[sstarrx3]

Originally Posted by bily

Suspension damage?

Just got a preliminary estimate on mine. Went from $7500 to $16000 when they got inside. And I did go and see it. It was very cool actually. Marked each of the panels to replace. The 2 they fixed. And then to see it built back up. Should get it back Monday. Just hire someone to do the DV claim. The ins company will attempt to low ball you. Check the car inside the shop and out. Good luck.

Yep...my previous post above I said I contacted Auto Damage Experts to do my DV. There is always a chance the $ amount can go up once they get it on the rack to measure the frame. You got pics posted of your damage?

[sstarrx3]

Originally Posted by bily

Suspension damage?

Just got a preliminary estimate on mine. Went from $7500 to $16000 when they got inside. And I did go and see it. It was very cool actually. Marked each of the panels to replace. The 2 they fixed. And then to see it built back up. Should get it back Monday. Just hire someone to do the DV claim. The ins company will attempt to low ball you. Check the car inside the shop and out. Good luck.

Oh....bily just went out a saw the pics of your 3er wreck. I could have told you from those pics you were in for an expensive repair. Whenever you see the wheels all cock eyed like that after a crash you got suspension/frame damage. My wheels looked in alignment and the car was actually driveable, even though I let BMW roadside service tow it anyway.

[bily]

The shop has one of my cameras and took additional photos. These are just the ones from my phone. Shop was great letting me come visit and walking me through the different stages. Once the car was sanded down prep for paint I knew we were close. Still had to do filler on the wheel arch because of how it's welded. That sucks because that area is where you might get a ding and now it's filler. Hopefully is smooth and no waves. But it's been 8 long weeks. Monday can't come soon enough. And I'll only have 1 day before heading out of town fir the week. Had some delay on parts. I wanted an OEM QP versus LKQ. Based on what I saw and the amount of work to piece back together It might have been quicker and less labor intensive with the precut LKQ. Did not fully understand that. But that is not an option with your car being so new. And some delays with additional suspension parts.

[sstarrx3]

Wow Bily those are cool pics. Still sad to see that beautiful 3er all tore up. Glad you are getting it back soon.

[sstarrx3]

Ok...update on the car. Auto Damage Experts got back to me today. He was concerned with the estimate. Based on the damage to the vehicle he said there was about 2 dozen things left off the estimate that BMW says needs to be done for this type of repair. He says that the shop is doing an insurance company repair, not a BMW repair. He wants to send out a Pre Repair inspector to look at the damage and go over the required parts and labor list with the shop to complete the repair properly. He went through the entire DV process with me. They go through from beginning to end. He said the insurance companies will have their responses and he said they have a set of responses for every one they will come back with. I did my homework on this company that has been around for a long time. They are member of BBB and do about 12,000 cars a year. They have never gotten a negative BBB complaint. I could not find a single negative thing about them on the internet, only glowing reviews. He said based on the current estimate the can get me 7-8 Thousand in DV. If it goes up it could be more. He said he thinks damges could go up to 10,000-12,000 though based on the sparse preliminary estimate. Their fees are $495 for damage 10,499 and below. Anything over 10,500 you get $595. If they have to send out a pre- inspector that is $150. So $745 is the maximum fee ever. Based on the fact that my estimate was shady, I opted for the preinspection. Otherwise they would find it was fixed improperly the first time and my car would need to be re-fixed. We all know how many weeks that can take with parts ordering an all. It was worth the $150 for piece of mind. Like he told me, they can get me all the money in the world but if the car is not fixed properly and I get in another accident later...well you know. I feel very good about this right now knowing I have a reputable company backing me on this thing. I will let everybody know how it turns out so if heaven forbid the unthinkable happens to your BMWs you may be able to use these folks too.

[Ohio Army Man]

Well done!!

[DanG]

I am surprised that you are not using a BMW certified repair shop. They have to repair your BMW properly or they lose their certification. I know of three certified shops in the Seattle area.

[sstarrx3]

Originally Posted by DanG

I am surprised that you are not using a BMW certified repair shop. They have to repair your BMW properly or they lose their certification. I know of three certified shops in the Seattle area.

They are a certified BMW repair shop...which obviously means squat! That means the repairs are gauranteed...the ones they do. This one obviously is catering to the insurance companies.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by sstarrx3

They are a certified BMW repair shop...which obviously means squat! That means the repairs are gauranteed...the ones they do. This one obviously is catering to the insurance companies.

To bad. It is suppose to mean that they return the car to factory specifications.

[sstarrx3]

Originally Posted by DanG

To bad. It i. suppose to mean that they return the car to factory specifications.

Yes...that is what I thought too. He also told me that returning a BMW to exact factory specifications is not a possibilty. He said that it was not a possibilty to match the rivots as they were done at the factory. Take that for what its worth.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by sstarrx3

Yes...that is what I thought too. He also told me that returning a BMW to exact factory specifications is not a possibilty. He said that it was not a possibilty to match the rivots as they were done at the factory. Take that for what its worth.

