Some a-hole hit our car and ran. Must of big some huge dip **** b/c there were no cars around us in the parking lot. Probably too busy on the cell phone to use both hands to turn the fricking wheel.

Anyways, Trying to figure out if I'm going to go through insurance (Gecko) or attempt to replace that panel myself if I can find a good used one. Seems pretty easy to remove.

So I have 3 questions for yuse:

1. Anyone know where I might find a good body panel?
2. Anyone know where I can download a service manual that might have info on removing body panels?
3. Can anyone recommend a good body shop in the San Diego area? I've only been here 3 weeks and don't know where to go for stuff yet. I'm in the Carmel Valley area.

Thanks.

 

That is bad news. Have you checked to see if your headlight washers still work properly. Damage to the tank and pump/hoses is possible with a hit in that location.

I believe that I could park my MINI on the roof, and somebody would STILL park a pile of garbage next to it....

Rawhyde

 

They all seem to be in order. No leaks under the car. If the tanks were hit, I'd have noticed the liquid under the car.

Yes it sucks bigtime....

 

that sucks, but if thats under 500 bucks you wont have to pay your deductable, atleast thats how my gecko plan works

 

Everyones insurance is different. Some ppl may have NO deductable, others $1000 deductable.

If I were you, I would FIRST get an appraisal from a body shop. IF the price is reasonably low, just take care of it yourself, IF its in the thousands, then use the insurance.

Using insurance for piddling amounts of money will only eventually crank up your insurance rates. I would save that for when serious damage happens

Sorry for you lose and yes, some ppl just suck

 

We had a hit and run and AAA had an uninsured motorist division that covered everything. No deductible because it was not our fault.

You might check with Gecko before you do anything. It helps if someone was with you to backup your claim of hit and run.

 

Stupid People Suck

 

I would think that just replacing the body panel would result in paint match issues that would need to be addressed by a body shop (re-spray) anyway, so you may as well just have a shop do the work in the first place.

I had my front quarter panel re-sprayed to the tune of $350. Tack the price of a new panel on top of that, and I'm thinking it would even be cheaper just to have the work done at a shop. And you'd probably be happier with the results.

 

ahh well my parents just put my car on their insurance plan so I never really knew what was goin on with it

 

Exactly. This is why I now surround my car with land-mines in all public parking lots.

 

First things first. File a report with the cops of a hit and run. You can probably do it online. Your insurance will want that.

 

That new panel is only about $75 from the dealer.

If you wanted to have that painted then install it yourself, it wouldnt cost more that $250 total.

Or, if you didnt want to get it painted, they sell those panels in Carbon fiber on ebay.

 

i was just about to pop in with the carbon fiber stuff. that is too bad about the hit and run though. dont go through the insurance company. only cost more in the long run

 

Carbon fiber might have shattered in the hit and run that happened. I'd stick with metal.

 

I think I might have to go through insurance. Turns out they hit the wheel too and knocked the suspension out of wack. Hopefully its just alignment and not a bent strut or suspension arm. Gonna get a shop to look at it and then decide. This is what collision insurance is for. This sucks.

 

So sorry to hear about your crappy experience - welcome to California right???

In Sorrento Valley - right near you, there are several body shop places just down from the Train Station in those industrial warehouse buildings.

Also - a bit farther north - here in Oceanside - right off the 76 going East, there is Len's Auto Body. They are rated VERY high. Other than that, you might try going to the MINI dealership in Escondido - Brecht. Ask them to recommend for you...

Donna

 

Son of a *****! Sorry to hear about your hit and run problem! I hope it is fixed and you are back on the road in no time flat!

Best regards,

Chuck

 

If only we really could!!

 

Thanks. My wife and I actually just stumbled upon that road today.

Might also try calling the dealer due to the suspension damage and the fact that I need to get the car smogged so we can register it here in CA and do the 10k checkup.

 

got my first ding in the drivers door yesterday. Right down as far as it can go to the metal. Man was I "P---ed!!" Guess it had to happen, but I really hate the first one.

 

Just be carefull backing up.

 

that could really back fire couldnt it?