Damaged my Z4 and 525

wasupdu · 11-12-2008, 06:07 PM

I had an unfortunate accident yesterday that caused body damage to both my 525i and my Z4. I left my 5er in gear and it went up my driveway and ultimately scraped the side of my Z4 that was parked in the garage. I know, not one of the brightest things I've done. I have $250 deductibles on both vehicles and I plan to make insurance claims on both vehicles since the damage will likely be in the $2k (USD) neighborhood for each vehicle. I called State Farm and they told me that my rates will not go up as a result.

My question is:
Should I get both cars repaired by the BMW dealership or just go to XYZ place that State Farm recommends? The mom-and-pop place they recommended is less than a mile from my house and State Farm DOES NOT require that one of their adjusters is present for the estimate since this place is "approved" by them. They'll also pick-up my car and drop it off at my house when they're done. Essentially, this place is MUCH more convenient. The BMW dealership with a body shop is about 30 miles from my house and the State Farm adjuster must be present at the time of the estimate and it sounds like transportation to and from is on my dime. So, are all body shops the same? Is it really that big of a deal to do with the dealer versus the local place? Both will use BMW parts and both claim to be able to match the paint easily.

Rick Hunter · 11-12-2008, 06:21 PM

Tough call, especially if the mom-n-pop shop actually does quality work.

I say take the "shittier" of the two cars to the mom-n-pop place and see the result. From there you can decide where to take the other one.

quickfast · 11-12-2008, 07:38 PM

Howd you leave your car in gear and get out?

tom_48 · 11-12-2008, 08:31 PM

Just give it to us...

Deda · 11-13-2008, 02:59 AM

any pics!

marcus1701 · 11-13-2008, 03:30 AM

The mom-n-pop shop is used from BMW because they get lower rates not necessarily because the quality is better. If you go to a state-farm approved place they will guarantee the paint for the life of the car. A bad job will not be noticed till a year later when the paint starts flaking....go to state farm approved place, it's worth the guarantee of quality

rc'Z · 11-13-2008, 05:20 AM

Best advice you will get, "Go to each shop and look at a couple of finished cars". That is what yours will look like when they are done, if you are lucky!

Dammmittt · 11-13-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rc'Z

Best advice you will get, "Go to each shop and look at a couple of finished cars". That is what yours will look like when they are done, if you are lucky!

X2, you should definitely go to both shops and check out the quality of their work. I'm in the process of choosing a shop for my car as well...

nmulax · 11-13-2008, 09:53 AM

Also ask local car forums for names of quality shops.

When my E90 was rear-ended 6 months after moving to Phoenix I posted on the local car forums, including the Scottsdale Exotic Car Club forum. One shop kept getting suggested so I went with them - figured if it's good enough for their Ferraris and Lambos, it's good enough for my Bimmer.
They did a great job, and I've since sent friends their way.

Dammmittt · 11-13-2008, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmulax

Also ask local car forums for names of quality shops.

When my E90 was rear-ended 6 months after moving to Phoenix I posted on the local car forums, including the Scottsdale Exotic Car Club forum. One shop kept getting suggested so I went with them - figured if it's good enough for their Ferraris and Lambos, it's good enough for my Bimmer.
They did a great job, and I've since sent friends their way.

True, the shops I'm going to look at are BMW CCA "friends"

wasupdu · 11-13-2008, 07:03 PM

Great ideas guys. I stopped at the State Farm recommended place with my Z4 to get an estimate. The guy came back and told me the damage (on my Z4) was only $812. I looked at his estimate and I told him that he forgot to include the passenger door which has a 2 FOOT scrape on it. He said he didn't see anything on the door so I showed him the obvious marks and he returned with an estimate of $925. I asked him why it was only $100 for the door and he just shrugged his shoulders....I then noticed that he didn't have anything on the estimate for the turn signal assembly or the front fender. He proceeded to say that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the signal assembly or the fender. We walked out to my car again and I showed him the softball-sized hole on the passenger side where the turn signal was torn off and there were dents in the fender. I then asked him why I should use his body shop versus the BMW dealer and he responded with, "Well, you obviously have a lot of money tied up in both of these cars, so if it were me then I'd take it to the dealer"...unbelievable. I asked him about the color matching and he simply replied, "black is black, of course we have black paint".....again, unbelievable.

