E30 Zone

So I've come back from me holidays, and was supposed to be leaving the car with a bodyshop today that was going to be taking care of some paint damage, but they've now started taking the pee with ETA's and a few other things.. basically giving me the salesman act like they're doing me a favor by taking on my custom.. I find these people repulsive.

So I'll be going elsewhere.

Any recommendations?

I used a bodyshop in NW London who did a wheel arch for me at very cheap price. For the price and given my Sport is not concours I was happy. See my Sport thread

Abacus Motors
10 Adrian Avenue
Staples Corner
London
NW2 1LX
0208 208 1211
07956 894 132

They also repaired a crashed E46 M3 CSL

Another option which is not in London is go to BMW Cotswold Motor Group Bodyshop
They have consistently been amongst the top BMW Bodyshops of the Year Award Competition
Very good friendly customer service
Done using BMW Parts/Training/Staff
Courtesy car
I have used them before
Worth it should you want to keep with BMW

http://www.mini-3.co.uk/bodyshop/award.html

I'll give the one in staples corner a buzz.. my employers paying for the damage but BMW prices would be me pushing my luck me thinks.

Just hope that they allow to do work and then invoice afterwards upon completion, rather than payment up front. The way my company needs it done apparently!

Pay upon completion
I had to request invoice from them for my records

Did they let you take the car before the payment was made.. When dealing with insurances companies, and finance departments, usually bodyshops have to wait a few weeks for payment to arrive.. If this happened with mine, I'd be without my car for a couple of months

I paid in cash upon completion
I was going to drive away then remembered I wanted invoice for my records should I ever sell
Then he hastily made me paper record invoice
Customer service was pleasant enough

If will be several weeks for payment unless you can get your insurer/company to pay upon collection many smaller bodyshops who tend to offer cheaper quotes may be put of by this
Best to tell them upfront if this happens

Others are
Dips of Custom Cars (Hayes)
Bodyshop near BMW Berry Chiswick on an industrial estate near there of the A4
They do work for MB Main Dealer. Forgot what they are called but based on industrial estate near BMW Berry Chiswick

Cheers big ears I'll see what happens hey.

Nobody is going to fix your car for free and then wait for a cheque to maybe turn up. You will have to pay on collection and waiting for payment will then be your problem.

Well a lot of insurance work is carried out that way Pete. Do you think when you collect your car a week after a prang, your bills already been settled?

Went for a place called Ealing Car Care in the end, they're used to getting this sort of thing being cleared through accounts departments, so didn't have a problem.

Lets see how it turns out.

Body shops do not mind waiting to be paid by insurance companies as the terms are already in place and agreed and they know that they will get paid. Unlike Joe Soap wanting his £1200 turd trowelled up on the premise that "my boss will send you a cheque in a few weeks, maybe"

Haha yeah it wasn't quite like that, almost though.. My head office gave them a call and straightened it out, so alls well.

Is a bit like paying PacerPete by cheque or saying my insurance company will pay him in 6 weeks time
He don't want that
He wants cash!!!!