Hi,

I'm looking for a good body shop to fix a dent in my poor poor mini . This is the first time I've actually had to go thru this so I'm a bit confused by all the advice I've received from my friends. Here is the situation:

If I go thru the insurance company I'll have piece of mind that the job will get done right and that there will be a flat deductable to pay. but people say that when you try to sell the car it will be on record that the car has been in an accident but the record won't specify that it was only a stupid dent and nothing serious.

On the other hand I could go to a garage maybe someone here can recommend me to and pay out of pocket, but then I might cost a lot more than the deductable and I will only hope that it's done right.

If someone can recommend a good shop, I will give them a shot and get a quote from them.
What should I do?

 

First question is where are you located in NJ?

Yes, it is on record with the insurance company that you had a claim but there aren't usually details. What you will run into is the car people with a good eye that can always tell when a car has been painted. Even though it is just a ding in the door....if it can't be pulled out without paint, the entire door will have to be painted and blended into the surrounding panels. Lots of people will be able to tell it's been painted. My old '04 was hit in the door and the skin had to be replaced, painted and blended into the rest of the body. To my, you couldn't tell. To the guy that bought it, he spotted it right away. Even though I had been up front with him and told him the door had bee hit and painted.

As for a good body shop, D&A in Levittown, PA did all my work and did a beautiful job. They also do all the work for Princeton BMW/MINI where I used to work. I don't have their number at hand but if you decide to go there, ask for Ed and tell him that Debbie (who used to work at Princetion MINI) referred you.

Debbie
MINI Owners of NJ

 

Does anyone know if "D&A" in Levittown PA is still the preferred bodyshop used by Princeton Mini? I have a couple of small parts I need to get painted and wanted to go to a place which does alot of Minis since they might even already have the colors I need mixed and ready to spray. It's also cheaper that way when you only need very small parts painted.

 

Call the service department and ask. They'll tell you because body parts are ordered through them.

 

I asked and was told they use "several area bodyshops." I got the impression the Service Advisor didnt want to give up the info because she wanted to have the parts painted through the dealership? I need to get 2 small parts painted and was quoted $130 for both!!!!!

 

D&A is a good shop. They did the work on my MINI when I and it was a great job.

 

Thanks. How recently was that? I couldnt find any reviews on this shop so far...

 

Spring of 2006. I moved to upstate NY in fall of 2006. If Ed is still the manager of the shop, you'll be fine.