Panel Shops and Issues with repairs

[911]

Hi all, 

Recently a good friend of mine was rear ended in his SC coupe. The damage was quite extensive and required a rear quarter changed along with the whole rear end. 

The car was taken to a Porsche specialist in Melbourne and had the work done through insurance over a period of 5 months. 

The car was finished a week or so ago and upon final inspection. There were many issues identified. Panel gaps, paint defects, incorrect fasteners etc. Really, a below average job that you'd question on a $10,000 car. 

My friend is in talks with the insurance company and it looks like it's going to taken to another shop at some stage soon. 

Unfortunately for him, he did not know any reputable shops and the shop in question does alot or work on high end cars. Ferraris and Lamborghinis are some of which. He thought it was a safe choice at the time. 

Seeing as though, I'm not really familiar with many panel beaters. I was hoping that some of you may be able to recommend me a few in Melbourne for future reference to avoid being in this situation and rushing into something at the last minute. I also have choice of repairer under my policy. 

Also, what quality of workmanship is acceptable on these cars. Is it too much to ask for panel gaps to be perfect and for as many OEM parts to be used as possible? They are old cars I understand, work is not cheap these days and I guess insurance companies are trying to push the repairers to keep their bottom line down. Where is the line on what's acceptable and what's not? 

[Joz]

Not that I’ve used them but ..

https://www.rjpsmash.com.au/

[tomo]

1 hour ago, wangan said:

Hi all, 

Recently a good friend of mine was rear ended in his SC coupe. The damage was quite extensive and required a rear quarter changed along with the whole rear end. 

The car was taken to a Porsche specialist in Melbourne and had the work done through insurance over a period of 5 months. 

The car was finished a week or so ago and upon final inspection. There were many issues identified. Panel gaps, paint defects, incorrect fasteners etc. Really, a below average job that you'd question on a $10,000 car. 

My friend is in talks with the insurance company and it looks like it's going to taken to another shop at some stage soon. 

Unfortunately for him, he did not know any reputable shops and the shop in question does alot or work on high end cars. Ferraris and Lamborghinis are some of which. He thought it was a safe choice at the time. 

Seeing as though, I'm not really familiar with many panel beaters. I was hoping that some of you may be able to recommend me a few in Melbourne for future reference to avoid being in this situation and rushing into something at the last minute. I also have choice of repairer under my policy. 

Also, what quality of workmanship is acceptable on these cars. Is it too much to ask for panel gaps to be perfect and for as many OEM parts to be used as possible? They are old cars I understand, work is not cheap these days and I guess insurance companies are trying to push the repairers to keep their bottom line down. Where is the line on what's acceptable and what's not? 

What's the old saying , Good as new is the only acceptable outcome . Or the repairer is in the wrong job.

[Peter John]

Louie at Paint and Custom Thornbury. Well versed in porsche old and new.
 

Panel gaps are panel gaps and as mentioned, as good as new- so I’d expect as good as it left the factory or better. 

Genuine parts should be used 100% 

[rminc]

I wonder if there are any restorers that are accredited repairers. They'd probably know the cars much better than any smash repairer. 

[autojack]

These guys advertise in the Porsche Club Victoria magazine, and seem to have very good reviews. Dunno if they do classics, but they are Porsche approved for whatever that's worth.

https://www.charliebattisti.com.au/

[Gavn]

5 minutes ago, autojack said:

These guys advertise in the Porsche Club Victoria magazine, and seem to have very good reviews. Dunno if they do classics, but they are Porsche approved for whatever that's worth.

https://www.charliebattisti.com.au/

They do classics (& modern) and are very very good.  Don't go to them if you want a cheap fix & flick job...they only do it the right way.

[crsedge]

Jason Carroll @ Chequered Flag Restorations- highly recommended

https://www.chequeredflagrestorations.com.au/

[911]

Thanks everyone. Has anyone actually used any of the companies that has an older 911? I or know of anyone who has had major repairs done? 

[crsedge]

3 hours ago, wangan said:

Thanks everyone. Has anyone actually used any of the companies that has an older 911? I or know of anyone who has had major repairs done? 

