Smart repair or full franchise repair for this dent Audi S5

[rainking100]

Hi there,

At the end of a long day involving a long-haul flight, I managed to do this by opening my passenger-side door into the very obvious square pillar right next to my parking space:





the options seem to be, a 'SMART' repair (e.g. chips-away) , re-spray and repair with front quarter blend from a 3rd party body shop, or the same at my friendly Audi dealer.

The respective costs seem to be around £100 , £300 , £450.

I was wondering if anyone could help me based on experience as to which I should go for. Clearly the Audi repair is the 'gold-standard' here but is it worth the premium? Can a smart repair do the job here given I seem to have broken the paint layer?

Finally, can anyone recommend a good chips-away guy/gal, or a good 3rd party body shop in London (ideally East London). Thanks a lot for all the help.

[southpaw]

I'd go for the SMARzt repair, then if it doesn't work the 3rd party body shop - if you have to use both you still save £50 over Audi.

[G600]

Audi will just send it off to a 3rd party bodyshop anyway.

[s3fella]

To keep your 12 yr warranty you should go via Audi. But if it were me I'd get it popped out by the paintless guys ( seriously impressive dent repairs) then a tiny touch up pen in the chip.

[MJK 24]

That dent isn't going to pop out. It's right on a crease in the door. Needs filling and painting.

[C8LNJ]

Its got a crease in it so paintless repair is impossible.

I wouldn't let the likes of chips away paint my fence, never mind my car. I've seen some outright abortions of work done by them. You cannot paint a car sat on the drive no matter what anyone say's.....especially a german one!

I always use the approved vag / BMW bodyshop in my area the one the dealers use.

Edited by C8LNJ on Monday 17th September 21:47

[jds32]

Don't get a smart repair done, not worth the grief. Take it to a 3rd party bodyshop.

[rainking100]

hey all, thanks for your input, in the end stuck with Audi, they improved their quote and got much closer to the 3rd party bodyshop price (although still a premium). Thanks again.