Nissan 370Z Forum - Would you feel the same way or am I overreacting?

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Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z (Post 3446623)

Why are you taking it to a dealership for body repairs? Do you buy cars at a body shop?

Take it to a body shop and get it done right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan (Post 3446624)

some dealers have an in-house bodyshop..

Indeed, this is the case here.

I know some dealers subcontract for repairs but in this case they have a dedicated body shop inside the dealer.

I know you might have some amazing bodyshops in the US (specially in Cali) but where I live our options are kind of limited. Is it sad that we consider the dealer our best option for repairs?:confused: (rhetorical, I know it is).

Quote:

Originally Posted by mults (Post 3446608)

The only trouble I see with a respray is that in a few years, the original paint and the respray may oxidize/wear at different rates. If so, the paint may not match the original. I vote for a new bumper.

I had my Mother-in-laws bumper fixed a few years ago, and the body shop did an amazing job at repairing/matching the original paint. Trouble is, we sold it right after that, so I don't know how well the repair held up. A few pictures of before and after attached. This was way more than a little scratch...

Looks good; I would be curious to see how it held up after some years.

I would have thought that the additional layers of paint would make it more resistant to fading and oxidation...

Quote:

Originally Posted by axmea? (Post 3446629)

Insurance company's obligation is to repair unless virtually impossible to fix. You can demand all you want but they are not obligated to replace. What they are not allowed to do is hand it back to you and it is not to your liking because it is not visually and functionally back to its original state. If not fixed or repaired to your standard, they must fix.

Unfortunately, yes that's what they told me. They only change the part if they can't fix it. When I inspect the car I'm hoping to find something I can make a deal out of so I can get a new one instead.

As for pictures, these are the only ones I took. I took them in the shade so you can't really see much.

http://www.the370z.com/members/quarr...4-bumper-1.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/quarr...5-bumper-2.jpg

Thanks for all your replies, I really appreciate all the input

The pic says a lot. Sorry to burst your bubble but that's repairable and does not qualify for a replacement. A good shop will make it as good as new and have warranty for their work as long as you own the car. You can also get quotes on your own and then compare to the policy holder's insurance quote. Get theirs to go as high as you can while you find the lowest price from your own research and you keep the rest. Make sure that who ever does the work have their work guaranteed in writing.

Edit: BTW, once you cash out the insurance's work guarantee will cease to exist.

Maybe go for the payout then go where you like for repairs. In Canada you would never get a new bumper for that damage. I probably would have had a heart attack however so I do feel for you. Bottom line is get the best settlement available and try to live with the outcome. Hope the other guy has nightmares over it since I've read that some members carry firearms in their cars!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by quarryninja (Post 3446612)

I'm part of the club as well. I would not want to have myself as a customer.

I care about my cars more than I care about myself.

When I get it back I'm going to inspect every inch to make sure it's perfect or else I'm not leaving there without a new bumper.

No dude, as soon as you get your car back you're telling them to take t back because you changed your mind and want a new bumper. Tell them to live up to their promised customer support.

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdman71 (Post 3446595)

Coming from someone in the insurance business, keep pushing for the new bumper. What is insurance company's settlement offer they are willing to pay you for the damage? as of right now.

Just because if their estimate is $750 in damage and they are going to "fix and respray" at the dealership, that's kinda screwed from the start. Have the two most unhelpful sides trying to fix your car.

You can request a settlement payout in the end and a check is mailed to you usually. At that point you can use the insurance money to buy a new bumper, whether it be OEM or Aftermarket. If you're lucky and find one in your color and in great condition you may even save money.

This also depends on what insurance company you have filed the claim through. I already assume you filed the claim through his insurance company to begin with and are waiting to use your own company to avoid having to pay the deductible and time of subrogation.

I would also take the car into a local body shop you know and see what kind of estimate they can give you on the damage. See if the insurance company is lowballing you and if they are, at that point you can go back to the insurance company and say that you have a shop that you want to use to be able to repair the damages. Still get the payout amount just cause you'll be able to spend the money on making the car back to the way you want it.

The dealership nor the insurance company care about whether or not you have a pristine front bumper, even if the car is brand new.

These are California regulations and each state varies, but I would assume they still have a settlement payout option and SHOULD (not is) be the same regarding a body shop for repairs. In CA and at State Farm we have Select Service Shops that are of 4+ star reputation and has all the requirements to be a Select Shop. If a customer wants to use a different shop, we cannot tell them no. Bottom line. Don't know specifics of your state though.

Oh btw this guy honestly does know his $hit so I'd honestly listen to what he's saying :). I know him personally so I'd like to give him a vote of reliability.

Bring it to a lexus dealership to get it repaired. They do certified body and paint work. What does that mean you ask? It means if it ant perfect you can demand them to fix it until it is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mults (Post 3446608)

No sure if this will help the OP or not but thought I'd share. In 04, I had purchased a brand new Pearl White G35C. After about 1 year of ownership, a hit & run driver in a grocery store parking lot, scratched my rear fender. Not much dents involved but quite a bit of paint was scratched down to the metal. Body shop didn't replace the fender but repaired it to the point that you could never tell anything happened.

About a year later, an inattentive driver rear ended me at a red light. This time, the same body shop replaced the bumper and all looked perfect. I sold the G35C after 8 years of ownership (6 years after replacement bumper). In my opinion, the bumper appeared to have changed in color a tiny bit. Whereas you still couldn't tell any difference on the fender. Please keep in mind, the difference was such a miniscule amount, that no one else ever noticed. But if you're an anal owner like many of us who meticulously washes, polishes, waxes our cars and know every rock chip/nick. It's something you may notice. I'm sure there are others who may have experienced the opposite so I wish you the best in whatever repair route you go.

I went to pick up my car at the time agreed and they weren't finished yet, they still had to fix the trim part (grille?) that had some small scuff marks. The sanded it down and then applied some sort of rubberized paint to get the texture back.

Me being as nosy and anal as I am I was with them "supervising" the remaining work

http://www.the370z.com/members/quarr...fix-bumber.jpg

After 2 hours I inspected the results... The good and the bad:

The 2 small dents are completely gone and the color matched to a point I can't tell it was resprayed. No overspray whatsoever and no ruined paint from putting the fender pack on.

After a very close flashlight examination I found some very small imperfections on the clear coat, some exposed glue and two small hairline cracks in the front emblem (I assume happened when they took it off)

http://www.the370z.com/members/quarr...ont-emblem.jpg

They said that they hadn't notice and that they were going to order the new part to replace it and that they were going to buff out the imperfections.

They let me take my car home (without signing anything yet) and told me to bring it in on saturday to finish up. We'll see how it goes.

I'll keep you posted.