Deadlock; How do you prove something?

[rf065]

Does this hole have bare metal, i.e freshly drilled or a painted edge to it?

Russ

 

[hawk20]

Might be worth getting the AA or Rac to inspect the car and the quality of repair. An independent expert view might help both parties reach a compromise.

 

[Benzowner]

Is it possible that a new skin was put onto the door and in the process a gromit popped out and was not replaced, as other have said 12mm is a big hole and having watched dent repairers, they don't drill, they glue thigns to the door or insert levers with the inner skin off.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

The insurer and paint repair shop are refusing to accept any liability whatsoever. they are saying that it's up to him to prove that it wasn't there before?

They have sorted out the paintwork and the aligning of the doors. I think my friend will just end up giving in, he's got bigger fish to fry at the minute.

 

[grober]

The "recent" appearance of the hole does seem to imply it was made as part of the repair process. Its possible they subcontracted the job out to a specialist dent repair company who did a less than satisfactory repair/paint job. That's perhaps not what they said to whoever was paying for the repair [ insurance company??] having "gilded the lily" slightly in the description of what was done and how much it cost?? Pure supposition on my part of course but when people react in an unexpected fashion to situations its usually cos they have something to hide. Your friend was correct to challenge the quality of the job and at the very least the hole should have been grommeted post repair. If the doors have been aligned and repainted now to his satisfaction that's probably as far as he can take it.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Here is a picture taken an hour ago.

 

[Sp!ke]

Blimey... That certainly doesnt look like a factory item!

It looks like someone murdered that.

 

[Nik_Endeavour]

Don't most repair companies have a check with a sheet to sign for damages already in the car? They have to prove it was there rather than the opposite. Certainly all windscreen repair companies do as well the alloy refurbish company I have used. Seems odd that a BMW own bodyshop doesn't. Is there a number of BMW HQ somewhere? Surely a word (maybe a little bit loudly) in the showroom might convince them to sort out problems they have created.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Surely a word (maybe a little bit loudly) in the showroom might convince them to sort out problems they have created.

The bodyshop isn't part of the showroom, it's in a different location altogether.

It's ****** him off that much he is going to sell the car now.

 

[NW_Merc]

I'm sure if the repair isnt up to standard, and/or you are not happy with the car, you can complain and the garage/workshop have to repair it or remedy it. When my bumper was repaired, I was washing it and the paint started to flake off the top edge, the bodyshop took it away and redid it for me.

If it's a professional outfit then they should put the car back to the way it was. As some have said, that hole they have drilled looks huge and conspicuous. I'd talk to the insurance company and explain why you're not happy and then talk to the manager or someone higher up. Failing that I'm sure the dealer principle should know if it is an authorised BMW garage.

 

[John]

You (he) could get a second opinion from a second BMW dealer who has a bodyshop how they would have tackled the repair and whether holes are drilled like this (but don't let on who actually did the repair).

That does look suspiciously like it has been done to aid repair.

BMW main office is in Bracknell I think or thereabouts but I would start with the DP.

It sounds like he isn't interested/able to pursue anyway and if he is going to sell it, this may be academic now.

It's a shame to sell a car (he is happy with otherwise?) for the sake of a hole which can be repaired.

 

[jaymanek]

That is deffo a dent man type hole but I doubt it would have been done in a bodyshop, they would have just filled any dents..

 

[EDZ649]

Might be just the lighting but I have to say that hole doesn't look fresh, there doesn't appear to be any bare metal around the edge, in fact quite the contrary, it looks old.

 

[Kamisuma]

Here is a picture taken an hour ago.

Is that plastic trim or metal?? It doesn't look like a very clean cut.

 

[219]

I would bring it to attention of insurer who , after all , paid for the repair .

Don't suppose insurance assessor ( or anyone else ? ) photographed the damaged door , including this area , prior to repairs being done ?