Been a little down on my car lately because it's no longer 'as new.' It took a hit at the rear of the driver's side door to the center of the wheel well. From height it looks like a large SUV or PU touched the area as he was turning out of an adjacent parking space.
Damage was so slight that I didn't even notice it until I was lookng at the car in my office parking space--a day or even a week later. What I saw was more of a ripple than a dent. Thought I'd get it fixed w/o involving insurance company, but estimates ranged from $1200-1600. When I worked in body shops in the seventies, it would have been a $350.00 repair on the outside. Insurance guy showed me the estimate he prepared, and the body shop will be removing about a dozen parts, including rubber, wheel well, and even rear tail light to fix the quarterpanel. Times change, but unlike the repairs we used to do, it appears that this may be returned to 'as new.'

 

I'm affraid that if I ever saw anyone give Fred or Wilma a dent I'd go PSYCHO or MEDIEVAL on them!!



I hope they can match that Machine Grey for ya....

 

I take it that the car is already at a shop? If not you can always have it repaired at my bodyshop(where it will be fixed the right way).

 

Yes , I too worked and managed a body shop in the 80's and it's way different today than back then. with all the new techniques today it's a lot easier then back then but it costs more go figure.

 

cool. i also notice alot of new techniques being implemented on shops. but i discovered a source for tutorials for Car Repair. its a nice one check it out .

 

You should be covered for a "hit while parked"? and it shouldn't go against you. Some states mandate a deductible. here in Maryland its $250 or your collision deductible whichever is less.

 

Depending on the "ripple" if it's creased or not, I had a similar incident some time back and was so smooth I didn,'t notice it until I was cleaning the car for waxing. I was about the size of a canteloupe in diameter and possiblt 3/4 " deep. Aplace where I had had body work done in the past called a fix a dent guy and he came over and gave me a $125.00 estimate. I said go and he drove the car in the shop and back out in about 20 mnutes. Can't tell where it was. He went in thru the taillight anddidn't remove anythin g else. I was impressed. Sorry, no pics.

John P
FTroopChief

 

I guess thats why they call em a dent wizzard !!!! They do great work done some on my daughters car a couple of times !! Not to bad on price either !!!

 

Ditto, we use a couple of shops for that and its like Blackstone the magician does the work. If no paint damage, go with a dent wizard...they are in the Vegas area

Pooly

 

It'd be hard to say what I'd do. Obviously I'd be devastated but I don't think I'd get angry unless 1) the person tried to leave or 2) they refused to apologize. It's amazing how many people would simply drive away rather take responsibility for what they've done. It's also amazing that me, a 22 yr old, is the one saying this. I'd expect even more maturity from someone older.

Good luck getting it fixed! Those new techniques that shops use are there for a reason. Better service and better results.

 

I doubt that will be your attitude when some goober thoughtlessly swings his/her door into the side of your flawless XF, even though you went way out of your way to park in the least likely spot that such things should happen.

 

Nice to hear what you would do