Needless to say, I'm taking it to the BMW shop. I have 2 cars so I really don't care how long it takes to get them repaired since I can drive the other one in the meantime.

Dammmittt · 11-13-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasupdu

"Well, you obviously have a lot of money tied up in both of these cars, so if it were me then I'd take it to the dealer"...unbelievable. I asked him about the color matching and he simply replied, "black is black, of course we have black paint".....again, unbelievable.

Needless to say, I'm taking it to the BMW shop. I have 2 cars so I really don't care how long it takes to get them repaired since I can drive the other one in the meantime.

It's amazing places like this can even be in business...

knuklz · 11-13-2008, 09:30 PM

wow... nothing else to say

rc'Z · 11-14-2008, 05:10 AM

If this idiot shop is a State Farm recommended shop, you should complain about them to SF.

nmulax · 11-14-2008, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rc'Z

If this idiot shop is a State Farm recommended shop, you should complain about them to SF.

+1
I'd hate to think of this place getting some unsuspecting person's business.

pbdm4k · 11-18-2008, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rc'Z

If this idiot shop is a State Farm recommended shop, you should complain about them to SF.

My thoughts exactly.

If I heard what that person said and he was a State Farm approved facility, I'd be calling to complain right away and qouting what I had been told to State Farm.

That level of customer service is extremely unacceptable especially when that shop is supposed to represent one of the largest insurance companies in North America.

Gyrian · 11-18-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasupdu

Great ideas guys. I stopped at the State Farm recommended place with my Z4 to get an estimate. The guy came back and told me the damage (on my Z4) was only $812. I looked at his estimate and I told him that he forgot to include the passenger door which has a 2 FOOT scrape on it. He said he didn't see anything on the door so I showed him the obvious marks and he returned with an estimate of $925. I asked him why it was only $100 for the door and he just shrugged his shoulders....I then noticed that he didn't have anything on the estimate for the turn signal assembly or the front fender. He proceeded to say that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the signal assembly or the fender. We walked out to my car again and I showed him the softball-sized hole on the passenger side where the turn signal was torn off and there were dents in the fender. I then asked him why I should use his body shop versus the BMW dealer and he responded with, "Well, you obviously have a lot of money tied up in both of these cars, so if it were me then I'd take it to the dealer"...unbelievable. I asked him about the color matching and he simply replied, "black is black, of course we have black paint".....again, unbelievable.

Needless to say, I'm taking it to the BMW shop. I have 2 cars so I really don't care how long it takes to get them repaired since I can drive the other one in the meantime.

Surprisingly honest, in a kind of messed up way. At least you stood warned.

