Bmw 1 Series Body Repair.

[derekpara]

Any idea what a main dealer would charge to replace the front panel that surrounds the grill etc on a BMW 1 series 2.0 Deisel 2014 reg ? There is no damage to the bonnet itself. I can't go anywhere but a dealership unfortunately and it will be a choice between going through insurance which they will claw back through increased premiums etc, or pay for it myself.

Cheers.

D

[TWR]

Have you got a good bank balance Derek? I would estimate £500>>£1000, can you not get the replacement panel of the same colour through a BMW Break? that would be far cheaper than getting a new panel prepared then sprayed?

[vulcan42]

Agree with TWR, somebody like this might have what you need.
https://www.breakeryard.com/car-parts/bmw

[derekpara]

Thanks to you both, but I have to put my hands up to gently reversing into the beamer in a petrol station and the guy is getting a main dealer estimate for it.

No excuses but it was in a blind spot caused by a very high child seat in my son's Honda CR-V. I stopped immediately he sounded his horn and assumed I had stopped in time, but was told that I reversed about two yards and he sounded his horn when the Honda's spare wheel cover nudged the BMW ! The damage is a very shallow dent with no creases or marks to the bodywork.
Again, no excuses but an earlier warning would have been nice !

D

[vulcan42]

If the damage is that slight I would imagine the insurance company will opt for repair not replace. They have the final word not the owner.

[derekpara]

Thanks, Vulcan. I said I would consider paying for the damage rather than go through insurance for the reasons I stated earlier and the owner is taking the vehicle to the local BMW dealership for an estimate/quotation. I will then decide which way to go.

[Tuvok]

Call me cautious, but I hope you got a photo of the damage - to avoid being charged for unnecessary work.

[derekpara]

Tuvoc. To my embarressment I have to admit that in the situation (crowded filling station forecourt, wife waiting to be picked up etc) I forgot to do so and have been kicking myself ever since. I just hope I am dealng with an honourable individual.

By the way, are there any honourable BMW owners ? TWR excepted and tongue in cheeck !

[EDDIE51]

let us know what happens but I am afraid the BMW owner 'has you over a barrel' on this. You will have to pay whatever he comes up with. It's not a case where you can get your own estimate.
If you put it through your insurers they can question the cost with the other insurance but you can't do it yourself.

[TWR]

Hi Derek, I'm one of these people that tell it as it is, If it's £20 it's £20 but I can also see the Beemas owner position, if he / she re-sells the car a make shift job will effect the sale price, I doubt this person will go for "Filler & a knock out the dent" but want it done right, when I first seen your post I thought it was your own car that wanted sorting, but I'm afraid the way things are I would advise an Image if involved in an Accident no matter how small, for the dealers to replace the front panel the N/S+ OFF Side wings, the Front Bumper has to be removed although bolted on, it's the time / work involved, is the BMW Owner a person you can talk to? if so I would try to talk him / her out of going to the dealer but the age of the car warrants a BMW Repair.

[derekpara]

Blimey, it's getting worse ! The very shallow dent was about 4 inches long but barely noticeable and it took the chap quite a while to spot it. It seemed to me to be the sort of dent you could get out with a suction puller - shallow and no creases. No damage to wings or bonnet.

I've been open and co-operative with the driver and I hope I am dealing with an honourable man. If the estimate is beyond my limited means then it will have to go through insurance.

Yes, Eddie1, I will keep you all informed. Thanks.

D

[tonyav]

I'll bet that if you go through your insurance that blokes Beemer won't be repaired at a BMW dealership.
If I were you I'd ask him to get a repair quote from a couple of independent body shops as well as the Beemer dealership.

[TWR]

Derek, from you OP "Replace the front panel" that panel runs right across the front including the Kidney grill area ( Rad Vents) you are now saying it's a 4" Dent!!! the quote will be entirely different not as I estimated or thought, but on saying that If it was my 3 year old car and a Beema I would want the job doing that would not effect the resale price, If I was buying this car off this person I would want to know every detail about this car, & I think you would want the same, so to re-estimate the price I would say, £4>>>>£600 as the whole front grill has to be done if it's metallic to match, I hope for your sake I'm wrong but I will not be far out.

[derekpara]

Good advice again from Tonyav and TWR.
If I was the Beemer owner I would expect the same as you describe TWR and nobody is angrier than me at my careless error. All I want is fair play all round.

And you're right Tony. I will ask for quotes from three body shops. I think that's my right if I'm offering to pay cash ?

Thanks again.

[tonyav]

I will ask for quotes from three body shops. I think that's my right if I'm offering to pay cash ?

Way to go, derekpara.

[bhg481]

Just bear in mind, derek, that you should inform your insurance company even if you don't claim. That will be a condition of your policy. If you don't inform them you risk a future claim being refused by them. If you were driving your son's car on his insurance you need to inform BOTH them AND your insurance company.

[bhg481]

Having said that, if you are determined to pay for it yourself, do as others have said and insist he gets several quotes. You can offer him the cheapest and, if he really wants a BMW repair, he can pay the difference himself.

[TWR]

Derek, don't knock yourself, errors are made daily, you will not be the first, neither will you be the last on here if the truth be known, as regards a Picture, I would recommend any AB Member if involved in an accident never to say "Sorry" but ALWAY'S take a picture of the damage Vehicle for reference.

[derekpara]

Thanks all round again. I'll be back !

D

[Ryzen]

derek.....a very kind gent reversed into my 6 week old M5 and after a witness threatened to shop him, decided to leave his details for me to make contact.After 3 days in the dealer bodyshop and a loan car of similar spec, the final invoice came to £2800.....i'm glad he left his details.

[derekpara]

Ryzen.
I have been totally open and cooperative with the BMW owner and have accepted full responsibility for what what a rare oment of carelessness on my part . The trouble was that I selected the most expensive car on the forecourt !

I am close to getting the final figure, and with the strong possibility for a like-for-like courtesy car for a few days am now expecting a figure close to what you mention.

Thanks.

D