So, the ball-hitch hit-and-run parking lot damage to my hood...



... that I mostly managed to pop out...


... has some creases that are unreachable because of the underside structure in that are of the hood. The sharp crease between the edge of the air intake area and the rounded part of the hood that goes toward the left side and down toward the front has quite a crease that I just can't get a dolly behind to try and pound up. I could re-dent it and bondo, but I don't like the idea of that much filler.

So... I am left asking the question: what 'brands' of aftermarket sheet metal have good quality? A primed OEM hood is around $850 depending on where I would get it - not too bad, IMO, except for the $500 shipping thing. I can get a 'Garage-pro' hood for $640 delivered, I can get a 'Cad-ID' hood from ebay for $520 (5 star product rating, but no review) delivered, or a 'Perfect-Fit' hood from ebay for $592 delivered.

Does anyone have first hand experience with aftermarket sheet metal body panels? Any sellers/brands to avoid? Any to look out for? If my nearest MINI dealer wasn't 450 miles away, I would order one and drive down to Minneapolis to pick it up...

 

I don't know MINI sheet metal. My experience comes from, the first Gen Mustang world. Most aftermarket sheet metal is not going to meet your quality expectations. I'd either go new OEM or by a good salvage OEM. Allmag has been really good in my experience. If you call them they will go look at the part and answer questions about defects, etc.

 

Agreed on salvage vs total delivered cost for new. Checking CL ads, an entire R53 parts car could be had for that much money. OTOH, becoming a defacto MINI dismantler might well not appeal to you, your neighbors or HOA if applicable.

 

One of the main attractions for me to a new primed part is the clean undersurface. I plan on same number of coats of base and clear on the underside of the hood. Cleaning years of greasy grunge from the surfaces under the supports and struts would be just hell. I know what Seattle Mini (my go to for the best prices on most OE stuff) would charge for a hood - I sent an email to the MINI place in Minneapolis - if they come in around the same price, I may have to drive down.

Someone has to make OE quality sheet metal parts...

 

A paintless dent repair place should be able to work that out, also way less than a new hood and paint.

 

Anything other than OEM replacements seem doubtful for R53. Picking up might be the best option to avoid freight cost, unless you can convince the dealer to have it drop-shipped from BMW's whse to your location (or will-call at nearest freight terminal). Such a bodywork item is likely shipped boxed and strapped on a pallet for transit protection.

 

Agreed, the PDR process might successfully restore the contours. The small ding on my bonnet could not be fully pulled-up by my PDR guy without risk of cracking the paint with moisture/rust following. I/we chose to leave that as-is since otherwise pristine (covered by a small gel Union Jack emblem now). With the subject car, not an issue if planning on bonnet respray thus PDR might be a good alternative.

 

I don't think PDR would be able to do too much - the entire area where the original dent was located is obscured by support structure on the inside of the hood. I can see what they say though...

 

Small access hole(s) for spoon tools can be drilled on the bonnet underside but if part of that dented area is adjacent to or on top of a structural member, probably no joy even if using glue sticks on the top surface.

 

Drilling holes in the underside structure is a no-go for me. It has to be perfect as this is a slow-moving near total resto I will be doing on the body panels using the best quality materials I can afford. Probably the front up to the doors this coming year, and the rear and top next. The hood is the only panel I think will be replaced - the rest of the body is in pretty good shape - even the bumpers aren't too bad. My next step will depend on what Motorwerks quotes me for a new oem hood.

 

Been in the body shop industry for 20yrs...I can assure you they don't