[AlpineWhite328i]

Sooo I have a question for anyone on here that knows body work. Long story short, my 328i got hit bit flying debris from a tree that was cut down. Distance from where my car was parked to the tree was about 80-90ft. As you can see in the pictures below, it hit my left rear quarter panel. Two BMW collision centers advocate for a quarter panel replacement while independent body shops opt to fix it, however, when asked if they could replace the panel, they said they could but said they could fix it just as nice. Of course that means using body filler of some kind to smooth out the appearance. the independent body shop preferred repairing it because the welds and sealant were all done by factory and it can never be done the same as it came out of the factory, leaving room for potential leaks if it isn't done right, I suppose. My question to all of you is would you opt to fix the panel or have it replaced?

[Bimmer Barney]

I'd replace it

[AlpineWhite328i]

Thanks.. can anyone else share their opinion please?

[shadow191]

That looks like it needs to be replaced. The difference in opinion from the shops will be due to their financial incentives. I recently had some damage repaired at a certified BMW repair shop. My friend is a manager there, and he said that basically they always lean toward replacement because BMW generally requires it since they sell mor parts in the end. They'd rather repair it since that's actually more profitable - shops don't make much on replacement panels, it's the labor. So an independent shop would prefer to repair it since they'd run up a lot more hours even though the total cost may be cheaper. Don't buy the argument that they can't get a replacement panel to seal like the factory, any competent shop can.

Right now you can't tell my car was ever hit, all of the seams and welds on the original side and repaired side match. Yours is caved in pretty decently and part of it is on the body line where it would be hard to pull out. They'd have to use a decent amount of filler.

[Ryder_PR]

Similar issue with mine. It was replaced. No leaks and you can't even tell it was done. I'd replace it.

[minivan]

Replace it with M3 quarter panels!

[AlpineWhite328i]

So I stopped by the body shop who I want to do th work. The guy I nornally speak to wasn't there but a coworker was. He knows the deal with my car and I told him I wanted the panel replaces.. he kinda laughed and jokingly said I was crazy, that they could repair it without me ever seeing the a difference between new and repaired. I'll see what the deal is on monday when the guy is in. Anyone else care to share their perspective?

[Wolf 335]

You should most definitely replace that.

Repairing it would always show that something was damaged in that section. Dont get suckered by the shop into doing what they want. They are looking after theirown pockets.

Will this be covered under isurance?

[AlpineWhite328i]

Yes, insurance already paid me last week. I actually was paid within a week of the claim filing.