Can you access a small dent in the rear quarter from inside on an E93?

LakeSurfer · 10-19-2021, 08:55 AM

So I dropped a chunk of wood and of course it bounced off the ground and hit the rear quarter of my car. It's a small dent and I have a satin wrap on the car so you really can't see it but I know it's there and when the wrap is off you'll be able to see it a lot better.

I called a PDR guy and he said he'd have to drill a hole in the wheel well to access it but I said that's not gonna happen. Especially with all the advancements of PDR tools.

So I found that the E92 has a sheet medal panel in the rear from the inside of the car that looks to be screwed in and I'm wondering if the convertibles have that same panel? The dent is right behind where the panel might be.

I've attached a pic of a car with the quarter panel cut out and a pic of where my dent is. Again you can't see it in the pic because of the wrap and the lighting but it's there.

So does the convertible have that same panel?

Thanks in advance.

Helmsman · 10-19-2021, 10:48 AM

Bloody irritating, first you park miles away and make all sorts of effort to avoid damages just to put a dent there yourself. Happened to me as well, luckily I have a dentmaster who can make wonders. Find one.

Throatpunch · 10-19-2021, 10:54 AM

Can you access from the rear window? How about if you remove the taillight?

tbuck · 10-19-2021, 10:56 AM

PDR is the first step I would take, certainly before tearing the interior out to see if you could get to it. If it is just a dent, not a crease, they should be able to get it almost totally out. Much cheaper as well. Good luck!

LakeSurfer · 10-19-2021, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Throatpunch

Can you access from the rear window? How about if you remove the taillight?

Might be able to get it from the rear window. The dent is in front of the rear wheel so access through the tail light might be possible but s long way to travel.

LakeSurfer · 10-19-2021, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbuck

PDR is the first step I would take, certainly before tearing the interior out to see if you could get to it. If it is just a dent, not a crease, they should be able to get it almost totally out. Much cheaper as well. Good luck!

Yeah, I've been talking to a PDR guy and I want to give him every advantage possible. Talking the rear panels out is only a few clips and screws. I wrapped the car by myself and broke all kinds of clips so I definitely have extra.

No high spots or creases in the dent so I'd imagine that they could get it out with those hot glue pullers. But again if it makes it easier I'll take apart anything I can, opposed to him forcing it to work. He talked about going at it through the window but I'd rather not have tools bouncing around and tearing up seals or whatever else.

He's also concerned about the wrap because he'd use heat on the medal to help soften it and get better results but I couldn't care less about the wrap. I'd rather have it come out clean and rewrap it.

InnerBlueSkies · 10-19-2021, 12:52 PM

I'd get another opinion from someone else that specializes in PDR.

tbuck · 10-19-2021, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeSurfer

Yeah, I've been talking to a PDR guy and I want to give him every advantage possible. Talking the rear panels out is only a few clips and screws. I wrapped the car by myself and broke all kinds of clips so I definitely have extra.

No high spots or creases in the dent so I'd imagine that they could get it out with those hot glue pullers. But again if it makes it easier I'll take apart anything I can, opposed to him forcing it to work. He talked about going at it through the window but I'd rather not have tools bouncing around and tearing up seals or whatever else.

He's also concerned about the wrap because he'd use heat on the medal to help soften it and get better results but I couldn't care less about the wrap. I'd rather have it come out clean and rewrap it.

Yeah, I was just thinking the wrap will undoubtedly get trashed. There is really no reason to go inside on a simple dent like that, and as you said, I would not want someone messing around inside and perhaps damage something else.

LakeSurfer · 10-19-2021, 08:47 PM

Well I took the interior panels out and there really isn't access via a panel like the pic I posted. It's pretty much solid stamped sheet metal. There is tons of foam and insulation and other sound dampening crap though. I'd bet you could lose 100 lbs if one were to remove it all.

Anyway if I find a good tech I wager that they'd be able to reach the inside of the dent from the window opening.

Only broke 1 clip though. That's pretty good.

roastbeef · 10-19-2021, 08:52 PM

Yes, remove the interior door card and it will be easy access.

LakeSurfer · 10-19-2021, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roastbeef

Yes, remove the interior door card and it will be easy access.

Done.

W Cole · 10-20-2021, 12:00 AM

I’ve had a couple of these on my coupe. For one I removed the interior door panel so he had full access from the inside but another (better) PDR guy just went through the rear wheel well. He said this was the best way and was a lot less work for me as all I did was take off the wheel for him.

LakeSurfer · 10-20-2021, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W Cole

I've had a couple of these on my coupe. For one I removed the interior door panel so he had full access from the inside but another (better) PDR guy just went through the rear wheel well. He said this was the best way and was a lot less work for me as all I did was take off the wheel for him.

Is there access through the wheel well? This dude is telling me he'd have to cut holes in there. That's not gonna happen. I'd rather stud weld the dent and re spray the panel.

bmwm3s65 · 10-20-2021, 09:17 AM

Do you guys usually have a mobile pdr come to your house or do you bring your cars somewhere and have it done? can a mobile pdr be just as good as one that you bring your car to?

