Clumsy me. I Dinged a Beemer.

[ringway]

Earlier this evening (dark, raining, and poor visibility) I attempted to park in a tight space in the LWB Sprinter.

Made sure I missed the black BMW X5 (behind) with the side of the van (could barely see it in the exterior mirrors in the conditions).
Cleared BMW with side of van but (they say) I caught their front bumber with my rear bumper (there is an overhang at the rear when turning tight) as I went forwards.

I didn't feel any contact but when I looked at the black BMW front bumper there was a dull grey line at the height of my bumper, so I'm prepared to hold my hands up to the very minor damage.

I think the damage will polish out (T-Cut).

Do I have the option of attempting to polish out the line in the bumper or can the BMW owner insist on a main dealer repair.

The driver of BMW was very pleasant (it may well not be his car after all) and he said he'd call me Sunday to let me know if he thought the damage was worth taking to the dealer.

Any advice on how I can extricate myself from the situation would be most welcome.

TIA.

Paul.

 

[alfie07]

Would you let anyone Tcut your pride and joy (main dealers maybe very good bodyshop without a doubt)

 

[ringway]

Would you let anyone Tcut your pride and joy (main dealers maybe very good bodyshop without a doubt)

Nope!
But if someone had done minor damage to my pride and joy I would attempt to polish out the scratch myself. If the scratch remained I would be off to the main dealer or bodyshop.

 

[alfie07]

Is it your car you damaged?

 

[ringway]

Is it your car you damaged?

No damage to my Sprinter.


I didn't feel the contact so have no idea of the severity of that but in fairness if the X5 driver wants to take the car to the dealer to check if anything has moved then fair play to him.

 

[PXW]

His call, I would have thought - but you seem to be dealing with a reasonable individual who at least recognises the possibility that it may not be worth doing anything 'official'.

reminds me of a close call I had shortly after I passed my test - driving my dad's late '70's cavalier I parked in a tight car park. Lady in the escort parked next to me got out and looked at her passenger door. I got out and asked whether I had hit her - hadn't felt anything at all. Yes, you did, she replied - and indeed there was a black scuff on the door panel. I rubbed my hand over the mark and it just came off! Given the world-renowned strength of 1970's escort door skins, I counted myself very lucky...

 

[verytalldave]

No damage to my Sprinter.


I didn't feel the contact so have no idea of the severity of that but in fairness if the X5 driver wants to take the car to the dealer to check if anything has moved then fair play to him.

Rare to find this level of honesty nowadays

I salute you sir

 

[camerafodder]

Sounds a reasonable guy, I'd wait for his call.

 

[crockers]

Reminds me of when I hired a long van to move furniture. Taking a left turn too sharp I didn't allow for the length of van. Hit a car causing slight damage. Left a note on his windscreen with hire firms details and mine.

When I returned van they went ballistic with me. Why had I left details. Were there any witnesses. Etc etc. I just looked at them and shook my head.

I am sure if t cut won't remove this then an electrical polisher should.

Honesty does pay so well done Paul. I work on the basis of treating others how I would like to be treated and then one day someone will stop p1ssing on me. Lol.

 

[bennesspipers]

Oh dear, dont worry about it, you've done the honest thing, & at least it wasn't a decent make of car

 

[ringway]

Reminds me of when I hired a long van to move furniture. Taking a left turn too sharp I didn't allow for the length of van. Hit a car causing slight damage. Left a note on his windscreen with hire firms details and mine.

When I returned van they went ballistic with me. Why had I left details. Were there any witnesses. Etc etc. I just looked at them and shook my head.

I am sure if t cut won't remove this then an electrical polisher should.

Honesty does pay so well done Paul. I work on the basis of treating others how I would like to be treated and then one day someone will stop p1ssing on me. Lol.

LOL!

If I did catch the car it would be the overhang at the back of the Sprinter that caused the problem - never had this before though.

We used to have a very large Leyland Daf box van and the rear overhang on that thing WAS a problem. I mastered this but others who drove it (a lot friends borrowed it) had problems with it.


Big Tip.

When I sold the Leyland Daf van,the buyer asked if he could leave our company signage on the van until he re-sprayed to his colours and I agreed to this. We got a fair amount of trade from this.

Then one day the phone rings in the office and it's Mr (very very) Angry.
"One of your van's has hit my car and driven off"

That took a lot of explaining...

 

[ringway]

Hmmmph!

Below is a picture of the damage taken by the BMW dealership.

Total to repair and paint the wing of the X5 at the BMW dealer is £333.50.

I thought the above was a bumper but it seems not.

The BMW owner said he thought maybe "Chips Away" would be able to do the repair but unfortunately they can't.

I have agreed to pay for the repair but If I claim through my insurance company (I have maximum protected no-claims bonus with excess of (I think £150) this would obviously register as an at-fault claim.

At the end of the day I'm happy he gets the best repair possible.

Should I pay myself or claim on my insurance policy?

TIA.

Paul.

 

[bennesspipers]

If you decide to pay for it yourself,make sure you get a receipt that says on it "In full & final settlement". That stops them coming back later saying they need extra parts.

 

[corned]

It's a business van, isn't it? On company business at the time?

Pay the £333.50 cash and claim back as a legitimate business expense.

Then get your moat cleaned out whilst you're at it...

 

[crockers]

I would be tempted to pay for it. Reason being you're only looking at £200 over excess. Although your NCD is protected doesn't mean the base premium on which the discount is applied wouldn't go up. Also it's one of your two strikes for the year.

Does he have to use BMW's own bodyshop? Must say he seems a decent guy offering to see if chips away would do it.

Good luck.

 

[BaldGuy]

That is the bumper.... the lamp is the bumper fog...

 

[ringway]

That is the bumper.... the lamp is the bumper fog...

My thought exactly.

The estimate says wing though.

Oh well, I'll settle up and be more careful in future.


Many thanks for the advice guys.

 

[ringway]

It's a business van, isn't it? On company business at the time?

Pay the £333.50 cash and claim back as a legitimate business expense.

Then get your moat cleaned out whilst you're at it...

Moat cleaning?

 

[corned]

Moat cleaning?

legitimate business expense

 

[pipmk]

What a nice guy, especially for a BMW driver. Good to see someone remembers that cars are just pieces of machinery at the end of the day.