This is kind of a generic question, obviously not limited to BMWs.
I have a 2006 530xi and had the good fortune of being in Columbus, OH a week
or so ago, when a tornado\hail storm rolled through. I wasn't driving at the
time, just parked at the hotel.
The hail was pretty rough and I'd say there is about 40-50 dents in the
car(roof, hood, trunk). Obviously I'm looking to have it repaired and I have
the proper insurance coverage. Both the Repair shop and later the insurance
agent both said they would use\recommend the drill, pull, sand repaint
method to fix the dents. Of course, both assured me the car would be like
new when I got it back.
My friend believe I should stomp and scream and demand they completely
replace the hood, trunk and roof, versus what he calls the puddy and paint
approach. Looking on the web, I see a fair amount of talk about Paintless
Dent Repair, is it odd that neither the body shop nor the Insurance agent
mentioned this ? I see it's alot cheaper (roughly $1500 to the $3900 the
insurance agent is paying)
So in short, what's the best fix for my new car. Is it realistic to expect
the Insurance Company is going to flip the bill for having the damage panels
completely replaced ? Or is th methind they are using a solid option.
Thanks for your thoughts and expeeriences
Dale
SharkmanBMW! - 14 Oct 2006 02:22 GMT
Paintless dent removal works very well.
Tho, if you have enough dents on the hood and trunk, it may be cheaper to
replace these... but you cannot replace the roof!
The only issue with replacements is paint matching, try the paintless way
first... I would NOT let them drill and pull then repaint unless absolutely
desperate.
> This is kind of a generic question, obviously not limited to BMWs.
>
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> Dale

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John Carrier - 14 Oct 2006 13:37 GMT
> Paintless dent removal works very well.
Had this happen to my 2001 E39. There are many panels on the BMW that can't
be reached by the paintless dent repair method.
> Tho, if you have enough dents on the hood and trunk, it may be cheaper to
> replace these... but you cannot replace the roof!
True.
> The only issue with replacements is paint matching, try the paintless way
> first... I would NOT let them drill and pull then repaint unless
> absolutely desperate.
Probably required for roof and fender panels. The whole car will need to be
repainted.
R / John
Dale "Mad_Murdock" White - 14 Oct 2006 17:03 GMT
Thanks for the feedback. I guess I'll o back and talk to the dealer repair
shop and see why they didn't suggest PDR.
I myself, didn't see any fender damage, just the hood, roof and trunk, the
roof has about 20 or so dents in it, though I guess it could have been more,
but I have a sunroof
Dale
>> Paintless dent removal works very well.
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> R / John
Richard Sexton - 14 Oct 2006 21:59 GMT
>Thanks for the feedback. I guess I'll o back and talk to the dealer repair
>shop and see why they didn't suggest PDR.
>
>I myself, didn't see any fender damage, just the hood, roof and trunk, the
>roof has about 20 or so dents in it, though I guess it could have been more,
>but I have a sunroof
Should be a no-brainer for PDR then, even with a sunroof.

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1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net
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Richard Sexton - 14 Oct 2006 03:29 GMT
>My friend believe I should stomp and scream and demand they completely
>replace the hood, trunk and roof, versus what he calls the puddy and paint
>approach. Looking on the web, I see a fair amount of talk about Paintless
>Dent Repair, is it odd that neither the body shop nor the Insurance agent
>mentioned this ? I see it's alot cheaper (roughly $1500 to the $3900 the
>insurance agent is paying)
I've heard nothing but good things about this process and no bad things. It'd
be what I would try.

Signature
Need Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net
Grumps - 14 Oct 2006 08:15 GMT
>> My friend believe I should stomp and scream and demand they
>> completely replace the hood, trunk and roof, versus what he calls
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> I've heard nothing but good things about this process and no bad
> things. It'd be what I would try.
How does it work?
John Carrier - 14 Oct 2006 13:39 GMT
>>> My friend believe I should stomp and scream and demand they
>>> completely replace the hood, trunk and roof, versus what he calls
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> How does it work?
Any panel that has no paint damage is a candidate. They have a collection
of tools with which they work the dent from behind the panel. It's a real
art and a full collection of tools is expensive. It's great for door
dings, etc. and cheaper than traditional methods.
R / John
Dale "Mad_Murdock" White - 14 Oct 2006 17:05 GMT
Thanks for the response, Guess I'll push the dealership and Insurance agent
fo rmore details on why they didn't suggest that
Dale
>>My friend believe I should stomp and scream and demand they completely
>>replace the hood, trunk and roof, versus what he calls the puddy and paint
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> It'd
> be what I would try.
joe_tide - 14 Oct 2006 20:54 GMT
They didn't suggest it because most dealerships don't do PDR, they sub it
out. It sounds like your agent and the dealership are good ole buddies.
> Thanks for the response, Guess I'll push the dealership and Insurance
> agent fo rmore details on why they didn't suggest that
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>> It'd
>> be what I would try.
Dale "Mad_Murdock" White - 14 Oct 2006 22:29 GMT
Well, that's possible, but I went to my Dealership's repair shop first and 2
days later went to my agent. I hadn't told the agent where I was gong to get
the repairs done at. I figured the Insurance Agemt would have pushed for
the cheaper repairs first, But he was the one that talked about the drill
and fill method and never suggested PDR
I can see the dealership not mentioning it, just strikes me odd that the
Insurance Agent didn't make the pitch. Then again, maybe he saw something
that I didn't and knew that PDR wouldn't meet the need
> They didn't suggest it because most dealerships don't do PDR, they sub it
> out. It sounds like your agent and the dealership are good ole buddies.
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>>> It'd
>>> be what I would try.