Recommend collision repair shop in San Diego?

[e39inCA]

I have some damage to my 2003 530i front fender/bumper that I'd like to finally have repaired. Any recommendations for a good body shop in SD (not Amatos)?

[e39inCA]

Anyone?

[crqflier]

Well, you don't like amato's, one of the best in town. What about Phil Thearles? Or if it doesn't need to be super high end, Fix Auto over off Mira Mesa.

[Kaiv]

Chapparone on Balboa. Talk to Mark Jr. You can tell him Kevin with the M3s sent you.

[legitsnowe39]

Chapparone on Balboa. Talk to Mark Jr. You can tell him Kevin with the M3s sent you.

I second this, Mark does fantastic work I would not consider anyone else when it comes to bodywork in SoCal.

[Luftwaffe1O1]

Phil thearle's does good work. Or if you want a bit cheaper, but still great work, collisions plus in Escondido.

[e39inCA]

Well, you don't like amato's, one of the best in town. What about Phil Thearles? Or if it doesn't need to be super high end, Fix Auto over off Mira Mesa.

You know, I wanted to use Amato's. Took my E39 in there, owner came out and, in so many words, told me my car wasn't quite fancy (expensive) enough for his shop and advised me to go elsewhere. He also used the opportunity to tell me how terrible my insurance company (Geico) is.

[e39inCA]

Thanks guys, will look into Chapparone and Thearle.

[legitsnowe39]

You know, I wanted to use Amato's. Took my E39 in there, owner came out and, in so many words, told me my car wasn't quite fancy (expensive) enough for his shop and advised me to go elsewhere. He also used the opportunity to tell me how terrible my insurance company (Geico) is.

Yeah **** amatos. I know the son and he's a real ***hole. Chapparone appreciates all kinds of cars especially any European car. I took my e39 to him when I got in a major accident and could not have had a better experience or better looking final product!

- - - Updated - - -

Oh and I love geico so that's a bunch of BS lol

[e39inCA]

Yeah **** amatos. I know the son and he's a real ***hole. Chapparone appreciates all kinds of cars especially any European car. I took my e39 to him when I got in a major accident and could not have had a better experience or better looking final product!

- - - Updated - - -

Oh and I love geico so that's a bunch of BS lol

Judging by the father I'm not surprised to hear that. Besides I think my E39 is a much better car than the crap BMW is putting out these days - wouldn't trade it if they paid me to.

Called Chapparones today was very impressed by my call with the lady who answered the phone. She knew my car, my color, was patient with my questions/concerns, a very positive first impression. I'll be heading over tomorrow for a more personal assessment and will report back accordingly.

[e39inCA]

Yeah **** amatos. I know the son and he's a real ***hole. Chapparone appreciates all kinds of cars especially any European car. I took my e39 to him when I got in a major accident and could not have had a better experience or better looking final product!

- - - Updated - - -

Oh and I love geico so that's a bunch of BS lol

Judging by the father, I'm not surprised to hear that. No big deal, I wouldn't have taken it there anyway even if he did think my car was worthy of his shop, that kind of hubris turns me off big time. Besides, for me the E39 is a much better car than any of the comparable crap BMW is putting out these days - if they paid me to upgrade to something newer I wouldn't do it. I'm not even sure what my next car will be and I prefer not to think about it too much.

I called over to Chapparone's today and spoke to a lady (Lynda?). I was very impressed with this call, she was very knowledgeable, patient with my many questions, helpful, etc. Sounds like a great shop. I'm going to take my car over there tomorrow for them to assess the needed repairs in person (insurance estimate has been done already). Hopefully the experience will be equally positive and I'll finally fix up my baby.

My experience with Geico (so far) for this accident has been positive, I have nothing bad to say about them yet. We shall see what happens if/when the repairs exceed the original estimate.

[e39inCA]

Here's the actual damage:

http://postimg.org/gallery/bb97r55m/

[Luftwaffe1O1]

You know, I wanted to use Amato's. Took my E39 in there, owner came out and, in so many words, told me my car wasn't quite fancy (expensive) enough for his shop and advised me to go elsewhere. He also used the opportunity to tell me how terrible my insurance company (Geico) is.

Amato's has also gone down in quality over the years as far as I recall. Phill Thearle's does pretty Damn good work, but they are pricey. I had my front bumper re sprayed as well as fender by collisions plus in sd. They do work on some pretty decent cars. But then again when I went there it wasn't am insurance claim. Guy gave me cash after backing into the car. So I took the opportunity to get some scuffs removed as well.

[e39inCA]

wonder why my replies aren't showing up... in short, called Chapparones and was very impressed with the lady who answered the phone, knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Going in to get an official estimate tomorrow.

[e39inCA]

So just an update here, I went to Chapparones and overall they did a very good job.

Several electrical issues started happening immediately after I got my car back though, the most worrisome of which is my driver's seat adjustment was broken (twisted seat). Now I adjust the seat daily as my wife and I share the car so I know it was working fine when I turned it over to them. I spoke to the owner and he was ok about it but basically said "not our problem". Not sure how to handle this one.

Additionally, the right front headlight (xenon) died the day after I got the car back from them. Incidentally, part of the work order was R&R of the left front headlight assembly.

[metalvolks]

So just an update here, I went to Chapparones and overall they did a very good job.

Several electrical issues started happening immediately after I got my car back though, the most worrisome of which is my driver's seat adjustment was broken (twisted seat). Now I adjust the seat daily as my wife and I share the car so I know it was working fine when I turned it over to them. I spoke to the owner and he was ok about it but basically said "not our problem". Not sure how to handle this one.

Additionally, the right front headlight (xenon) died the day after I got the car back from them. Incidentally, part of the work order was R&R of the left front headlight assembly.

I know this is a really old thread, but I wanted to let everyone know that Chapparone is not interested in doing work on any "older BMW's" anymore. I have an 87 325IS that needs paint and they refused to provide an estimate. I'm on the hunt for another decent shop...