picking up my BMW from the body shop today, what to look for?

[VeitM3]

Alright, so if you read my previous thread you may remember that my car had been backed into, got a new bumper, hood, headlights, grill fenders, no structural damage. so didn't care all that much. Till i went to check on my car and saw it in the rain with the hood off and covers for the ecu and fuse box missing. so i told them, and as far as i know it may have been left that way. fast forward a few weeks, i call to see if my car is done and find out the car won't start. they trouble shoot, get it towed to the bmw dealer, and it gets a new starter, now they say all is good. my question is when i pick it up what should i look at as far as damage? Should i check anything? Should i look for any specific signs under the hoood.

i also took pictures of the car in the rain without any of the covers on with my blackberry so they are dated and there is proof. so who should I contact regarding what happened just to have it documented so if some expensive problems arise i can follow up with the correct people. Any and all advice is very much appreciated.

Oh and I am going to ask that they wave my 500 dollar deductible is this fair? reason is the car took two weeks after my free rental from my insurance company expired so spent out of packet about 800 bucks on a rental, not to mention missed overtime that is worht 300 or more dollars a day. . . which i know is water under the bridge.

mostly though, forget the money, what do i look for as far as possible damage and how do i properly document it, and who do i contact? adjusters? just not sure.

[dliccardi]

Originally Posted by VeitM3

Alright, so if you read my previous thread you may remember that my car had been backed into, got a new bumper, hood, headlights, grill fenders, no structural damage. so didn't care all that much. Till i went to check on my car and saw it in the rain with the hood off and covers for the ecu and fuse box missing. so i told them, and as far as i know it may have been left that way. fast forward a few weeks, i call to see if my car is done and find out the car won't start. they trouble shoot, get it towed to the bmw dealer, and it gets a new starter, now they say all is good. my question is when i pick it up what should i look at as far as damage? Should i check anything? Should i look for any specific signs under the hoood.

i also took pictures of the car in the rain without any of the covers on with my blackberry so they are dated and there is proof. so who should I contact regarding what happened just to have it documented so if some expensive problems arise i can follow up with the correct people. Any and all advice is very much appreciated.

Oh and I am going to ask that they wave my 500 dollar deductible is this fair? reason is the car took two weeks after my free rental from my insurance company expired so spent out of packet about 800 bucks on a rental, not to mention missed overtime that is worht 300 or more dollars a day. . . which i know is water under the bridge.

mostly though, forget the money, what do i look for as far as possible damage and how do i properly document it, and who do i contact? adjusters? just not sure.

I think you already know what to look for. The insurance companies will not pay for your "loss work time". Although the comp for the rental should be fine. If you had the work done at a reputable shop it should be warrantied for a certain amount of time.

If the car starts there really should be no damage except for water marks. As long as it runs take it home, just make sure all of the parts are back on the car.





Therefore look for:


Paint runs.
Alignment of panels.
Panels are secure in place.
major orange peel.

[Balthazarr]

Originally Posted by dliccardi

I think you already know what to look for. The insurance companies will not pay for your "loss work time". Although the comp for the rental should be fine. If you had the work done at a reputable shop it should be warrantied for a certain amount of time.

If the car starts there really should be no damage except for water marks. As long as it runs take it home, just make sure all of the parts are back on the car.





Therefore look for:


Paint runs.
Alignment of panels.
Panels are secure in place.
major orange peel.

Make sure they blended with the doors, so no mismatch and make sure the windows are aligned correctly with no groaning from the motor or
the regulator (large scissor-like thing inside the door panel that motor actuates) bc window is usually removed.