'88 E30
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Mixed emotions today...
Got the car aligned at a local place I was recommended to. Went with snapholes' suggestion of -2.5 camber in the front and 0 toe. It was going great (was literally in the place with the dude) until he turned the wheels full lock to lock and the alignment tool on the wheels dented my fenders. I was standing on the left side of the car, so he turned the wheel hard left at first, so I couldn't see what was happening to the right fender. As he turned the wheels back I noticed his alignment device was getting close to the fender and told him to stop after the knob contacted my fender. The drivers side is not as bad as the passenger side (I caught the DS as it happened) it can be massaged flat. The passenger side (my only actually really decent fender) has a nice dent and the fucking paint cracked
Granted it's a ~30 year old car and has its fair share of Knicks and bumps. But that's not the point. Point is I've basically done everything myself and this is the one, the basically LAST thing I let someone else do and my fender gets toasted. Sad day.
At the time it happened the guy looked very upset and we weren't close to being done yet. I told him not to worry about it and to just keep doing it.
I paid and was on my way
I called later today and talked with the manager. I told him I want to be able to recommend his shop and that I didn't want my 30 year old fenders to ruin some guys job. I just don't want this shit to happen to someone else.
I don't think I really know what to do when I go in there tomorrow to talk to him and show him the damage because we will both be looking at a 30 year old car that has some character. I don't want any crap to come down on the tech because I'm not like that, shit happens. I do not want to make a scene or be that guy that complains about everything but it's just disheartening as all fuck when you're right there at the fucking cusp and then someone pisses in your Cheerios.
On the way home I did a burnout because I got cut off by a ford and I went and drove for about 30 mins on some back road twisties.
This car rocks
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Ideally, you should have had the manager come out to look at it when it happened. But done is done.
If the manager is stand up the response is no charge for the alignment at a minimum. Free next alignment(s) as next step up, cover cost of fender repair would be next level but unlikely since he didn't see it pre/post. Should be interesting tomorrow.
Fwiw I'm always sitting in the driver's seat in my e30s when getting an alignment for weight balance of the car on the suspension, and as a result the one turning the wheel. Turn also typically isn't lock to lock just to the parameters showing on the computer monitor. Never had a fender damaged.
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Honestly at this point it is what it is. I am happy I can drive it again and that everything is working as it should.
I told him that I want to be able to refer my friends to him, but after what happened today I don't think i could.
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shitfuckery shenanigans. Sorry to hear. Wish you were closer then you could just go to Big Bear Tire. Jason never fucks anything up on the rack like this.
2011 E92 M3 6MT ZCP - ESS 625 supercharged
2007 Z4MR
2003 E39 M5
2002 E46 M3
2021 X5 40i -
I'll say, almost 10 years of doing alignments I have never managed to fuck that step up. I can't say I've seen a tech screw it up. I have seen multiple tech's forget to remove the alignment head before taking a car for a test drive and at $500 and up per head that's an expensive mistake.
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...and distracted by a surprise attack by KR's trunk monkey...
What's a trunk monkey haha
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Well went back to the shop today. Talked with the owner/manager. He said that I can take it to a body shop of my choice and he will pay for it. I stayed super calm, he stayed super calm. We both shook hands.
Immediately after I drove to an auto body place (he ended up recommending one to me) and they are working up a quote for me as I type this.
Hooray for fixing things
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That's how it's done. Hope everything works out without a hitch this time around
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Glad to hear that they are making it right. How does one choose which shade of red you'd like to match?
This is seriously the only thing that worries me lol
They will probably spray them fresh brilliantrot or just match the color they currently are and respray it
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I also called safe lite because my windshield is horribly pitted and in the sun I am literally blind
Is $208 installed a bad price for non oem glass?
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Nice to hear that the shop manager is willing to make things right.
Take it to the most expensive repair shop you know. Have them quote both fenders. Then get a check from Mr. Store Manager. Go to a more affordable place and have them respray the whole car. You should be able to get away with it for just a little money out of your own pocket.
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Glad to hear this worked out! Going into the situation with a cool head is always the easiest way to handle it. I can tell you, I am more inclined to work with someone when they are calm and civil than if they are flying off the handle. It's natural for people to become defensive when they are approached with aggression. Accidents happen, that's why insurance companies exist.
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Drove the car to west bend and back this weekend to visit some friends. Car did awesome there and back. Cruises quite nicely @80ish and more if needed. Since I got it back on all four tires I've probably put 700-800 miles on it in less that a week. It's so much better to drive. I am still on the hunt for 16x8s. So if you guys have suggestions that aren't 900lbs a corner I'm all ears.
I raised the front of the car up a tad for the trip down so I didn't smash anything. It's settled now and I'm actually happy with how it looks.
Random pics of where the skidplate was and now is and the engine bay because why not.
If you have a swapped e30 and don't run a skidplate have fun convincing your bros how cool it is to break oil pans
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