[Je90win]

My car was involved in a hit and run, relatively simple job as told by adjuster.
Conflicted between bringing car to an in house bmw collision center (part of dealership) that isn't outsourced or a high end collision center that caters to exotics that astons and bentleys frequent?

There are pros and cons to both and I will be paying same deductible to either place regardless. Concerned about quality of work, service, color match/blending, and longevity of work. Has anyone had experience with either place going above and beyond taking care of other things while car was in? Thoughts, advice, experience would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[techwhiz]

I'd go independent. I have never taken a BMW to the in house place.
I have always had great results.
Look for references for both.

[DnA Diesel]

I went independent and the insurance company was impressed enough with the work that they put the restorer on their certified list for luxury vehicle repair. BMWFS wasn't worried at all, perhaps since the indy called my dealer and bought all the parts through them.

Whatever you chose to do, get a few referrals to folks who've had work done at the place.

Regards
D.

[Je90win]

Originally Posted by DnA Diesel

Whatever you chose to do, get a few referrals to folks who've had work done at the place.

Regards
D.

There are referrals to both, though the independent seems more popular. Not sure.. Want to make my decision soon. Any other insight? Thx

[Dozhdbog]

Why the concern over bringing your car into a BMW collision center? Isn't that the place one would WANT to have repair work done?

[335(EX)(EYE)]

Originally Posted by Dozhdbog

Why the concern over bringing your car into a BMW collision center? Isn't that the place one would WANT to have repair work done?

no cuz they are all about numbers, my local dealer has a cert shop and they were bragging how many cards they got done in a months time. GO INDEPENDANT.

[nyczbmw]

even with in house, it always depends on the mechanic i guess =T

[Potty_Pants]

while the autobody shop wasnt an exotic... and the car was far from it.

I brought my car "car that shelt be named" in and the body work was flawless, the paint work flawless, color match & orange peel EXACT. i was unable to tell where the work was performed or if any was even performed...

brought the same car back to the shop for another accident... and they did a horrible job.

bottom line it's all whos working on the car. I'd expect the exotic autobody to perform a better job since they have demanding customers/snobs

+1 exotic autobody shop

[Je90win]

I'm kind of leaning towards the independent as well since they are highly reputable and are willing to take care of a few other minor things for me as well once the car is in.

I do sometimes wonder if a in house collision center will be able to do a better job since they specialize in one make and have all the factory equipment/specifications. Not sure... Really depends on if they will be able to take care of other things as well and their work.

[EYE4SPEED]

Indy shop - they might be able to help with a few extras "on the house".

[bmwtechray]

I would rather have the guy who works on a lot of BMWS fix my BMW And the guy who works on a lot of bentleys fix my bentley! ( not that I own a Bentley, I'm just saying)

[DnA Diesel]

Originally Posted by Je90win

I'm kind of leaning towards the independent as well since they are highly reputable and are willing to take care of a few other minor things for me as well once the car is in.

I do sometimes wonder if a in house collision center will be able to do a better job since they specialize in one make and have all the factory equipment/specifications. Not sure... Really depends on if they will be able to take care of other things as well and their work.

Indys survive on reputation and referrals, not a big name and proximity to a dealer. That seems good reason to go with a recommended indy, IMO.

Regards
D.

[eogintz]

I think that if car needed extensive mechanical repairs as well as body repairs from accident I would prefer BMW in house. If it is simply bodywork, painting, replacing body parts, etc.. I would use independent.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

It always varies place to place, only thing to do is get some references from people who have had work done.

[RoundelM3]

What you need to be concerned with is whether or not the shop is certified by BMW to repair to their standards. If they are, and the repairs meet BMW standards, you won't get any kind of reduced valuation when it comes time to trade or sell at a BMW Dealership. A few years ago, we used the shop recommended by our dealership (they don't have an in-house body shop) which happened to be a high-end place, and their work was so good that when we traded the car (an '05 325i), they could not find where it had been repaired. Since then, the company that owns our dealership (and others) has purchased a "collision center" and it is now their recommended shop. I recently had an aero kit front lip painted and mounted on my E92, and the paint matching was done by their BMW-certified painter right in front of me and the shop manager (they use what they call "spray-outs"). The work was exemplary and is indistinguishable from factory paint.

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by bmwtechray

I would rather have the guy who works on a lot of BMWS fix my BMW And the guy who works on a lot of bentleys fix my bentley! ( not that I own a Bentley, I'm just saying)

I agree 100%. Why not take it to BMW? You know for sure that the correct parts are used and all warranty will be intact.

[Je90win]

For those that have had their cars repaired, for the most part will it look the same? I'm petrified that my car will be two different shades of the same color or just look off.