Let's hope the wrenches get nice and dusty: 2016 M3

[Beej]

Welp I got got.



Ran in for five minutes to feed my MIL's worthless cat and came out to that. Filed a hit and run police report but don't expect anything to come of it. Swung by the body shop that did a strictly okay job on the M5's bumper to get an idea of what we're looking at, and apparently the hit reached the impact beam and those are illegal to repair, so it'll be a new door and mirror housing, plus obviously blending to the front fender and rear door.

Granted I haven't had many body shop experiences in general, but I haven't had one that's left me 100% satisfied, so I'm trying to go into it with that mindset. I mean I appreciate the complexity of what they do, it's art, but at least one thing isn't gonna be the same as it came from the factory.

Delta V also recommended Concept Color so I swung by there as well. They ain't a typical body shop at all, and they had some cool projects going on (Delta V's e46 M wagon among them).  Honestly didn't see anything that looked like a standard insurance claim. Seamus was a super cool dude to show me around, but said he was 6 weeks out and gave me a brief history of the body shops of RVA. Turns out most of the talented folks are either at Burleighs or To a T, which Richmond BMW uses/recommends.

I've no idea on diminished value or if it's worth pursuing, so I'm all ears on that. Only thing one body shop said is that it's usually the responsibly party's insurance that pays that, and they don't exist in this case, so...we'll see I guess.

Car is currently at the dealer for a new dash, rattley lane departure warning, and a small exhaust rattle, so I'll tackle the door after that.