One of our shops is extremely good and does return the car to the original condition. They are advocates for the car owners not for the insurance. They even can do deminished value claims for you. The owner is a board member in the local BMWCCA chapter.

[bily]

Originally Posted by DanG

One of our shops is extremely good and does return the car to the original condition. They are advocates for the car owners not for the insurance. They even can do deminished value claims for you. The owner is a board member in the local BMWCCA chapter.

But there is no way to mimic factory welding, seam sealing and painting. I'm sure there are some really good shops. And some may come close, but almost every shop is about volume and production. The longer it takes the less money a tech makes. It's basic economics. Most people won't care, but there are those who want the car perfect. But inevitably there will always be something not 'factory'. They promise the moon and deliver moon dust. You can't uncrash a car!

[bily]

Hope it turns out well.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by bily

But there is no way to mimic factory welding, seam sealing and painting. I'm sure there are some really good shops. And some may come close, but almost every shop is about volume and production. The longer it takes the less money a tech makes. It's basic economics. Most people won't care, but there are those who want the car perfect. But inevitably there will always be something not 'factory'. They promise the moon and deliver moon dust. You can't uncrash a car!

I disagree. There are some shops that care to return your car to pre-crash state as close as possible. They will only use OEM parts and OEM paint. Several shops give a lifetime guarantee. They are not focused on volume and production but on satisfied customers.

[bily]

Originally Posted by DanG

I disagree. There are some shops that care to return your car to pre-crash state as close as possible. They will only use OEM parts and OEM paint. Several shops give a lifetime guarantee. They are not focused on volume and production but on satisfied customers.

I hear you. Still think and have seen too much human element to do the same job a robot does. They can't weld and rivet like a machine. Painting the inside of a trunk. Seam sealer. Getting the matte and gloss paint difference between inside and out to be perfectly symmetrical. Just not a realistic expectation to have. If it happens great. But anyone who knows about repairs will tell you the same thing. And I'm not talking about the sale in which they convince you to use their shop. Which they are very good at. I'm talking about the delivery. Making it happen. Walking the walk. Minor damage yes mor likely. But on a major repair with cutting and welding panels not likely.

They will fix your car for life? Just what I would want. Bring my car back every few months. Better not move or you are screwed. They know if you are that particular you will give up or just stop caring. My shop says it will guarantee the work for life too. And they don't provide for rentals either. That's on your dime.

But using a ins shop comes with having the ins co backing the repairs. Slightly better than the shop IMO.

[sstarrx3]

Originally Posted by DanG

I disagree. There are some shops that care to return your car to pre-crash state as close as possible. They will only use OEM parts and OEM paint. Several shops give a lifetime guarantee. They are not focused on volume and production but on satisfied customers.

Dan I agree with your statement there are some good shops out there no doubt....but no matter how hard they try they will never get it back to exact specs. You just cannot duplicate what was done on the factory line. To the eye we may not be able to tell...but its not the same car. By the way those things you stated above my shop does yet the estimatewas fudged. You have to watch out no matter how good theyappear to be.

[sstarrx3]

Update...got a new estimate from shop...it went from $7100 to $10400. More like I was expecting. The stuff my appraiser said was missing is now on there. He says they expect to start repairs first of next week.

[mankid247]

Originally Posted by sstarrx3

Update...got a new estimate from shop...it went from $7100 to $10400. More like I was expecting. The stuff my appraiser said was missing is now on there. He says they expect to start repairs first of next week.

I still don't have my car back, they got the wrong bumper kit for the park sensors, after that it's paint and seeing how bad the suspension damage is. Last update on price estimate before the suspension was around 17k

[sstarrx3]

Originally Posted by mankid247

I still don't have my car back, they got the wrong bumper kit for the park sensors, after that it's paint and seeing how bad the suspension damage is. Last update on price estimate before the suspension was around 17k

Guess I don't have to worry about that...I don't have that option

[sstarrx3]

Update...shop called to tell me that parts for my 228i are not available here or in Germany right now. He had no ETA on how long it will take. Could be a week could take months....so bummed

[sstarrx3]

Originally Posted by sstarrx3

Update...shop called to tell me that parts for my 228i are not available here or in Germany right now. He had no ETA on how long it will take. Could be a week could take months....so bummed

Its actually 5 parts holding up the show. Grand total of all 5 parts is just over $100. $100 is holding up my 228i from being repaired....sheesh!

[golf4501]

Originally Posted by sstarrx3

Its actually 5 parts holding up the show. Grand total of all 5 parts is just over $100. $100 is holding up my 228i from being repaired....sheesh!

Damn that sucks. I got rear ended in my 235 2 days after I took delivery. The rear diffuser was replaced along with a heat shield on the muffler. At the time there was something like 2 diffusers available in the whole US. My body shop immediately ordered it, even though the car wasn't scheduled to be worked on for a month.

Good luck!