[X3power]

Hi guys, I just purchased a 2015 xDrive28i metallic white. Within 2 weeks, someone hit my side door ( see pictures below) at a parking lot. I think while opening their side door.

Now, there is this small but visible dent/wrinkle on the side door by the driver door, and some weirdness with the paint ( see pics) [IMG][/IMG]

The local auto body shop (not bmw dealership) wants to charge me 750$ to repaint both side doors fade them in, take off and put back on the side mirror in the process, and then do some other thing to try to fix the wrinkle. See image below.

1. Are these guys leading me around the block? It doesn't look that bad to me. I am not experienced with this stuff, so I wonder what you would do in this situation?

2. I'm afraid the paint won't match at all and will look bad, any experience having a metallic white repainted on side doors? I fear this will just make it look worse, since dent isn't that bad

3. Should I report to my insurance? I have a picture of the car that was parked next to me ( and their license plate) when this happened. When I came back and saw my car the other car was gone. I understand that if I don't have someone else to blame for my insurance, since you are getting them. So my premium will go up, and this will come as an accident, even though it wasn't my fault. Plus my deductible is like 500 bucks, so I would only be saving 200, but paying higher fees. Someone suggested I file a hit-and-run report with the police, and then report to insurance, if the cost is if you thousand.

Would really appreciate some advice from you on this! Thank you!

[tracer bullet]

It's not surprising at all. They normally work with insurance, can do the work they request, and no one asks them about alternatives. What they're looking at would likely get you a great repair and the price is about right for what they are proposing. I've had a few things done over the years and yeah they are pretty thorough usually and not cheap accordingly. Compare those hourly rates to an electrician / plumber / general automotive service shop!

That said, I have found that you can work with them on alternatives. Ask about work only on the back door and skipping the front, what if you were to take care of the interior trim panel if they are replacing the door, things like that. Let them know you might pay for the repair yourself and would like alternatives... Give them your standards, maybe you can settle for less than perfect. And make sure you meet theirs as well (they won't want you to come back or trash them if they do what you ask and it doesn't turn out well).

[X3power]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

They normally work with insurance, ... no one asks them about alternatives.... get you a great repair and the price is about right for what they are proposing. ..

That said, I have found that you can work with them on alternative...

Good to know. It is still hefty, since I doubt I will use my insurance, since I don't have anyone to file a claim on. Since it seems so small, I though there should be a way to get it done for less. I understand now from you that this price is probably for the full treatment, and i should expect a good results for the price. In other words, this is the standard solution, and not the cheap one. Good to know.

I also found this "BMW TOUCH - UP PAINT STICKS" on the shopbmwusa.com site. Maybe this can help make some of the pain look finer again, but it definitely won't help with the dent.

For the dent/wrinkle I wonder if there is some painless DIY cheap tool to use ...

[________]

I would definitely PDR the dent and use DrColorChip on that chip.

Do not waste your money on the BMW touch-up pens.

[nyalpine90]

if you go thru insurance, it will appear on carfax and hurt resale value.
the dent isnt that bad, try PDR and see how it looks after.

[X3power]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

if you go thru insurance, it will appear on carfax and hurt resale value.
the dent isnt that bad, try PDR and see how it looks after.

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

if you go thru insurance, it will appear on carfax and hurt resale value.
the dent isnt that bad, try PDR and see how it looks after.

Originally Posted by OnerDriver

I would definitely PDR the dent and use DrColorChip on that chip.

Do not waste your money on the BMW touch-up pens.

Sounds like PDR at a shop? Is the best. Yes, insurance sounds bad. Ehhhh... I will keep you posted. By the way, is that for body shop or detailer?

[________]

Originally Posted by X3power

Sounds like PDR at a shop? Is the best. Yes, insurance sounds bad. Ehhhh... I will keep you posted. By the way, is that for body shop or detailer?

Most body shops and detailers will have PDR specialists or subcontract the job to a specialist.
There are PDR-only shops too.

A PDR on that will range from 75-200 depending on the shop and difficulty in accessing the panel from inside.

[Commerce]

PDR is not always possible depending where the dent is. Looking at the photos it seems the dent is where the metal creases over... I'm not an expert when it comes to PDR but it looks like that dent won't come out, it's still worth consulting with a professional though.

As for the quote, the price does sound right. The reason for them having to paint both doors is to blend the repainted area with the paint already on the vehicle. If they only painted the rear door you would be able to tell it was repainted when comparing it to the front door as you would see a slightly different shade.

I second staying away from the paint pens and getting Dr. Colorchip if you want to go this alternate route but don't expect the results to be perfect. Was the car that was parked beside you also white?

[atarivers]

You don't have to identify another driver to make an insurance claim for the sort of damage you suffered. I did it for my convertible when it had similar but slightly worse damage than your car. I received an estimate of $1,000. They worked with my insurance company and I had to pay a $500 deductible. The results exceeded my expectations. My insurer referred me to the body shop. I was a little hesitant because it was a GMC/VW dealership's body shop and my convertible is a Mercedes 300 SLK. The insurance adjuster questioned me about the circumstances of the damage. d I explained I discovered the damage when I returned to the vehicle in a parking lot. The adjuster mentioned there might be security camera footage. I replied untruthfully that I checked and no footage is available. I asked the adjuster if it would increase my premium. He told me "no, you would have to make several claims before that happened". It became a no brainer for me at that moment.

Originally Posted by X3power

Good to know. It is still hefty, since I doubt I will use my insurance, since I don't have anyone to file a claim on. Since it seems so small, I though there should be a way to get it done for less. I understand now from you that this price is probably for the full treatment, and i should expect a good results for the price. In other words, this is the standard solution, and not the cheap one. Good to know.

I also found this "BMW TOUCH - UP PAINT STICKS" on the shopbmwusa.com site. Maybe this can help make some of the pain look finer again, but it definitely won't help with the dent.

For the dent/wrinkle I wonder if there is some painless DIY cheap tool to use ...