Re: bmw-digest V9 #1511

[TEAShea@xxxxxxx]

You are entitled to have the repair done in order that the car is as good as 
before the accident.  Do not let the insurance company bully you.

Tom Shea

<< I had a bicyclist run into the door of my E36 as I was opening it- the guy 
 must have been pretty close, as it was only open about 4" when he hit it. 
The 
 bicyclist is OK, though he took quite a spill.
 
 The damage is confined to the outer inch or so of the door, but the body 
shop 
 says they need to refinish the entire door, because they can't match and 
 blend the clearcoated metallic (bronzit beige) paint closely enough.
 
 My insurance company, State Farm, will only pay for "Blending and 
 colorsanding" the outer edge of the door- the difference amounts to about 
 $800.
 
 Certainly a visible "patch" job like this will have a negative effect on the 
 resale value of the car. I vaguely remember that there are companies that 
 will inspect the car, and estimate the effect of the repair on the vehicle's 
 value. Anybody know what these services are called, and/or have experience 
 with one in the San Francisco area? >>

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