[Phoenix864]

A deer strike in my Cayman has me looking for body shop recommendations in the area. Any pointers would be much appreciated! I got an initial opinion from Euro Pros near Gaithersburg. Estimated 3 months, involving the removal of the entire interior and repainting 75%+ of the car. I've heard great things about the work Euro Pros does, but am hoping to get some other perspectives before committing to 3+ months of work and a full repaint.

I've been trying to set something up with D&V Masters, but the idea of talking to me about the work before getting started seems a little foreign to them. Even after clarifying that I'm just looking to talk about the process, they still would only schedule during a drop-off appointment slot, so I've got to wait until the 30th to talk to them.

Since the car is CPO, I'd like to stick to Porsche-certified shops to maintain warranty. Is there anyone else worth getting an opinion from in the area?

[BillC]

Is the only body damage the dimple on the window column and the other on the roof? If so, that looks rather minimal

If it were me, I'd get the glass replaced and then find a PDR (Paintless Dent Removal) guy to have him remove as much of the dimples as possible. And then just live with whatever dimplage might be left. It will be a lot faster, cheaper and much less impact to the carfax -- glass replacement as opposed to to 3/4 repaint.

My previous Cayman got caught in a hailstorm once. The PDR guy that Porsche Silver Spring used made it look exactly like nothing happened.

[jerome951]

I agree with Bill. At least talk to a good PDR person first and get their view on the complexity of the work and likely outcome.

[Patrick3000]

If it were my car I would file an insurance claim based in the EuroPros estimate. Replace the windshield and PDR the dimples. Pocket the difference. Body damage is a profit center

[edevinney]

I agree with the opinions here but will add that D&V Masters did fine work on the bare-metal respray of my 993.

[Phoenix864]

Originally Posted by BillC

Is the only body damage the dimple on the window column and the other on the roof? If so, that looks rather minimal

If it were me, I'd get the glass replaced and then find a PDR (Paintless Dent Removal) guy to have him remove as much of the dimples as possible. And then just live with whatever dimplage might be left. It will be a lot faster, cheaper and much less impact to the carfax -- glass replacement as opposed to to 3/4 repaint.

My previous Cayman got caught in a hailstorm once. The PDR guy that Porsche Silver Spring used made it look exactly like nothing happened.

Pretty much, yeah. Glass has already been replaced, though I'd like to have the windshield re-installed by the bodyshop. Incident happened out of state and the glass shop didn't do a great job with the install - inconsistent gap between the glass and the body, gap in the housing of the rear view mirror, and some new rattles coming from the rear view mirror/dash. Driver's side mirror also will need some work. I managed to pop it back together post-incident, but it definitely feels 'flimsier' than the passenger's side.

Euro Pro's concern was that the structural bar supporting the front of the roof may have been damaged, hence wanting to cut out the roof to get a good look at it. How the roof dent 'pinched' around the bar suggested to them that the bar had been impacted.

I've been weighting just doing PDR and leaving it, but it would also bother me to leave any sort of potential structural damage unaddressed. Especially since addressing it will be very expensive and not an option once outside of my insurance window.

I do plan on getting the car by some PDR techs though, I've also had good results from Porsche Silver Spring PDR (after experiencing body damage all of a week into ownership). Will definitely get an opinion from them.

[Phoenix864]

Originally Posted by Patrick3000

If it were my car I would file an insurance claim based in the EuroPros estimate. Replace the windshield and PDR the dimples. Pocket the difference. Body damage is a profit center

If Euro Pros is willing to write that, haha. Would be quite a bit of cash, seems like north of $10k. From my understanding, Euro Pros really wants to see that roof support bar to support their claim, but I could further inquire about if cutting the roof is essential to assess the support bar.

[N0tt0N]

I've used First Choice in Crystal City, primarily because they are a USAA adjuster so no hassles on paying the estimate or for 'subsequent work' due to unknown other damage. Easy to work with, reasonably timely. They also only use OEM parts (like EuroPro, who I love if you have the time for perfect work) which apparently is not the standard for many shops when they quote parts (they quote junkyard sources).

Went the Blechster was backed over by, wait for it, an Arlington Sheriff's Tahoe, they provided a full quote, pre-approved for payment by USAA, and then, having noticed the livery <cough> recommended I take the check from them and pay for a years worth of tires and fees for this place in WV called Summit Point. I was like, huh, I guess I will go check it out, thanks for the check! Done.

Unless they are totaling the car you can take the check and keep the car.

[pfjohns]

Originally Posted by Patrick3000

If it were my car I would file an insurance claim based in the EuroPros estimate. Replace the windshield and PDR the dimples. Pocket the difference. Body damage is a profit center

Yes, but an insurance claim will trigger a CARFAX entry, and you may confront diminished-value issues down the road.

[hoophead]

I've had D&V masters do half of my S4 and all of my boxster and they did a great job. If insurance is low-balling you they will also go to bat for you and try to get them to do the right thing, if you go the insurance route.