Thought on this... write off or repair?

[f30Sean]

As title suggest me any thoughts on whether this will be a write off in the uk or a repair

F30 saloon
71k miles
2012

Door dented and scratched, nasty scratch to the rear quarter panel, skirt marked and looks like rear door slightly misaligned at the bottom

[RockCrusher]

Just going by the pics that doesn't look to be bad enough to write off the vehicle.

But I have to add if there's damage -- not shown by the pics of course -- to the suspension/running gear that could be enough to classify the vehicle as a write off.

My advice is seek out a highly regarded body shop and have the car in for an estimate of the damage. In the USA if insurance is involved the insurance adjuster will get first crack and then after he's done the repair shop will estimate the cost to repair.

The shop's estimate will almost certainly be higher as it can do a partial teardown to see how "deep" the damage is. At this time if there is any damage to the running gear/suspension this will be spotted and the cost to put this right added to the estimate.

If the damage is bad enough the insurance may decide to write off the vehicle.

[jaffles]

If that's a write off then buy it back if you can and get panel section stitched in yourself. Amazing on on TV they are cutting and fabricating panels left right and center from the dead, but come insurance and panel shops a huge amount is seemingly written off.

Could easily cut that section of the panel out with a grinder at the wreckers, then a competent panel beater clean it up to match the damaged panel section before welding it in. The rest is cosmetic and a new door is easy as.

And it goes like this, I just spent $50 replacing 3 bearings for a serpentine belt tensioner and air conditioner clutch. However these days the mechanic would prefer to replace (promoted as faster and cheaper) to charge me $380 (tensioner) and $600 (air con) plus fitting. The world has gone mad on the con parts are cheaper to replace then repair generally. Cars appear little different.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by f30Sean

As title suggest me any thoughts on whether this will be a write off in the uk or a repair

F30 saloon
71k miles
2012

Door dented and scratched, nasty scratch to the rear quarter panel, skirt marked and looks like rear door slightly misaligned at the bottom

Depends on the cost of repair vs. residual value of the car.
I'm not sure what the car is worth, but if repairs are estimated at 60-80% of value (threshold varies by insurance company), it will get totaled.

Looking at the pics, new door + new quarter panel (to avoid tons of bondo) + painting the entire side (to blend in properly) will likely run ~$10K.

Ultimately - our opinion doesn't matter one bit.
The only thing that matters is the repair estimate (you can approach a body shop on your own) and your adjuster's estimate of the car's value. The rest is formulaic.

Originally Posted by jaffles

If that's a write off then buy it back if you can and get panel section stitched in yourself. Amazing on on TV they are cutting and fabricating panels left right and center from the dead, but come insurance and panel shops a huge amount is seemingly written off.

Two considerations:
1). Buying a "salvage titled" car is possible, but will absolutely kill its resale value.
2). You could replace the door panel on the cheap by snagging identical paint match from a salvage yard. But DIY-cutting, welding, and painting the rear quarter panel is not for the faint of heart. It can be done, but definitely not for everyone!

Good luck either way!

a

[jaffles]

I was coming from if the car is worth 10K, it got paid and if one has salvage rights it may see 2k.

To find a door at the wrecker for $200, and cut a chunk of panel out $50, then walk into a panel shop and ask them to make it all work. Should not kill a cars value or be more than 5K. Its a standard repair with a blend for a competent panel beater.

In saying that I replaced a fender ($100), repaired a small dint, and painted my daughters car metallic pink for $1100 all up. Took me 3 days. The body shop wanted $8000 so I'm more than likely out of touch.

[spazzyfry123]

If there’s no underlying damage, take the write off money, buy it back, and drive as is!

[vreihen16]

Patina.....

[2000cs]

I would drive my F30 Saloon to the saloon and drink until I didn’t care about the damage. Then my wife would give me a ride home, having just finished at the salon.

Welcome to OT!

[Martini11]

Originally Posted by f30Sean

As title suggest me any thoughts on whether this will be a write off in the uk or a repair

F30 saloon
71k miles
2012

Door dented and scratched, nasty scratch to the rear quarter panel, skirt marked and looks like rear door slightly misaligned at the bottom

Looks pretty reparable, probably not a write off