What to look for when purchasing car with repainted quarter panels?

togepi · 10-30-2016, 02:56 PM

I'm looking at a used M3 at a car dealership that has had one of its quarter panels repainted. To the naked eye, I could not tell that it had been repainted. When I asked him about the pictures of the accident, he said he had none. The carfax is clean. If it passes a PPI, should I assume that it is okay? The car has the exact colors and options I want. However, like a lot of private car dealers this guy seemed a little shady.

3Pedals_6Speeds · 10-30-2016, 03:08 PM

I own a Honda S2000 that had this when I bought it as a DD. I didn't worry about it, but a few years on I realize that not only were the panels painted, they were also replaced, and badly. The car was sideswiped, and panels were replaced. Now I have rust along the rocker panel at the seams, rust over the wheel arch, and a trunk that in a serious downpour, collects water (Car is now 13 years old, accident was in 1st year). Make sure it's a paint only, and even then, take it into account in the valuation.

Cosmo Kramer · 10-30-2016, 03:11 PM

Was it a front fender or rear 1/4 panel? If it was a rear 1/4, the paint would need to be blended into the roof line of the car.

If there is nothing on the Carfax I would assume it was something minor (no insurance and no police report). I would make the deal conditional on a PPI and have a mechanic look at the suspension and repair area to make sure you don't have some hidden damage.

ec_E92 · 10-30-2016, 04:55 PM

How long do you plan to keep the car? Long term, things like rust and peeling clear coat will rear their ugly head if it was a subpar fix.

togepi · 10-30-2016, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ec_E92

How long do you plan to keep the car? Long term, things like rust and peeling clear coat will rear their ugly head if it was a subpar fix.

i always keep my cars long term

this is the car: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/5844259076.html

paint looks it was blended correctly but i'm not an expert

is there anything I can look for in particular to see how bad the damage was?

javarithms · 10-30-2016, 07:12 PM

Take it to a reputable body shop and have them assess it.

timothy2001 · 10-30-2016, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by javarithms

Take it to a reputable body shop and have them assess it.

This is absolutely the way to go. Paint thickness etc.

etr2016 · 10-31-2016, 10:42 AM

Just buy a paint depth gauge. This has come in pretty hand for $250....

10-30-2016, 02:56 PM	#1
togepi Private 35 Rep 62 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	What to look for when purchasing car with repainted quarter panels? I'm looking at a used M3 at a car dealership that has had one of its quarter panels repainted. To the naked eye, I could not tell that it had been repainted. When I asked him about the pictures of the accident, he said he had none. The carfax is clean. If it passes a PPI, should I assume that it is okay? The car has the exact colors and options I want. However, like a lot of private car dealers this guy seemed a little shady.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-30-2016, 03:08 PM	#2
3Pedals_6Speeds Second Lieutenant 118 Rep 206 Posts Drives: F10 535 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Michigan, USA iTrader: (0)	I own a Honda S2000 that had this when I bought it as a DD. I didn't worry about it, but a few years on I realize that not only were the panels painted, they were also replaced, and badly. The car was sideswiped, and panels were replaced. Now I have rust along the rocker panel at the seams, rust over the wheel arch, and a trunk that in a serious downpour, collects water (Car is now 13 years old, accident was in 1st year). Make sure it's a paint only, and even then, take it into account in the valuation. __________________ Former: E21, E63, Current: F10, E93 M3. Drive fast, take chances.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-30-2016, 03:11 PM	#3
Cosmo Kramer Private 30 Rep 75 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW X5 50i Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Was it a front fender or rear 1/4 panel? If it was a rear 1/4, the paint would need to be blended into the roof line of the car. If there is nothing on the Carfax I would assume it was something minor (no insurance and no police report). I would make the deal conditional on a PPI and have a mechanic look at the suspension and repair area to make sure you don't have some hidden damage.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-30-2016, 04:55 PM	#4
ec_E92 Enginerd 118 Rep 542 Posts Drives: E92M3,E36M3,957GTS,E39M5S2 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: cbus, oh iTrader: (1)	How long do you plan to keep the car? Long term, things like rust and peeling clear coat will rear their ugly head if it was a subpar fix. __________________ 2008 E92 AW 6MT /// 120k orig rod bearings
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-30-2016, 07:12 PM	#6
javarithms First Lieutenant 194 Rep 362 Posts Drives: '13 E92 M3 SG FR, '03 530i Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Take it to a reputable body shop and have them assess it. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-31-2016, 10:42 AM	#8
etr2016 Second Lieutenant 95 Rep 285 Posts Drives: 1M - Black Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Scottsdale,AZ iTrader: (0)	Just buy a paint depth gauge. This has come in pretty hand for $250.... __________________ 2011 - 1M - Black 2007 - Honda S2000 - Black 2020 - Lexus GX460 - Black 2022 - Lexus ES350 - Black
	Appreciate 1 timothy2001850.00 Quote