[GixY2K]

I got a about a 2in dent & scratch on my lower rear fender on the driver's side. Scratch seems very minor, yet it shows clearly. I get the feeling that the clear coat and paint on this Mexico Blue is not the best to hide this time of mishaps.

So now I have to see how I can get it repaired.

Option 1: Go to BMW and see what they recommend.

Option 2: See if I can get a friend of mine, that is really good at PDR, to at least get the dent out and then get quotes from paint/body shops around to remove the scratch.

Option 3: See if anyone here has had experience repairing something of this magnitude and provide some advise.

How it happen:
I decided to drive the M4 today thinking it was a great clear day (no weather forecasted) and take my "no traffic/no drama" route. It was dark but the road appear to be clear. All of the sudden I hear this loud thud noise in the rear left side of the car. I dismissed it by thinking I probably picked up some rock again with these sticky tires and just reverberated when it hit the rear wheel well and made it sound like the fender was hit.

Well, when I got to work, I parked right under a light pole just to inspect the car just in case. As soon as I stepped out, I see a 2in. line going across the lower fender, just above the skirt. I try cleaning it with a little spit, and the light brown color goes away, but the scratch stays. Then, after a closer look, I realize there is also a minor dent in it.

I drove back to where it happened and found a 3/8in. thick, 3ft. long tree branch with the same color as the scratch, sitting on the side of the road. So, I'm guessing I inadvertently ran over the tip with my front tires, which made it spin in the air and catch the rear fender just right to make that mark on it.

I knew something like this was bound to happen sooner or later, but with <600mi.?!?! Come on!!!

It may not seem like a big deal, but for a $100K+ car, it kind of hurts.

[M3-san]

That doesn't look too bad. It looks like the scratch may buff right out with a little cleaner wax and a little elbow grease. As far as the dent goes, paintless dent repair would be the way to go if it really bothers you. You'd probably be looking at somewhere in the $100 range to fix that.

[Limegrntaln]

Easy PDR and any detailer can get that mark out, easily. I would have PDR get the dent out, and take it to a detailer. Stay away from a body shop. They will just hack the shit out of it. That's an easy compound, and microfiber cutting pad, job.

[Gfit]

Absolutely try PDR first. Those guys are magicians. Looks very low on door. Hoping they can get the tools in that far. They can repair many dents but not all.

[GixY2K]

Originally Posted by M3-san

That doesn't look too bad. It looks like the scratch may buff right out with a little cleaner wax and a little elbow grease. As far as the dent goes, paintless dent repair would be the way to go if it really bothers you. You'd probably be looking at somewhere in the $100 range to fix that.

You are right. I have to stare hard at the area in order to spot it. What makes it feel 1,000% worse, is just the fact that is such a beauty and within so few miles on the clock.

The pictures was taken before I tried waxing it. Once I applied wax, the scratch alone almost completely went away. The dent is definitely PDR-able. I'd say no more than $200; got an appointment to get it repaired next week.

Originally Posted by Limegrntaln

Easy PDR and any detailer can get that mark out, easily. I would have PDR get the dent out, and take it to a detailer. Stay away from a body shop. They will just hack the shit out of it. That's an easy compound, and microfiber cutting pad, job.

Thanks for the advise. Didn't see it that way. I'll see what the body shop says and go from there. Definitely, not a big job; like you said. If they make it bigger than it is, I'll walk away. Again, is just a sore thumb to me because it is hard to see to anyone else; even my wife was staring at me as if I'm going crazy (like the Twilight episode with the gremlin on the airplane wing)

Originally Posted by Gfit

Absolutely try PDR first. Those guys are magicians. Looks very low on door. Hoping they can get the tools in that far. They can repair many dents but not all.

Yes, this is PDR-able, and they can easily reach that spot through the inside of the back wheel well cover. I have a guy that does magic with PDR. It's just a matter of getting in his schedule :/

Thank you all for the feed back!

[F80SRT]

I agree with everyone else here. That scratch doesn't look like it broke the clear no less the paint. A little light polishing by hand or if necessary an orbital, will take the right off!

[forza1976]

That will buff out I gotta think. Just get some polish, should come right out if not down to the metal.

[F80SRT]

I see you are in CoSprings. I think there are a few other G8x owners down there, hit up the regional forums on here and see if someone can help you if you aren't sure.

If not, if you are up near Castle Rock ever, Parker isn't far, and I would take a look at it and potentially buff it out. I have a ton of car detailing products and a variable speed orbital.

[GixY2K]

Originally Posted by F80SRT

I see you are in CoSprings. I think there are a few other G8x owners down there, hit up the regional forums on here and see if someone can help you if you aren't sure.

If not, if you are up near Castle Rock ever, Parker isn't far, and I would take a look at it and potentially buff it out. I have a ton of car detailing products and a variable speed orbital.

I really appreciate your offer.

Right now, I'm waiting to see what they'll tell me at the Eurocars body shop in the Springs.

Like mentioned above and also by you, it should only require a little bit of PDR and buffing out.

Question, do you do PDR as well?

[merlin3008]

FWIW...I'd take it to a detailer before I took it to a body shop. A good detailer takes a conservative approach using progressively more aggressive polishes and techniques until the defect is removed. In my experience, body shops tend to want to do body work and paint.

[GixY2K]

Originally Posted by merlin3008

FWIW...I'd take it to a detailer before I took it to a body shop. A good detailer takes a conservative approach using progressively more aggressive polishes and techniques until the defect is removed. In my experience, body shops tend to want to do body work and paint.

That's what I'm starting to notice.

Everyone in town seems to be booked for the next couple of weeks. And since I've already have an appointment for this Friday with the body shop, which was recommended by my BMW dealership, I'll see what they say. I also want to see if they can do my clear bra.

[merlin3008]

Originally Posted by GixY2K

That's what I'm starting to notice.

Everyone in town seems to be booked for the next couple of weeks. And since I've already have an appointment for this Friday with the body shop, which was recommended by my BMW dealership, I'll see what they say. I also want to see if they can do my clear bra.

Do not under any circumstances let the body shop do any paintwork on that car without taking it to a detailer first.

[GixY2K]

Originally Posted by merlin3008

Do not under any circumstances let the body shop do any paintwork on that car without taking it to a detailer first.

Went to the BMW dealership referred body shop, and they seemed like they knew their stuff. They quoted me $200 for a glue-pull and buffing.

PDR, they said, would compromised the uni-body of the car, since it would require drilling a hole gain access to this particular spot; he showed me the structural schematics, and it made sense.

Will schedule the repair in a few weeks and report back.

[Davem4]

I do pdr and that will easily come out, most of BMW have access plugs in the fender well after the liner is removed and if not can take off interior panel to get access. If you were located in Florida would be glad to help

[GixY2K]

Originally Posted by Davem4

I do pdr and that will easily come out, most of BMW have access plugs in the fender well after the liner is removed and if not can take off interior panel to get access. If you were located in Florida would be glad to help

Wow, thank you for the offer. Too bad we're not close.

I did "partially" remove the liner inside the fender and could not find any orifice or hole to access the dent with PDR tools. Maybe, like you said, going through the interior panels could be a better way.

[JDR_G80]

If you don't pdr don't assume anything. Don't listen to a body shop before contacting a pdr guy. And don't go to a dealer, they will just ask their body shop or pdr guy.

I put on PPF and ceramic coating ASAP. I wouldn't be able to live with any chip, swirl.

@jerseydentrepair IG