11-12-2008, 06:07 PM	#1
wasupdu Lieutenant 25 Rep 413 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0, CLS63 AMG Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 Mercedes CLS63 ... [0.00] 2005 BMW Z4 [0.00]	Damaged my Z4 and 525 - BMW body shop or generic place? I had an unfortunate accident yesterday that caused body damage to both my 525i and my Z4. I left my 5er in gear and it went up my driveway and ultimately scraped the side of my Z4 that was parked in the garage. I know, not one of the brightest things I've done. I have $250 deductibles on both vehicles and I plan to make insurance claims on both vehicles since the damage will likely be in the $2k (USD) neighborhood for each vehicle. I called State Farm and they told me that my rates will not go up as a result. My question is: Should I get both cars repaired by the BMW dealership or just go to XYZ place that State Farm recommends? The mom-and-pop place they recommended is less than a mile from my house and State Farm DOES NOT require that one of their adjusters is present for the estimate since this place is "approved" by them. They'll also pick-up my car and drop it off at my house when they're done. Essentially, this place is MUCH more convenient. The BMW dealership with a body shop is about 30 miles from my house and the State Farm adjuster must be present at the time of the estimate and it sounds like transportation to and from is on my dime. So, are all body shops the same? Is it really that big of a deal to do with the dealer versus the local place? Both will use BMW parts and both claim to be able to match the paint easily. __________________ 2005 BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0 - Black Sapphire with Red Extended Leather / NAV / Premium & Sport Pkgs / 19" wheels / M steering wheel / Xenon 2013 Mercedes CLS63 AMG Last edited by wasupdu; 11-12-2008 at 06:36 PM..
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11-12-2008, 06:21 PM	#2
Rick Hunter Skull Squadron Leader 307 Rep 2,031 Posts Drives: '07 M Coupé & '16 435xi GCoupé Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Emerald City iTrader: (20)	Tough call, especially if the mom-n-pop shop actually does quality work. I say take the "shittier" of the two cars to the mom-n-pop place and see the result. From there you can decide where to take the other one. __________________
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11-12-2008, 07:38 PM	#3
quickfast Private First Class 7 Rep 160 Posts Drives: quickfast Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Brooklyn iTrader: (0)	Howd you leave your car in gear and get out?
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11-12-2008, 08:31 PM	#4
tom_48 BMW Novice 69 Rep 237 Posts Drives: M Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 M Coupe' [0.00]	Just give it to us... __________________
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11-13-2008, 02:59 AM	#5
Deda Major General 564 Rep 7,034 Posts Drives: BMW M5 comp Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Croatia iTrader: (0)	any pics!
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11-13-2008, 03:30 AM	#6
marcus1701 up all night 1 Rep 113 Posts Drives: 3.0si, alpine white, auto, nav Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Orinda, CA iTrader: (0)	The mom-n-pop shop is used from BMW because they get lower rates not necessarily because the quality is better. If you go to a state-farm approved place they will guarantee the paint for the life of the car. A bad job will not be noticed till a year later when the paint starts flaking....go to state farm approved place, it's worth the guarantee of quality __________________ 02 Silver Audi TT 225 Roadster, APR Stage 2+ ,ECS underdrive Pulleys, S-Line Bumpers, APR Exhaust, APR Silicone Hoses, APR FMIC, Suntek 50% tint, 08 White Subaru Forester 03 Mineral Grey Ford ZX2 DIU Car- American Pride
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11-13-2008, 05:20 AM	#7
rc'Z Captain 13 Rep 821 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Convertible Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Best advice you will get, "Go to each shop and look at a couple of finished cars". That is what yours will look like when they are done, if you are lucky!
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11-13-2008, 09:53 AM	#9
nmulax Brigadier General 379 Rep 4,320 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Metro-Detroit iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupé [7.66]	Also ask local car forums for names of quality shops. When my E90 was rear-ended 6 months after moving to Phoenix I posted on the local car forums, including the Scottsdale Exotic Car Club forum. One shop kept getting suggested so I went with them - figured if it's good enough for their Ferraris and Lambos, it's good enough for my Bimmer. They did a great job, and I've since sent friends their way. __________________
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11-13-2008, 07:03 PM	#11
wasupdu Lieutenant 25 Rep 413 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0, CLS63 AMG Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 Mercedes CLS63 ... [0.00] 2005 BMW Z4 [0.00]	Great ideas guys. I stopped at the State Farm recommended place with my Z4 to get an estimate. The guy came back and told me the damage (on my Z4) was only $812. I looked at his estimate and I told him that he forgot to include the passenger door which has a 2 FOOT scrape on it. He said he didn't see anything on the door so I showed him the obvious marks and he returned with an estimate of $925. I asked him why it was only $100 for the door and he just shrugged his shoulders....I then noticed that he didn't have anything on the estimate for the turn signal assembly or the front fender. He proceeded to say that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the signal assembly or the fender. We walked out to my car again and I showed him the softball-sized hole on the passenger side where the turn signal was torn off and there were dents in the fender. I then asked him why I should use his body shop versus the BMW dealer and he responded with, "Well, you obviously have a lot of money tied up in both of these cars, so if it were me then I'd take it to the dealer"...unbelievable. I asked him about the color matching and he simply replied, "black is black, of course we have black paint".....again, unbelievable. Needless to say, I'm taking it to the BMW shop. I have 2 cars so I really don't care how long it takes to get them repaired since I can drive the other one in the meantime. __________________ 2005 BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0 - Black Sapphire with Red Extended Leather / NAV / Premium & Sport Pkgs / 19" wheels / M steering wheel / Xenon 2013 Mercedes CLS63 AMG
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11-13-2008, 09:30 PM	#13
knuklz Private 10 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 2006 Bmw Z4 3.0Si Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	wow... nothing else to say
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11-14-2008, 05:10 AM	#14
rc'Z Captain 13 Rep 821 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Convertible Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	If this idiot shop is a State Farm recommended shop, you should complain about them to SF.
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