Main dealer BMW repair via insurance - taking a shortcut?

[BulletToothTony]

Hello all,

Little advice needed here. I have a non fault claim going through insurance currently, please see pic attached.



I spoke to a third party bodyshop before having the car taken in, and they said the proper repair would be fully removing the panel, welding it onto the chassis, and then blending the paint in, which they'd do. The comprise repair would be panel beating with pulleys and some filler.

When the main dealer took the car I was expecting them to complete the "full bells and whistles" repair rather than a compromise obviously. However they've contacted me today and said they'll only offer the panel beating with filler, or cutting out the panel and replacing then using filler to connect and stick it onto the existing body. They told me they wouldn't remove the whole panel as it'd be too big a job, and it's not something they'd even advise as it'd mean the car wouldn't have an original part.

I'm skeptical, and I'm not sure if it's corner cutting due to the cost of the labour at a main dealer and then the cost of the overall repair and claim veering into write off territory.

Is anyone able to advise on this type of repair and what the best option is, am I right to be skeptical?

[Dog Star]

People really are nuts these days. I’d take a skilfully pulled panel with the appropriate filler option any time, it’s far less invasive unless it’s something very simple like a bolt on wing.

It’s not obvious from your pic if that’s a front or rear quarter, but if it’s a rear then in all likelihood the damaged section will need cutting off and a new part welding on and the join dressing with filler, not to mention all of the other sealants and silicones used under the panel. I’d be quite happy just to have that repaired - in fact I’d prefer it to having the quarter cut out and replaced.

[CraigyMc]

BulletToothTony said:

Hello all,

Little advice needed here. I have a non fault claim going through insurance currently, please see pic attached.



I spoke to a third party bodyshop before having the car taken in, and they said the proper repair would be fully removing the panel, welding it onto the chassis, and then blending the paint in, which they'd do. The comprise repair would be panel beating with pulleys and some filler.

When the main dealer took the car I was expecting them to complete the "full bells and whistles" repair rather than a compromise obviously. However they've contacted me today and said they'll only offer the panel beating with filler, or cutting out the panel and replacing then using filler to connect and stick it onto the existing body. They told me they wouldn't remove the whole panel as it'd be too big a job, and it's not something they'd even advise as it'd mean the car wouldn't have an original part.

I'm skeptical, and I'm not sure if it's corner cutting due to the cost of the labour at a main dealer and then the cost of the overall repair and claim veering into write off territory.

Is anyone able to advise on this type of repair and what the best option is, am I right to be skeptical?

You're wrong to be skeptical in this instance. Get the panel pulled and filled then repainted.

Bodyshops do not get close to factory build quality of work -- don't take panels off or weld unless there's no alternative.

[MOBB]

I agree with both posts above

[SuperPav]

I would specifically prefer a pulled repair rather than cutting and welding new panels in that instance...

Maybe a bit unfair generalisation on bodyshops but there are so many things they could screw up if having to cut out and re-weld the full panel (everything from welding it in properly without affecting other parts, through to making sure that they've got the right sealant and coatings in the right places etc.). I know it's all totally doable and there are authorised repair procedures for it, but it's so much higher risk than just beating the original panel back into shape.

Obviously it still needs a decent bodyshop who can get it back to within a mm of original shape, with just a skim of filler, rather than someone just sticking 10kg of filler on there and sanding it to shape!

[Ussrcossack]

I've had a similar repair on my car.

Pulled and filled, not a single issue, plus as it was done at the end of my street I was able to keep an eye on the work done

No point going the full hog as outlined above, more to go wrong

[Dog Star]

I often watch this chap - the “Man of Steeeeeeel” on YT.

He often pulls dents that you would swear are going to need to have a replacement panel and he gets them out such that you simply cannot tell. It’s astonishing.

Sometimes he disappoints and there might be the tiniest smidge of filler or touch of paint.

Worth a watch.

https://youtube.com/@dentdiscountpdrbodyshop?si=Vu...

[BulletToothTony]

CraigyMc said:

BulletToothTony said:

Hello all,

Little advice needed here. I have a non fault claim going through insurance currently, please see pic attached.



I spoke to a third party bodyshop before having the car taken in, and they said the proper repair would be fully removing the panel, welding it onto the chassis, and then blending the paint in, which they'd do. The comprise repair would be panel beating with pulleys and some filler.

When the main dealer took the car I was expecting them to complete the "full bells and whistles" repair rather than a compromise obviously. However they've contacted me today and said they'll only offer the panel beating with filler, or cutting out the panel and replacing then using filler to connect and stick it onto the existing body. They told me they wouldn't remove the whole panel as it'd be too big a job, and it's not something they'd even advise as it'd mean the car wouldn't have an original part.

I'm skeptical, and I'm not sure if it's corner cutting due to the cost of the labour at a main dealer and then the cost of the overall repair and claim veering into write off territory.

