Good body shop / collision center

[Gabor]

Hi Everyone,

Not a nice header, but I'm looking for a good& reliable body shop.
I own a 2006 dark green NC, and it gave me lots of fun until, last week, I hit a road cone, was laying in my lane on I-635.

The prize:

- Broken front bumper (the lower, unpainted airdam part, 2 cracks on the painted surface, popped out grille)
- smashed undercover
- bended A/C condenser (A/C works but the condenser itself looks bad, my cooler seems ok from 'outside')

As the miata front bumper means the entire nose-section, I got 2 estimations around $2200-$2500. Pretty good damage from a 'rabbit-sized' item...isn't it?! Cannot even eat what I caught. :)

My insurance company (The Hartford) estimated $1100

My questions:
1. Any recommendation on body shops?

I visited:

- Stuarts Paint and body, Dallas Plano road (I liked that place but found many! bad reviews about them)
- Service King, Richardson
- Linear Automotive, Plano (they have some nice vintage car on display )
My insurance sent me to
- Caliber Collision, Dallas Cedar Springs

Any knowledge on above or can anyone recommend other places?

2. All my parts (condenser, bumper, etc) is the original.
As The Hartford estimated $1100 and the others are $2200-$2500, I'm afraid, will get something cheap sht, reused bumper, never gonna fit my car as the original, and because this is the entire nose, it will be viewable.

Any advice on that? I'm relatively new at the US, so 1st time dealing with insurance and repair.


3. If they fix my car from $1100, my deductible $500 and they will raise my insurance price in the next 2-3years.... (extra $150-$250/year) So, am I really Insured?!?
Because I have better ideas donating my $$$............
(Ignore this 3rd one, I was just thinking 'loudly'.......)

Thanks & have a wide road!

Gabor

[Nails]

Hi Gabor,

Haven't seen you at Keller's in a long time. If you want the lowest repair estimate then Road Runner is hard to beat. They aren't the best shop for paint work but they will bid a job like yours 500-1000 under the higher bids you get to save your deductible.

Road Runner Paint and Body Shop
330 S Central Expy

Richardson, TX 75080-6303

(972) 690-0691

[Gabor]

Hi,

Thanks!
Many things was going on and Wednesdays became busy for me.
My car relatively (2006) in a nice condition, so I would prefer a nice paint work even if its not the cheapest.

Gabor

[modernbeat]

Heritage Collision in Sherman, Texas

4915 N Fm 1417 Sherman, TX 75092
(903) 891-3040

[VFR750]

Don't worry about your low insurance estimate. The shop will request a supplement from you insurance company to pay the difference between their original estimate and the actual repair cost.

[tailchaser]

I have nothing good to say about Service King in Richardson, but the location on Plano Parkway has done great work for me twice in the last 10 years.

[Mikey]

On the "west side" (really mid-cities), I've used Lone Star Collision in Colleyville multiple times (teenage kids, damnit) and they do the best work around. Family owned and it shows in their work. Avoid Caliber Collision at all costs!

[ken o]

Details LTD in Addison. Ask for Ron. Everyone I have sent there has been thrilled with the service and work. He will fight with the insurance company for OEM parts.
http://detailsltd.com/

[flyin94m]

I don't know about cheap, but I was very pleased with their work. When I eventually have my car repainted, I'll take it here. Customer service was very good and the work was done very well.

Mike's Paint and Body
1028 E Highway 121
Lewisville, TX 75057
(972) 436-0245

[Labora]

I would go to Texas Body Works, they do great work. 972 250 6722 ask for Darren http://www.texasbodyworks.com/

I would steer clear of Details LTD for the time being they just lost there paint supplier for reasons I can't post on a public forum. (Might get in trouble with work. )

Your insurance company will recommend the bigger chain shops like caliber because they give the insurance companies special deals. Don't concern yourself with what the shop quotes, they will fight the insurance company for any additional work that is needed.

My .02 cents coming from somebody who has been in/around just about every body shop east of i35e.

[Bob_MX5]

Details LTD in Addison. Ask for Ron. Everyone I have sent there has been thrilled with the service and work. He will fight with the insurance company for OEM parts.
http://detailsltd.com/

This^^^. They made my TT better than new after severe hail damage and I do not say that lightly. Ron or Justin will ensure it is fixed right and will indeed fight for your rights.

b.

[gabkwong]

Call Mark Lam at Lone Star Collison at Sachse 214-668-0179. He owns the shop and does all the work himself. He does close to show car quality work! He is very "annal" and make sure everything as perfect as possible. He will deal with your insurance and also work with any arrangments you have, i.e. bring your own parts etc.. He also does custom work too! If you want to take this opportunity to put in aftermarket nose/spoiler etc. this is the time to do it and he is the guy!

[AnthonyS]

This^^^. They made my TT better than new after severe hail damage and I do not say that lightly. Ron or Justin will ensure it is fixed right and will indeed fight for your rights.

b.

Ron or Justin at Details LTD in Addison. I wouldn't take a car anywhere else. They will get Caliber Collision and the insurance company all lined out. The insurance company screwed you, but that's their job. Ron and Justin will make it right. I should remember to send them a Christmas card.

[Gabor]

Thanks to everyone for the tips!

(Now I'm playing with the I-635 construction company, they filed a claim yesterday via their insurance. Let's see.. )