the damage done to the quarter panel is not as extensive as it sounds.. it looks like someone judo chopped the side with his hands. ill post up the pics later tonight. maybe the shop can just fabricate the quarter panel and straighten it out and repaint? or is it better to completely replace the unit?

considering the car is still brand new, if the body shop can do it well... id prefer a new unit. with new wheel and new suspension.. =)


oh and thanks Big J for the info.

wait, i thought judo you flip people over, not chop them up like karate?

The only way to repair it correctly is to replace the whole quarter panel piece with a new one, unless the dent can be massaged out. But that's not a possibility if there are any deep scrapes or creases.

^^

You're probably right. I just hope this shop I was referred to (New Concepts) do a great job fixing it and trying to match the ppw color as best they can. =X

No problem. The place I went to was also one of the best in my area so I think these 3-5k estimates may be a little high. But then I could be wrong, maybe the area I live in has something to do with it as well.

The area has a lot to do with it.

I was once quoted $11,000 for a rear quarter panel + trunk floor replacement on a 2001 sedan. I didn't end up paying that much, but it was still $6000

Here are some pics of the damages... =(

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/a...ion2010268.jpg

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/a...ion2010270.jpg

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/a...ion2010267.jpg

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/a...ion2010275.jpg

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/a...ion2010263.jpg

The claim is still under investigation to see whos fault it was. T_T

Oh, I was completely off base. That will be much cheaper because it looks like there is no actual surface blending to be done. I forgot how the body panels laid out on the Z, my bad.

you dont think i need to replace the whole QP unit yeah?

Yes, they will replace the whole thing, but that panel doesn't physically join with another external-visibly surface so they won't have to do a lot of grinding, body filling, sanding, etc. I'm used to 4-door sedans where the rear quarter actually meshes with the C pillar.

i see... i really hope this will be a smooth process. from where you see the damages.. you think ill win the case?

I was really curious why you were going on and on WarmandSCSI... lol just bustin yo balls :tup: anyway yeah its a "simple" fix by replacing the panel and your wheel for sure. its obvious the other guy is at fault too.

Have you not gone and got an estimate yet?

well... ive called and asked progessive (the other guys insurance) to get an estimate and get this ball rollin cause i need my car back and he said he was going to send someone out tomorrow (08/19) to the apartment for an estimate and leave the check at the apartment. the weird thing was after that he said the claim is still under investigation. so if i take the check and use it to repair the car.. and they come back later saying it was my fault. i guess i will have to reimburse the insurance company??

Im confused. I will just wait till tomorrow and pick up the check and take it to the body shop.

The worse that will happen is you'll have to pay them the deductible if you were at fault (given that you have collision insurance, which is almost 100% likely if you bought your Z new). They will cover it either way, that's how it works. If it was the other driver's fault (it obviously was), you owe nothing and your insurance company will seek to get reimbursed by the offending party's insurance company.

That last bit depends on the state though; typical practice is to work through the other party's insurance company if they were at fault.