Friend rear ended my car with his truck.. advice/info needed! (pics)

[KenC]

I'm pretty sure the euro's are aluminum, just chromed, so no rust issue there.

Euros are steel. It's almost impossible to find a rear one that isn't rusted.

[Fanzotti]

From what I can see it doesn't seem like bad damage at all. As long as the body damage is just the dents, Meaning the frame isn't tweaked where the bumper shocks are, (good thing you had euro bumps instead of draining the shocks) but if things are straight other than the dents you got off easy. You should be able to get this fixed easily for under $400 plus parts. I could get it done by me for $200 plus parts.

I believe I saw a euro bumper in the for sale section about three days ago, check there, Since youre gonna sand it down and paint it you should be able to save money if it's only in decent shape.

Don't go to insurance, your only gonna bone your friend and this small of damage just isn't woth it.

Here's what I would do:
A. Get it fixed at a decent bodyshop.

B. If a bodyshop is too much... This is easily fixable by yourself with some help from others, some sanding, some filler, More sanding, some primer, More sanding, some more primer.. This is R3V, That's what forums are for... (At least that's what I think....but I'm waitng for some bored guy to give me lip on that one) with the help of your "Community members/A.K.A. Antagonists" you should be able to do the repairs by yourself for very little money. The fact is A. it's easy and B. you had to get the bumper painted anyway so if you do the bodywork yourself it really shouldn't cost much more to spray the damaged area.

If you decide to fix it yourself shoot me a PM and I'll help you out.

[ddavidv]

Rear body panel repair by itself should be about $400. Add the taillight and the bumper to that figure.
90% of the time I've found that, when provided with legitimate estimates, people simply won't believe repairs cost that much "for just a dent" and end up running it through their insurance.
BTW, deductibles only apply if it's your insurance, on your car. If it's your pal's insurance, no deductible applies.

[Fanzotti]

400 sounds right for the paint and body. If you shop around and don't go to the place with the good coffee in the waiting room you may be able to get it done for 2-250. If you do the bodywork you may be able to get it sprayed for 100-150 if you shop around. Another cheap but sometimes not so great fix, depends, sometimes there good would be a technical college.

My main advice would be to not screw your buddy over, work with him, he'll do the right thing. It was a mistake and a small one at that. Not worth ruining your friendship!

David, I've always dug your sig! It was my desktop for awhile.

[Mike325]

Wait a minute, this is an 89 e30 right ? Plastic bumpers FTW!!!

Can't be. Look at the tail light.

Sorry to see what happened. Sounds like you have a good idea as to what to do. He should def. pay to get it fixed.

[DarkWing6]

Having the dents fixed, paintwork done, bumper piece purchased, and having that piece stripped and primed I will say you will be pushing 800-1000.

[Schniddy]

Thanks everyone. Thats the exact kind of info I needed :)
I'll be talking to him during lunch about it in the next hour.

I have absolutly no body work experience, I'm not sure if they would be the best route to take, considering there is a chance it woun't turn out good, so there would just be even more charges put on once the body shop gets a hold of it.

$400 for just the dents sounds about right. Now it just depends on whether I need a new bumper or it can be fixed. If it can be fixed then the price will definetly be cheaper

[DarkWing6]

If they have to paint I would be suprised to see the dents done for $400, but I guess it depends where you take it. A good place that will do it right so you cannot tell will be over $400 though.

[Fanzotti]

If they have to paint I would be suprised to see the dents done for $400, but I guess it depends where you take it. A good place that will do it right so you cannot tell will be over $400 though.

I'm not sure If I totally agree on that. I believe that for paint and Body you should be able to do it easily for $400. Agreed you could find a shop that will do it perfectly for 1000 or 1500 if you want, but the reality in the quality of someone who can do it for 400 is not that different. If it's just the dents it is not a difficult repair and does not need to be taken to the greatest bodyman in existance. I'm guessing I could fix that in an hour or two for the bodywork, It's pretty minor damage. The other thing to realize is that you can get a new e30 for 1500. Sorry to say it but it's not worth putting more into a few dents than your car is probably worth. Find a decent shop that will do a good job and you'll be more than happy. Save the big bucks for when your painting the whole car.

[Fanzotti]

I have absolutly no body work experience, I'm not sure if they would be the best route to take, considering there is a chance it woun't turn out good, so there would just be even more charges put on once the body shop gets a hold of it.

As far as that goes if you know the right technique's and steps it's not to hard. I painted my whole car as a first timer, fixed dents, rust, Etc. and it came out awesome. The guy who sprayed it for me is a custom chopper fabricator and he was so amazed at the outcome that he offered me a job. The only skill I had was patience and learning the proper technique. If you take your time it will come out good. If you need to get your car fixed on the cheap, let me know and I'll help get you through it.

The thing on expensive bodywork is this. Unless your car is pristine it's not worth it. If your car is just nice many lower priced shops around town will do a job that is more than adequate.

[jhower08]

what kind of shape is the rest of your car in? bc if its not too good and is going to be around a 1,000 to get it fixed they might total it. thats just another thing to consider.

[german g]

he's still your friend??

[Schniddy]

I went and got a few estimates today. .

1st shop- $323 for just body work (no taillight or bumper)
2nd shop- around 300-400 for bodywork and straightening of bumper
3rd shop- $704 for everything
4rth shop- $632 for everything

The second shop looked to be the best for the money. The guy was older and he gave me an estimate on the stop after talking to him about the problem in detail.

The 4th shop works on classic cars so they should be good. The only problem is them and the 3rd shop used US parts as estimates which both include 100 for a new taillight. wow


Looks like I'll be going with the second shop and ordering some parts, for a grand total of 450-500 at most

[Fanzotti]

The trick to this whole my car aint worth shit but I'm keeping it cause I like it thing is getting the best deals possible. Meaning, never buy parts from a shop if you dont have to. One step further: never buy parts from a retail outlet if you dont have to. One step even further: never have other people do your labor if you can do it yourself. Thats why these forums are here, so you can search/ask question and find the indo you need. You can score that 100 taillight for $5 at a junkyard or if you read the thread i believe one of your brothers offered one up for free.

Don't be impressed by this classic car bodyshop. If you were having major work done it be one thing but this is just some small dents...easy...Pound out and sand, Fill and sand, Prime and sand, Prime maybe sand, Paint maybe clearcoat maybe sand. Done. You may save some money by pulling and installing the bumper yourself.

If you checked out the $400 dollar shop and it seems like they've got there shit together and there repairs seem good I'd go to him. You may even shop around and get it done for 300. Good Luck

[Fanzotti]

The trick to this whole my car aint worth shit but I'm keeping it cause I like it thing is getting the best deals possible. Meaning, never buy parts from a shop or a retail outlet if you dont have to. One step further: never have other people do your labor if you can do it yourself. Thats why these forums are here, so you can search/ask question and find the info you need. You can score that
$100 taillight for $5 at a junkyard or if you read the thread i believe one of your brothers offered one up for free.

Don't be impressed by this classic car bodyshop. If you were having major work done it be one thing but this is just some small dents...easy...Pound out and sand, Fill and sand, Prime and sand, Prime maybe sand, Paint maybe clearcoat maybe sand. Done. You may save some money by pulling and installing the bumper yourself.

If you checked out the $400 dollar shop and it seems like they've got there shit together and there repairs seem good I'd go to him. You may even shop around and get it done for 300. You may be able to save even more if you do the assembly/dissassembly. Go to some competing shops and haggle, Look this guy Will do it for three fifty can you get it done for 300 how about 250. This is a couple hours of work and some materials you can get quality work for less than 400. Good Luck