[335d-KR]

Hi All

Some little banksy wannabe left some art work on my car at the weekend in the form of three key scratches. Even better than that, they were kind enough to distribute their art over three different panels! Two of the scratches are deep enough to catch a nail but the other is not.

I popped into the BMW as I was passing to get a quote and was told that all three of the panels would need a full respray and the cost of this would be £1,300 inc VAT.

My questions are:
1 - Does it seem reasonable to do a full respray?
2 - If so, do the costs seems reasonable?
3 - Should I steer totally clear of people like Scratch-Away?
4 - Does anyone have any recommendations of good bodyshops in the Maidenhead, Reading or Slough area?

Thanks in advance

Steve

[Torque of the Devil]

Half the time the BMW dealer don't do it themselves, they just farm it off to a local body ship then add a load of margin on and give you the bill.

Just find a good local body shop and save some money.

[flashollie]

Originally Posted by Vanguard

Half the time the BMW dealer don't do it themselves, they just farm it off to a local body ship then add a load of margin on and give you the bill.

Just find a good local body shop and save some money.

Just dropped OH's fiesta off to a local paint shop to do 2 panels in silver after 2 key marks on both panels front and rear door.
They are going to prep and paint both panels and flick it down the next panels to match in as best they can. £250 cash no VAT.

[Novakbmw]

Interested if any recommendations for the area above

[flashollie]

Originally Posted by Novakbmw

Interested if any recommendations for the area above

The one I mentioned was Bristol. Sorry

[JLR1969]

Originally Posted by Nicon2k

Hi All

Some little banksy wannabe left some art work on my car at the weekend in the form of three key scratches. Even better than that, they were kind enough to distribute their art over three different panels! Two of the scratches are deep enough to catch a nail but the other is not.

I popped into the BMW as I was passing to get a quote and was told that all three of the panels would need a full respray and the cost of this would be £1,300 inc VAT.

My questions are:
1 - Does it seem reasonable to do a full respray?
2 - If so, do the costs seems reasonable?
3 - Should I steer totally clear of people like Scratch-Away?
4 - Does anyone have any recommendations of good bodyshops in the Maidenhead, Reading or Slough area?

Thanks in advance

Steve

Sytner BMW in High Wycombe used to take all of their cars to LFG in High Wycombe as they do not have their own bodyshop.

I would go to LFG direct and get a price

01494-450088

Www.lfg-bodyshop.co.uk

[Mr Whippy]

£1300 seems steep to me.

More BMW being turds with their premium pricing but NOT offering premium quality or service!

[dazwhite]

Originally Posted by Nicon2k

Hi All

Some little banksy wannabe left some art work on my car at the weekend in the form of three key scratches. Even better than that, they were kind enough to distribute their art over three different panels! Two of the scratches are deep enough to catch a nail but the other is not.

I popped into the BMW as I was passing to get a quote and was told that all three of the panels would need a full respray and the cost of this would be £1,300 inc VAT.

My questions are:
1 - Does it seem reasonable to do a full respray?
2 - If so, do the costs seems reasonable?
3 - Should I steer totally clear of people like Scratch-Away?
4 - Does anyone have any recommendations of good bodyshops in the Maidenhead, Reading or Slough area?

Thanks in advance

Steve

Sounds like one could be polished out, so depending on which panels require a respray it's probably going to be around half what BMW have quoted at a independent bodyshop.

[Soul_Glo]

1. Yes a proper repair will require respraying the panel.

2. Yes dealer prices are excessive as we know. So you can do better on price. May be quality too. You could probably halve that cost.

3. Some places are great so go by recommendation if you can. Here is my experience of a guy I have used three times in two years:

GRD Smart Repair Review http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1400162

[SilverGrey]

Have you considered using something like Chipex paint touch-up? It sounds like the damage might not necessarily need a respray.

[335d-KR]

Thanks for the advice guys. I have the car booked in at the Autoworks body shop in Maidenhead. They have quoted me £575 for the same work which is a lot more reasonable.

Their garage had a few Audi's and BMW's (including lovely little M Coupe) and also two Porsche 911s and a Ferrari so I am hoping that is a sign that they do good work.

Will let you know how i get on.

[moff]

A few things.

1. It depends on the BMW dealer, for example my dealer Sytner has it's own body shop.

2. Cost depends on what you ask for. I asked for a quote, was told £800 until I said I was paying and not insurance and got it for £400

3. The best independent in Nottingham told me to use the Sytner workshop as the cost would be similar and they could provide better guarantees

[335d-KR]

Got my car back after the wheels and the scratches have been repaired. The car looks like new now and and I two strong recommendations for those who need work done in the Berkshire area.

After curbing my alloys, I took them to The Wheel Specialist in Maidenhead as they were one of the few places that said they could repair diamond cut alloys. They had the wheel for three days and on picking the car up the came clean and told me that something had gone wrong with the colour matching and the inner grey was too light. They went out of their way to fix this with minimum inconvenience and I am very happy with the end result. Cost £130 for one wheel. https://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk...ns/maidenhead/

The scratches were repaired by AutoWorks in Maidenhead (their website is bust but they are easily found on google). Two doors and the rear quarter panel were resprayed at a cot of £690 inc VAT. The paint matching is perfect, i have looked in the direct sun and cannot find any indication that it has been resprayed. They even valeted the car for me. Great service.

[dazwhite]

Originally Posted by Nicon2k

Got my car back after the wheels and the scratches have been repaired. The car looks like new now and and I two strong recommendations for those who need work done in the Berkshire area.

After curbing my alloys, I took them to The Wheel Specialist in Maidenhead as they were one of the few places that said they could repair diamond cut alloys. They had the wheel for three days and on picking the car up the came clean and told me that something had gone wrong with the colour matching and the inner grey was too light. They went out of their way to fix this with minimum inconvenience and I am very happy with the end result. Cost £130 for one wheel. https://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk...ns/maidenhead/

The scratches were repaired by AutoWorks in Maidenhead (their website is bust but they are easily found on google). Two doors and the rear quarter panel were resprayed at a cot of £690 inc VAT. The paint matching is perfect, i have looked in the direct sun and cannot find any indication that it has been resprayed. They even valeted the car for me. Great service.

Good result

[Mr Whippy]

Good result!

Does the lacquer orange peel match too?