I got the car back from the shop... bad news

[vuyodaddy]

Thanks for all the input guys. I really think the calm approach will possibly help them empathize with me and feel some sort of duty for doing the job wrong. The threatening approach will probably get them thinking I'm an ******* and keep them from helping me to the fullest extent. But pictures and formal list of problems is a definite must.

[Wes F]

It's seriously stories like this that scare the crap outta me. It seems like when it comes to paint/bodywork, shops can do either high quality work, or horrible crap that shouldn't be seen on even an old beater. I need some rust patching and paint respray in some areas, but no way in hell do I wanna bring my baby in to some idiot who's gonna make it worse...the problem is, unless you talk to someone who has first hand experience, you have no idea what kind of quality work a shop can do.

Some years back I remember my dad had a pristine '89 560SL, absolutely cherry - had like a silver/champagne color with deep red interior - gorgeous. The only thing wrong with it was a tiny dime size spot of rust forming on that little bottom panel right behind the door. The panel itself was only the size of a small plate. Anyway, so he took it to a shop that his mechanic recommended to get it fixed. 2 days later go to pick up the car, and was stunned. The freakin' panel was a totally different color than the car, completely stood out. On top of that, f*cker had grease and dirt and sh*t all over the interior from when the guy was getting in and out, and as if he had the windows down/doors open from when he was sanding and sh*t. Anyway, so of course that didn't fly and made the guy redo the panel to match the car. But it's sh*t like that that makes my skin crawl when I start to think about handing over my car to some dumbass...

[gmannino]

ya that really sucks, too bad you have to go thru this. Make them fix it or small claims court.

[Yiorgos]

Have you taken any pictures? If so, can we see?

I'm still quite taken aback that the shop you took your car to tried to give you your car back with a narrow grille, when it is so clear to see that it wouldn't sit correctly with the wide grille hood.

The grille part of your array of problems should be very easy to prove -- take a photo of the front of your car pre-accident with you to clearly show the difference between both grilles. We had a similar problem with the family's Holden Commodore VL wagon that a truck smacked into some years back -- got it back from the panel beaters and they had put a tailgate from a VK (Some 4 years older than the car), which didn't fit properly, rear washer jet wasn't compatible and was rubbing against the chassis of the car, rubbing the paint. Lucky we had photos of the car pre-accident, took it to the insurance company and gave them hell for it.

Give 'em hell!

[Alexlind123]

I wouldnt be complaining if they gave me a narrow grill upgrade.

[BillionPa]

they gave him the "update" but it still has the wide grill hood on it!

[angrypancake]

I had a similar experience. My car was sitting in the back yard of the shop for about a month and a half, though they promised that it would be done in 7-10 days... They kept saying they were "so booked" and all this ****, yet I'd drive by every day and see cars that were brought in after mine sitting out front all done. Finally they got around to "fixing" my car... The rear bumber add on wasn't touched, they said it was a complete rear bumper. Oh wait, arent those screws in it, attaching the add on? Uh yeah. So I got a new stock bumper instead, whatever, **** happens. At least I kept the old one (note to self, learn how to paint).

Finally the day comes when I can pick the car up, I go over all excited, and I see it out back, getting a nice wash. Oh wait, it looks.... different.... IT'S F*CKING PINK. Turns out that after all this time they didn't match the paint. The quarter panel is pink, the bumper is pinker, the trunk lid is some odd shade of ****, and just yeah. I took the car home because I missed it and needed to drive it, then brought it back Monday morning first thing (picked it up at closing on Friday afternoon). Father and myself brought the owner out, and told him to take a look. He apologized profusely and promised to handle it. I took the time to tell him that the inside was coverered in about an inch of dust (sanding with the windows open or something) and got them to paint my wing. When I got it back, they had blended the entire passenger side of the car, and it looks great. Sorry for the long post I just never got around to the body shop rant.


Cliff Notes: I went through the same thing. Go back to the shop with your father, and be up front. "Look at this, its poor service, and it needs to be fixed. It hasn't been completed in a professional manner, and I cannot in good conscience drive this car and be happy with you guys' work."

[Mendozart]

what's the narrow grill update? pics?

[Alexlind123]

what's the narrow grill update? pics?

My sig pic is an example of a narrow grill. Some e34 owners maay desire to change their wide grill to narrow girll after a collision.

[angrypancake]

cause wide grill sux0rz.... ohhhhhhhhhhh there i said it