[jeffp25]

My 7-month-old 2001.5 was brushed by an SUV last night. The damage appears to be limited to the front fender, just above the wheel. I assume that I'll need to replace the whole fender (not just repaint). If so, anyone give me an estimate of the cost at the dealer's bodyshop? (I'm in the DC area.)
Jeff

 

[Al Fresco]

Re: How much to replace fender? (jeffp25)

$$$$Cha-CHINNGGG$$$$$
Probably a pretty penny though. See if there is a bumper-medic in your area . We have one out here that my husband refers clients to and he is AWESOME. You could always get an estimate. He fixed ours friends Eurovan and it looks Spankin new.

 

[jeffp25]

Re: How much to replace fender? (Al Fresco)

I had an estimate done today at the dealer. $450 to repair the fender (he says it can be fixed), repaint it, and "blend" it into the door. $550 if I want a new fender. Plus, a wheel nut from the SUV put a big gouge into my wheel ($100-$150 to repair) and I'll need a rental for four days ($120) so it will come to around $700. I can put it through my insurance ($250 deductible) or just pay for it myself. I haven't decided yet.
Jeff

 

[indigofast]

Re: How much to replace fender? (jeffp25)

I just had my front passenger side panel/fender demolished by some a*shole that performed a hit and run on my Passat last Saturday. It's in the shop now and the total came out to be $800...that's including the new fender, lower door molding, mud flap, fender wall, and paint/clear coat. I'll try to find the numbers off my estimate for just the fender for you. Good luck http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[MysticalUnicorn]

Re: How much to replace fender? (jeffp25)

I had slight damage done to my car in December from a close brush with a Van in a driveway. I have photos of the before but don't know how to add it to image.
I just picked it up from the dealer (recommended by my insurer) after 2200 and $500 deductible, because it required replacement of the rear bumpers, and the quarter panel over the wheel (driver's side). Not only that, but they had to remove the driver's side window and the rear window in order to paint it up.
At least it was done right. Took 13 working days (I took it in on January 28) and I added splashguards to the deal ($50).
Had I known of someone who could have done all this work (and this was a no impact cosmetic only injury -- remember it is all plastic, so, peeled back like a tuna can is difficult to bump back into shape.
Pretty scary . . . but hey, I've spent tens of thousands of dollars for insurance over the years and this is my FIRST EVER claim.

 

[MysticalUnicorn]

Re: How much to replace fender? (MysticalUnicorn)

This is where you can see the photos of the $2200 damage:
http://web.tampabay.rr.com/magic/magic/Passat.html

 

[DCdave]

Re: How much to replace fender? (jeffp25)

Not having seen the damage to your fender, I don't know what the condition of the paint is. When a friend clipped my left-rear fender, the paint looked scratched. It wasn't. It just needed some cleaner wax, and the scratch I'd thought was there, wasn't anymore. If you have a scratch that doesn't catch your fingernail when you stroke it, you don't need to re-paint. In that case, I strongly advise you to go for paintless dent removal. The body shop I went to for my fender damage said a PDR guy wouldn't be able to get to the damage, but he was soooooo wrong. Obviously, if your paint is scratched, ignore what I said.

Even though mine was the rear fender, not front, the body shop at Stohlman's VW at Tyson's Corner quoted me $400 for my fender repair, which he said entailed removing the rear bumper and then the left rear quarter panel, stripping the quarter panel and repainting it entirely. Good luck.