LakeSurfer · 10-20-2021, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwm3s65

Do you guys usually have a mobile pdr come to your house or do you bring your cars somewhere and have it done? can a mobile pdr be just as good as one that you bring your car to?

They come in all shapes and forms. They really don't need a shop to do the work. I would prefer then to do my car in a shop where the lighting is more consistent. They use specific lights to see all the crowns and low spots and the lights probably wouldn't do the job satisfactorily outside in the sun.

The guy I was talking to is mobile and said he specializes in exotic cars and has 20 something years of experience. But he told me that he only takes cash. So I said no thank you. To me that means he's probably not insured and or he might just do it on the side. I'm sure he could be good at it but cash is scetchy.

Throatpunch · 10-20-2021, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeSurfer

Is there access through the wheel well? This dude is telling me he'd have to cut holes in there. That's not gonna happen. I'd rather stud weld the dent and re spray the panel.

Just an FYI when you trade in a car to the dealer they call a pdr guy and wheel repair and bumper guy and refinish them. Usually pdr guys will drill a hole and plug it with a grommet.

LakeSurfer · 10-20-2021, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Throatpunch

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeSurfer

Is there access through the wheel well? This dude is telling me he'd have to cut holes in there. That's not gonna happen. I'd rather stud weld the dent and re spray the panel.

Just an FYI when you trade in a car to the dealer they call a pdr guy and wheel repair and bumper guy and refinish them. Usually pdr guys will drill a hole and plug it with a grommet.

I know but it's not gonna happen on my watch.

10-19-2021, 08:55 AM	#1
LakeSurfer Captain 824 Rep 684 Posts Drives: bicycle Join Date: May 2019 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	So I dropped a chunk of wood and of course it bounced off the ground and hit the rear quarter of my car. It's a small dent and I have a satin wrap on the car so you really can't see it but I know it's there and when the wrap is off you'll be able to see it a lot better. I called a PDR guy and he said he'd have to drill a hole in the wheel well to access it but I said that's not gonna happen. Especially with all the advancements of PDR tools. So I found that the E92 has a sheet medal panel in the rear from the inside of the car that looks to be screwed in and I'm wondering if the convertibles have that same panel? The dent is right behind where the panel might be. I've attached a pic of a car with the quarter panel cut out and a pic of where my dent is. Again you can't see it in the pic because of the wrap and the lighting but it's there. So does the convertible have that same panel? Thanks in advance. Attached Images
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10-19-2021, 10:48 AM	#2
Helmsman Major General 4587 Rep 7,210 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Bloody irritating, first you park miles away and make all sorts of effort to avoid damages just to put a dent there yourself. Happened to me as well, luckily I have a dentmaster who can make wonders. Find one.
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10-19-2021, 10:54 AM	#3
Throatpunch Captain 381 Rep 681 Posts Drives: 2008 E93 M3 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Philly, PA iTrader: (0)	Can you access from the rear window? How about if you remove the taillight?
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10-19-2021, 10:56 AM	#4
tbuck Captain 1199 Rep 958 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3, 2016 F23 M235i Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Huntsville iTrader: (1)	PDR is the first step I would take, certainly before tearing the interior out to see if you could get to it. If it is just a dent, not a crease, they should be able to get it almost totally out. Much cheaper as well. Good luck! __________________
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10-19-2021, 12:52 PM	#7
InnerBlueSkies Captain 1093 Rep 950 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: College Station, Texas iTrader: (1)	I'd get another opinion from someone else that specializes in PDR.
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10-19-2021, 08:47 PM	#9
LakeSurfer Captain 824 Rep 684 Posts Drives: bicycle Join Date: May 2019 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Well I took the interior panels out and there really isn't access via a panel like the pic I posted. It's pretty much solid stamped sheet metal. There is tons of foam and insulation and other sound dampening crap though. I'd bet you could lose 100 lbs if one were to remove it all. Anyway if I find a good tech I wager that they'd be able to reach the inside of the dent from the window opening. Only broke 1 clip though. That's pretty good.
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10-19-2021, 08:52 PM	#10
roastbeef Lieutenant General 11650 Rep 12,757 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4)	Yes, remove the interior door card and it will be easy access. __________________ Instagram; @roastbeefmike
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10-20-2021, 12:00 AM	#12
W Cole Major 145 Rep 1,130 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Newport Coast, CA iTrader: (5)	I’ve had a couple of these on my coupe. For one I removed the interior door panel so he had full access from the inside but another (better) PDR guy just went through the rear wheel well. He said this was the best way and was a lot less work for me as all I did was take off the wheel for him.
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10-20-2021, 09:17 AM	#14
bmwm3s65 Second Lieutenant 274 Rep 298 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW E90 M3 6spd Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Do you guys usually have a mobile pdr come to your house or do you bring your cars somewhere and have it done? can a mobile pdr be just as good as one that you bring your car to?
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