How hard to replace doors your self??

[aspi944]

I need replace both of my passenger side doors..so how hard it's to replace them?? I am thinking to swap them out with same/different color ones???

[jeremye30]

Why do you need to replace the doors?

It is not very difficult. There are the two hinge bolts, door breaks, and the electrical plug. You will then need to work with the bolts at the hinges to align it so it will close properly.

[Zimmy330]

So you've decided to do the repairs from the accident yourself eh?

It depends on the replacement doors that you got. If you have a complete door with all the glass, wirings, and trims, then all you have to do is remove the two hinged bolts and unplug the wires. Then just put the donor door on.

If you got just the shell, that's a whole different story. We're talking about removing everything from your old door and transfering it to the new door.

[aspi944]

Originally Posted by Zimmy330

So you've decided to do the repairs from the accident yourself eh?

It depends on the replacement doors that you got. If you have a complete door with all the glass, wirings, and trims, then all you have to do is remove the two hinged bolts and unplug the wires. Then just put the donor door on.

If you got just the shell, that's a whole different story. We're talking about removing everything from your old door and transferring it to the new door.

oh yaa buddy..there are some fellows whom i can able to source same/diiferent color doors @ very chip rate but i dont want to take risk..i am mechanically inclined but still.. so

[hyptnochicken]

This is not a one person job. The doors are heavy, make sure you have some muscle around.

[aspi944]

For those who have question "why i want to replace the doors":

i got hit by an a**hole in passenger side..he was drunk while driving his jeep and hit me on passenger side..now his insurance company approved claim for about $3500.00 but i want to save money from this so i can spend that on some mods like Mtech bumpers,CSL wheels and so on..
Link : http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=710501

So use your experience from your bimmmer and advise me about how:
1. Fix the passenger side doors (both)
2. Save some money for my mods
3. if you know any good body shop in NYC let me know

Thanks
Aspi944

Originally Posted by hyptnochicken

This is not a one person job. The doors are heavy, make sure you have some muscle around.

oh i got me and my dad...we should be enough to do that..do you know any DIY??

[DavidF]

Originally Posted by hyptnochicken

This is not a one person job. The doors are heavy, make sure you have some muscle around.

It certainly can be one person job. Simply support the bottom center of the door with a floor jack BEFORE you pull the hinge pins. Use the floor jack to hange the new doors as well. I have done it many times on various cars I have restored...never needed an extra pair of hands.

[fermunky]

Originally Posted by DavidF

It certainly can be one person job. Simply support the bottom center of the door with a floor jack BEFORE you pull the hinge pins. Use the floor jack to hange the new doors as well. I have done it many times on various cars I have restored...never needed an extra pair of hands.

This is what I was gonna suggest. Did this when I converted my old Civic to power doors using entire door replacements.

Aspi: I would worry too much. If you are getting full door replacements, it is simple as pie. Even if it is just a shell, it is still not terribly difficult.

[aspi944]

Originally Posted by fermunky

This is what I was gonna suggest. Did this when I converted my old Civic to power doors using entire door replacements.

Aspi: I would worry too much. If you are getting full door replacements, it is simple as pie. Even if it is just a shell, it is still not terribly difficult.

i am not worry but just needs to save some hundreds so my bimmer can looks good by adding some mods

Originally Posted by aspi944

i am not worry but just needs to save some hundreds so my bimmer can looks good by adding some mods

the body shop said that they cant even do the job in 3500 and i was like WTF.

[DementeD]

Originally Posted by aspi944

the body shop said that they cant even do the job in 3500 and i was like WTF.

Thought you were doing it yourself!?

[aspi944]

Originally Posted by DementeD

Thought you were doing it yourself!?

i was thinking that way..but body shop said that if i fix something my self they will not work on my car..and i do need body shop as my fort pillar has two impacts on it near side skirts..so

[DavidF]

Originally Posted by aspi944

i was thinking that way..but body shop said that if i fix something my self they will not work on my car..and i do need body shop as my fort pillar has two impacts on it near side skirts..so

You have to be kidding. Tell them to take a hike and find a different shop. Really?

[fermunky]

That makes no sense. What if you fixed the doors first without telling them... what difference does that make... wow, yeah I'd find a different shop.

[aspi944]

Originally Posted by DavidF

You have to be kidding. Tell them to take a hike and find a different shop. Really?

ya its true..but they are pretty reputed for what they do and best in Germans so that's fine..i dont mind to spend some 100s out of pockets for mods

[Zimmy330]

I got hit on the side just like you. Both right side doors got scrapped up pretty bad, but the door pillar was not damaged. The insurance company cut me a check for $4100. I had my friend who owns a bodyshop called around for doors. We got 2 complete doors within a few days for around $800(both). The doors had the exact color and trim as my original doors, so it was just a simple remove and replace. Spent the rest of the money on mods and maintenance.

[aspi944]

Guys..Good News..

i got it done by one of my friend..my friend @ body shop took care for me
thanks so much for your help...

[Sean S]

How much did you pay?

[Sanmiam]

FYI - that's how insurance companies work. They make a low offer for the repairs, then pay the repair shop their additional costs. They love for you to take the cash - costs them less.