Traditional fix - replace doors, panels, hood, trunk, cut off and weld back on new roof!!

Paintless dent repair - no quote yet, but I hear it is not the option for major hail damage.

WRX - 5speed, carbon fiber, security package, upgraded speakers, amp, sub

1998 BMW 328is - 5speed, no sports package

I know this will get some remarks, but I cannot have my Birkenstock sandal on the accelerator of a 2002 Max w/o it rubbing the brake pedal. This is very discerning and makes the 2002 not an option.

 

I would say if its not major, do the paintless dent repair. However, since it is major I would say get rid of it or something. DO NOT replace the roof by welding and all those other panels. Wont that give you a salvage title and the numbers wont match. My vote is for the bimmer. The WRX is overhyped. Sure you'll get great track numbers, but it wont be funny when your towed after all those high rpm clutch drops.

 

$4000 of damage. wow. You may still be better off keeping your car after fixing it. Nothing wrong is driving a fixed car. Look at the positive side of it: you may get it repainted. But if you sell a GXE with so much hail damage, you may only get like $5-6K for it. Is it what you want to do?

 

plus wouldn't cutting the roof off and then welding it back on significantly diminish structural integrity of the car?

 

Keep it, do nothing, and take the insurance cash. Then, you will never have to worry about where you park it or who you park it next to. Save the money for your next car.

 

painless dent repair will cost a lot....they charge 80 bucks for a small dent already....they might give u a discount since the hail turned ur car into swiss cheese....but it will still be pricey.

traditional repaire is my second vote....

of course...my first vote is WRX

 

first of all, when we're talking only $4000 of damage, this car is not going to be totalled, so the title is going to be clean regardless.

 

Your insurance WILL cover it,.......RIGHT?

 

I am back more informed that yesterday. Statefarm did the inspection and quoted the damage at $4000. Minus ded, I got a check for $3800. I test drove the WRX, 328, and a Z3 (just for kicks really). AND I got a quote from a mom and pop paintless repiar shop - $1400. I have a lot of marks, but they are not so big/deep that they require they traditional sanding, hammering, painting. So I am taking that course with $2400 left over.

After all that if I am not satisfied - Trade for the 328.

 

Or how 'bout putting more dents in it, painting it white, and see if Maxfly or Titleist will pay ad dollars?

(Perhaps some day, I'll add something useful to one of these threads...)

 

i vote 328, but i am biased...

 

1 out of 3 BMWs have electrical problem. The only BMWs worth buying are M cars and 7 series. If you are buying 3s..might was well get C class from M.Benz. It's much better.

As for the WRX; my friends owns one of those; I wouldn't call it a beast since it's only strong in 1st and 2nd gear.

 

217 views, only 16 votes and they were split evenly over four choices - crazy.

Anyway, I am going with the paintless-repair. Should take two days, Thurs&Fri.

I will try to take some bf/aft pics, but I doubt the damage will show too well. We'll see.

 

Electrical problems can be fixed. If I were getting a 3-series non-M, I'd get the 330.

Turbo upgrade will fix the WRX.