Actually, since I last posted, I went to the body shop and we discussed the repair. The guy I spoke with said they COULD repair the ding with only the slightest bit of filler. I believe I am going to have it done that way instead of replacing the panel. Thanks for all of the suggestions, and I should have it back by Thursday. I'll post pics of the completed repair.

FrogGuts

 

I just want to add that the fillers used today by quality repair shops is not the same filler of yesteryear. The new fillers do not shrink, crack or peel.

What you need to worry about is not the dent or filler. You need to worry about the level of detail put into rough sanding, final sanding and painting.

I had a shop fix my Miata and they used the latest equipment and techniques. They welded studs to the dent and then pulled the dents back to factory specs using a special jig. This equipment is expensive and the person using it needs to be trained. They did a great job on the dent pull but the sanding was less than optimal. In the right light I can see the stud marks and the sanding marks. I should say that so far I am the only person that can see it. Everyone else I've shown thinks I'm crazy...

Do your homework and check that body shop out. That is where you need to spend your time. Each town usually only has a couple shops like this. I live in Charlotte NC and can only think of two places that do the type of work I consider great. Stay away from chains. Mom and Pop seems to be the best work. They usually take it personally. They also seem to take the longest. My car was in their hands for several weeks. Worth the wait.

 

I have decided to take the car to the Fairway Ford body shop, as it is recommended by Century BMW/MINI, and they have been sending people to them for years. The local BMW dealership doesn't have a body shop on premises, so they sub everything out to Fairway. They used to do all body repair for BMW Manufacturing's employee leased cars before BMW built their own performance center body shop to save money. They have a ton of experience dealing with BMW's and Cooper's and I trust them fully. I will take the car in on Monday and have it back by Thursday.

The total cost is going to be $750.00 since I decided to have it fixed instead of replacing the panel.

FrogGuts

 

Frogguts,

I had heard only good things about Fairway Ford's body shop, but my personal experience was not good. I'm hoping that my case was a fluke, a rare instance, but they left overspray on several body panels, introduced huge areas of buffer swirls and scratches, didn't prep the car well, so I had dirt and fish eyes in the clear coat, and they even left a black streak under the clear coat near my headlight. I took my MINI back and said try again. BTW, this was on chili red; a color far easier to work with than metallic IB.

I pick up my MINI on Monday, so I'll let you know how they did on round two.

Best of luck with the repair,
JS

 

>>I have decided to take the car to the Fairway Ford body shop, as it is recommended by Century BMW/MINI, and they have been sending people to them for years. The local BMW dealership doesn't have a body shop on premises, so they sub everything out to Fairway. They used to do all body repair for BMW Manufacturing's employee leased cars before BMW built their own performance center body shop to save money. They have a ton of experience dealing with BMW's and Cooper's and I trust them fully. I will take the car in on Monday and have it back by Thursday.
>>
>>The total cost is going to be $750.00 since I decided to have it fixed instead of replacing the panel.
>>
>>FrogGuts

$750 dead on, wow

Man I hope they didn't see my post

 

I thought I had a bad week. This is not a good week at all for anyone.

Remember it's all fixable.

 

Dropped the car off at the body shop this morning. I'll let ya know how it turns out on Thurs when I get it back. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

FrogGuts

 

>>Dropped the car off at the body shop this morning. I'll let ya know how it turns out on Thurs when I get it back. Thanks for all of the suggestions.
>>
>>FrogGuts

Good luck, FrogGuts. I picked my car up early this morning from Century, and it was covered in dew, so I couldn't really tell how my second round with Fairway went, but what I could see looked good. I sure hope the paint is good this time.

Best of luck with getting your car repaired to your satisfaction.

See ya,
JS

 

>>Best of luck with getting your car repaired to your satisfaction.

I think you jinxed me J. We looked at the car this afternoon and the molding wasn't put back on well and the paint has fisheyes and trash all in it. Just like you it goes back again for round 2. If it's wrong again, I think Adrianne might go POSTAL!

They gave me a new Ranger to drive, but it doesn't make up for their screwup.

Anyways, we'll see how it looks after round 2. Needless to say at this point I won't be recommending Fairiway to anyone local.

FrogGuts

 

This repair bill beats the $1000 damage to my van when my wife backed up into our neighbor's mailbox just to be crooked and not on the street.
Nice dent. No damage to the mailbox.

 

This repair bill beats the $1000 damage to my van when my wife backed up into our neighbor's mailbox just to be crooked and not on the street.
Nice dent. No damage to the mailbox.

 

Dang, I hope I didn't jinx you. I was just trying to warn you. :smile: Unreal. I think they need to re-train someone over at the body shop.

Well, I still haven't had a chance to detail my MINI since the bonnet was re-painted the 2nd time, but I did look at it carefully when the dew evaporated, and the job looks very good this time. I can still see some faint buffer swirls, but I can take care of that. No trash in the paint and no fish eyes, thank goodness.


Man, like rubbing salt in a wound.


Good luck with your round 2,
JS