My 88 325ix Got Hit Tonight...

[Wing]

Well, I was woken up tonight by security forces here on base... to be known that my 325ix was hit out in the parking lot. I even went through the thinking of parking it under the most lit up part of the lot, but I guess that isnt even enough for people to pay attention. The abuser was a dodge ram pulling out, and the guy must have turned to quickly... scraped the shit out of my back fender, side skirt, panel, and even part of the driver door.

USAF security forces asked me how much I estimated the damage to be at, and told them atleast + $5,000. This car has never been in a accident, and still has perfect OEM paint. For a shop to put all OEM parts, and paint back on... I know it wont be easy.

What are things I should look out for, when taking the e30 in for body repair? Is it even possible to properly fix the back fender/body? Sure hope they can paint match the original paint as well. Never been in a accident, so this is a first. And I know its becoming harder to find iX parts.

Any tips, and suggestions are appreciated. Attached below are some pictures.

Thanks,

[Bimmer_man]

Drivers door is an easy fix for a good body shop.

that rear quarter needs to be cut out and a new one welded in. I need one for my ix as well. My car is a sedan and a new rear quarter is a little over 300. Did the dodge guy stay or did he leave? I dont think it will cost 5k to fix that btw. My car has a lot more damage and needs the whole car painted. and they want 7k and thats with cutting the front off and a new front end welded in.

Your paint will be easy to match for a good body shop. so you should be okay man.


Sorry to hear about what happened man. If you need any parts i have a lot of spare ix parts man.

[MrSlacker]

$5K? Are you seriously smoking crack???

I just had same panel repaired with similar damage. Paid $500.

Even if you go to most expensive body shop you can find, I cannot see this costing more than $1000.

Also, there is no such thing as OEM paint. All body shops mix paint using paint codes and computer data.

[MrSlacker]

Also, 80% of that can be repaired with good PDR

[audiquattrot]

I had a similar hit above the rear wheel on my ix. They pulled it perfectly....initially thinking I had to cut and weld a new panel (which they didn't have to do). I had the car fully resprayed at the same time and everything all inclusive came around $3500, w/ all the doors, new front fenders, hood, trunk and glass removed.

[101]

I would think that damage could be pulled out. If there's no rust or other reasons to cut the panel out I wouldn't disturb the factory welds.

Unless that wheel arch trim is cracked, I don't see any other parts required other than a few clips, screws and rivets to remove and replace the trim pieces ... and all are readily available new from BMW. The cost will be in the labor to straighten the panels.

Semi-educated repair guess ... $2500 all-in.



White is a very easy color to match for an experienced body shop.

[estoguy]

Aww man... that sucks. I feel your pain. My 325 got hit my a guy backing out of a driveway last week in Toronto. Fortunately it was just the front fender, no other damage.

Hope you can get it fixed.

[Blake B]

$5K? Are you seriously smoking crack???

I just had same panel repaired with similar damage. Paid $500.

Even if you go to most expensive body shop you can find, I cannot see this costing more than $1000.

Also, there is no such thing as OEM paint. All body shops mix paint using paint codes and computer data.

better to shoot high than lowball yourself

[Wing]

$5K? Are you seriously smoking crack???

I just had same panel repaired with similar damage. Paid $500.

Even if you go to most expensive body shop you can find, I cannot see this costing more than $1000.

Also, there is no such thing as OEM paint. All body shops mix paint using paint codes and computer data.

better to shoot high than lowball yourself

Exactly, which is why I told the security forces (police) on base, that figure. I am not going to screw myself, so I figured that estimate would be best to claim. Also, after working at the BMW dealer in Denver for quite sometime, that estimate seemed around the total cost for OEM parts and quality work.

Another area I found cracking in, after getting off work today is the roof... A frame, and door frame are all cracked.

I dont believe I am "smoking crack" at all, apologies that I want the best work done for a car that deserves it...

The sad thing as well, is it will have to be towed out of state as there are no BMW certified shops in North Dakota. Damn, I cannot stand being based out here...

Thanks everyone for the re-assuring replies. Helps keep my mind at ease about this idiotic event.

[dereliiict]

Also, 80% of that can be repaired with good PDR

Appears that you are the one tweaking the crack pipe, buddy. PDR my ass.

Also, that quarter absolutely does not need to be replaced.

I do this for a living. Every day. It's an easy fix to do properly if you choose a quality shop. Quarter panels are unibody structure and if they do, which they will, any pulls, then you need a 4 wheel alignment.

You're looking at around 2k, depending on the prevailing labor rate in your area. They have NO need to be BMW savvy, just to produce proper paint and body, this has nothing to do with branding, back in the steel age.

Aluminum is a different story.

[Kershaw]

You're smoking crack if you think you can do a 4 wheel alignment on an e30...

[ak-]

I was thinking the same thing until I saw the actual fender flare under his iX flares. It looks all crumpled.
That can't possibly be massaged to like like new, can it?

Appears that you are the one tweaking the crack pipe, buddy. PDR my ass.

Also, that quarter absolutely does not need to be replaced.

I do this for a living. Every day. It's an easy fix to do properly if you choose a quality shop. Quarter panels are unibody structure and if they do, which they will, any pulls, then you need a 4 wheel alignment.

You're looking at around 2k, depending on the prevailing labor rate in your area. They have NO need to be BMW savvy, just to produce proper paint and body, this has nothing to do with branding, back in the steel age.

Aluminum is a different story.

[MrSlacker]

You're smoking crack if you think you can do a 4 wheel alignment on an e30...

Lol

[dereliiict]

I was thinking the same thing until I saw the actual fender flare under his iX flares. It looks all crumpled.

That can't possibly be massaged to like like new, can it?

Yeah, usually as long as it isn't torn more than a couple of inches. They will put it on the frame rack and weld multiple tabs to the quarter, then the hydraulic arms will ever so slowly inch the thing out, while the tech massages the metal into place.

If the guys are worth their salt, then it shouldn't take more than a light skin coat of glaze to hide the tooling marks.

I would go to a good indie shop and not one of these big corporate insurance production shops.

[diamonddonbmw]

Any update on this?