Just dented my car, wondering about repair options

[chatsubo20]

Did something absolutely idiotic while parking into my (very narrow) spot last weekend. Wasn't paying attention to my angle of entry, and ending up causing a pretty big dent above the rear tire, across the contour line, and took off a bit of paint with it. It's a 2014 Mazda3 Sport GS in grey. Photo below.

I know nothing about what repair options are available. Here are few questions :

Does the whole panel have to be replaced, or can they do spot dent repair?
Any idea of how much this is going to cost me?
Any suggestions of where to get it done in the GTA?

Thanks a lot !

Ian

http://i.imgur.com/faqYOck.jpg

[FD22]

Sucks to see that, but definitely doesn't look too bad at all.

You cannot replace that "panel" as it isn't its own individual panel. It's part of the entire side of the car.

I'm no expert but I'd think that could be fixed with a PDR (paintless dent removal) process. One of our sponsors, Auto Magicians, does great work in that department, and is easy to deal with in getting a quote for what you'd be looking to spend for that. Check them out if you can.

If that dent is too much for a PDR fix, then you'd be looking at body work to fix that, which could get quite expensive after all the paint work required in the finishing process.

[barnau21]

It is actually ridiculous how thin the layer of paint is one these cars. One of my coworkers scrapped the rear bumped of my 2014 3 Sport (exactly the same as yours) and my bumper is pretty badly damaged while his Audi doesn't even have a scratch. Let me know if you find anyone who can fix this as I will probably require their services as well:(

[gta_driver]

PDR can fix a lot of dents, but if the paint is damaged, you no longer qualify for "paintless dent repair". PDR can straighten out this dent and it'll look like new, but you'd still have to repaint it elsewhere.

Because it's a rear quarter panel, you'll need to do some blending. At the end, won't be surprised if the estimate is in the $500 - $800 range.

To the OP: you don't replace that panel, you just repair the dent (bend it back to its original shape) and paint it.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

I'm not 100% sure PDR would get this 100, complex area. I could be wrong though.

Will need paint as gta_driver said.

[crxgsr]

The rear quarter panel could be replaced, but not worth it for such a small dent.

[loki]

probably somewhere in the $450 - $550 range from a place like Automagicians

[chatsubo20]

AutoMagicians quoted me $1080 to fix the dent and repaint (painting would cover part of the door apparently).

I've contacted the dealer who sold it to me as well, but they haven't replied yet.

Maybe cheaper to replace the rear quarter panel, as gta_driver suggested?

[hamza7]

Hi,

I have also PM'd you as I share space with a absolutely great PDR company.

- Hamza

[gta_driver]

AutoMagicians quoted me $1080 to fix the dent and repaint (painting would cover part of the door apparently).

I've contacted the dealer who sold it to me as well, but they haven't replied yet.

Maybe cheaper to replace the rear quarter panel, as gta_driver suggested?

Actually I did not suggest replacing the quarter panel. It is absolutely not necessary in this case. To replace it, you'll need to cut it as it is seamlessly integrated with the roof panel and the rest of the car. Then weld the new one in, and then you still have to repaint - it will be more expensive.

Where are you located? Westowne Mazda sent me to a shop nearby (with my previous '05 Mazda3 GT), I had a dent in the front fender and driver's door (someone backed into my car), and they were very reasonable price-wise. I think it's West End Autobody on Shorncliffe.

[chatsubo20]

I'm at Yonge and Eglinton. Thanks, I'll check that place out too!

[sube]

First it is completely unnecessary to replace the quarter panel. to do so would easily double the estimate you got to repair the damage.

Pat.

[Dreamliner]

I would suggest going to a body shop not a PDR place as this repair will require painting/blending. As much as I like to recommend BMC (preferred shop for Avante Mazda and a recommendation of Jeff @ MoT) the clear coat has flaked on every bumper repair I've had. I used to love their work but two years later once the clear starts flaking (after stone chips) I was not impressed.

[chatsubo20]

Thanks Pat! I've no idea about the costs of different options so it's great to have this kind of feedback.

[chatsubo20]

I would suggest going to a body shop not a PDR place as this repair will require painting/blending. As much as I like to recommend BMC (preferred shop for Avante Mazda and a recommendation of Jeff @ MoT) the clear coat has flaked on every bumper repair I've had. I used to love their work but two years later once the clear starts flaking (after stone chips) I was not impressed.

Could it be cheaper to PDR the dent, then have the painted elsewhere? Is the painting that expensive?

Also, what are the options for just covering up the small paint chips? It could be overkill to repaint the whole thing if I could cover it up imperfectly with similar coloured paint. Or is that going to look awful?

[Dave_The_BMXER]

It will look not great.

[gta_driver]

Could it be cheaper to PDR the dent, then have the painted elsewhere? Is the painting that expensive?

Also, what are the options for just covering up the small paint chips? It could be overkill to repaint the whole thing if I could cover it up imperfectly with similar coloured paint. Or is that going to look awful?


Is that a new 3rd gen Mazda3? I would only attempt to touch up with a pen if it was my worst beater.

[unknown]

yeah, it looks like a gen3

I heard Agincourt Mazda has an in-house body shop. Though I don't know about the quality there as I've never used them.

[chatsubo20]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I ended up going to Chipmaster in Markham and in addition to doing an amazing job, Rob also had the lowest quote of the places I asked. After I dropped off my car, he drove me to the nearby GO station so I could get back home. Awesome experience!

[killerbichon]

So how much did it actually cost to fix that.... a grand?