Newbie with a big problem!

[prl_325i]

Hi everyone great website/forum, apologies in advance if this is not the correct place to put this thread, I was hoping you guys could point me in the right direction with regards to my very embrassing blunder

I've got 325i sport and of course its my pride and joy, have had it since May 03 and have had new leather put in it and a set of Alpina replicas only done 90K, its in the members e30's section as 'Pete's 325i sport' dolphin grey one (sorry can't seem to be able to upload images).

Anyhow, was reversing out of my garage when I heard a heartwrenching crunch... looked around... oh... that will be the my drivers door open then, jammed up against the wall Don't ask!! I've tried, why, what?? (Got the disturbing pics but can't seem to figure the uploading bit yet)

The door has buckled and creased up badly by the window and doesn't shut, the locks knackered too but the elec window still working, it's well and truly over for the door, but importantly I'm told that I haven't damaged the pillar it swivels on.

Now money is a big issue for me at the mo, if this would have happened in the past I would have whisked it down to my usual place and probably get charged over the odds but all would be resolved asap, and she would be back at home sorted.

A ballpark figure he was suggesting Ԛ£150 for a second hand door Ԛ£300/Ԛ£400 for a new one, Ԛ£120 respray, Ԛ£300 labour (electrics, changing leather panels, etc.) Firstly I was wondering if this is over the odds? And secondly if it is what with all your experience what would you expect to pay, and what would be the best way to go about it, recommendations, etc?

Any advise will be extremely extremely appreciated, oh and feel free to take the michael I truly deserve it!!

Cheers pete

[TOURINGDADDY]

http://www.imageshack.us/

host them here bloke then copy & paste

[MISSY30]

You should be able to find a door the same colour on here easily enough and I don't reckon it will be as much as Ԛ£150. In the parts section keith52 is breaking a Dolphin Grey SE.
Is any of the kit damaged?

[prl_325i]

Cheers Richard,

http://img106.echo.cx/my.php?image=imgp02691jn.jpg

There's the damage

and before:

http://img28.echo.cx/my.php?image=side12uh.jpg

Cheers again pete

[TOURINGDADDY]

no crunch is good but at least that is all it was as above post in wanted sec some will ave a door 4 ya and no where near that price

[orangecurry]

IMHO

get a 2nd hand door from a scrappy / someone on the zone, don't worry what colour it is, bung it on and you are mobile/secure/waterproof again.

Wait until you have some money AND have got a lot more quotes before you make it perfect once more.

Don't feel bad - the feeling of sickness in your tummy WILL go away...

I'll tell you what my Gran did to her car in her garage in a minute... that'll make you smile

[prl_325i]

Cheers, definitely sounds like good plan to me

[TOURINGDADDY]

P.S. welcome to the Zone mate you'll love it ere were all

[beardymat]

the bloke you took your car to was havin a laugh,im a panel beater myself and it looks from the photos that with a bit if effort you could rescue your door.the black trim clips off(you will need one of these)and whats underneath could be messed around with to get it near enough straight and when the cover goes on no one will know,would save you painting most of the car too(you need to blend metalics into the adjacent panels) as for it not closing, you have probably sprained the hinges which can probably be adjusted out.

if you can get one in the correct colour that would be easier but if not dont take it to that bloke cause he`ll have your pants down

[glenn]

I've got 325i sport and of course its my pride and joy, have had it since May 03

what took you so long, to find the 'zone'

[Martinaston]

All you need is the door Ԛ£25 from a breakers.
You will have to strip the trim if it needs to be painted anyway.

[prl_325i]

It's taken me 2yrs... but I suppose better late then never eh!

If I get another dolphin grey door, surely it will need to be painted again due to slight differences that cars have had, e.g. different exposure to light etc?? Just trying to work out what to do as Keith52 has got one (dolphin grey) as Missy30 kindly pointed out, but if I need to respray it anyway theres no point going the otherside of the country for it

One other thing chaps, have got a white (go faster) stripe around the car (see pics) which has always been on it since I've had her, never liked it, if that was to go, I would presume it leave an unsightly mark, any tips?

http://img59.echo.cx/img59/219/front24nu.jpg

http://img287.echo.cx/img287/4413/rear12eu.jpg

thanks again

[Martinaston]

The only way to tell is to take it off.
If its marked put it back on.
Halfords do a double stripe for a couple of quid and just use the top line, Its an exact match.

[Martinaston]

Better still just take the stripe off the dammaged door to have a look.

[prl_325i]

Cheers dude!

Pretty obvious now you say it

Any ideas on the door colour???

[Martinaston]

Just try to get one the same colour.
If it matches result.
If not get your wallet out

[beardymat]

i reckon if you get a door in dolphin from a car from around the same year you will stand a good chance of it matching.reason bodyshops want to blend the side of your car is that there are a lot of paint manufacturers producing "their own" version of the colour but back when your car was built there was less varients.give it a go for that money,what have you got to loose?
as for the stripe,although its retro and suits the car,if you do remove it i think the worst case will be a t cut and polish session,although it must be said that the paint looks good in the photos.

[tourer-dan]

It might be worth considering that some less scrupulous painters would apply a stripe as something to paint up to when doing a repair. So, if you remove your stripe and find a paint edge, stick another one straight back on otherwise you'll be opening a real can of worms. It is pretty uncommon though I saw quite a few working as a valeter.

If all is good when you take the stripe off, rub over where it was with some mild abrasive such as finesse-it, G10 or even good old T-cut, and that will take away the obviousness of where the stripe was.

[prl_325i]

Once again thanks for the words of wisdom

Fingers crossed with the dolphin door

Just out of interest, what does everyone think of the stipe - on or off???

P

[tourer-dan]

Off, off, off, off, off, off!

[Guest]

oh god you poor fella. That's heart breakin stuff!!

All I can say is welcome to e30z, these guys are just brilliant at helpin you out,

I'd phone FAB direct first m8 for a price of a door or see if someone here is breaking one,

As for painting, take your fuel cap off and get the paint mixed up it's called 'chipping' the paint so it matches (because it's an old car it's best to do this even if you have taken really good care of the paint - and it looks like you have) and then the bodyshop will be able to match it better. (I'm no expert but learning fast). I don't know how much the job will cost but ask people on here as to who to recommend, you don't really want to skimp on painting. Hanging a new door is a pain in the arse as well...so good luck and hopefully soon you'll have a smile back on your face. Lovely looking car fella.

[prl_325i]

Sorry to be a dunce but what's 'FAB'

[Geeman]

This is FAB... BMW Breakers...

http://www.fabdirect.com/

Giles.

P.S. - nice looking car dude. I did the same thing once, but much worse... worry not.