Torn Door Panel?

[HerbNRacer]

Ok so ever since I picked up my beautiful M3 I have had all kinds of random crap happen. One of those was during a window tinting the guy blew out my driver-side window and scratched the hell out of my door and door panel. Long story short(er) the tint shop guy just about fell over when he saw the $2k price tag for the panel and wanted to try and get it repaired against the body-shops recommendation of replacing it. When the guy did the repair he sanded and pained my upper door panel. This doesn’t look terrible, but it feels like crappy sandpaper and will likely flake and peel over time. Now the tint guy is pissed because I am not OK with the repair and he thinks I’m trying to take him for a ride.

My question to you is… Do you think I’m wrong for wanting to have it replaced?

I know it’s a lot of $ but I searched the whole US for a flawless M3 and I intend to keep her in my collection until the end of time. Flaky painted leather is just not what imagine when I think of a beautiful BMW.

[Munichm3]

Originally Posted by HerbNRacer

Ok so ever since I picked up my beautiful M3 I have had all kinds of random crap happen. One of those was during a window tinting the guy blew out my driver-side window and scratched the hell out of my door and door panel. Long story short(er) the tint shop guy just about fell over when he saw the $2k price tag for the panel and wanted to try and get it repaired against the body-shops recommendation of replacing it. When the guy did the repair he sanded and pained my upper door panel. This doesn’t look terrible, but it feels like crappy sandpaper and will likely flake and peel over time. Now the tint guy is pissed because I am not OK with the repair and he thinks I’m trying to take him for a ride.

My question to you is… Do you think I’m wrong for wanting to have it replaced?

I know it’s a lot of $ but I searched the whole US for a flawless M3 and I intend to keep her in my collection until the end of time. Flaky painted leather is just not what imagine when I think of a beautiful BMW.

Get it redone to how it was before. No excuse for that. He should have insurance for incidents like this.

[SEMOM3]

You have the right to get it back to original condition. He needs to step up and fix his mistakes. If the panel needs to be replaced there must have been more damage than just paintwork right? Do you have any pictures?

[OzCoE92]

This is the upper, pebbly portion (plastic) near the window, correct? I would say they have to replace the entire door panel, or you buy a used one here and make him reimburse you for the cost. If that offends the tint guy, that's his problem, he messed up your car and needs to own his mistake.

[MaximusB]

He should have the panel replaced, like others have said, you have the right to get it back to original condition. The way I see it is you have made already compromised by letting him to attempt a repair against recommendation of a bodyshop, who in my opinion, have more knowledge in these kind of thing than a tint guy.

I would just tell the tint guy that all you are expecting is to have the panel restored to the condition before the incident. Tell him you have been reasonable by letting him/bodyshop to attempt a repair before going with the replacement option. However the result of the repair is well below your expectation as it is not the same condition as before. Now you just want to replace the panel and not waste everyone's time. If you have him in writing admitting he caused the damage then you can always escalate things if he refuse to replace it, and at the last resort, I will actually tell him that and see how he reacts.

[HerbNRacer]

Thanks guys, I felt the same way about getting it fixed the way it was when it went in. I just feel bad making the guy fork out $2k. Having others chime in helps me feel better about my decision.

Originally Posted by SEMOM3

You have the right to get it back to original condition. He needs to step up and fix his mistakes. If the panel needs to be replaced there must have been more damage than just paintwork right? Do you have any pictures?

It was more than just the paint, it was the top portion of the panel as well. I will post some pics, let me resize 'em so they fit.

[///M Power-Belgium]

No mercy !

[HerbNRacer]

Here are a couple pics. It's a good thing she's white or it would have really looked like hell. You can still see the glass stuck in the paint. The panel was hard to get a good pic of, but this shows some of the larger flaws.

[SEMOM3]

Personally I might be able to live with the interior panel if the damage doesn't stand out. It doesn't look too bad from the picture. It's hard to tell what's doing on with the exterior though. It seems like it should easily be able to be sanded/painted by a body shop. Although, it's hard to see if there are any dents or depressions in the picture.

[SEMOM3]

Also, an interior specialist may be able to blend or fix that light of damage to the interior panel as a second option.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by HerbNRacer

I know it’s a lot of $ but I searched the whole US for a flawless M3 and I intend to keep her in my collection until the end of time. Flaky painted leather is just not what imagine when I think of a beautiful BMW.

I know you are sort of joking, but unless you never drive or touch the car, it will eventually get some minor imperfections. I agree that shitty paintwork isn't something you have to live with, but be reasonable in what a used car's condition will be.

My advice would be to take it to a competent body shop and get an estimate to have it repaired to your satisfaction. Tell them you expect it to look like-new and you won't accept a quick fix.

