Hey all,

 

So last night I was round my GF's house and we had a knock at the door. It was her next door neighbour saying that she had just reversed her car into mine. I have a BMW 316 which i picked up 3 months ago and I love it. It's my first real car and it's my pride and joy.

 

Luckily the damage is not too bad and she has owned up it etc so it could be a lot worse. The damage is a big dent to the passenger door (not a deep one) a chunk has also been taken out of the trim along the bottom And a small dent by the door handle.

 

My insurance company have given me a list of a few garages where I can get it repaired to. The only one i recognise is the Vauxhall garage, being a car dealer I am thinking they may be the best people to do the work. However I said to the lady on the phone I would rather get it done via BMW and she said that is fine but I won't get the 5 years warranty they offer. (Because these garages are the insurance companies approved garages aka partners)

 

So i was wondering what you all think I should do? At the end of the day I don't want to get the work done and the paint to be a different colour when you look at it from different angles as I have seen this many times in the past.

 

Thanks,

 

Josh

Josh, that really sucks man

 

I would say just go to the garage they've recommended. It may be a Vauxhall garage but the job sounds like one of those that if you can do to one car, you can do to any. And to be honest, if you try and go elsewhere, you'll probably be faced with a bill running into many hundreds of pounds, which isn't worth it.

same thing happened to my first car - although the dent was massive could hardly open the door.

 

With me they just drove off without leaving details.

 

Then it got done again a month later on the back panel in Tesco car park.

 

I think people just hated the car!

 

 

 

Insurance companies don't recommend 2-bit outfits, it's not in their interest - any would probs do a good job

Well luckily she has admitted to it so her insurance company will be paying for it! BMW are offering a 3 year guarantee and they will lend me a car while the work is being done! Before i do get them to do it though I will make sure I have something to fall back on if the work is not adequate.

BMW are offering a 3 year guarantee and they will lend me a car

 

Let's hope it's a new Z4 or X6!

Yeahhhh maann!!! That will be nice! I might accidentally not give it back then xD

Bit of a tip, your insurance company will try to push you to one of their "approved garages" as they have pre-arranged discounts to allow them to save on the payout. However you have the right to choose whichever garage you so choose... normally you need three quotes from separate garages of your choice and you pick one/agree with the insurance company.

 

Had problems in the past with our landrover defender with landrovers warrantee for similar work, where they insisted their warrantee is only valid if you use one of their garages... which again isn't the case as long as original/approved parts are used.

 

Usually have to fight them tooth and nail to get them to admit it however, but it is part of your consumer rights in the UK .... fortunately found this out from an uncle who does body work on cars... as Landrovers garage (TH Whites) gave us what can only be described as a courtesy car that must have been in for work, looked, smelt and drove like It had come from a pig farm.

 

Additionally they never could manage to fix anything... and supposidly they where ment to be approved?

Edited December 7, 201114 yr by CSN-UK

My experience with Insurer Approved garages wasn't very good, but that's another story

 

I would recommend you join and post on http://bavarian-board.co.uk - somebody on there may have experience of a good repairer local to you

 

Even if they don't, it is a good resource for BMW info

Bit of a tip, your insurance company will try to push you to one of their "approved garages" as they have pre-arranged discounts to allow them to save on the payout.

 

 

My experience with Insurer Approved garages wasn't very good, but that's another story

 

"Insurance companies don't recommend 2-bit outfits, it's not in their interest - any would probs do a good job"

 

oops! I stand corrected!! Best listen to the guys who've had first hand experience.

Nice one guys, thanks for the feedback.

 

Going to contact my insurance company and see what they say! BMW said they can pick up my car and lend me a vehicle while the work is being done! Just hope my insurance company / there insurance company get funny about it.

Your courtesy car is likely to be a vauxhall even from BMW , I know this because my brother bought a BMW from an official dealer and the car wasn't ready in time so they lent him a corsa haha!

Oh dear..well the thing is i start my new development job next week and it's about a 40 minute drive away from myself. So as long as i have something to get to work i don't mind