BMW approved bodyshop
Discussion
I had a minor car park accident with my G21 M340i the other day. It's a 2020 model which I bought a few months ago and has about 9 months of remaining AUC warranty on it. The damage to my car is on the nearside rear bumper and diffuser. My insurance referred me to a local bodyshop who I popped along to today for them to estimate. It's a new bumper (and painting) and diffuser essentially. Annoying but not the end of the world.
The bodyshop my insurance have referred me to are not BMW approved. They do use OEM parts only and are approved by various other manufacturers (incl. Audi for instance) - their reviews are good.
If I read up however BMW are obviously keen to get people to use their repair facilities. So much so as they provide a helpline that will handle all the discussion with your insurance etc. This isn't altruistic - it's a convenience facility that drives custom to them. If I use another repairer my insurance charges an additional £200 excess.
So - long pre-amble to a simple question: is it worth using a BMW approved bodyshop and stumping up another £200 for a relatively simple repair?
The bodyshop my insurance have referred me to are not BMW approved. They do use OEM parts only and are approved by various other manufacturers (incl. Audi for instance) - their reviews are good.
If I read up however BMW are obviously keen to get people to use their repair facilities. So much so as they provide a helpline that will handle all the discussion with your insurance etc. This isn't altruistic - it's a convenience facility that drives custom to them. If I use another repairer my insurance charges an additional £200 excess.
So - long pre-amble to a simple question: is it worth using a BMW approved bodyshop and stumping up another £200 for a relatively simple repair?
Years ago I had a new rear quarter panel fitted to my 3 yr old E60 after a hit and run.
Used the approved BMW bodyshop through insurance.
The repair was flawless, they even replicated the dreadful orange peel finish to exactly match the original.
Also received a certificate guaranteeing the trade in value would not be affected.
On the other hand, a friend had their BMW repaired at another approved shop, took them ages to complete, they let the battery go completely flat which ruined it and the radio wouldn’t work at all.
I think that the clout of a BMW dealer might be invaluable if you encounter problems, probably worth swallowing the £200.
Used the approved BMW bodyshop through insurance.
The repair was flawless, they even replicated the dreadful orange peel finish to exactly match the original.
Also received a certificate guaranteeing the trade in value would not be affected.
On the other hand, a friend had their BMW repaired at another approved shop, took them ages to complete, they let the battery go completely flat which ruined it and the radio wouldn’t work at all.
I think that the clout of a BMW dealer might be invaluable if you encounter problems, probably worth swallowing the £200.
I had some work done by BMW Sytner in Solihull, courtesy of a third party earlier in the year, and they did a great job.
I've managed to damage the car myself this time round, and I'm paying the £200 to use them again (own repairer)
The insurance "approved" repairers, were just a series of back street garages from what I could see. On a cheapie I wouldn't mind, but on anything decent ish, I'd rather pay the £200.
I've managed to damage the car myself this time round, and I'm paying the £200 to use them again (own repairer)
The insurance "approved" repairers, were just a series of back street garages from what I could see. On a cheapie I wouldn't mind, but on anything decent ish, I'd rather pay the £200.
Balgores is a BMW approved Bodyshop. My BMW is still within the 1 year warranty period.
I recently needed some work done to my car, which was rear ended. New bumper, scratches on the boot lid.
When speaking to the insurance company, they initially just offered any body shop, but it wasn't until i asked for a BMW approved, did they office Balgores.
The body shop did a wonderful job, but they were based over in Essex, Southend.
Although i didn't receive any certificate of the work carried out...
I don't know if that's too far from you?
I recently needed some work done to my car, which was rear ended. New bumper, scratches on the boot lid.
When speaking to the insurance company, they initially just offered any body shop, but it wasn't until i asked for a BMW approved, did they office Balgores.
The body shop did a wonderful job, but they were based over in Essex, Southend.
Although i didn't receive any certificate of the work carried out...
I don't know if that's too far from you?
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