so i just got in an accident..

[nando]

yeah, at the very worst you can pull out that core support with a slide hammer if it's bent in a little.

[RwMystery]

hey, where are you from in CT? I have some Euro smilies and a euro grill Im tryin to get rid of.

[Van Westervelt]

Body shop will quote you between 1500 and 2500 for that damage.

[SynSyx]

just got back from the body shop, he gave me these estimates:

15.9 hours labor (body) @ $65.50/hr - $1041.45
+ 15.6 hours labor (refinish) @ $65.50/hr - $1043.30
= 31.5 hours labor (total w/ tax): $2209.84



parts:
left front bumper filler panel (51 11 1 971 167) - $227.75
center grille (51 13 1 945 877) - $60.05
right grille (51 13 1 945 886) - $55.65
left grille (51 13 1 945 885) - $55.65
2x grille seal (51 13 1 916 525) - $49.20
left headlamp body (62 12 1 370 853) - $194.75
left outer headlamp sealed beam (63 12 1 468 226) - $10.50
left inner headlamp sealed beam (63 12 1 468 272) - $10.50
right headlamp retaining ring - (63 12 1 362 477) - $23.80
hood emblem (51 14 8 132 375) - $35.00
left fender panel (41 35 1 961 279) - $266.25

= $1048.45


for a *drumroll* grand total of $3564.87 if i want him to do ALL the work and REPLACE all the broken parts with NEW OEM parts


right now my inclination is to buy some of the parts from him and source the rest from classifieds/ebay/members here, etc

first and foremost as long as im replacing headlights i want to go euro smiley with city lights, or at least euro headlights with city lights, but i understand the euro headlights used h1 bulbs, if so, what would i have to do to make these work?

rwmystery, pm sent about the euro grills/smileys

[Super Sedan]

My E30 recently received essentially the same type of damage as yours. Fortunately, my headlights weren't damaged. You can get a new aftermarket fender from Eurodepot for around $120 IIRC.

[Van Westervelt]

I would say its a good time to convert that thing to plastic bumpers. At least on the front.

[golde30]

that amount from the body shop is ludicrous. you can fix that yourself for under 500 for sure.

[Jean]

^ plus one...

you can get all of this dirt cheap. you have ellipsoids, and they are counting sealed beam parts for some reason?

I gave my old bumpers away, you can find all this stuff cheap even on this forum, or go to a local yard and get all of these for probably under $200.

left front bumper filler panel (51 11 1 971 167) - $227.75 WTF LOL
center grille (51 13 1 945 877) - $60.05
right grille (51 13 1 945 886) - $55.65
left grille (51 13 1 945 885) - $55.65
2x grille seal (51 13 1 916 525) - $49.20
left headlamp body (62 12 1 370 853) - $194.75 Sealed beam part?! lol
left outer headlamp sealed beam (63 12 1 468 226) - $10.50
left inner headlamp sealed beam (63 12 1 468 272) - $10.50
right headlamp retaining ring - (63 12 1 362 477) - $23.80
hood emblem (51 14 8 132 375) - $35.00
left fender panel (41 35 1 961 279) - $266.25 Yeah right.

[nando]

yeah, those are all dealer mark up prices, with probably a 10-15% charge added on top by the shop. you can get all of that for way less, just have him fit the fender and paint it.

[Desaevious]

Where are you in CT? If you're local I can give you some pointers. I'm fairly well versed in collision and body repair because of a front end accident about a year and a half ago and because of some fender rust. I don't have much time to offer though. I also have a fender sourced. PM me...

[E30SPDFRK]

Of course the diving board is perfect . If you are in south-eastern CT I could come help you with stuff.

[SynSyx]

I would say its a good time to convert that thing to plastic bumpers. At least on the front.

i was thinking this as well. what all would i need? and iirc the cabbies had dbs but the plastic bumper mounting points and stuff so it would be plug-and-play, right?

Of course the diving board is perfect . If you are in south-eastern CT I could come help you with stuff.

i know right? well i guess if my car wasnt lowered thats where i would have collided with the guard rail lol

[nando]

i was thinking this as well. what all would i need? and iirc the cabbies had dbs but the plastic bumper mounting points and stuff so it would be plug-and-play, right?

almost, they have the same fender arches as the plastic bumper cars, which makes it easier - the front will be bolt on, but you'll have to at least drill some holes for the rear, and you need a rear apron.

[SynSyx]

almost, they have the same fender arches as the plastic bumper cars, which makes it easier - the front will be bolt on, but you'll have to at least drill some holes for the rear, and you need a rear apron.

awesome, just what i wanted to hear, i think i will do the conversion for the front now, while i have the front end taken apart, what parts will i need (including the ones that were gonna be replaced anyway)? and what parts do i not need to get (if any)

[euro3]

Fender

Don't know if it has been stated already BUT....your cabrio fender is different than the regular ones.

The lower portion is different (from the trim down)

It is possible to make a regular one fit but it will look like shit.

Your best bet is to save your dented fender (cutting the lower portion). You can have the lower portion welded to a stock fender.

Weld along the "trim line" this way, once the trim is mounted, it will cover the weld work.

G/L