Vert front fender in great shape

[e30vertghost]

It finally happened . My 88 vert took a direct hit from a large broken branch that came off of one of my trees in a recent horrendous wind storm. I think the damage is beyond body working to get the large dent out. Need a somewhat pristine front driver side fender for a vert (convertible) . I'm in Northern Nevada if that makes a difference and you are local to that area even better.

No insurance as I had it off coverage for the winter season.

[e30vertghost]

New member Paulgail28 sent me this private message :

"Are you still interested in purchase the Vert front fender? If yes you can reach out to Morgan, he has one for sale in a great shade and excellent condition. Here his email to contact. morganfrederick532@gmail.com."

How thoughtful!
I need genuine responses and not scam PM 's

[td325ic]

I'm in Northern California and have a near perfect driver's side vert fender, in I think something like delphin metallic . I also have one in schwarz but I need to double check it's condition. I don't have a price in mind yet, but if I could get your zip code then I can see if shipping is even feasible for a part that large.

Also, when the branch hit your car did it cause significant paint damage or just a large dent? Those paintless repair techs I've seen do some remarkable stuff. There's a guy in San Jose, CA that has a youtube channel "DentDiscountPDRBodyShop". Obviously too far away from you but he gives a good example of what can be repaired just through PDR

[e30vertghost]

I'm in Northern California and have a near perfect driver's side vert fender, in I think something like delphin metallic . I also have one in schwarz but I need to double check it's condition. I don't have a price in mind yet, but if I could get your zip code then I can see if shipping is even feasible for a part that large.

Also, when the branch hit your car did it cause significant paint damage or just a large dent? Those paintless repair techs I've seen do some remarkable stuff. There's a guy in San Jose, CA that has a youtube channel "DentDiscountPDRBodyShop". Obviously too far away from you but he gives a good example of what can be repaired just through PDR

Thanks bunches for replying! I was kinda gutted when I went out to see the damage. It broke paint for sure and I have uploaded a picture of the damage. My vert is cirrus so I would need to have the fender painted anyway. My current fender also has a bit of damage near the wheel well lip that was done before I rolled the fenders. Plus years ago some idiot decided to hit the front fender near the front where the headlights are and pushed the body in some. That fender is the only area on the entire vehicle that has ever needed any body work. Its like a magnet for damage. I dont know why. The branch also mangled one of my CR7 Rim caps and since the CR7's are now unicorn status I will never be able to replace that.

Its a deep dent so I think it may be better to just install a fender with no damage and then paint match. I can travel to pickup and I used to live in San Jose for 26 years so I commuted between there and Carson City, NV for many years. 89703 is Zip Code.

[td325ic]

That body damage, in my opinion, really isn't too bad. Luckily the branch didn't affect the body lines. I think you're going to have to make a decision on what is more cost effective. Either deciding to get your original fender repaired and touched up or would it be more cost effective to source a good used fender and having the whole fender completely repainted to match your car. If you can find a good used fender in cirrus blue that would obviously be ideal.

My worry is that if the painter was to completely refinish a different fender in metallic paint to match your car then I believe that can be difficult to get a proper match. The painter may want to blend into other adjacent panels which means he would also be spraying your door and hopefully not anything more. With your original fender, since the majority of the paint is intact, I don't think it will need a full repaint. I think a small repair and blend of the base coat metallic cirrus blue paint. Then perhaps the full panel will get a coat of clear coat.

I'm not an expert by any means on painting so if there is anyone else here that is more knowledgeable reading this then please chime in.

I recommend that you may want to join the R3Vlimited Facebook group as there are a number of members on there parting out convertibles and you might just luck out and find a fender in cirrus blue. There is also the group "BMW e30 Convertibles of North America" that may be worth joining as well.

In the meantime, I'll see what the shipping cost would be and I'll send you a PM tomorrow with what I can offer.

Regards,

-Todd

P.S - one other benefit that comes to mind in favor of repairing your original fender is resale value. Your car looks super clean and fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at things, our cars are becoming more sought after and the original vin matching parts are going to be more desirable along with documentation of a proper repair.

[e30vertghost]

Really good points and advice! My vert is super clean and I have tried my best to keep it that way and unfortunately one of the tree's decided to let one of its larger limbs go in the recent windstorm and that changed things. I may have to get some bodyshop estimates as it may be something that will be more beneficial than replacing the entire fender.

[Riverfront]

Cheers if you're in Reno. I've been on hiatus on my E30 restoration, but am looking to restart!

[e30vertghost]

Cheers if you're in Reno. I've been on hiatus on my E30 restoration, but am looking to restart!

Carson City and cheers to you! Its a good time to get back on that journey as the weather warms up. This weekend will be cold , but after that it should be getting warm again!

[e30vertghost]

That body damage, in my opinion, really isn't too bad. Luckily the branch didn't affect the body lines. I think you're going to have to make a decision on what is more cost effective. Either deciding to get your original fender repaired and touched up or would it be more cost effective to source a good used fender and having the whole fender completely repainted to match your car. If you can find a good used fender in cirrus blue that would obviously be ideal.

My worry is that if the painter was to completely refinish a different fender in metallic paint to match your car then I believe that can be difficult to get a proper match. The painter may want to blend into other adjacent panels which means he would also be spraying your door and hopefully not anything more. With your original fender, since the majority of the paint is intact, I don't think it will need a full repaint. I think a small repair and blend of the base coat metallic cirrus blue paint. Then perhaps the full panel will get a coat of clear coat.