Yep. As per my recommendation above.

Click on the link to Jason's business to see cars worked upon which has ranged from Porsche basket cases to smash repairs- he has been featured in Classic Porsche Magazine and Christophorus

[Tips]

On 27/08/2022 at 20:29, wangan said:

Hi all, 

Recently a good friend of mine was rear ended in his SC coupe. The damage was quite extensive and required a rear quarter changed along with the whole rear end. 

The car was taken to a Porsche specialist in Melbourne and had the work done through insurance over a period of 5 months. 

The car was finished a week or so ago and upon final inspection. There were many issues identified. Panel gaps, paint defects, incorrect fasteners etc. Really, a below average job that you'd question on a $10,000 car. 

My friend is in talks with the insurance company and it looks like it's going to taken to another shop at some stage soon. 

Unfortunately for him, he did not know any reputable shops and the shop in question does alot or work on high end cars. Ferraris and Lamborghinis are some of which. He thought it was a safe choice at the time. 

Seeing as though, I'm not really familiar with many panel beaters. I was hoping that some of you may be able to recommend me a few in Melbourne for future reference to avoid being in this situation and rushing into something at the last minute. I also have choice of repairer under my policy. 

Also, what quality of workmanship is acceptable on these cars. Is it too much to ask for panel gaps to be perfect and for as many OEM parts to be used as possible? They are old cars I understand, work is not cheap these days and I guess insurance companies are trying to push the repairers to keep their bottom line down. Where is the line on what's acceptable and what's not? 

having recently joined the industry to work with a Porsche nut mate that has moved the family business to a point where there are a good mix of prestige plus modern Porsches and a coupe of aircooled in the shop most days.  Due to demand he is branching out into a few large refresh or full restorations as values have increased so has the demand to freshen up tired 911's which is great to see.  Its blown me away the number of air cooled cars that have come to us after being butchered by other shops or been told to go somewhere else because they wont touch them.  As an example we had a 3.2 in this week that the guy took to his eastern suburbs prestige repairer (whom did his wife's euro car with no issues) and Shannon's have asked us to rectify the repair after the shop had 2 attempts at it and just threw their hands in the air. Sounds like the insurer is doing the same as this example with your mates car.

The line on what is acceptable is a fine one. Panel shops like may businesses will do any work for business whether they have the skill or not.  Many prestige (badged shops) are good at modern take a bumper off and bolt a new one on or blend a few panels with newer paint materials. Most have lost the skill of fitting panels with the correct gaps on older cars that have probably had a few repairs in their lifetime and putting the right amount of orange peel into a painted guard to make it match the original paint around it. Rectifying old work to do a perfect job on new work is where the skill and working closely with the insurance assessor (if you have a good relationship) comes in to play.  We only purchase Porsche parts from the dealer or if not available the same OEM pars from Autohaus who source from Europe. Yes they are more expensive but in hours its actually cheaper as you are not reworking aftermarket parts to get them to fit properly. It often takes more in manhours to fit a second hand or aftermarket part in rework than the expense of a new OEM part that bolts straight on.

Certainly you are taking the right approach to get references and recommendations. I would also suggest you visit and almost interview the shop and ask them to show you what they will repair and include in the repair/quote as the insurers will always reduce from there. So in essence the more comprehensive the quote and repairs are, the more included for review and often a better outcome.  See if they have anything in the shop or who they get referral business from,.  in our case we receive a lot of work direct or referred from shops such as Autohaus which are a great reference point for the quality as well.  You could even give someone like Darren from Autocoupe a call and ask who he uses.

I should also add that the choice of insurer makes a big difference as to who will do the repairs and what's covered. I know there is a wide variance in premiums between the insurers on older classic Porsches, however the even bigger difference is when it comes time for a claim. We do find Shannon's very good and responsive vs someone like AAMI or Auto & General (Budget) who will not allow choice of repairer and second hand parts being mandated. I'm pretty sure no one here would insure an aircooled Porsche with the later group, well I hope......

I hope my rant helps with some context about what you should be looking for in having a 911 repaired

[Joz]

You could always ask your workshop who they’d use or recommend.😊