Body damage under tow--how best to repair it?

[TSI]

My E39 was towed on Saturday to a shop to have the alternator fixed...
On the way, the driver hit something, and the car fell off. Left front wheel bent, right front curbed, front bumper banged up, right side rocker is caved in.




To replace that rocker means replacing the entire lower right structure of the car. See no. 3 in this diagram:


Given that I'm not paying, I don't care about the cost, only the quality.

Would anyone with bodywork experience care to tell me if I should ask that the whole part be replaced, or just have new metal welded in in the damaged area? I'm afraid that cutting the b-pillar in half might be a bit of overkill, and would possibly leave more traces.

Also, I'm looking for a style 71 wheel, in 17". They are NLA, and I love the look--would rather have that than anything else.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

replacing the whole panel will give you the cleanest best look. good thing you arent paying for it.

[BlackSpeed66]

Dunno whether insurance companies are getting involved in this one or not. If the rust that I see is just surface rust, the crushed in area can be pulled and repaired. If the rust is more significant, the next option is to "section" a part of the rocker in, which involves cutting only the damaged area out - usually pretty straightforward. Either can be performed successfully by a shop that knows what they're doing. Replacing the entire center/rocker pillar assembly would be way more than what's needed for that repair.

If the availability of the wheels is an issue, maybe there is a shop in your area that knows a place that offers remanufacturing services for wheels. Depending on the damage, they may be able to restore the wheels back to where they were before. Alloys are tricky and would be best serviced by a professional reman facility if possible.

Experience: Insurance appraiser

[TSI]

replacing the whole panel will give you the cleanest best look. good thing you arent paying for it.

Dunno whether insurance companies are getting involved in this one or not. If the rust that I see is just surface rust, the crushed in area can be pulled and repaired. If the rust is more significant, the next option is to "section" a part of the rocker in, which involves cutting only the damaged area out - usually pretty straightforward. Either can be performed successfully by a shop that knows what they're doing. Replacing the entire center/rocker pillar assembly would be way more than what's needed for that repair.

If the availability of the wheels is an issue, maybe there is a shop in your area that knows a place that offers remanufacturing services for wheels. Depending on the damage, they may be able to restore the wheels back to where they were before. Alloys are tricky and would be best serviced by a professional reman facility if possible.

Experience: Insurance appraiser

Insurance is not involved yet, it is purely between me and the towing company (who has admitted full liability). The rust is only surface; my bodyshop was suggesting to cut and weld anyways, essentially 'sectioning', as you say. They recommend it given the extent of the damage, and I'm inclined to agree, just want to make sure.

As for the wheel, I'm no expert, but I believe it cannot be remanufactured. Due to the bend from face inward, I doubt the metal can be restored to original strength--it's just contrary to its axial strength.

Thanks to both for the input so far. Given quotes of about $3000 so far, I'm definitely glad it's not my wallet taking the hit.

[Mex1man]

One of my worst nightmares, Glad to see the tow folks are going to man up though. Hope it turns out well.

[krazcustoms]

Judging by the rust bubbles, that's the best thing that could have happened to that rocker panel. Hopefully it's only the front that's like that - otherwise it's going to be difficult to section. By the way, when rust causes bubbles like that it's coming from the inside out and not "surface rust".

Make sure you get the steering/suspension checked out thoroughly as well. At the very least it's going to need an alignment.

[TSI]

Judging by the rust bubbles, that's the best thing that could have happened to that rocker panel. Hopefully it's only the front that's like that - otherwise it's going to be difficult to section. By the way, when rust causes bubbles like that it's coming from the inside out and not "surface rust".

Make sure you get the steering/suspension checked out thoroughly as well. At the very least it's going to need an alignment.

Absolutely. It's a very bittersweet moment--car damaged but gets needed repairs on someone else's dime. Need new wheels now though, and style 71s are NLA. suggestions?

[nrubenstein]

That much rust on a an E39? Go for totaling. It's not hard to replace.

[Conki]

Given that I'm not paying, I don't care about the cost, only the quality.

Would anyone with bodywork experience care to tell me if I should ask that the whole part be replaced, or just have new metal welded in in the damaged area? I'm afraid that cutting the b-pillar in half might be a bit of overkill, and would possibly leave more traces.

When my 5-er was hit by my neighbor's tree I took it to a BMW collision center. They recommended replacing every damaged panel with OEM parts, and respraying all the affected area with no blending what so ever for the best results.
I'd go this route first, and only look for another solution if this would total your car out.

[TSI]

Ended up getting the metal pulled out, and sanded, sprayed and blended. It turned out pretty well, just need to find new wheels.

[ST1G]

I'm sorry but the car fell off the tow truck? Is it wrong that I'm amazed that this even happened. How does that even happen.

[Isostar13]

I'm sorry but the car fell off the tow truck? Is it wrong that I'm amazed that this even happened. How does that even happen.

Probably poorly maintained equipment or a careless tow-truck driver. A friend of mine had his e34 fall off while doing around 35mph. It wasn't pretty.

[TSI]

I'm sorry but the car fell off the tow truck? Is it wrong that I'm amazed that this even happened. How does that even happen.

Probably poorly maintained equipment or a careless tow-truck driver. A friend of mine had his e34 fall off while doing around 35mph. It wasn't pretty.

Pretty much the former. Apparently he hit a pothole and the dolly slid forward under the car. I personally think he's full of shit, probably hit a curb and jolted the car.