Advice sought -- neighbor backed into my front fender.

[steve in reno]

My car was hit from the rear in 1989. The other cars insurance said it was totaled. My wife had gone to see Eric Clapton, while I had to work that night. She wasn't hurt.
And it was April 1. I got the call from my wife about 2AM, and spoke to the tow truck driver. He even said it was totaled.
It was the last time she was ever allowed to drive my car!
They were wiling to give me $1600.
I declined and told them it wold cost much more and got a body shop (a friend with very good skills) to give me a bill. I had to acquire the parts needed, rear quarter trim and tail light. I ended up with $4K and my car was not titled as a salvage. I had stated to them when the first money was talked about they would never own my car, so that they could salvage title it
The car was not near perfect but that did not deter me from my goal. I had my friend add to the cost a total full paint job and the repair.
The insurance companies worked it out
A good metal beater can make that fender like new. Mostly cosmetic.
good luck.
My insurance co now is Hagerty and I have the option to keep my car if totaled, costs $37/yr. The reason, the parts are worth as much as the car.

 

[HB Chris]

@Arde The column won when my wife was driving the 2002.

 

[Blinkling]

Heh, I never wake up in a litigious mood. Character flaw, maybe. I figure if, in the end, the fender is straight again, the BnB across the street gives my parents a good deal occasionally, and I learn either a little Japanese or Sanskrit today, I've come out fine.

The major difference will be fender on vs. fender off. Jury is still out. And my car cover has a hole in it that won't heal by itself.

I think I was in my dad's '79 Datsun for an interaction with a column in 1988 and it was a draw. I-beam bumper.

I hope mine comes back together as well as yours, @dang! That belt line crease had to have been the toughest part.

My wife is welcome to drive mine but she doesn't speak Stick Shift fluently. I let her try it in the Target rear parking lot one time, tho. Fun while it lasted but then a security guard stared at us and sadly broke her concentration.

 

[Arde]

@Arde The column won when my wife was driving the 2002.

That column is two for two.

 

[wkohler]

 

[Campo di Classico]

The non-running beat up rusty coupe that just sold for $30K is a good benchmark.

@Blinkling, I do believe that a good dent repair guy could fix it. Especially since the backside is mostly accessible.

@Markos Could you share the link to this beat up rusty coupe that sold for $30k? I have one but it's a daily driver in nyc. Would love to know what I can get for it. Thanks sir!

 

[Markos]

@Markos Could you share the link to this beat up rusty coupe that sold for $30k? I have one but it's a daily driver in nyc. Would love to know what I can get for it. Thanks sir!

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[jmackro]

-The other company is Progressive and they sent me some text messages demanding a phone call but that was easy to ignore.

No way that you should have to deal with Progressive. Let your insurance company interface with them; that's what your high, monthly premiums pay for.

-Could a talented dent specialist get any traction on this? As I said, paint work is in this car's future no matter what;

You mean a "paintless dent removal" guy in a mobile van? No, I think this damage exceeds what those guys can do, even ignoring the paint.

-Is there anything I need to remember when getting the damage assessed? Should I have collector specialist look at it?;

As boonies wrote in post #2, definitely a "collector car specialist" shop and not a collision shop. Your insurance company will want to recommend a collision shop, but forget that; those shops only know how to fix 202X era cars, where all damaged parts are replaced, instead of repaired, because everything is made of plastic.

The good news is that your beltline trim was only bent, but not creased or broken. It looks like it can be straightened.

 

[bavbob]

You need to do some HW, contact locals like those in the Porsche and Alfa clubs etc besides BMW, do HW, gather data and have each shop look at it while you peruse the shop for what they are working on and what they have done. I found my shop by talking to different clubs and one shop was mentioned by all, bingo!

 

[CTD]

Aren't there any all risk insurances available in the US? Mine is insured for up to 100k (even if the damage is my own fault). Costs me about 750usd yearly but the car is worth that.

 

[eriknetherlands]

IF your considering to replace the other side, then act quickly:


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[Arde]

IF your considering to replace the other side, then act quickly:
...

You mean if he parks now the car facing the other way so he gets hit on the other side?

 

[autokunst]

Nice!

 

[eriknetherlands]

You mean if he parks now the car facing the other way so he gets hit on the other side?

But then I'd have to find him a rear quarter panel!

Nah, just because OP mentioned wanting to "do both sides".

 

[teahead]

IF your considering to replace the other side, then act quickly:


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Someone w/means should buy that and have a steel stamping die built off of it so we can repro's for everyone to buy.

 

[Blinkling]

The good news is that your beltline trim was only bent, but not creased or broken. It looks like it can be straightened.

It's kind of amazing luck that I intentionally omitted that T bolt closest to the crease (under the assumption I'd be taking the belt trim off at some point). Otherwise it WOULD have a crease in it!

You need to do some HW, contact locals like those in the Porsche and Alfa clubs etc besides BMW, do HW, gather data and have each shop look at it while you peruse the shop for what they are working on and what they have done. I found my shop by talking to different clubs and one shop was mentioned by all, bingo!

I now now of a second shop in my area that should qualify and they definitely have worked on an e9 that I know. They're way over the hill though so they'll be my second resource.

Aren't there any all risk insurances available in the US? Mine is insured for up to 100k (even if the damage is my own fault). Costs me about 750usd yearly but the car is worth that.

I don't know the answer to this; I'm using the same insurance carrier that insures my house and my $700 Fords. I'll be taking the idea more seriously in the future...

You mean if he parks now the car facing the other way so he gets hit on the other side?

My poor pickup truck is in the hot seat now. At least it's taller and red.

IF your considering to replace the other side, then act quickly:

Nice find! Gosh, there is a lot of the A pillar involved in the fender, isn't there?? I think I'll be able to repair the rust holes on the right side so I'll leave this available to anyone else who wants to take advantage of it.

Someone w/means should buy that and have a steel stamping die built off of it so we can repro's for everyone to buy.

I can't even imagine what it would take to build a stamping die but I found this video series interesting: Carbon fiber replica of all the body panels for a Volvo 122:

The other local e9 I mentioned has a carbon fiber replica hood and trunk now. I'll ask him if he minds if I share the pictures I took. They looked fantastic at the local Cars N Coffee. Replication of fenders, door skins, nose, and tail seems actually doable by pulling a mold off original parts but could they be made durable enough for everyday use?