Need body shop referral

[330iTiAg]

Yesterday, as I was driving into work, I didn't quite get close enough to the security gate keypad. I backed up so I could inch closer. As I was backing up, this s**t happened (see photo below). I hit a mailbox that was leaning over into the roadway near the security gate.

I immediately wanted to kick my own ass for not paying better attention to WTF I was doing.

The damage is about 18.5" long and is just in the paint. It's deep, though. So, it won't 'buff right out'.

Anyway, now I am in search of a body shop to fix it so I'll never know it was there. I live in Columbia, MD. Do you guys have any advice on a good body shop that can make this lapse of consciousness disappear? Northwest BMW recommended Mark's Body Shop in Reisterstown. However, their estimator gave me a ballpark figure of $3000 based on just seeing the same photo. That figure seems quite high to me. Has anyone else had experience with Mark's? I'd appreciate any advice, comments about Mark's, or other referrals.

Thanks!

[pseto]

Straight Line Auto Body in Elkridge

[mdosu]

ouch, sorry about your luck

[skins333]

jeez, sorry to see..I feel your pain

maybe put some m racing stripes over it!

[Raja Ventureshield]

that would make me cry. so sorry to hear.

[burnsniper]

I had some similar damage (but only on one panel) caused by someone keying my 1M. A good Autobody shop should do the work for about $700-800 per panel.

D&V Autobody in Sterling, VA did my repair. While there were some issues with the initial repair, they re-did the job no questions asked and it looks good.

[WarrantyTracker]

$3k is wayyyyyyyy high. Unless they have to replace the door skin and the rear QP skin with new metal. In which case, it could get that high.

Rotten luck. Sorry for your trouble.

[Dravit M8]

First Choice in Arlington, Va. Is excellent. Owned by the Heishman BMW family.

[330iTiAg]

Originally Posted by pseto

Straight Line Auto Body in Elkridge

Thanks for the referral. Cliff at Auto Armour also recommends them. Do you have personal experience with Straight Line? I tried getting in touch with them via e-mail and phone on Friday with no luck. Then, I went by their shop after work. They had plenty of cars jammed in their front lot, but it was pretty dead at 5:30. The area looked kind of shady too. I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable leaving my M3 there overnight.

[pseto]

Originally Posted by 330iTiAg

Thanks for the referral. Cliff at Auto Armour also recommends them. Do you have personal experience with Straight Line? I tried getting in touch with them via e-mail and phone on Friday with no luck. Then, I went by their shop after work. They had plenty of cars jammed in their front lot, but it was pretty dead at 5:30. The area looked kind of shady too. I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable leaving my M3 there overnight.

Yeah it does look shady there, but I've used them several times in the past with great results. Also have some Porsche friends who also use them. It's a family-run shop and owner, John, is a good car guy who likes BMWs.

[huyner328]

Could be expensive on the labor due to the length of the scratch... can't just patch it up without repainting/blending large areas.

+1 for D&V however... good dudes.

[330iTiAg]

Originally Posted by huyner328

Could be expensive on the labor due to the length of the scratch... can't just patch it up without repainting/blending large areas.

+1 for D&V however... good dudes.

Where is D&V located?

[huyner328]

Sterling, VA... quite the hike for you unfortunately.

One of my friends recommended the body shop at BMW of Annapolis.

[AlpineWeiss92]

D&V does all the body repairs for Ferrari of Washington. Last time I was there, there was a 458 spider, 575, Aventador, and a 430 challenge car. Should speak to the quality of their work. Not to mention Kevin is one of the nicest guys I've ever met.

[Boost3dm3]

Marks charges a lot but does great work. Someone hit my car in the rear and it happened to be along the fender flare but Mark's was able to fix it just like new. They take their time and do great quality work. I would recommend Mark's if money and time are not of huge concern to you. D&V is also great but they also have a long wait to get your car in and its a lot further than Mark's in Baltimore. When I went there I got a tour of the facility and there was two other M3s there. Many people from the Baltimore area will vouch for them, me included. FYI Mark will do whatever is necessary to fix it right including procedures not deemed as absolutely necessary by insurance standards but required to make it look good as new and most insurances if you go through them wont pay Mark's full bill because of this.