New car door!!!! Replace or repair!

Daisy2010 · 01-08-2012 11:04PM #1

Hi,
Accident with rear passenger door. Passenger door hit by passing car. Edge of door buckled and bent forward slightly. Quoted outrageous but probably realistic price by dealers who will replace door. Crash repair garage quoted decent more manageable price for repair. Why would one replace door and other repair? New car so bit worried (want it look good as new) but am leaning towards crash repair as I'm sure they wouldn't try repairing if they weren't sure they could. Plus prices a lot more affordable.Door closes but it must be lifted up and pushed in so hinges are obviously damaged too.
Any thoughts on such be most welcome.
Thanks

colm_mcm · 01-08-2012 11:05PM

Second hand door sprayed?

Jimbob 83 · 01-08-2012 11:06PM

Door from a scrapyard ?

Bigus · 01-08-2012 11:14PM

If he's confident he can repair it fire away, that fact it's not the drivers door that gets used most of the time is a bonus too.

Also on the new door, the dealer will have to strip off the seals, window regs lock mech etc and transfer these to the new raw door, which could lead to probs and rattles,

so in some ways keeping the car original with a repaired door could be better a better option regardless of cost saving.

dr.fuzzenstein · 01-08-2012 11:14PM

I take it you didn't get the details of that passing car?
Otherwise you should get a solid gold door and stick it on his/her insurance.

Daisy2010 · 01-08-2012 11:44PM

Lol to last reply. As it's new car I don't want risk it looking like a bad repair job especially for resale purposes. Presume crash repair place will do good job. Worst that can happen is they mess up and I have to get new door anyway. A job like that is probably childs play to them. There's a small split in the metal about inch long as well. Thanks for advice especially about all the extra bits that need to be transferred and wired up.

the_syco · 01-08-2012 11:50PM

Daisy2010 wrote: »

There's a small split in the metal about inch long as well.

How fixable is this? And how visible will it be in a few months?

geneyuss · 01-08-2012 11:56PM

yes,,,,second hand ,,,resprayed,,,ya never know,you might be lucky and get the same colour

Daisy2010 · 02-08-2012 12:06AM

I have no idea how well they can fix these things. That's why I was hoping somebody on here would know if it's easily repaired to look as new. Am not going replacement door route I've decided as will give the crash repair a go and hopefully will look as good as new. Fingers crossed!!! The gash is a straight split. No piece missing just where door bent bit too much at edge.

bazz26 · 02-08-2012 12:14AM

This thread is a bit useless without a photo of the damaged door.

lasvegas100 · 02-08-2012 12:27AM

I thinks it is best you should replace new one for the safe

brathnach · 02-08-2012 12:41AM

First off, I would size up the garage you intend on doing the repair (as opposed to a replacement) and let them show you an example of their work or someone who has had a repair of similar degree done by them. Also many dealers don't do their own body work and generally out source this to some nearby body shop, so if you can find out who does body work for the dealer you can most likely save some.

It can be repaired to like new but it does have to be done right and would generally be more laborious. The split should be welded (which damages inner primer/sealer coat) and not just panel beat and filled. There is a coating on the inside of the panel and if the repair is not done correctly then there is a small risk of rusting out through the paint. Genuinely a new/sh door is just so much easier apart from the initial cost

My advice would be either scrap yard or get the part number for the door and seek out over internet or otherwise the best price you can get a new one for and then hand this to the repair shop to do the job.

The hinges are easily and cheaply replaced. The troublesome thing is if the hinge anchor points or any of the members/panels surrounding the door are damaged. If its just the door, its good luck to be honest.

Traynors in NI are a good place to check for s/h and new parts. Ive dealt with them a few times. Keep in mind that rear door damage is not usual on 'just' written off cars so you have a good chance of getting a perfect quality door from a scrap yard! If it looks similar in colour.. compare paint codes with your vehicle and if they match your luckier than ive ever been.

Jim

mullingar · 02-08-2012 09:18AM

geneyuss wrote: »

yes,,,,second hand ,,,resprayed,,,ya never know,you might be lucky and get the same colour

+1, this is the handiest and cheapest fix. A second hand one the same colour. Just keep your finders crossed.

Have a look here www.partfinder.ie

Daisy2010 · 03-08-2012 11:47PM

Hi there,
Thanks for all the advice. Right I think I will try fixing first and maybe then if doesn't work try the new 2nd hand door. Could be on here again but thank you all so much for that advice. It was very helpful.

deaglan169 · 04-08-2012 12:02AM

i got a replacement door in traynors scrapyard armagh complete with door card etc.. for £50 perfect match and you wouldnt even notice a colour mismatch

unkel · 04-08-2012 01:42AM

Daisy2010 wrote: »

Quoted outrageous but probably realistic price by dealers who will replace door.

What car is it and what were you quoted for a new door?

A new door for my car costs €4,500. And that's before VAT, fitting and painting. Madness

brathnach · 04-08-2012 10:23PM

Put quite simply, I believe that is ridiculously outlandish high quote. You would buy a damn nice car along with the door for that price. Presuming you can get the door panel and sprayed for a reasonable cost. Any competent mechanic would be capable of swaping parts out...door locks, window regulators etc for a few hundred at most. Done this myself... took approx 3 hours.

On a side note. I got a window regulator and install priced in dealer for 214 euro. Got original new part for 20 euros and fitted in 2 hours. Dealers will charge extravagantly for labour and full rrp on parts.

Jim

New car door!!!! Replace or repair!

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