you guys for reference.

I have appt in morning with reputable commercial shop. I can ask that guy what he thinks but you guys think it’s worth me finding dedicated PDR garage?

Okay, that estimate is for repair (repaint) of the entire roof panel. It quotes removing the windshield, sunroof, and back glass. A PDR shop should provide a quote to just pull the dent out of the sheet metal. It's hard to tell what the paint damage is from pics on the internet. Is it just a surface scuff that can be cleaned up with touchup paint and buffing, or deeper. Like I said the PDR guy will tell you he can get the dent out but not fix the paint. A paint shop should give you an estimate to fix the paint. The paint doesn't look too damaged to me to warrant a complete repaint.

Dent Masters is a nationwide PDR franchise, but they have good local technicians who are well respected in the industry. I had a deer hit taken out by PDR at the Dent Masters in Tysons Corner, VA. It was a $3,600 repair covered by insurance. https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1250584 go to post #31 to see the results.

My 2-cents from 1,800 miles away via the internet.

[banana3]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Okay, that estimate is for repair (repaint) of the entire roof panel. It quotes removing the windshield, sunroof, and back glass. A PDR shop should provide a quote to just pull the dent out of the sheet metal. It's hard to tell what the paint damage is from pics on the internet. Is it just a surface scuff that can be cleaned up with touchup paint and buffing, or deeper. Like I said the PDR guy will tell you he can get the dent out but not fix the paint. A paint shop should give you an estimate to fix the paint. The paint doesn't look too damaged to me to warrant a complete repaint.

Dent Masters is a nationwide PDR franchise, but they have good local technicians who are well respected in the industry. I had a deer hit taken out by PDR at the Dent Masters in Tysons Corner, VA. It was a $3,600 repair covered by insurance. https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1250584 go to post #31 to see the results.

My 2-cents from 1,800 miles away via the internet.

Appreciate you taking the time man. The scuff is kind of deep but had family friend check it out and he seemed to think touch up would work fine. Looks like there’s a Dent Maters in my area so I may try giving them a shout after my consult tomorrow.

Just curious, when you guys say touchup, are a lot of you doing yourselves with the paint stick pens sold by BMW? Had no idea they sold these things. May pick one up just to have on hand if they’re relatively easy to use.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by banana3

Appreciate you taking the time man. The scuff is kind of deep but had family friend check it out and he seemed to think touch up would work fine. Looks like there’s a Dent Maters in my area so I may try giving them a shout after my consult tomorrow.

Just curious, when you guys say touchup, are a lot of you doing yourselves with the paint stick pens sold by BMW? Had no idea they sold these things. May pick one up just to have on hand if they’re relatively easy to use.

When we picked up our Z3 waaaay back in 1997 there was a chip in the passenger door near the mirror right on the ledge of the window. The dealer had its own body shop. They filled in the paint chip and buffed the paint. I could not tell they had fixed it. I was sure they repainted the entire door. All these years later (we still have the car), inspection of the paint shows no repaint of the door. I would get the dent looked at and removed by the PDR guy then take it to a detail/body shop to address the paint. It takes skill and practice to fix paint in the manner you need done. Being it is in a conspicuous spot (you'll see it every time you get in the car), you should let a professional deal with the paint.

[banana3]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

When we picked up our Z3 waaaay back in 1997 there was a chip in the passenger door near the mirror right on the ledge of the window. The dealer had its own body shop. They filled the paint chip in and buffed the paint. I could not tell they had fixed it. I was sure they repainted the entire door. All these years later (we still have the car), inspection of the paint shows no repaint of the door. I would get the dent looked at and removed by the PDR guy then take it to a detail/body shop to address the paint. It takes skill and practice to fix paint in the manner you need done. Being it is in a conspicious spot (you'll see it every time you get in the car), you should let a professional deal with the paint.

That’s fair and definitely agreed. Damn thing stares me straight in the face each time in get in the car haha. I’m going to chat with a couple more PDR shops this week. Will update soon. Thanks again for taking time, really appreciate it!

[Cal122]

Originally Posted by banana3

Just curious, when you guys say touchup, are a lot of you doing yourselves with the paint stick pens sold by BMW? Had no idea they sold these things. May pick one up just to have on hand if they’re relatively easy to use.

I've had better luck with Dr Colorchip for touch-ups.

Somewhat surprised they quoted to remove your front windshield, sunroof and rear window. The upper moldings come out without having to remove the glass and the sunroof can just be retracted. They should also be charging for replacement glass moldings since they are one time use. Personally I'd start with a PDR specialist and then either try touching it up or having the paint job quoted after the dent is gone. A good PDR repair will be better longterm than having it filled. Thanks for sharing the quote.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Cal122

I've had better luck with Dr Colorchip for touch-ups.

Somewhat surprised they quoted to remove your front windshield, sunroof and rear window. The upper moldings come out without having to remove the glass and the sunroof can just be retracted. They should also be charging for replacement glass moldings since they are one time use. Personally I'd start with a PDR specialist and then either try touching it up or having the paint job quoted after the dent is gone. A good PDR repair will be better longterm than having it filled. Thanks for sharing the quote.

Agree with you about quoting glass removal. I'm also surprised the quote doesn't include new front and rear glass. There is always a risk of breaking the glass when trying to remove it.

[banana3]

New estimate ($1,350) from different shop (Hendrick Collision) attached for reference. Agreed to let these guys do it just to get it done in one shot. I’ve used them in past and they’re also owned by the same place that runs the BMW dealer I purchased from so I know they do good work. I’m putting through insurance so it’s costing me $500 deductible. Did have good conversation with a guy from Dr. Dent but didn’t far enough to have him get me an estimate. Hendrick also offered to touch up a couple little nasty scratches in my driver door for free so I couldn’t help but say yes haha. Car goes in on 7/8. Will post pics for posterity when I get it back. Appreciate all you guys!

[Cal122]

Good luck with the repair and definitely let us know how it comes out! Latest quote looked more appropriate and I would have went with it.