wow.. that is totally BS. even after they do the repair, your car's value will most likely not be the same. hopefully the dealer can compensate you for you loss and there negligence. perhaps they can give you an RS wing and some % incentive when you buy your next porsche. hope things work out for you.

 

So they want to knock the dent out 90% of the way then throw some filler in it? The way I see it is your car came in without bondo in it so it should leave the same way.

 

that sux.. sorry to hear about this. Find some good bodyshop and it should be good as it doesn't look that bad from the pics. Good luck

 

You're right about dent pro's, they are great for the small stuff but anything over the size of a baseball is iffy. I had almost the same thing happen on my CLK - a dent right on the crease of the fender and it's probably the worst to try and repair.

Unless you're leasing the car and don't plan on keeping it after the term is over, I'd probably try to get something worked out. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if another customer hit it isn't the dealer off the hook?

Any way you look at it, it's a one heck of a bummer !

 

It is the Prosche workshop's fault in as much as (i) the accident happened on their property and (ii) my car was still in their custody. They are the ones who parked it in the middle of their driveway and did not manage parking / traffic properly.

There is no leasing here, the car is mine 100% and I intend to keep it for a long time. The problem is that they will not accept to change it, unless I go the legal route, which will take forever and cost me a fortune... There are no GT3 available in this country until first quarter 2009 anyway, so I would have to wait until then for a replacement.

I think I will talk to my insurance and pursue a diminished value claim.

 

As others have recommened, I'd be asking for new car. The car can be repaired and it will look like new, but your gonna take it up the a$$ when it comes time to sell or trade-in your car. That would be my main concern ... not a little body filler, etc.

I'm really sorry to hear about your car.

 

First of all, while the car is in their possession and on their lot, they are responsible for all that happens to the car. This is up to the replacement value of the car, similar to any other insurance. The dealer's insurance will take care of this, it is not direct out of pocket expense for them.
Second, I would try to negotiate with the dealer for taking the car off your hand and pay its fair market value and replace it with a new one that you would buy from them. Fair market value would be based on the value of the car in the market prior to this incident. Them and their insurance may resist this as any insurance company would do. Most likely their insurance wouldn't pay for the full value of the car so the dealer will argue with you on this. However, since these cars are rare and are currently sold at a premium over MSRP (perhaps including this particular dealership), and a damaged one will have significantly dimished value, you may be able to get what you want.
Try to find out if this particular dealer sold any GT3's over sticker price. This would be proof for the value of the car.
Contact Porsche of NA and report on the incident and all the details. Get them involved.
Do not let them off the hook easily. If needed, contact a lawyer.
Publicize the event over the net if the dealer does not respond favorably. Also, make sure Porcshe of NA is mentioned if they are not helping you.

This should not happen to any car at any dealership since their charter is to maintain your car not to damage it.

Wish you the best of luck!

 

I agree the dealer was in control of your car and were likely negligent when their employee parked it. Have you contacted a factory rep? Sometimes it can help when a dealer does not do the right thing which in this case is provide you with a new car because they can not return yours in its original condition. Good luck.

 

Agree that the dealer legitimately owes you for the aggrevation as well as the "hit" on resale value. An upgrade to RS fenders sounds like an amicable solution. Seriously, tell the dealer that every Porsche guy's curious about how this mishap is going to be resolved. I'm certainly curious. Good luck and I'm truly sorry to hear about your car.

 

Thanks again for the advice and support.

This is the Middle East and, as advanced and westernized as Dubai is, the dealer will not even entertain buying my car back and giving me a new one. All GT3 allocations are sold until first quarter 2008, so I am not about to get my hands on a new one. They do not, however, sell over MSRP here. In fact, there has been no increase in price since I ordered mine over a year ago, in spite of the euro-driven inflation.

I am seeing my insurance company tomorrow. Will keep you guys posted on the developments. Also meeting with a lawyer later today... just in case.

 

Ditto. Would not budge. New car at cost and great value on trade!

 

It is almost impossible to recieve diminished value anymore, it's total b.s. but insurance companies just don't pay it. I kind of went through the same type of thing and even after a lawsuit you will only get the car repaired correctly at best.
But I will agree that the 90% and bondo is a crock, I would take it to a "real" bodyshop, that's no big deal to repair it the right way if your at the right shop. Hell, i've seen 1/2 a car replaced (300sl) and there was no way anyone could tell it was ever done. Some of those guys are amazing.

 

PM Captlst he posted up some of his work before and did an amazing job on a honda civic.

 

Being a fomer bodyman I would say that the repair is pretty straight forward. Just because they could only remove the dent 90% of the way does not mean 10% bondo. The remaining 10% of the dent can (in the proper hands) be removed (using pick and file method) resulting in very very little bondo. About the thickness of a few layers of paint. I would suggest that over replacing the entire panel. Welding and cutting in a new panel has greater downsides. If resale is a concern just be sure it does not hit your insurance and discuss the dent (take pictures) with the prospective buyer. Bummer for sure. I suggest that you select the body shop for repairs and not let the dealer handle it. Interview selected shops and talk with the shop forman. The dealers tend not to be the best for these types of repairs.

Good luck and don't stress. I bet you will find the repair undetectable if done properly. I have seen repairs done so well that I could not find them with my discerning eye.

 

Do not stand for this crap! You had a perfect car with a clean Carfax etc that was worth X value. Any Porsche but especially one like a GT-3 is going to take a huge hit with paint/body work. Try to explain down the road to a potential buyer that it happened at the dealership and not on a race track. Good luck! Make them trade you out on a new car.