Accident! Seems to be cosmetic only.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by stevesnj

[darksnyder]

Update: Had a word with the garage, still no parts available locally. Having a bad feeling they may go down the repairing the existing panel path. So, a quick question guys, in your opinion is the damage done on the front fender and door repairable?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by darksnyder

Update: Had a word with the garage, still no parts available locally. Having a bad feeling they may go down the repairing the existing panel path. So, a quick question guys, in your opinion is the damage done on the front fender and door repairable?

I would say it is repairable but won't be easy. I used to restore classic cars and had a guy that could repair rotted panels to like new. Now of course there are also guys that will slap some bondo in and call it a day so you would want to check the work closely.

[Kimsey47]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

[NCtoBRZ]

Originally Posted by darksnyder

Agreed with @Tcoat Insurance companies and policies can be vastly different in various parts of the world. Here in Dubai, we have a concept of "Agency Repairs" whereby it will be repaired at the authorized dealer and is only covered via additional premium for the first 2 years from the date of manufacturing. Mine, being 2013, did not fall under this category. So the only option is to accept their authorized repair shops.

Secondly, the insurance policy also states that "the vehicle will be repaired to the original state as it was BEFORE the accident". This means being a 2013 model, all my parts were 5 years old, so technically my vehicle and the panel that was damaged was also 5 years old before the accident. Hence, I cannot demand new parts.

Thirdly, I do have the option to request new parts (but I will have to pay 30% of the amount) or request cash alternative. However, they have terms and conditions mentioned somewhere in tiny text which makes it very difficult to get the insurance company to acknowledge these requests, especially the cash payout. They usually only honor these request if they have difficulty finding or repairing parts, etc.

Originally Posted by darksnyder

Update: Had a word with the garage, still no parts available locally. Having a bad feeling they may go down the repairing the existing panel path. So, a quick question guys, in your opinion is the damage done on the front fender and door repairable?

They will use some amount of filler after returning the panels to as close to normal as possible. How can they claim that your car is repaired to the original pre-accident state when it will have body filler in the panels?

[darksnyder]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I would say it is repairable but won't be easy. I used to restore classic cars and had a guy that could repair rotted panels to like new. Now of course there are also guys that will slap some bondo in and call it a day so you would want to check the work closely.

I have read about the following including eyeballing the reflection lines, knocking on the panels for sound differences, feeling the paint for bumps or asking them to check the roof and the passenger side door panels using an elcometers and comparing it with the repaired panels. Any further advice on this?

Originally Posted by NCtoBRZ

They will use some amount of filler after returning the panels to as close to normal as possible. How can they claim that your car is repaired to the original pre-accident state when it will have body filler in the panels?

Agreed. The first option was replacing the parts with used parts of the same grade and standard. However, they search for one week and the parts were not available with any dealer / scrapyard. It is only now they are suggesting to repair it as a second option due to unavailability of parts. Although they did assure that the insurance surveyor will assess the quality and acknowledge the repairs if they meet their standards (what standards?). Further, as I have chosen the insurance preferred garage, it should be under one year warranty, not too sure how that will apply with body work.

If the repairs do not meet their standards and as used parts are not available, only then the garage can request ordering NEW parts. If i request new parts from the start, I have to foot 30% of the invoice value. Sigh!

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by darksnyder

I have read about the following including eyeballing the reflection lines, knocking on the panels for sound differences, feeling the paint for bumps or asking them to check the roof and the passenger side door panels using an elcometers and comparing it with the repaired panels. Any further advice on this?

Cool trick I learned from my neighbor who's into classic cars. Wrap a magnet in a shop rag or washcloth. Feel for differences in how the magnet pulls. Bondo will be obvious.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Cool trick I learned from my neighbor who's into classic cars. Wrap a magnet in a shop rag or washcloth. Feel for differences in how the magnet pulls. Bondo will be obvious.

I used a flat magnet that advertising comes printed on. Strong enough to stick to painted steel but will fall right off if bondo. Flexible for curves, no risk of scratching or marring the finish like a strong magnet and gives a nice consistent pull that you won't get with a rag around it. Almost everybody has one kicking around someplace.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I used a flat magnet that advertising comes printed on.

Even better!

[darksnyder]

Thank you guys for the input. So i paid a visit to the garage, here are the pics. He explained the process as well however I have got a really bad toothache and couldn't pay attention a lot. Something along the lines of they have pulled the dents, the next step is to p_____ (i cant remember the name) which will take 3-4 days, once the panel gaps and the lines are correct lay the primer and then additional 2-3 days for paint and polish.

[Summerwolf]

I would have thought a door skin and new fender to be cheaper than that work. The rear panel I understand but everything else, wtf.....

[stevesnj]

Originally Posted by Summerwolf

I would have thought a door skin and new fender to be cheaper than that work. The rear panel I understand but everything else, wtf.....

My OEM fender was $157, preprimed

[Summerwolf]

Originally Posted by stevesnj

My OEM fender was $157, preprimed

Replacement panels are cheap! A front bumper is like 150-200 new. I guess Dubai doesn't have it like that.....

[RayRay88]

Labour is dirt cheap in UAE.