[muzeon]

Hello all,

I got my 335i Sedan Nov 17, just took it for detail, clay, wax a few days ago, about to buy a cover for it, took pains to be careful where I park, but alas someone hit my car at a parking lot while we were having lunch this past Saturday.

I'll try to attach the photos, and hope they work. The pictures don't do much justice, but the 1/4 panel by the rear passenger wheel is dented, the passenger door is scratched, dented and creased, and the driver's door is at least scratched. Also the rear passenger wheel is scratched by may polish out, just hope doesn't need alignment.

At least the girl left her phone number and her Dad said he will pay for the damage, either personally or via insurance.

I spent half a day driving around to various bodyshops yesterday, because her Dad wants a different opinion in price, and want to try to avoid insurance. Turns out to be $3,500 to $4,,500. I have decided not to drive around anymore, cos at that price who would pay for it, except insurance?

I always go to Marcos Auto Body in South Pasadena. Any other referrals in the Los Angeles, or Burbank area?

Sorry about the rant, just need to get it out of my system, only 2 weeks old, straight out of the port!!! At least I'm thankful they are honest about it and left a phone number, could've been a hit and run.

So any recc for Bodyshop will be greatly appreciated, esp the 1/4 panel is badly dented, even on the int edge into the door.

Thanks all.

[acizek]

sorry to hear this, this sucks big time I would be so upset finding my car like this :mad:
good luck with the repair!

[canucklion]

that sucks

I think you should definitely go through insurance, with insurance, if the repair is not done up to your expectation, they would take care of it for you.

[txusa03]

Sorry to see that, ppl cannot drive these day. Only 2 weeks old and this happens. I hopt you get her fixed up soon. Btw, eventho the car is scratched up, it is still very shine that I can see your reflection. Should we call you miss muzeon? Welcome to e90post and BOL-best of luck with the repair.

[jhalbri]

That's tough especially since your car is so new! Hopefully it will get fixed to its original condition.

[Ninjaneer]

I hope you got a police report to back up your insurance claim if you end up going that route.

[muzeon]

Originally Posted by txusa03

Btw, eventho the car is scratched up, it is still very shine that I can see your reflection. Should we call you miss muzeon? Welcome to e90post and BOL-best of luck with the repair.

Well, the reflection of the girl in the pic is the girl who hit my car. But yes, I'm miss muzeon. I was too busy talking to her Dad on the phone at the time.

Yes, I really hope it will all be brought back up soon. Waiting a call back from an Allstate claim agent.

Apparently, to replace a 1/4 panel, it is so structural, you will have to remove the inside seats, windshield, everything! So I decided not to take the chance and still have everything as factory original as possible. So bodyshops rather not replace the doors too, saying they have to transfer the inner parts, leather, windows to the new door panel, and that might be problematic later. But Marcos Bodyshop said they'll cahnge the doors anytime of the day, as 80% of the door will have to be bondo-ed otherwise.

Too many ways to fix a car, just trying to figure out which is better... a human hand is hard to be as precise as a machine...

[nmulax]

That sucks, but at least the girl was honest enough not to just take off. Definetely have a police report written up.

[txusa03]

Imho, The best way is too always use new factory panel (don't go for the bondo patch). I am not an expert at this so it is just my opinion. Well at leat if the girl decided to hide from this mess, you got her on pics.

[muzeon]

Quick update, both parties agreed on going through insurance, and I have dropped off the car at Marcos Auto Body in South Pasadena. Problem is they said it will take 2 weeks to get it done! They might only change 1 door (passenger's) and the drivers door they don't think Allstate will allow changing it. The 1/4 panel they will repair, so is the wheel.

Now I drive a Chrysler PT cruiser. I already miss my 335i.

2 weeks?! How do I survive?! This will only make me appreciate my BMW more... It's not even broken in yet...

[ksfrogman]

PM longtran. A lot of us have had our custom aero kits done at his friend's nice body shop. That place specializes in collision repair. You will get excellent service, follow-up and personalized care.

[txusa03]

lol, i hate you for driving the 335 sedan (j/k). one way to cope with this is not to logon to e90post cuz that's gonna make you miss your 335 even more. GL

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by muzeon

Quick update, both parties agreed on going through insurance, and I have dropped off the car at Marcos Auto Body in South Pasadena. Problem is they said it will take 2 weeks to get it done! They might only change 1 door (passenger's) and the drivers door they don't think Allstate will allow changing it. The 1/4 panel they will repair, so is the wheel.

Now I drive a Chrysler PT cruiser. I already miss my 335i.

2 weeks?! How do I survive?! This will only make me appreciate my BMW more... It's not even broken in yet...

Just remember you are in that piece of shit when you merge into traffic, and not in the bimmer! you might get run over!

[Carnage]

Sorry to hear about this, but I'm glad it appears to be getting resolved in the correct manner.

I noticed a couple of people saying to get a police report. Most police departments will not write up a report after all involved have left the scene of the accident. They may take statements, but they will not write an official report since they can't capture things like road/weather conditions, document the damage, etc. at the time of the accident.

It's always best to get the police involved during situations like this so they can document things like conditions, where your car was parked, etc. and you can use that to protect yourself in case the other driver involved tries to claim things like you were illegally parked or something like that.

[muzeon]

Yeah, never filed a police report so far... guess I'm lucky (sorta) the other party didn't try to run away from things. My car has been in the Bodyshop since Dec 7. They are still awaiting the Allstate agent to come by to approve replacing the door (as the drive-in estimate said to repair). Allstate now says they will be there by Dec 14th! 5 days it takes Allstate to go to a bodyshop! Great, hope I'll get the car before Christmas. This sucks big time.

Finally waited and got my 335 from the port, and now a few more weeks at a shop!!! Aarrgh!