So as unfortunate as it is to report, while at the mall this weekend someone hit my rear driver's side bumper and caused some significant damage; paint completely gone and the plastic is actually deformed and protruding out, not flush.

Here's photos:




Now having some idea of what it looks like, I'm hoping to get some input for how to approach the repair.

The shop I'm working with is highly recommended by my local Porsche dealership so that's a good thing. My primary concern is paint and not matching the car, but other Porsche owners have reported back to the dealership with positive feedback. So I suppose my next concern is whether I should push for an all new bumper right off the bat, or take the chance that the collision center can actually repair the plastic.

Any thoughts, input or advice would be appreciated.

Oh and last thing, my insurance already brought up the diminished value process, so I will absolutely be filing for that.

Thanks in advance.

 

couple of questions
1-- Is car leased
2-- I assume you don't know who the culprit is and the repair will be covered under your collision insurance
3-- What is your deductible?
4-- have you got a quote for the repair or replacement? Both ways.

Based on your answers, it shouldn't be hard to make an informed decision. Sorry for your issue.

 

1. Purchased
2. Hit and run no clue, covered as uninsured motorist
3. $200 (was $500 but my insurance is treating the other driver as uninsured which drops my deductible to $200)
4. $680 for bumper repair, respray, labor

So after thinking about it, I guess I'm just going to see what the body shop does. While it's getting the bumper repainted I'm opting to pay out of pocket to have the roof side trim pieces painted gloss black to match the roof wrap I just did. If I get any money back from the diminished value estimate, I'll be square for what came out of pocket for painting the trim vs spending more for take-off trim pieces on ebay or similar site.

I drop it off next Monday so fingers crossed that Thursday or Friday I've got some good news.

 

If you go through insurance I think you will have a bad carFax, that will cost you more than the out of pocket repair when you go to sell.

 

Yeh, I agree - if you can, just shell out for the repair yourself. I have a mall scrape on mine from a previous owner and it killed the resale. That, coupled with depreciation does not make for a happy price come sale and is likely worth more than the $680

 

Lets put it this way, Im in a deal to trade my 4S that should close Friday. When I bought my car it was CPO and It didnt show a carfax in the dealer ad. My stupidity for not looking up the Vin since it was CPO. I gave the vin to this dealer Im working now thinking I was gonna get a good number for my car and the dealer came back and said I had a car fax, Im like????? and sure enough he sent it to me. All it said was damage to front, nothing specific. Im feeling that cost me about $5k in trade value so think carefully how you want to move forward.

 

Well damn. Will it be reported to car fax if I haven't taken the car in? The collision center has already received the...I forget the name of the authorization, but they've already started on the paperwork side of it I guess?

Is it actually possible to drop everything and tell my insurance I'm doing this out of pocket?

Lastly the collision center rate quoted is based on the "in network" relationship they have with my insurance company ($44/hr I believe it's what he said). It's a bit higher if I'm walking in paying out of pocket, so the $680 will probably be closer to a grand. I suppose given the possibility of a significant hit to resale value $1k still isn't bad.

I guess I'll call tomorrow and find out.

 

Bro, Cash negotiations make things go much easier. Speak to someone in charge and ask if they can help you out on this. If you feel you have someone interested in helping you drop the is that the cash price. If the network is paying them short rate, cash should be even better to them.
Let us know how it goes.

 

For sure and I plan on it, that is if I'm able to drop everything with my insurance. My current concern is since I called on Saturday and reported damage, then an estimate and approval for repair on Monday...I'm worried they won't just let it go. But I won't know until I call tomorrow morning, so fingers crossed I can do that.

Thanks everyone for the input so far. I guess I just didn't realized the severity of affecting my resale/trade value. Though I did have my insurance company start the diminished value estimate where they work up a percentage to give me because of the accident. Anywho we'll see tomorrow.

 

That really sucks! A few months ago I got a front end scuff in a parking lot. Hit and run too. Driver's bumper front corner and extended to the quarter panel. Purely cosmetic and I tried to live with it wanting to keep the "factory paint". In the end I couldn't live with it and did the repair on my own dime. $2K!

I took it to a "Porsche Approved Collision Centre" to ensure it was done properly. https://www.porschecollisioncenter.com

I paid out of pocket to keep insurance out of it and I insisted the transaction was between me and the shop only (i.e. no reporting). If your repair hasn't been done I think you should be good with no Carfax report submitted.

Good luck and post an update. Again...the whole situation sucks!

 

Jeeez! Do you have any photos of the damage? If you're saying it was a scuff (only requiring paint correction and no actual bumper/fender repair) and cost you $2k at a Porsche approved place, I'm a bit concerned my repair might be much higher than that.

