Big, bad BMW shop - What to do?

[Fidhle007]

Was a home garage job, with a can of Krylon (no joke). Search his previous threads.

Well shit, that explains the horrid color match and poor fitment. Jesus Christ people, I appreciate wanting to do something yourself (I haven't paid for labor on my car in years) but there are some things that need to be left to the professionals if you want professional results. Otherwise shut the fuck up and realize that maybe the reason your car is fucked up is because you A) Cant Drive and B) Can't Do Bodywork.

I've a good mind to call Boyd and talk to them, tech to tech and inform them of this thread and it's contents. I really feel it would be the right thing to do as I would hope someone would do that same if they saw someone posting libelous comments about my shop on a public internet forum. At least then I'd have the chance to talk to the customer and ask them nicely to remove their posts before it became an issue.

[Van Westervelt]

Was a home garage job, with a can of Krylon (no joke). Search his previous threads.

And what do you mean the tone of this thread wasnt created with hostility and outward anger towards the shop?! Look at the damn thread title for pete's sake.

[Fidhle007]

I was guessing that he just put the parts on himself and didn't take it to a body shop.

Yeah, I'd be willing to guess that too.

[WillisE30]

I was guessing that he just put the parts on himself and didn't take it to a body shop.

[WillisE30]

The home garage...

[Fidhle007]

Please stop talking like it's an option. You've seen the camber issue, you see the bumper/fender fitment issues. It's a matter of how far off it is and how much it will take to get it back. What body shop did you take it to after your accident?

[Spec]

Hm.... well I guess a body shop is in order to tell me if they think the car is out of shape or not....

[StereoInstaller1]

Guys, this debate of semantics is good...people need to understand that ther is no such thing as a psychic.

Boyds should have looked at this car and called Spec, TOLD HIM the car was bent and that the lowering will make the issue worse, so he might want to re-think the whole job.

Spec, on the other hand should have known his car was bent...so, truly, the onus is on him.

I make a point to tell my customers that I am no psychic, so if there is an issue, tell me first so I can fix it. That is my #1 goal, 100% of the cars to leave my shop at 100%.

Luke

[Fidhle007]

Dig.
It's the nature of the business. Every shop gets it's fair share. :)

You just know how to handle them next time they call and want service done.

"Look Kate, your car's a piece of shit. That's all there is to it."

[einstein57]

When i had my mk4 gti every time i took it in for warranty work it would come back with broken clips, missing fasteners, and stripped something or other. Needles to say i spent a lot of time in rental cars. The only comfort i got was knowing i did not pay for anything.

[UNHCLL]

Actually you're right but we're saying basically the same thing. I mis-typed and should have said "leave it broken..." I'm stating the extreme end of it though, thankfully our customer base is made up of pretty decent people but there is always going to be someone who, when we inform them of a problem that we found, will make a fuss about it not being there before when in reality they're just oblivious to most things automotive.

Dig.
It's the nature of the business. Every shop gets it's fair share. :)

You just know how to handle them next time they call and want service done.

[Fidhle007]

I really think you should get a look at the vehicle before we make any decisions the frame is bent. The reason the valence is not straight in that picture is because the valence isn't completely connected on the passenger side. That was the old, bent valence I bent relatively back into shape before purchasing this Mtech rep. The metal peice under the grill is bent on that end, and again the ill-fitting fender. From that shot though you can tell that the passenger fender fits cleanly as well as the bumper placement. In current photos the bumper is off a bit because of the hooks on the other side not allowing it to align properly.

Anyone with any basic body knowledge can see the way your passenger fender lines up with your door is anything but perfect. The gap at the top of the fender indicates that front mount points have been pushed over, twisting it out of it's original shape. This is also visible in how your hood sits slightly above the fender as well, although you could correct that by readjusting your hood some. I think the bumper pretty much speaks for itself:

[Fidhle007]

Sorry man, I'm not buying that.

Any shop worth its tools weight in gold will contact a client before proceeding upon finding problems like you list. When the item is above and beyond something like a "faulty" ABS sensor (example), most reputable shops will call the owner and address the issue... making them aware of all potential costs,issues,remedies involved for the following:

1) Work around the issues, and do nothing
2) Repair the issues as best as possible within reasonable budget
3) Repair items as needed

JMHO,
Chris

Actually you're right but we're saying basically the same thing. I mis-typed and should have said "leave it broken..." I'm stating the extreme end of it though, thankfully our customer base is made up of pretty decent people but there is always going to be someone who, when we inform them of a problem that we found, will make a fuss about it not being there before when in reality they're just oblivious to most things automotive.

[UNHCLL]

Face it people, a lot of times your cars suck and there's very little we can do about that. We try, but that's over and above what you asked us to do in the first place so we have two choices: leave it fixed and get yelled at for breaking your shit, or fixing it and getting yelled at for fixing something that you didn't know needed to be fixed. Just because you've never been under your car to know how much it's fucked up, doesn't mean it's not fucked up. We're here to provide a service for you and if you don't like how we do it, why don't you try it yourself? And just so you know, on average it takes about twice as long to fix something that's been "repaired" by someone who didn't know what they were doing than it does for me to just fix it in the first place...

[/RANT]

Sorry man, I'm not buying that.

Any shop worth its tools weight in gold will contact a client before proceeding upon finding problems like you list. When the item is above and beyond something like a "faulty" ABS sensor (example), most reputable shops will call the owner and address the issue... making them aware of all potential costs,issues,remedies involved for the following:

1) Work around the issues, and do nothing
2) Repair the issues as best as possible within reasonable budget
3) Repair items as needed

JMHO,
Chris

[Fidhle007]

A 22 year old insurance expert, eh? Well, I'm a 32 year old pain in the ass, stubborn fuck, so I think I can take him.

It's cool man, I got your back.