Bodywork Repair at Cooper Tunbridge

[Skrambles]

I've got to have a small bodywork repair done on my m5 (very minor scrape and very slight dent to driver side wing) and have an estimate for Cooper Tunbridge Wells to do it, but the estimate says that the work will be done by a 'sub-contracted approved BMW partner' - has anyone had work done by Cooper's sub-contractor and are they any good?

[Crazy4557]

Never had any work done by their sub contractor but why don't you try Scuff Busters just around the corner. Probably half the price or less and just as good a job. No affiliation just used em a few times over the years.

[spunko2010]

Never had any problems with their service department (Sales department quite the opposite). Their prices are an issue though. People seem to think that all main dealer prices are the same but get a quote from them and compare it to, say, Ashord and you'll see how different they are.

Since they are even admitting it will be sub-contracted, in my opinion you'd be an eejit to pay BMW to act simply as the middlemen.

[TheHound]

Some Cooper BMW's body shops no longer operates under the Cooper name but they are still owned by Inchcape and are the "official Bodyshop". This may be what's going on here.

I would ask them the question.

[csmith319]

Crazy4557 said:

Never had any work done by their sub contractor but why don't you try Scuff Busters just around the corner. Probably half the price or less and just as good a job. No affiliation just used em a few times over the years.

Might be breaking posting rules... But careful with scuff busters - I've had some good and bad experiences with them - the most worrying though is that a couple of repairs have looked great on pick up but 6 months later the finish has deteriorated - shine gone... They did redo one of them but 6 months later the same again.

[Skrambles]

TheHound said:

Some Cooper BMW's body shops no longer operates under the Cooper name but they are still owned by Inchcape and are the "official Bodyshop". This may be what's going on here.

I would ask them the question.

Thanks, I'll ask them on Monday.

[creepy coupe]

Not all BMW dealers own a bodyshop. Lots of them are linked to an official approved repairer and the estimator at the dealership is employed by the bodyshop and not the dealer, so you are dealing with them directly and not paying a middle man. 

I've had work done by Coopers T-wells and it's been excellent.

[AshleyBaldry]

I am sure we will do a fantastic job

[Skrambles]

AshleyBaldry said:

I am sure we will do a fantastic job

That's good to know, Ash, thanks. You work for Coopers or for the sub-contractor?

[AshleyBaldry]

I did work for coopers until Saturday eleswhere in the network now

[kiethton]

Had my 335i done at coopers a few years back - well quoted there and likely fixed elsewhere....

They did a great job and would take my 540i back if ever needed (well likely not at the cost would write it off...)