Panel Beater

donalh087 · 14-04-2012 11:49AM #1

Last week I reversed into a 1998 Opel Vectra and dented the panel above the rear drivers side wheel. It is about the size of a dinner plate. It was entirely my fault.

The guy got a couple of quotes - both over E360. Clearly the guys are just buying new panels and spraying them. Anyone know if I could get a panel beater or a second hand part and get it done more reasonably? I'm in kinsale but anywhere in Cork would be ok. Or is E360 a reasonable price?

Owen · 14-04-2012 12:02PM

It's not your decision what parts are used. The other guy is entitled to replacment parts. Although, I doubt anyones going to replace a quarter panel, it's more likely that even at that price it's being repaired and resprayed. It's a reasonable price.

david · 14-04-2012 12:11PM

Quarter panel? Price doesn't sound too bad. Whatever option he accepts, you can be almost certain that he won't be spending 360 on a 98 Vectra. Dent probably won't get fixed!

I had a tip last year except I damaged a rear bumper. The victim wanted 450 for a repair. I priced the job myself and sourced a clean scrap bumper. I told him that either my panel beater would fix/paint it, he could claim on my insurance, or he could have EUR100 cash and sort it himself. Took the cash

.

You could pay anything from 150 - thousands for this job. Quality normally correlates to price. I'd say 360 is beating the dent out, skim of filler, prep and paint. Replacing with a new panel is a big enough job, needs cutting/welding.

donalh087 · 14-04-2012 12:16PM

Owen wrote: »

It's not your decision what parts are used.

I'm not trying to rip anyone off or pay less than I should - likewise the other guy is very happy as long as it is fixed to a pretty good standard - he's not trying to make money either.

The reality is that the car is not worth much more than E360 so I was hoping someone would know a cheaper route than buying a brand new panel.

If thats the price then thats the price and I have no choice - just here to see if there are options.

zil · 14-04-2012 12:21PM

http://www.yelp.ie/biz/ever-ready-crash-repairs-dublin

Had to get some welding done on my car a while back and went to this guy after finding a thread on boards recommending him. I had quotes from 3 other places and he was able to beat the lowest quote by more than half. Even gave me an option to reduce the price more by avoiding a full spray job.

donalh087 · 14-04-2012 12:26PM

Unfortuantely I'm in Cork Zil !!

irelandspurs · 14-04-2012 12:26PM

http://www.bartsbodyshop.com/

-Corkie- · 14-04-2012 01:33PM

irelandspurs wrote: »

http://www.bartsbodyshop.com/

I have heard a lot of good comments about that dude..

lifer_sean · 14-04-2012 09:33PM

donalh087 wrote: »

I'm not trying to rip anyone off or pay less than I should - likewise the other guy is very happy as long as it is fixed to a pretty good standard - he's not trying to make money either.

The reality is that the car is not worth much more than E360 so I was hoping someone would know a cheaper route than buying a brand new panel.

If thats the price then thats the price and I have no choice - just here to see if there are options.

360 euro wouldn't replace a quarter panel on a vectra, either new or secondhand. There is days and days of work in that. To fit a new quarter panel is likely to run to 1000 euro or more. The price quoted to you is consistent with beating out / filling / painting, not replacing.

If you shop around you might get a better price, but since it's someone else's car and you are in the wrong (you say), unfortunately you are not really in a position to haggle.

Panel Beater

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