When I had my car washed on May 25, a nozzle fell off the machinery and put a dent about the size of a BB in the roof of my Mini. This turned out to be a $5,127.86 dent. The interior had to come out except for the rear seat. There are six air bags to contend with. The glass all had to come out, the hatchback had to be removed. I got a new windshield and a new rear view mirror in the deal, along with a couple pieces of carbon fiber trim that was turning dull. The interior is white, so it had to be removed and bagged to protect it. The air bags have to be re-programmed when they go back.
The body shop I used is a small shop, not far from the house. My State Farm agent recommended them. State Farm and I were at odds over this deal, but it all worked out. I was apprehensive to say the least. I never heard of this place and had zero reason to believe they would be any better than anybody else. I have to admit, I am impressed. Their communication was excellent. They called BY TELEPHONE every day and gave the wife an update. They couldn't get the windshield in when promised, so they gave me a $50 gas card, which will run that thing for two months, just because they were a day later than promised. With the exception of the engine compartment, the car looks like it has never been driven. They used a clay bar on it and polished out some of the booboos that a ten-year old car would have in the paint. They touched up some paint chips and polished the whole body. They cleaned the headlights, which weren't all that bad, but they look better now. They did what they said they would do, and was done when promised. They give a lifetime, as long as you own it 100% warranty. That is enforced by State Farm. State Farm requires that of all their approved body shops.
Sometimes you are pleasantly surprised. These guys didn't twiddle with the electronics. No loud rock music on the radio. All they did was to turn off the AC and change the seat position. They called the wife and asked if it was okay to do that. I had asked them not to twiddle with the electronics, since I'd have to take it to the Mini dealer to get them set back. And, that if they disconnected the battery, to put a maintainer on the electrical system so as to not set it into the Green mode, which is default. That makes the engine stop at stoplights. That feature is disquieting in traffic. Plus, who needs to kill the engine at lights on a car that gets almost 40 mpg. This they did, successfully.
So, to the guys at Roadrunner Collision Center, I thank you. You told me you were not like "those other guys" and you were right.
