Anyone have a recommendation for a TOP NOTCH body shop in the western Philadelphia suburbs (preferably West Chester, but I'll go some distance for someone with Mini experience, probably too soon for that though eh?).

I'm sorry to say that thanks to some BUTTHEAD who hit my wife this morning (low speed, she's ok), we'll need to find somone to replace the rear bumper and do some paint.

Read about the butthead here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ic=14710&7

Meanwhile, as long as it's going in, perhaps we can find someone who'll also do custom Bonnet/Boot stripes and some window tinting... hey gotta find the silver lining in this cloud somehow.

Anyone have any recommendations???????? Please....

 

Here are two places to try...

1. Karosserie. Their located in King of Prussia, PA The phone number is 610.279.8925.

I've used them for some work. Very high end body shop. Factory authorized for Ferrari and AUDI. Bring the car to these guys,you will never know the car was in an accident. Their work is that good. But good work comes at a price. Also don't expect to see the car again for at least three weeks. Tell them to take you around the shop,it's a site to see.

2. Orsini Collision Service. Their located in Ardmore, PA The phone number is 610.649.2530

I've visited their place. They are use to seeing lot's of Mini's. Don Rosen/Mini of the Main Line uses them for some of their bodywork. Not on the scale of Karosserie,but their work looks pretty good. They seem nice enough there.

I have one more to give you, but I can't find their number.

Good Luck with the car. Don't worry about the car,it will come out looking great. Let me how how you make out.

Steven

 

Excellent. Those are the types of recommendations for which I was hoping.

I'm not real worried about $$$ as it's not going to be my dime. Of course, if I know claims adjusters they'll have their own take on it, but if need be I'll press. The guy ran into a car that was standing still in traffic and the car was less than a month old!!!

As for amount of time, I also could care less as long as the insurance co gives me a rental and the work is done right!

I'll give one or both a call next week and see about setting up an appointment for a quote.

If you think of/find the third, let me know.

Thanks a lot Steven!

Kev

_________________
She let's me drive her MCS (which is good, cause I gave it to her as a wedding present)!!!

Our Baby? - she's an 03 Elect Blue (white roof/wheels) MCS, w/ all the toys (premium, cold, h/k, Nav, xenon, fogs etc) !

 

Kev, We spoke in the showroom today, I'm glad to here that your bride is allright. Hopefully service was able to help you with the two body shops that wee use, Cavallo's and Brandywine. Any questions, please don't hesitate to call me JOE 610.399.8061 Otto's MINI

 

>> Kev, We spoke in the showroom today, I'm glad to here that your bride is allright. Hopefully service was able to help you with the two body shops that wee use, Cavallo's and Brandywine. Any questions, please don't hesitate to call me JOE 610.399.8061 Otto's MINI

Thanks Joe!

Parts/Service guys were great.

Brandywine took the time out to give us an estimate right away. Based on your (and other's) recommendations, we've already made an appointment with them. I'll post back as to the results to update everyone.

I'll be in soon to buy some more Mini Goodies.

Kev

 

I had my rear fender damage and hood repainted by Orsini in Haverford. MINI recommended them. They work on a lot of MINIs and won't screw it up. I am VERY happy about the result. All of the other cars there wereeither Audi, BMW or Lexus. Good luck!

 

OK,

Got our baby back last week and she looks GREAT!!!!

Thanks everyone for your input. In the end, we went with Otto's recommendation (because it matched with some recs from people with whom I work).

We choose

BRANDYWINE COACHWORKS in Exton.

I give them an A+

Reasonable quote... worked with the oppositions insurance and the car rental place AND sublet out a tinting job for the rear windows while it was there.

Not sure who caught my follow-up thread in Mini Talk, but we managed to HIT A DEER with our car the NIGHT before we dropped it off. Brandywine took it in stride, we showed up and he added on to the estimate and made sure he'd take care of that damage as well.

We even had a minor factory defect in the hood (a very tiny dent near the fender on the driver's side, that you could only see in certain light). Anyway, we showed it to the guys at Brandywine and unrequested, they had their paintless dent guy fix it for us (and at no additional cost).

My only complaints (and they are not big ones) are

1. They took a couple days longer than they said (even taking into consideration the additional work). No biggie, I wanted it right not fast.
2. Their detailer guy stinks... he used some sort of spray detailer and as soon as it rained, white streaks appeared on the black fender/rocker trim (and we had been VERY careful to keep wax/cleaners away from them up to this point).

With all this said, Brandywine not only did quality work, but were pretty good in the customer service area. We would NOT HESISTATE to use them again (but God I hope we don't need to!).

Kev

 

Kev: You mentioned window tinting. I have had two cars tinted by a place called "Sunsational" in Bridgeport, PA. One was done several years ago, and still looks excellent - no bubbles, no peeling. I can recommend them with no reservations. While it will not come into play for your MINI, they were the only shop around that could do my friend's Corvette rear window in one piece; every other shop said that they would have to have a seam.
Here's hoping no one else hits your pride and joy!
Charlie

 

Thanks for the tint rec... maybe it doesn't matter to me on this Mini but I'll keep it in mind for future reference.

And besides, we've got a good start on recommendations for all sorts of body related issues going in this thread.

Anyone else want to add a rec for future needs?

Kev