OT: Need Advice Now: Door bent by dealer!

[Thai]

Hey all,

Yesterday, i took my BMW M3 to Momentum (Houston, TX) to fix a speaker rattle (caused by certain bass notes). They kept it overnight to look at it early this morning (they failed to fix it yesterday). Today, they didn't do crap...so i went up to show them the rattle (again for the 100th time!).

Then, while looking over the car, i notice a crease on the passenger door. It is as if someone opened the door hard and hit something...so, the edge of the door is bent INWARD. No paint damage, but a definite crease; you can feel it and can see it (if you paid attention). Momentum service guy states he will send it to bodyshop to fix it.

My concern is two fold:

1. To repair it, you have to tap out the metal. By doing that, you will "cringe" up the paint over the crease. Thus, if they re-paint it, then it will not look the same.

2. Does this lower my resale value?? What if i sell the car in the future, does this bodyshop work show up on CARFAX or service charges??? Yes, it is a small repair (i hope), but can someone find it and thus, lowering my resale value???

What do you guys think?? Should i just keep my car the way it is (not too clearly visible crease) and get some "cash" value for the damage or should i let the body shop try & fix it???

What else should i do?? Killing someone is not an option for me...yet.

Thanks in advance!

 

[jharris2]

Thai -

I don't think it will show up on CARFAX.

As far as the crase goes, if the body shop is good, you will never know anything was wreong when they are done with it. Just insist that it be done right before accepting it as complete.

 

[Dude]

Thai- that sux bigtime....and the speakers still rattle? HK Crap..... I'm sure it won't show on Carfax but I'd be worried about the work. Seems like a repair paint job never looks quite as good as the factory job...some of this is color dependent also. I think a real discerning buyer will be able to tell it has been repainted....there is always an edge here or there or a bolt that has been broken loose.

I can tell you the guy buying my M3 is pretty fanatical about the vehicle all the way down to the type of wax used. So, I would be worried about resell....especially if it is a "keep it for a few years, keep it in perfect shape, and sell it for top dollar later" car.

My advice....if you have any concerns about their capabilities, find the best body shop in town, get it fixed 100% (including a new door skin) and deliver the bill. If they give you any flack, tell them as an alternative your car is for sale for the original sticker price or as an option B, they can just replace it with a new one

Whatever you decide, I can assure you if the dealer fixes it....It is the cheapest way to get it out the door. Other important point....if the dealer fixes it...make sure they do not tag the body work to the vehicle history. Any future buyer can call a local BMW dealer with the VIN# and get a vehicle history....another good reason to pick your own shop.

Good luck,
D

 

[Sac State]

Make them fix it! I wouldn't be worried about Carfax, etc. That crease will bug the hell out of you until it is fixed, so do it. It would bug the hell out of me.

 

[Thai]

Thanks all for your advice!