Let's think about this;

- Closest Porsche approved center - 2hrs away
- My repair center (Caliber Collision) is 20min away
- Current cost to repair damage - $680 & 3days (estimate is based on being in my insurance approved network)
- USAA is working on a diminished value estimate
- If I pay out of pocket for the repair, I look to keep an estimated resale value of anywhere from what... $5-8k?

A fellow member paid $2k out of pocket for scuf/paint correction. Whereas I need the bumper to be repaired due to deformation, which I'm thinking will be much higher than $2k. If my repair bill out of pocket is $3-4k at a Porsche approved center, not including the rental cost to and from with separate drop off fees, and at least 1 trip up there for evaluation...I'm not entirely sure that's worth keeping my resale value from taking a hypothetical $5-8k hit, especially considering USAA may offer a comparable amount to compensate for said diminished value.

Does that make sense?

I guess my next question is, if USAA gives me...let's low ball here, $4k for diminished value. Is it still worth paying out of pocket if they came relatively close to the perceived hit on resale? Yes it'll show up on the Carfax, but I will have photos of the damage to show any private party and possibly a dealer etc. So again, if my insurance closes that gap, what then?

 

Paint chips.

"Scuffs" through the clear coat.

Bumper crease.


Hey elShiz! My damage was cosmetic in the sense that there was no structural repairs needed (frame, major body dents, etc.). There was a "crease" in the bumper needing repair. The damage was through the clear coat so couldn't just be polished out. The driver's front corner where the bumper meets the fender also had damage with some dents (it looked wavy) and deep scrapes through the clear coat and paint. Albeit, everything was small but I couldn't live with it! I needed to have the bumper repaired and fully repainted. I also needed to fix the driver's quarter panel dents (popped out from behind) and the fender was repainted and clear coated. Since I was doing the bumper I also had the body shop fill the holes for the front license plate mount (I now use a tow hook license plate holder). I'll attach some pics.

I wouldn't rush the repair. My first tendency was to get it fixed ASAP too! In the end I waited a bit and found the right shop. I checked out 3 shops (2 were Porsche accredited). During this process I learned that the painter is the MOST important person in the process and you need to go to a shop with an A1 painter. I also learned that going to a Porsche Certified Collision Center ensures you have accountability (with Porsche Cars NA) in the event that things are not to your liking. The collision center doesn't want to lose there Porsche accreditation.

I know what it is like to look at the damage everyday and get p*ssed because it was to no fault of your own! I'd slow things down and make calculated moves as opposed to just getting it done. Of course, if you are looking to dump your car in the next bit then things might look differently for you? Just my thoughts....

 

Thank you very much for the pics and reply, I really appreciate it.

So after a fourth conversation with my claim rep, it seems my quick actions in reporting it on Saturday has already "sealed the deal" and checking the VIN now shows some sort of incident. Apparently once USAA put it in the system it was immediately entered into the main database that companies like Carfax get their info (might be a USAA thing). What's interesting is when I bought the car the Carfax was a clean 1 owner, but now also shows an incident the original owner had and the details are very similar to a parking lot scuff exactly like mine but on the front end....hahaha.

I bought the car in Miami FL, with 47k miles, no warranty for $50k out the door. I spent 7 months looking for a white GTS without 18 way adjustable seats because I wanted ventilated seats, among numerous other options. The car was listed for $57k and after buying it I was overjoyed by the idea I "stole it" as every other similarly equipped GTS was closer to $60k even months after purchase. I'm sharing this because maybe Braman Motors knew something I didn't and was willing to drop that much off the price because of it? I'll never know because that was a year and a half ago now.

Now understanding there will be yet another perceived hit in value, I've decided to move forward with the repairs by Caliber Collision. I also know that the diminished value amount I may get will not be anywhere near what it really should be. But I suppose after learning about the original owners similar fender bender, I'm kind of just thinking "well damn" at this point. I've had my previous daily since '09 and put 110k miles on it and when I bought this car knowing I'd have to wrench on it due to zero warranty coverage, I went into it thinking I'd own it for at least half as long if not longer. Which at that point any diminished value is somewhat moot given mileage and actual estimated value. Plus I will at least have all photos and documentation, to include warranty on any repairs by Caliber.

So. I guess I can update this thread if you guys are interested in the repair process and any issues I may run into.

Thanks again for all the input I really appreciate it. This has been somewhat of an eye opening situation regarding brand and value vs something similar happening to my '01 Chevy. Overall though, I'm still very happy with the car and do not plan on ditching it anytime soon.... Unless the transmission fails and requires $12k to fix it hahaha

 

Shiz, must be a south Florida thing cause I stated earlier I found an incident on my car that was a CPO and didnt show when I bought it from Westbroward.

 

Damn must be, what a coincidence man.