I'm not an expert by any means on painting so if there is anyone else here that is more knowledgeable reading this then please chime in.

I recommend that you may want to join the R3Vlimited Facebook group as there are a number of members on there parting out convertibles and you might just luck out and find a fender in cirrus blue. There is also the group "BMW e30 Convertibles of North America" that may be worth joining as well.

In the meantime, I'll see what the shipping cost would be and I'll send you a PM tomorrow with what I can offer.

Regards,

-Todd

P.S - one other benefit that comes to mind in favor of repairing your original fender is resale value. Your car looks super clean and fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at things, our cars are becoming more sought after and the original vin matching parts are going to be more desirable along with documentation of a proper repair.

Well I decided to check out a body shop locally where the guy that owns it drives a really nice Maroon Coupe. He has obviously repainted it and the detail shows that it was done meticulously.

Long story short the guy offered to show me the body work trade starting with my very own car first! He is super short handed and needs someone that can help. We will begin work on the weekend after this coming weekend. I am kinda excited about this opportunity! They say things happen for a reason and I guess that may be true. Thanks Todd for reaching out and stepping up. Hope to cross paths in the future!

[td325ic]

That sounds awesome! Truthfully I think repairing your original fender is going to be your best bet like you are pursuing. While I've done some paint work in the past, my knowledge is limited. However, I do recommend a YouTube channel to check out. If you got a bit of time, check out "Paint Society" on YouTube and watch some of his videos to get an idea of how things are done.

Regardless, last bit of advice I can give you is get yourself a 3M dual cartridge respirator as almost all paint work whether it's sanding or spraying is going to be harmful to breath. Anyone doing automotive work such as sanding, metal grinding or painting, should have a good dual cartridge respirator on hand. You can buy them at Home Depot, the ones with the pink replaceable cartridges preferable.

If anyone gives you shit for wearing a respirator or wanting to wear a respirator then fuck 'em

[e30vertghost]

That sounds awesome! Truthfully I think repairing your original fender is going to be your best bet like you are pursuing. While I've done some paint work in the past, my knowledge is limited. However, I do recommend a YouTube channel to check out. If you got a bit of time, check out "Paint Society" on YouTube and watch some of his videos to get an idea of how things are done.

Regardless, last bit of advice I can give you is get yourself a 3M dual cartridge respirator as almost all paint work whether it's sanding or spraying is going to be harmful to breath. Anyone doing automotive work such as sanding, metal grinding or painting, should have a good dual cartridge respirator on hand. You can buy them at Home Depot, the ones with the pink replaceable cartridges preferable.

If anyone gives you shit for wearing a respirator or wanting to wear a respirator then fuck 'em

Good call! Ive got a cheapo respirator right now and I am going to upgrade to the dual cartridge model you speak of + some wrap around clear safety glasses. I have probably done enough damage to my lungs in the past from 3 D printing and laser engraving in closed spaces that I need all the protection I can get.

When this guy said we can work on your car on the weekends and offered me a job I was kinda shocked. Its gonna be a bit weird transitioning from retirement into working life , but this is a skill I have always wanted to learn and perfect. Its going to be nice to have a spot where I can paint my different projects in the future as well. The forward facing (customer facing area) of the shop is not too cluttered and presentable so hopefully that carries over into rear work area of the shop.

[td325ic]

that's funny, when you said the shop owner offered you a job I had in my mind that you were a young guy, maybe college age as a lot of e30 owners tend to be. That's why I mentioned the importance of proper PPE as far too often I see young people when I working on a job site doing things like cutting tile or concrete without a respirator. Same goes with body work, usually a lot of sanding of polyester body filler & primer, etc. Anyways, good to hear that you got a good head on your shoulders. And if the job keeps you active in your retirement then that's all the better

[e30vertghost]

that's funny, when you said the shop owner offered you a job I had in my mind that you were a young guy, maybe college age as a lot of e30 owners tend to be. That's why I mentioned the importance of proper PPE as far too often I see young people when I working on a job site doing things like cutting tile or concrete without a respirator. Same goes with body work, usually a lot of sanding of polyester body filler & primer, etc. Anyways, good to hear that you got a good head on your shoulders. And if the job keeps you active in your retirement then that's all the better

I one of those young older people. LOL Ive been a member here known as e30vert since the OG days with Janderson as the site moderator. Been on and off the site for (damn!) over 15 years. I cannot log back into my e30vert account so I had to create this one. Ive already sent a message using the Web Administrator method without reply. Gotta message an admin directly I guess. Who do you think I should message?

[td325ic]

Oh yeah! I remember you. I used to live in west San Jose and I remember seeing your car every now and then in Saratoga/Campbell area. It always looked meticulously clean. I don't think we ever met in person but I definitely remember you here on the forums.

Anyway, try the admins "2man" or "kronus"

[e30vertghost]

Oh yeah! I remember you. I used to live in west San Jose and I remember seeing your car every now and then in Saratoga/Campbell area. It always looked meticulously clean. I don't think we ever met in person but I definitely remember you here on the forums.

Anyway, try the admins "2man" or "kronus"

Yup Saratoga, Gatos, and Campbell were my old stomping grounds. Now retired to Northern Nevada - Carson City. Lots of reasons to move from Cali to Nevada. Expense, Crime, Degradation, Laws and Liberty, Traffic, and on and on. When I go back to the Bay Area it just gets worse every time I visit. Thanks for the compliment on the e30 !
You still in San Jo? I will message the admin(s) Thanks!