[HerbNRacer]

Originally Posted by SEMOM3

Personally I might be able to live with the interior panel if the damage doesn't stand out. It doesn't look too bad from the picture. It's hard to tell what's doing on with the exterior though. It seems like it should easily be able to be sanded/painted by a body shop. Although, it's hard to see if there are any dents or depressions in the picture.

It did stand out quite a bit, it dug pretty deep into the surface. Enough that people who saw the car before asked what happend without me saying anything. Also all the repairs have been done, it's just the panel I'm not ok with.

[HerbNRacer]

Originally Posted by dparm

I know you are sort of joking, but unless you never drive or touch the car, it will eventually get some minor imperfections. I agree that shitty paintwork isn't something you have to live with, but be reasonable in what a used car's condition will be.

My advice would be to take it to a competent body shop and get an estimate to have it repaired to your satisfaction. Tell them you expect it to look like-new and you won't accept a quick fix.

Sort of joking yes. It’s not "flawless" but really damn close. Seriously the only defects on the car are a few rock chips in the front. The interior is pretty damn perfect, only way you could tell it was used was by the small creases in the driver’s seat. And I did have it shipped half way across the country because it was the best one I could find under $50k

I do understand that it will get hurt over time, it's a pipe dream to think it will be perfect forever. But paint will definintly flake off over time and the shitty sandpaper like surface feels pretty cheap when you rest your arm on it. Also I did take it to 2 body shops (one I'm used to and one recomended by the tint guy) and they both said it needed to be replaced. I even told the tint guy painting the panel was not going to be ok and he assured me that his "guy" does amazing work.

[Get lit]

I'd make the tint guy pay for a new panel. if it was in mint condition before the tint guy screwed it up, then he definitely owes you a new panel.

I personally don't have the patience to deal with half ass work and that's exactly what the tint guy is doing, half assing it! I say new panel or smash his face in the panel! Lol

[HerbNRacer]

Originally Posted by Get lit

I'd make the tint guy pay for a new panel. if it was in mint condition before the tint guy screwed it up, then he definitely owes you a new panel.

I personally don't have the patience to deal with half ass work and that's exactly what the tint guy is doing, half assing it! I say new panel or smash his face in the panel! Lol

Oh my... lol

[BimmerRookie]

I mean, he was there to do tint. He broke the glass, causing more damage. Thus he is liable for his work, or in this case his damage. His company should have insurance for these kinds of things. So don't let off on this guy! He made a mistake and you shouldn't have to accept sub-par repair work. If the door costs 2k, so be it, that's what it costs.

[Spun Crankhub]

The big question is, are we talking about a tint guy who owns a single truck and only does a number of jobs a year, or a larger shop? No matter what you should have your car back to how it looked prior to him working on your car, but if he is a one man operation I understand your feeling bad about sticking it to him.
Perhaps you find a door panel on ebay that is up to your standards and it will likely be <$500. In terms of that outer door, thats going to need a re-spray and blending.

[HerbNRacer]

Originally Posted by TacoChris

The big question is, are we talking about a tint guy who owns a single truck and only does a number of jobs a year, or a larger shop? No matter what you should have your car back to how it looked prior to him working on your car, but if he is a one man operation I understand your feeling bad about sticking it to him.
Perhaps you find a door panel on ebay that is up to your standards and it will likely be <$500. In terms of that outer door, thats going to need a re-spray and blending.

Took it to a high dollar shop in town. One of the best. I have a buddy that does tint out of his garage, he did my Honda and Rover, but my ///M gets only the best. Or so I thought...

[xander_g]

Originally Posted by Get lit

I'd make the tint guy pay for a new panel. if it was in mint condition before the tint guy screwed it up, then he definitely owes you a new panel.

I personally don't have the patience to deal with half ass work and that's exactly what the tint guy is doing, half assing it! I say new panel or smash his face in the panel! Lol

amen

[HerbNRacer]

Originally Posted by xander_g

amen

This is exactly why I have worked on my own cars for 20+ years... Too bad I suck at tint.

[OzCoE92]

Did he put that vertical scratch on your door or was that there before? I don't know how you break a window tinting it, that just screams amateur. I feel bad for you and your car, I hope you get everything fixed properly.

[HerbNRacer]

Originally Posted by OzCoE92

Did he put that vertical scratch on your door or was that there before? I don't know how you break a window tinting it, that just screams amateur. I feel bad for you and your car, I hope you get everything fixed properly.

Yes, the scratch was from the window breaking. The tint was already applied so when it broke it slid down the door. My guess is he overheated the glass trying to get the tint to form to the window, then when he sprayed the tint and stuck it to the glass it blew out. So far, the car was fixed correctly other than the door panel. Had to fight to get BMW glass put back in, but the paint and glass came out fine.

I did find a new panel from RealOEM.com for about half the price. Anyone have experience with this place?