Body specialist :(

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Charlesmaserati426

Junior Member
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30
So I thought I’d take my 4200 into work today and I was t boned by a kid in a fiesta st...fortunately not too hard. My passenger door is damaged and it is repairable I believe by a good body specialist. So can anybody recommend or suggest anyone? I refuse to go through the insurance for the body work as I don’t know who they will use! I live near Clifton in Bristol I really do not care about distance within 2 hours if they are good! I have a friend with a recovery truck so transport is not an issue!
 
hunta

hunta

Member
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405
Just wanted to say commiserations and good luck with the repair.

Others will be along shortly no doubt with solid recommendations.
 
Zep

Zep

Moderator
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9,261
Oh no, thats a nightmare. You should be able to nominate your repairer through your insurance company - I would check your paperwork. Of course you run the gauntlet of the potential write off.

The problem with shipping it to a body shop far away is that they will want to see it before they take it on. I would suggest your best bet is to find a recommended local place and take it to them for an assessment. At least then you will know what you are dealing with when talking to those further away.
 
Felonious Crud

Felonious Crud

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Staff member
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21,166
Sorry to hear that. I'd suggest phoning a local dealer of something fairly high end (Dick Lovett Swindon?) and asking who they use.
 
lifes2short

lifes2short

Member
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5,831
I assume the third party is at fault, so get an estimate from a high end body shop and/or MD and then go for a cash settlement you can then choose where you want it repaired.
 
keith

keith

Member
Messages
638
I would suggest Fastlane PAB Sunnghill Berks. They are high end and in fact are used by Rolls Royce.
I have used them for a number of years and the work is always excellent- and I am very fussy.
Normally you can send some photos and they will give an estimate on that basis.
Phone number 01344 622267 ask for Alex. If you mention me they will tell you how critical I am!!
My second car, a DS3, is in at the moment having the front bumper replaced, following someone reversing into the car when parked.
Regards
Keith
 
safrane

safrane

Member
Messages
16,849
Sorry to hear of the bump to a fellow Bristol area owner.

agree with Phil above... or you could get a used door and have that painted and re-hung if it is just that area damaged.
 
lifes2short

lifes2short

Member
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5,831
at the risk of sounding dim, why put yourself out like that if the third party was at fault, claim off their insurance surely, as already mentioned you have the right to choose who you want to repair/replace door
 
zagatoes30

zagatoes30

Member
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20,936
Not good but sounds like it should be relatively easy to fix. Agree with above can't see why it won't be a 3rd party claim especially if they are admitting fault.
 
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Charlesmaserati426

Junior Member
Messages
30
In all honesty my experiences with insurance repairs have been awful, including paint work. My escort took over four months and eventually involved me receiving a cheque to get it done myself. I am waiting to hear from the insurance company to see what options I have. I am hoping for a cheque once they have assessed the damage but will see what they can do. But I’m not holding my breath with regards to the repair quality.
 
Ewan

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,811
Try Ross Packard in New Milton. He does a lot of work for Emblem and is repainting a Ferrari and a Maser for me at the moment.
 
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cheshiremaserati

Member
Messages
1,121
Idf you want to avoid insurance, send the 3rd party a solicitors letter holding him liable for the damage and the costs of rectification. Do not disclose your insurer. This avoids him passing it to his insurer and they referring it to a settlement between insurers - with a risk that your car may be written off. For sue he will likely refer it to his insurer who will contact you. Keep your insurer out of it in the negotiations that will follow. Hold the driver personally liable and confirm that with another solicitors letter. Good luck. The cost of the solicitor is well worth it - it works!
 
dickyb

dickyb

Member
Messages
432
You are not obliged to use an insurance company's approved repairer, you have the right to choose your own repairer under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Your insurance company may try to influence your decision by telling you that they would not be able to guarantee a courtesy car and may try to increase your excess etc but they cannot force you to use their approved repairer.
 
SteveM

SteveM

Member
Messages
541
I used a local bodyshop in Clutton south of Bristol DW Automotive BS39 5QQ - chaps name is Dell. Small set up but he does custom cars and bikes and did a fantastic job matching paint on my 3200 at affordable price. Happy to show you his work on mine which is only a few miles further away
 
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ttt0000

Member
Messages
117
Felonious Crud said:
Sorry to hear that. I'd suggest phoning a local dealer of something fairly high end (Dick Lovett Swindon?) and asking who they use.
Click to expand...
Dick Lovett (Swindon) use their own bodyshop and you wont want to touch them with a bargepole. I know the bodyshop who used to rectify their shoddy work
 
RoaryRati

RoaryRati

Member
Messages
1,620
The Body Shop (Pershore) did a good job at fixing the o/s wing of mine - purchased with a strange buckled paint defect (probably botched repair job) and then one of our bicycles fell on it and dented it (hay-ho!!). Now you wouldn't know unless you look closely there is a tiny bit of overspray on the rubber of the headlight fixing. (NJS, the Italian car specialist who looks after the mechanics of the car is also round the corner). PS. The Body shop also did a good job at sorting the rust on my 20 year old work-horse Subaru, although they aren't the worlds cheapest and as the rust keeps coming back I now take it somewhere cheaper who also appears to do a good job.
 
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