Providing estimates is what the people at body shops do. They will be happy to do that for you because they know a certain percentage of their estimates will turn into jobs, but they're going to want to see the car. Just like with us, they can't write up an estimate on your observations alone. When headlight housings are damaged, usually the sheet metal behind them is damaged too, and that has to be included in the estimate. They're experts at finding these things. Also, what you might see as something that can be straightened, they will see as replacing is less expensive than the time needed to repair.
Also be aware that BMW is one of the few manufacturers that won't release their paint codes. Body shops have to do a lot of trial and error mixing and painting to get colors to match, which is time-consuming and expensive, or they have to buy the very expensive paint from the BMW dealer.
If you're able to to get an estimate based solely on the parts you list, they are going to insist they will not be held to that since it is almost certain you will not have found everything.
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2015 AT 7:27 PM
