PDR Hole
 

Hey guys, I'm hoping someone here has a lot more expertise in this area than I do..

Selling my car (note -- this is my other car, a BMW 328i) and during inspection, the buyer (a company called Shift) turned up a PDR hole in the C pillar. They claim this is non-repairable damage that compromises the structural integrity... sounds pretty serious.

I did some research and it seems like drilling holes during PDR (Paintless Dent Removal) is not unheard of.

So anyways, I know I didn't have a PDR done. This was a certified pre-owned car, so either the dealership pulled a fast one on me, or something is very strange here about why Shift is rejecting this car.

Anyone know about these PDR holes?

I think I would tell that company to shove those inspection results up their PDR hole, then put it up on the market and try to sell it to a private individual.

Sounds to me like they're trying to document something so they have a chance to back out on the transaction at any point. Typically done by places/people that aren't serious about purchasing. Seems like they actively looked for a reason not to buy, found one, and sent you on your way.

If they want the car, they'll buy it. If they don't, they'll find a reason they don't want to. In the end, it doesn't matter, you just need to find someone who wants it. The mere existence of a PDR hole is not a problem if the repair was done correctly.

Or it is someplace in the middle.
They want to buy the car for a rock bottom price. Then when it is time to resell it it will no longer be an issue.
They don't need to find a reason to not buy it they can just say "we won't buy it" but this way they can try and force the price down.

They're trying to return the car and cancel the sale, so it's not a discount issue. I'm fine taking the car back.

Here's the hole they're talking about. Is this even on the C pillar? Looks to me like it's near one of the rear door latches.

BMW does not support drilling holes for PDR at all

Hell, I'd grab a finger tip's worth of bondo, paint, and make it disappear. It's not like the car is going to fold in on itself . The door striker panels are on the B pillar, not the C pillar

3 series are sedans

They are sedans exclusively now? Wow.

odd number cars are sedans, even is coupes with BMW now.

One clever PDR guy, because this was in an area that could be easily seen, removed the striker and drilled behind it. (Cadillac)
Get a plastic silver plug. Fill and paint. Small piece of silver tape Anything to make it not so apparent.

Ahhhh that is a totally different matter then.


As said there should not be any holes drilled in structure but the reality is it doesn't really hurt anything. Take the car back and cover it up or people will use it to try and lowball you.


It is odd they left it unfilled in the first place.