Is anyone able to advise on this type of repair and what the best option is, am I right to be skeptical?

You're wrong to be skeptical in this instance. Get the panel pulled and filled then repainted.

Bodyshops do not get close to factory build quality of work -- don't take panels off or weld unless there's no alternative.

Can I ask why you'd recommend against it? I've spoken with the original garage who was very helpful, and it turns out the way he'd replace the panel was the same as the main dealer, it all got a bit lost in translation.

But he did say if it was his car he'd go with the panel being replaced, and this was with him having no vested interest as he wasn't getting the work, so I'm a little surprised with the replies in this thread tbh. Interested to hear peoples thoughts why they'd just go with the pulling.

[CraigyMc]

BulletToothTony said:

CraigyMc said:

BulletToothTony said:

Hello all,

Little advice needed here. I have a non fault claim going through insurance currently, please see pic attached.



I spoke to a third party bodyshop before having the car taken in, and they said the proper repair would be fully removing the panel, welding it onto the chassis, and then blending the paint in, which they'd do. The comprise repair would be panel beating with pulleys and some filler.

When the main dealer took the car I was expecting them to complete the "full bells and whistles" repair rather than a compromise obviously. However they've contacted me today and said they'll only offer the panel beating with filler, or cutting out the panel and replacing then using filler to connect and stick it onto the existing body. They told me they wouldn't remove the whole panel as it'd be too big a job, and it's not something they'd even advise as it'd mean the car wouldn't have an original part.

I'm skeptical, and I'm not sure if it's corner cutting due to the cost of the labour at a main dealer and then the cost of the overall repair and claim veering into write off territory.

Is anyone able to advise on this type of repair and what the best option is, am I right to be skeptical?

You're wrong to be skeptical in this instance. Get the panel pulled and filled then repainted.

Bodyshops do not get close to factory build quality of work -- don't take panels off or weld unless there's no alternative.

Can I ask why you'd recommend against it? I've spoken with the original garage who was very helpful, and it turns out the way he'd replace the panel was the same as the main dealer, it all got a bit lost in translation.

But he did say if it was his car he'd go with the panel being replaced, and this was with him having no vested interest as he wasn't getting the work, so I'm a little surprised with the replies in this thread tbh. Interested to hear peoples thoughts why they'd just go with the pulling.

As I wrote before: bodyshops do not get close to factory build quality of work -- don't take panels off or weld unless there's no alternative.

I've had this done to my BMW (an E90) after a similar bump on the back drivers side.

[ABMA]

Get it pulled out and filled, if the result is not good you can then demand the cut and weld. My understanding is BMW work is guaranteed.
If I am buying a used car with such panel damage, I would rather have it pulled than cut and welded.

[BulletToothTony]

CraigyMc said:

BulletToothTony said:

CraigyMc said:

BulletToothTony said:

Hello all,

Little advice needed here. I have a non fault claim going through insurance currently, please see pic attached.



I spoke to a third party bodyshop before having the car taken in, and they said the proper repair would be fully removing the panel, welding it onto the chassis, and then blending the paint in, which they'd do. The comprise repair would be panel beating with pulleys and some filler.

When the main dealer took the car I was expecting them to complete the "full bells and whistles" repair rather than a compromise obviously. However they've contacted me today and said they'll only offer the panel beating with filler, or cutting out the panel and replacing then using filler to connect and stick it onto the existing body. They told me they wouldn't remove the whole panel as it'd be too big a job, and it's not something they'd even advise as it'd mean the car wouldn't have an original part.

I'm skeptical, and I'm not sure if it's corner cutting due to the cost of the labour at a main dealer and then the cost of the overall repair and claim veering into write off territory.

Is anyone able to advise on this type of repair and what the best option is, am I right to be skeptical?

You're wrong to be skeptical in this instance. Get the panel pulled and filled then repainted.

Bodyshops do not get close to factory build quality of work -- don't take panels off or weld unless there's no alternative.

Can I ask why you'd recommend against it? I've spoken with the original garage who was very helpful, and it turns out the way he'd replace the panel was the same as the main dealer, it all got a bit lost in translation.

But he did say if it was his car he'd go with the panel being replaced, and this was with him having no vested interest as he wasn't getting the work, so I'm a little surprised with the replies in this thread tbh. Interested to hear peoples thoughts why they'd just go with the pulling.

As I wrote before: bodyshops do not get close to factory build quality of work -- don't take panels off or weld unless there's no alternative.

I've had this done to my BMW (an E90) after a similar bump on the back drivers side.

Even with a main dealer? I'm surprised by some of the responses in this thread, particularly given that someone with decades of experience in a BMW bodyshop and with no vested interest said he'd go for the panel replacement rather than the pulling for his own car.

