[Drivaar]

We have a dent in the lid of the trunk of our old 335i (2007). For a full repair we have been quoted well over 2000 dollars by multiple body shops. (Here's a pic similar to our situation: https://www.dentique.ca/wp-content/u...-dent-main.jpg)

Given the fact that there are no structural issues (very minor collision), the trunk lid still works fine, we don't use the car much, and the car is worth very little, it feels like a lot to do for this minor situation.

We would prefer to do a simple fix but the body shops have wanted to replace the trunk lid entirely, saying that is the "right way" to do it. They do not seem willing to compromise, whereas we are pretty open to all options...

Any advice on the following options?

1) Could someone unbend it and what type of place might do that?

2) I was told there are salvage locations where we could maybe get an E90 black trunk (325/330/335). Any advice on how to find such an item?

3) Has anyone had experience using a dent repair kit in the past and have advice for relative novices?

Does anyone have a recommended body shop in the SF Bay Area who would help with a simple, if imperfect, fix?

Thanks very much!

[3PedalJake]

I would look for a PDR (paintless dent repair) service in your area, most of them are mobile service that comes to you. This is a black art, I watched a guy pop out some dents I thought for sure needed a body shop and you can't tell there was ever a dent. If it's not mangled or badly creased they will be able to fix it for way less than full body shop treatment, I'd try that.

[Serf27]

A dent in that area, that size will be hard to remove on the e90 trunk. even for PDR.
A black 3 series trunk should be easy to find.
Go on Craigslist or offer up and search e90 part out or bmw part out.
Our go to https://locations.lkqpickyourpart.com/search
And find a location near you to see if they have a black e90 in stock and grab the trunk for $60.

[whyzee125]

Look up @jjjaaaccobb on instagram. ANYthing is possible with PDR, I've learned through following him. He can fix dents on a body line with 15 creases that someone tried to pull out with a unispotter and he will have it looking like glass with no paint work. Find a GOOD pdr guy and I bet you'll save a good chunk of money.

If your car is black, you could definitely get away with just buying a used trunk in the same color. If you can't find a black one, buy another color and have it painted. Any of these options will be less than $2k

[dmatre]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

Look up @jjjaaaccobb on instagram. ANYthing is possible with PDR, I've learned through following him. He can fix dents on a body line with 15 creases that someone tried to pull out with a unispotter and he will have it looking like glass with no paint work. Find a GOOD pdr guy and I bet you'll save a good chunk of money.

If your car is black, you could definitely get away with just buying a used trunk in the same color. If you can't find a black one, buy another color and have it painted. Any of these options will be less than $2k

+1. The wife had a very similar dent in the trunk of her one-week old Passat (many years ago).

I didnt want to repaint a week old car, so we tried a reputable PDR shop.

The results were perfect, and we retained the factory paint.

My only tip is to get references from people who have actually used them. The results are 100% dependent on the skills of the person doing the repair.

[M-technik-3]

Or you could use www.car-part.com and search with easy format system.

[Efthreeoh]

How about posting a pic of the dent on your trunklid so we can make a true evaluation?

[Drivaar]

Thanks everyone! SO helpful, as usual.

We'll look into these options.

Efthreeoh : since uploading pix is always a little bit of a pain, I did a quick Google search and that particular pic is almost identical to our situation. (Same spot, same amount.)

It's really not too bad so I very much appreciate the options everyone's shared. Fingers crossed!

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by Drivaar

I did a quick Google search and that particular pic is almost identical to our situation. (Same spot, same amount.)

Other than it's a Lexus and yours is a BMW . . .
It would also help if you let us know where you are so someone close by might be able to recommend a good PDR guy. "Earth" might look cute but it's of little use to you here.

I hit a deer with my E39 and knocked out one of the front grilles, but our PDR guy (the best I've ever seen) made it invisible. As long as there's no broken paint and your PDR tech is good, creative, and willing to try what you want, you should be good to go. A bad PDR tech will have you looking for that used black lid even more quickly than you are now.

[tcphoto]

If it's that bad, a PDR guy will be challenged but will need to see it. If not, a used trunk will be cheaper than $2K and you can swap it out yourself. You might get lucky and find one in your color.

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by 3PedalJake

I would look for a PDR (paintless dent repair) service in your area, most of them are mobile service that comes to you. This is a black art, I watched a guy pop out some dents I thought for sure needed a body shop and you can't tell there was ever a dent. If it's not mangled or badly creased they will be able to fix it for way less than full body shop treatment, I'd try that.

Bout how much does a standard pdr run for?

[3PedalJake]

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

Bout how much does a standard pdr run for?

This was the guy I used in south NJ. If I recall correctly it was $50 a dent with $100 minimum. https://thedentguynj.com/