Here's what happened on Tuesday in the post office parking lot. The truck next to me pulled out and swiped the side of my car. They did stick around and I got their insurance information.

I went to a body shop last night - a place referred by a friend who's had good work done there. Here's the big question now on the repair:

1. Replace the quarter panel.
or
2. Pull the dents and fill.

He mentioned that the damage is right on the edge of how much work they like to do to a panel and was leaning towards replacing the panel. Then we got talking and he mentioned the fact that to do that the rear window would need to come out, the quarter glass would come out and the trunk lid would come off. Then they'd drill out the spot welds and cut the panel above the door and attach it there.

So after hearing all that I'm wondering if just repairing the dents is a better way to go. Of course to do that it would require Bondo and they'd have to match the two designer lines in front of the wheel and behind the wheel.

Any opinions out there? I want the repair done the best it can be of course.

 

dude that sucks. i would say have the panel replaced. it would probably be less work and you know the body lines would match.

 

I know you don't want to hear it but I think I would have the quarter panel replaced. I wouldn't trust anyone in trying to get the lines back the way they were. That and the time that it would take they could probably have the old qtr. off and the new one on and probably painted. The car's damaged goods now so do it right.

 

+1 on both of them. Have it replaced.
That sucks, but at least they owned up and stuck around.

 

replace the quarter panel.

 

replace it. A professional would say that.
Only amateurs use putty to fix dents as a first resource

 

Trucks should be banned from civilian use.

 

Replacing the panel does sound good but then there's the chance of scratching my rear window tint and having it leak when they replace it. How close to the replacement panels match up on the car? Would there be any gap problems?

 

New Car = New Parts. Period!! If part of it requires a new Quarter Window, so be it, include in the cost the Tint replacement that was there. That is what Insurance is for.

Do it right!!

 

Replace the panel.

 

+ many... It'll never be the same. Replace it

 

Replace.

If indeed you have found a good body shop, glass removal, gaps, and lines should all be non-issues.

Check out the shop and see what kind of work they do and go with your instincts.

 

A good body man could fix that damage perfectly. The damage is not that bad. I would go with the less invasive fix. When you start cutting and welding it just won't ever be the same. jmo

 

You will be better off replacing the panel.

Or... you could spray your car DHG and have an exact bullitt replica down to the dent in the side. kust kidding

Good Luck on the repair!

 

replace the panel if you fix it it will never be the same just replace it

 

Sorry for the damage. I have the same car.

Your insurance company will most likely write just the repair.

Good luck.

 

Go to http://www.newtakeoff.com/index.htm and order a red back bumper cover. You can also get the under door moldings in red as well. These folks buy the stuff Roush, Saleen and others take off of the new GT's and it is cheap, painted and brand new. A red bumper cover is $200 and the rockers are only $100 a set. These parts would cost $900 at Ford.

Have the insurance pay the full repair and then provide these parts yourself.

Bummer about the dent, but at least you have insurance. Good luck.

 

Bummer! :-(

 

Sorry to hear about your car!

 

Oh No!!!! I'm so sorry to hear about your car. Your car is like a brother to my car!!

Hope it all works out well whatever you decide.

I would also have a hard time deciding what to do. I know the correct way would be to replace the whole thing but then I would worry about leaking around the window, gaps, leaking in the trunk, etc., not too mention that everytime I've ever taken out interior panels on a car it always seems there is some new rattle introduced...

And then there is the issue of how much will insurance cover? They may only pay for the lesser repair depending upon how much you and your insurance want to fight it the other guys insurance company.

I was just thinking the other night about how tough it would be to repair the lines on these finders should anything happen... Unless you have a REALLY GOOD body man I wouldn't even consider that.

Tough choice. Either way you'll know was damaged and that is what sucks the most!!!

If it was me, as much as I wouldn't like it, I'd probably pick the best body man I could find, and have him repair it with as little filler as possible. I'd visit the body shop often to make sure the lines look good before the paint and then I'd make sure they are aware you aren't going to accept it if the lines are not perfect. The only reason I say repair is because of all the potential problems that could be introduced with replacing the entire fender...

But, in the end it is your decision. It may also depend upon whether you are planning to keep the car for a long time or are going to upgrade in a few years, or ????

Go with your gut......

Again, sorry to hear about it and hope it all works out.