[Krikkit]

BulletToothTony said:

Even with a main dealer? I'm surprised by some of the responses in this thread, particularly given that someone with decades of experience in a BMW bodyshop and with no vested interest said he'd go for the panel replacement rather than the pulling for his own car.

Yes, because the factory fit alignment won't be achieved.

If you're cutting off a panel and welding a replacement in you're also introducing places where corrosion can creep in - unless you strip the interior out you can't always get to the weld to protect it properly against corrosion.

In this case you want a good quality effort at pulling out the dent, light fill and paint to match.

[BulletToothTony]

Krikkit said:

BulletToothTony said:

Even with a main dealer? I'm surprised by some of the responses in this thread, particularly given that someone with decades of experience in a BMW bodyshop and with no vested interest said he'd go for the panel replacement rather than the pulling for his own car.

Yes, because the factory fit alignment won't be achieved.

If you're cutting off a panel and welding a replacement in you're also introducing places where corrosion can creep in - unless you strip the interior out you can't always get to the weld to protect it properly against corrosion.

In this case you want a good quality effort at pulling out the dent, light fill and paint to match.

Apparently they would strip the interior out, and it would look something like this:







I'm leaning towards the full panel replacement given what the body repairer said, but I'm interested to know of any other first hand experiences

[CraigyMc]

BulletToothTony said:

Krikkit said:

BulletToothTony said:

Even with a main dealer? I'm surprised by some of the responses in this thread, particularly given that someone with decades of experience in a BMW bodyshop and with no vested interest said he'd go for the panel replacement rather than the pulling for his own car.

Yes, because the factory fit alignment won't be achieved.

If you're cutting off a panel and welding a replacement in you're also introducing places where corrosion can creep in - unless you strip the interior out you can't always get to the weld to protect it properly against corrosion.

In this case you want a good quality effort at pulling out the dent, light fill and paint to match.

Apparently they would strip the interior out, and it would look something like this:







I'm leaning towards the full panel replacement given what the body repairer said, but I'm interested to know of any other first hand experiences

Nobody can (re)build a car as well in a service bay as you can on a jig in a factory with controlled climate and proper metrology and QA.

From your replies, you've already made your mind up to do this despite everyone saying not to, so... best of luck with that.

*Flounce*

[SteBrown91]

That repair is pretty straightforward for a good body shop.

Pull out the dent as much as possible, panel beat it back to shape, light skim of filler to hide any minor imperfections left.

You would be insane to cut out the rear quarter for that

[BulletToothTony]

CraigyMc said:

BulletToothTony said:

Krikkit said:

BulletToothTony said:

Even with a main dealer? I'm surprised by some of the responses in this thread, particularly given that someone with decades of experience in a BMW bodyshop and with no vested interest said he'd go for the panel replacement rather than the pulling for his own car.

Yes, because the factory fit alignment won't be achieved.

If you're cutting off a panel and welding a replacement in you're also introducing places where corrosion can creep in - unless you strip the interior out you can't always get to the weld to protect it properly against corrosion.

In this case you want a good quality effort at pulling out the dent, light fill and paint to match.

Apparently they would strip the interior out, and it would look something like this:







I'm leaning towards the full panel replacement given what the body repairer said, but I'm interested to know of any other first hand experiences

Nobody can (re)build a car as well in a service bay as you can on a jig in a factory with controlled climate and proper metrology and QA.

From your replies, you've already made your mind up to do this despite everyone saying not to, so... best of luck with that.

*Flounce*

No, I'm genuinely curious and wishing to understand why someone whoms full-time job, with no vested interest as the work was going elsewhere, would recommend replacing the whole panel and chose to do so himself in the same position, while the forum consensus seems to be pull.

Thanks for your contribution.

• Flounce*

[Wish]

I work in the trade and I would choose repair over replacement for the images you have posted.

That panel is easily repairable with the right tools far far less invasive.

[Dog Star]

BulletToothTony said:

No, I'm genuinely curious and wishing to understand why someone whoms full-time job, with no vested interest as the work was going elsewhere, would recommend replacing the whole panel and chose to do so himself in the same position, while the forum consensus seems to be pull.

Thanks for your contribution.

• Flounce*

Suggest you ask some other people in the trade.

I used to work in car body repair place - long time ago now - and if you think that having a huge procedure like that done with parts cut them welded back on, mastics and sealant etc, rust treatment and then MORE filler used to blend in the joins than would be used to do that small repair then you are off your rocker!

[Mad Maximus]

You wouldn’t ever cut that out unless there is damage we can’t see or the car is massively valuable like a gullwing.

A proper repair would see it pretty much perfect with pulling and a skim of filler.

[vikingaero]

I think people need to take a long hard look at [insert manufacturer here] authorised bodyshops/repairs. Your authorised BMW dealer will farm it off to their nearest friendly bodyshop who will repair anything and everything thrown at them.