[changed]

So just before xmas some old bloke decided to not turn his steering wheel when going around a corner and run his J reg Golf right down the side of my 5 series from the front door to the rear bumper... gutted and furious the car was perfect and is now needing paint on 4 panels.

Add to that it looks like he is now claiming it wasn't his fault although it plainly was.. even with my pictures the insurance company are saying it's 50 50, As there was no idependant witness.

So onto the question the approved repairing garage is dws body works, has anyone any experience with them, the reviews online look worrying and I'm pretty concerned my pride and joy may not be the same ever again!!!

Add that to thought of driving a Nissan micra for a few weeks...

[JLR1969]

What a nightmare, sorry to hear that he has not even got the decency to own up and accept responsibility. Makes me cross just thinking about it.

Sorry can't help with the initial question

All I would say is makes sure the bodyshop is BMW approved

[JLR1969]

The reviews on google are not great.

Can you not insist it goes to an actual BMW main dealer

[kinhwear]

Which insurance company are you with?

[gtthree]

You the right to have your car repaired where ever you like, the insurers will not tell you this mainly due to them having agreed cheap rates with body shops and will make it difficult for you personally to take it elsewhere.

However if you car is fairly new I would agree you want a BMW approved bodyshop.

I would say that a BMW dealer (if you can find one with a good body shop) will handle all interaction with the insurance company for you.
Plus you will be guarranteed that they will not use copy/pattern parts and all items however small will be changed if required.
A third party body shop will use pattern parts where possible and will not have all small parts to hand and may make do or remove small parts.

Plus if repaired by a BMW dealer they will never be able to say the the repair was substandard at trade in.

[MrPogle]

You only have that right if you are claiming off his insurance. If you are claiming off your own, you need to read your policy to see what you are entitled to. You also need to find out what they mean by 50:50. This often means that he claims off his insurance and you claim off yours.

[gtthree]

Yes you will need to read your policy and the internet around - I would personally insist that it went to a good BMW dealer bodyshop to maintain the warranty.

It could be that your policy may have to pay the difference between an approved repair and BMW dealer bodyshop if more expensive, or that you would not qualify for a hire car.

However the BMW dealer may have a courtesy car they can provide you with, especially if you are a known customer.

Might be worth speaking to a BMW bodyshop direct, with your car so they can assess the damage, and explain the situation, they will then be able to advise on the approach to take with the insurance company as they will have faced this situation many times before.

Good luck

[changed]

^^ yes correct they have said I can take it anywhere but I must cover the difference in labour rates and I forfeit the right for a courtesy car as well.

The insurance company is markerstudy and they have been a complete mare already

[The Beast]

I've been through this scenario before and now always check that I can get a BMW repair before insuring with any company... Usually costs £100 more but worth it in the long run