Repair advice cost estimate

[Phateuk]

So, I woke up to a roof tile having fallen on my front wing this morning

I've never had any bodywork repaired before and don't know of a local trusted garage (my usual one only does mechanical work)

So before I start phoning round could anyone give me an idea of whether this is repairable or will be a new wing? A ballpark figure you'd expect to pay for either would also be very helpful.

Image:



Thanks a lot

[Froomee]

It looks repairable and i reckon for a decent job about £250-300ish although that crease on the corner of the wing looks pretty bad and its hard to tell how bad from the angle.

[Phateuk]

Yes it's the crease and paint damage that's my concern, is repair generally cheaper than replacing the wing? Would a wing come painted or does it require buying and prep/painting?

[rallycross]

there are people on ebay who will supply and pre paint to your paint code

eg

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/panel-spray/m.html?item=...

[berlintaxi]

rallycross said:

there are people on ebay who will supply and pre paint to your paint code

eg

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/panel-spray/m.html?item=...

No sure I would use them, bit more to painting a replacement panel than just matching the paint code.

[Phateuk]

berlintaxi said:

No sure I would use them, bit more to painting a replacement panel than just matching the paint code.

My concern is getting a decent job done, I think it will need a respray even if the panel is repaired. So would my money be best spent just getting a new panel and getting it painted and fitted?

[rallycross]

Looks like a late model car with and with the seam high up on the wing a repair will never look quite right, a new wing is a good idea but getting it done at a local bodyshop is a better idea than trying to save a few pounds and do it cheap.

[Phateuk]

Sorry I forgot to mention, it's a 2008 Z4 coupe.

I've got an M135i on order so want it looking tip top for when I come to sell it, I don't want to skimp on the repair but in the same vein I don't want to have my pants pulled down by not having a rough idea of cost.

I've had a look on eurocarparts and they have them at just over £200, assuming a garage would get the part at trade price, paint and labour would bring it in around £3-400? Would this be reasonable?

[Squiggs]

Cheap body parts are cheap for a reason - you may find you can't get the panel gaps correct.
And as said above spraying isn't as simple as spraying a single panel and expecting a perfect colour match.
I would personally visit a few independent bodyshops and see what they say. But speak to all of them, tell them what your expectations of the finished job is. By this I mean if you're going to get annoyed about a bit of dust in the paint or a slight ripple on the panel tell them. It should be a two way thing - if they don't think they can meet your expectations they should tell you they can't do it, and if you don't feel comfortable in letting them do the work then go somewhere else.

[Phateuk]

Squiggs said:

Cheap body parts are cheap for a reason - you may find you can't get the panel gaps correct.
And as said above spraying isn't as simple as spraying a single panel and expecting a perfect colour match.
I would personally visit a few independent bodyshops and see what they say. But speak to all of them, tell them what your expectations of the finished job is. By this I mean if you're going to get annoyed about a bit of dust in the paint or a slight ripple on the panel tell them. It should be a two way thing - if they don't think they can meet your expectations they should tell you they can't do it, and if you don't feel comfortable in letting them do the work then go somewhere else.

Thanks, thats some good advice I'm starting to think I should make a claim on my insurance for this, my excess is £250 but if the repair is going to considerably exceed that it may be worth it rather.

Finally, I'm based in nottingham - can anyone recommend me a place to go for the repair?

[Krikkit]

I'd get a BMW OE wing and have it sprayed and fitted at a decent bodyshop that will match the colour.

[Phateuk]

There's a BMW main dealer round the corner from work, I might pop down at lunch and see what their view is. It may be less hassle and a decent job to just get them to do it and claim on my insurance.

[Phateuk]

Just got back from the stealers and their assessment was it would cost more to repair than to replace, and I'll be looking at least £500 for a new part and respray, plus a touch up to the bonnet which has a small scuff.

[Rich1973]

Are there any in breakers?
Get a good condition OEM wing and have it sprayed if not the right colour. Might save a few bob

[Phateuk]

Rich1973 said:

Are there any in breakers?
Get a good condition OEM wing and have it sprayed if not the right colour. Might save a few bob

Just had a quick look on ebay and there is one OSF wing on there, how much would it set me back roughly to get it sprayed?

[Squiggs]

Phateuk said:

Just got back from the stealers and their assessment was it would cost more to repair than to replace, and I'll be looking at least £500 for a new part and respray, plus a touch up to the bonnet which has a small scuff.

After a sharp intake of breath through gritted teeth dealers will often say 'That can't be fixed, it'll need to be replaced'. From their point of view it's an easier job to replace - but it costs the customer more and therefore the dealer makes more money.
As I mentioned earlier visit a few independent shops and see what they say.
As long as rear access can be gained to the dent I can't see much there that a good dent guy and a skim of filler couldn't correct.

[A205GTI]

Talk to your local smart repair guy, you would be amazed at what they can do nowadays

[Jazoli]

Phateuk said:

Rich1973 said:

Are there any in breakers?
Get a good condition OEM wing and have it sprayed if not the right colour. Might save a few bob

Just had a quick look on ebay and there is one OSF wing on there, how much would it set me back roughly to get it sprayed?

There will be ones of the same colour at a breakers somewhere, try a site like findapart, firstchoice or 247spares, recieve s/h wing in post then spend an hour or so fitting the new one.

[Froomee]

Jazoli said:

Phateuk said:

Rich1973 said:

Are there any in breakers?
Get a good condition OEM wing and have it sprayed if not the right colour. Might save a few bob

Just had a quick look on ebay and there is one OSF wing on there, how much would it set me back roughly to get it sprayed?

There will be ones of the same colour at a breakers somewhere, try a site like findapart, firstchoice or 247spares, recieve s/h wing in post then spend an hour or so fitting the new one.

This is probably the best bet. A repair is do-able but there is a chance the edge won't look right and may not look as defined.

If it was me I'd go down the replace the whole panel route as it's more likely to work.... Maybe even try to negotiate the £500 down to £350-£400 at the dealer.