[rays1]

Hi guys,
Got rear ended the other day at a red light by a guy that has no business being behind the wheel. Everything is being dealt through insurance. Doesn’t seem like there is any structural damage to the rear bumper, only cosmetic. I’ll be getting the damages appraised by an auto body shop. My question is, would you guys feel comfortable repairing the car at a local auto body shop? Or am I perhaps risking a substandard job. Of course that’s the more convenient option due to it being local and easier process through insurance. Or am I better off traveling to the nearest bmw dealer and repairing it there...? Thoughts? Thank you in advance!

[DocWho]

I would be more comfortable working through a dealer. There is a back-up camera and parking distance sensors in the rear bumper. Here is the info about those.

[Combatcrew2]

Looks like the exhaust has also taken a hit, needs a bit more of a check if I were you. Could have damaged the exhaust flap mechanism.
That car deserves more than a local body shop IMO.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Dealer. Over the years had 2 hits. All dealer repaired & all good jobs.

[CaboM4]

Guess I'm the minority here. If you have a local reputable shop you can trust, there's no reason to not use a local shop.

Honestly most dealers (small/medium) generally do not have an in-house body shop and will just sub-out the work.

I personally have a great local shop who does all of my personal and business work. They are as anal as I am, paint match is always spot on, and never any issues. Car is in excellent shape when I receive it back ... no paint stink, etc.

If you don't have a shop like this, then i would also recommend a good dealership repair then. Not sure where in NY you are ... but if anywhere in the 5 boroughs, I might bring it to north jersey and use the Paul Miller BMW body shop. Used them before when I lived in that area to repair a Lexus RX350 and they did an impeccable job. Likely inconvenient ... but i wouldn't trust any of those dealers around NYC.

I see the First Class leasing sticker on your rear ... assuming you're somewhere around Brooklyn/NYC. My shop is in Ocean, NJ ... Ryan's Auto body ... ask for James.

[rays1]

Originally Posted by CaboM4

Guess I'm the minority here. If you have a local reputable shop you can trust, there's no reason to not use a local shop.

Honestly most dealers (small/medium) generally do not have an in-house body shop and will just sub-out the work.

I personally have a great local shop who does all of my personal and business work. They are as anal as I am, paint match is always spot on, and never any issues. Car is in excellent shape when I receive it back ... no paint stink, etc.

If you don't have a shop like this, then i would also recommend a good dealership repair then. Not sure where in NY you are ... but if anywhere in the 5 boroughs, I might bring it to north jersey and use the Paul Miller BMW body shop. Used them before when I lived in that area to repair a Lexus RX350 and they did an impeccable job. Likely inconvenient ... but i wouldn't trust any of those dealers around NYC.

I see the First Class leasing sticker on your rear ... assuming you're somewhere around Brooklyn/NYC. My shop is in Ocean, NJ ... Ryan's Auto body ... ask for James.

Hi. Thank you for your input. Yes I'm in Brooklyn Midwood area. Not confident with any local body shops here. BMW in Brooklyn is incompetent too-don't have good experiences with them. Thinking of bringing it to Circle BMW in Eatontown NJ.

[rays1]

Thank you everyone!

[CeEl]

Originally Posted by rays1

Thank you everyone!

https://bmwusaservice.com/ccrc

BMW certified collision centers. Includes non-BMW dealer shops. And not all BMW dealers are certified.

[spbbonzo]

Dealer.

Someone ran into the back of my wife's A4 some years back. It was a pretty minor hit with only a small dent to her car but there was all sorts of damage to the parking sensors and other parts behind the scenes.

I'm sure that a non-Audi dealer wouldn't have picked up the damage that wasn't visible.

[rays1]

Originally Posted by CeEl

https://bmwusaservice.com/ccrc

BMW certified collision centers. Includes non-BMW dealer shops. And not all BMW dealers are certified.

Thank you so much! This is exactly what I needed.

[CaboM4]

Originally Posted by rays1

Hi. Thank you for your input. Yes I'm in Brooklyn Midwood area. Not confident with any local body shops here. BMW in Brooklyn is incompetent too-don't have good experiences with them. Thinking of bringing it to Circle BMW in Eatontown NJ.

Circle is my servicing dealership (best in the area for service). They sub-out their body work and do not do it in-house.

Ryan's fixed my F85 2016 X5M about 2 years ago when i hit a deer. They did an impeccable job and had zero issues after repair ... drove straight as an arrow after repair ... needed lots of cosmetic and mechanical work ... bumper, fender, headlight, hood, intercooler, etc.

Good luck with your repair ... i hope it will be as good as new when you get it back

[rays1]

Originally Posted by CaboM4

Circle is my servicing dealership (best in the area for service). They sub-out their body work and do not do it in-house.

Ryan's fixed my F85 2016 X5M about 2 years ago when i hit a deer. They did an impeccable job and had zero issues after repair ... drove straight as an arrow after repair ... needed lots of cosmetic and mechanical work ... bumper, fender, headlight, hood, intercooler, etc.

Good luck with your repair ... i hope it will be as good as new when you get it back

Great to know! Appreciate that information.

[Z4Racer1]

The Frozen Grey paint requires painters trained in these finishes. I would definitely go the dealer route or get them to recommend a shop.

[ZMcruiser]

Two weeks ago a driver ran a stop sign at a 4-way stop and ran into my wife in our Z4 M40. My wife wasn't hurt although two airbags deployed, steering wheel and knee. Our car had tire marks on the fender just in front of the left wheel well. Since it was dark and there were no witnesses the police didn't find fault. The Sheriff's deputy told me to let the insurance companies fight it out. So far, the repair estimate on our car is $25,000. Heck the left headlight is a $2800 part! I tried to post pictures, but couldn't.

[CaboM4]

That blows! Gotta get a dash cam. I would have insisted on the police issue a citation to the other driver, and if they refused ask for the Lt. Can't let the insurance fight anything ... all that's gonna happen is an at-fault accident on your records and spike in insurance premiums. never follow that advise again

It's a shame the G29 isn't offered with BMW Drive recorder ... or with a front camera in grille.

[CaboM4]

Where did you decide to get the vehicle repaired?

[dkreidel]

Originally Posted by CeEl

https://bmwusaservice.com/ccrc

BMW certified collision centers. Includes non-BMW dealer shops. And not all BMW dealers are certified.

I wouldn't settle for anything other than repair by a BMW CRC