THis hasn't been a good couple of days. I just got back from a work trip and my g/f broke it to me that my Z got hit in the parking lot of the mall, EVEN THOUGH I TELL HER ALL THE TIME TO PARK THE DAMN THING AWAY FROM ALL THE HICKS AND THEIR OLD PICKUP TRUCKS, why do girls have such a hard time with that? Of course, the bastard who hit it didn't leave any info, why would they, that would be the decent thing to do...
She brings it in to Nissan for an estimate, and i almost fainted when i saw it. $476 with 9.5 hours of labor?!!! For a couple of dents and the corner being bent?? There are a couple of minor scrapes, but nothing deep at all. They polished out scratches bigger than that in about ten minutes when Nissan scratched it. I think they are just screwing with her because she's a girl. Please take a look at the pictures and tell me if that is remotely reasonable. I know they aren't good quality, but you can see all the damage....

I can't stand having a busted car. I can't drive it because i know its messed up. People keep saying, "Oh, its just a car." Goddamn it, no its not JUST a car....
HELP!
Thanks...

 

sorry to hear about that...do u have more pics?...my wife hit a curb in my 1995 BMW 325i when i got it brand new in 94...the whole front bumper scratched and pushed in.

 

Near one of our dealerships we also have a huge bodyshop. Let me tell you something, even with my family ultra discount, bodywork is not cheap. I bet you would get a much lower quote at a shop not attached to a dealer. The only reason I would take one of my cars to our dealer body shop is for warranty work. It is too expensive to get something fixed or painted there for me.

 

Thats what insurance is for..

 

Don't want to sound pessimistic but I had a scratched bumber and a minor dent on the fender on Honda Accord 93. The body shop gave me $950-1000 without a fender and $1400 with the fender. A friend of a friend who works in another shop fixed it for me for $200 so you see the difference. I am sure if you look hard enough you will find something cheaper, just remember the old saying: "I am not reach enough to buy cheap stuff." It just depends how much risk you are willing to take for a cheaper price. I was really sorry to hear about you Z, hope you will get it in shape soon.

Good luck.

 

I agree it sounds high but, from my experience, $476 is about right. And I'd surely have the dealer do it.

 

Well, I just got in an accident, and took mine into the dealer. They are replacing the front bumper and hood. I haven't seen the estimate yet, but i bet it's high! Should be done by Friday.

 

Thanks guys,
I brought it to another place, and it was more. I guess thats what they can charge. They completely inflate the labor for each little thing and it all adds up to be a ridiculous amount of time. I mean, think about it, 9.5 hours is a LOT of time for such a small job. If everyone worked that slow, we'd still be back in the Stone Age. So i guess i'll just bend over and take it up the tailpipe...
At least it doesn't look like Heinekens, sorry man...

 

You must also keep in mind that mechanics and body shops go by book hours. It didn;t take them 9.5 hours, it probably took the 3 or 4 tops. That is how they make money. $50 and change per hour for body work, especially at a dealer isn't bad at all.

 

OH MY GOD, HEINEKIN, your picture just made me cry

 

Man, sorry about incident, especially when you are not the driver. It looks like your fender is damaged as well as your bumper. That would some what justify the hours estimated by the dealer. Can you post the price for the parts after the fix? I am thinking about repaint vs replace for the front bumper (paint chips). Thanks. Also, you might want to check your hood for asymmetry.

Black Track.

 

Thanks for the sympathy, but my crying is over. I'm looking at the bright side, I'll have gotten rid of the swirl marks on 2 areas of the car. I gave them explecit instructions to not wash it themselves. We'll see