what body shop to use for the M3????

[BimmerRob08]

Long story short, my M3 suffered a light ding on the bulge of the hood and now I have to claim insurance to get it fixed. Problem I'm faced with is that BMW dealer in Bury here in the UK claims that their outsourced body shop uses BMW paint, primer, parts, etc, etc. Garantee by all BMW dealers and 12 year paint warrenty.

The insurance dude says the body shop that BMW in Bury st. Edmunds is using is not covered by the insurance because they charge really high prices. The insurance company USAA, suggested another body shop and claims the paint is all the same from "paintsystems" and that it's all color coded matched. My M3 is Space gray, which I'd think is hard to match.

So talked to this other body shop, they claim they can work the alluminum hood, paint it just as new and USAA insurance has a life-long garantee warrenty on the work and honors it back in the States too.

My worries is if I should go to another BMW dealer that may use another shop or trust this body shop which is recommended by the insurance?? What would you guys do if you were in my shoes???

[uthatch]

Originally Posted by BimmerRob08

Long story short, my M3 suffered a light ding on the bulge of the hood and now I have to claim insurance to get it fixed. Problem I'm faced with is that BMW dealer in Bury here in the UK claims that their outsourced body shop uses BMW paint, primer, parts, etc, etc. Garantee by all BMW dealers and 12 year paint warrenty.

The insurance dude says the body shop that BMW in Bury st. Edmunds is using is not covered by the insurance because they charge really high prices. The insurance company USAA, suggested another body shop and claims the paint is all the same from "paintsystems" and that it's all color coded matched. My M3 is Space gray, which I'd think is hard to match.

So talked to this other body shop, they claim they can work the alluminum hood, paint it just as new and USAA insurance has a life-long garantee warrenty on the work and honors it back in the States too.

My worries is if I should go to another BMW dealer that may use another shop or trust this body shop which is recommended by the insurance?? What would you guys do if you were in my shoes???

Is the hood scratched or just dinged???? If it's not scratched, DO NOT HAVE IT PAINTED. Just get a paintless dent repair done. It's so much easier, cheaper, and better it's not even funny.

If it's scratched, then good luck with the body shop matching the way the metallic is settled. PLEASE make sure they test the color a few times BEFORE the paint your hood. If they are good, they can match it up and you'll never no the difference. If they rush it at all, it will will look like .

Sorry if I didn't respond to your question, but if you can avoid paint, do it.

[Krueger///M3]

Originally Posted by BimmerRob08

Long story short, my M3 suffered a light ding on the bulge of the hood and now I have to claim insurance to get it fixed. Problem I'm faced with is that BMW dealer in Bury here in the UK claims that their outsourced body shop uses BMW paint, primer, parts, etc, etc. Garantee by all BMW dealers and 12 year paint warrenty.

The insurance dude says the body shop that BMW in Bury st. Edmunds is using is not covered by the insurance because they charge really high prices. The insurance company USAA, suggested another body shop and claims the paint is all the same from "paintsystems" and that it's all color coded matched. My M3 is Space gray, which I'd think is hard to match.

So talked to this other body shop, they claim they can work the alluminum hood, paint it just as new and USAA insurance has a life-long garantee warrenty on the work and honors it back in the States too.

My worries is if I should go to another BMW dealer that may use another shop or trust this body shop which is recommended by the insurance?? What would you guys do if you were in my shoes???

Looks like if work is necessary it would be a good time to get the Carbon fiber hood!

[rzm3]

a picture would be helpful...

[BimmerRob08]

Originally Posted by rldzhao

a picture would be helpful...

I got a few pictures but you can't see the light dent, you have to see it in person at an angle. The paint didn't scratch because of the plastic-paintshield covering but I went by the body shop today and they say there is some method they pop up the dent but will end up having to respray the hood. I found out though that the bmw dealer also send their cars to this shop but only the non-warrenty covered used cars. They had a '08 X6 their and a few new Volvo's and a Porsche. So I'm gonna have to trust these people. Good idea one of you guys mentioned about having them "test" the paint shade first. I'll be sure to mention that. Wish my M3 luck!! Thanks for you inputs fella's.

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by uthatch

Is the hood scratched or just dinged???? If it's not scratched, DO NOT HAVE IT PAINTED. Just get a paintless dent repair done. It's so much easier, cheaper, and better it's not even funny.

If it's scratched, then good luck with the body shop matching the way the metallic is settled. PLEASE make sure they test the color a few times BEFORE the paint your hood. If they are good, they can match it up and you'll never no the difference. If they rush it at all, it will will look like .

Sorry if I didn't respond to your question, but if you can avoid paint, do it.

Looks like the paint is fine in that photo, so +1 to this post.

[montreal red]

i say dont bother painting it... a few months or maybe a year or two down the road, you may get more severe damage or scratches then you can paint the whole thing at one go.

[Big Windy]

don't paint, i can't even see anything.

[MDCTFTW]

I wouldn't bother with a respray if they want to do that. The hood will get a lot of rock chips if you drive it so in 4 years if you even want to repair it then you can respray.

Just go to a paintless dent removal place and have them do the best they can.