Lefty's Deceiver

Folks,

On my BMW M3(and all BMWs) the VIN# is posted on every panel, hood and trunk. It is easy to tell if a panel was replaced because it will have a DOT-R mark instead of a VIN#.

I have not seen this on 964s or 993s. How do I tell if a panel has been replaced without looking for overspray etc?

Thanks, Lefty

eion

964 panels don't seem to have any identifying marks, but I'll be able to confirm this soon (still not got my ****** fender off yet!)

One thing worth looking for is the bodywork sealant - I'm fairly sure one of the panels on mine has been changed, based on the fact that the bolts holding the fender on one one side are covered with gunk (of course, the side that I'm working on - thankfully I have a Dremel with a flex-shaft ), whereas the bolts on the other side are relatively unmolested.

tchanson

To my knowledge, body part VIN tagging started on all 911's built after 1986. Original (replaceable) body parts should have small VIN stickers on them, i.e on the undersides of the hood and deck lid, on the inner surfaces of the doors where they meet the door jambs, etc. Front factory fender VIN stickers should be visible inside the uppermost inner portion where they meet the cowl, which you can see with the doors open and looking into the fender.

Tim

nille

Does anyone have a hint on how you could notice that the engine hood has been replaced since the car left the factory? I think it looks like the hood and the midpart of the bumper are slightly whiter (=newer) than the side panels on my c2.

Nille

joey bagadonuts

One thought is to check the texture of the paint. The Factory paint is applied with an orange peel effect. If you've ever noticed a reflection off your car, you'll recall that it wasn't mirror-like. The orange peel distorts these reflections.

If the engine lid or wings provide a smooth, mirror-like reflection, then they've definitely been repainted.

Kevin

Lefty

Our 964's have heavy undercoating that is spread over the seams. A best way to tell in the front fenders is to look at the area where the fender meets the door edge/a pillar. The seam sealer will be brushed over the fender flange. In the rear quarters please look at the upper area of the panel from the underside. Sealant/undercoating will be spread from the inner fender/frame wheel to quaterpanel skin. If the panel has been replaced it is VERY difficult to duplicate the factory methods of application.

Jeff Curtis

Yup, the best way to tell is pretty much the front fenders will not be all gooped up with sealant around the bolt holes that run along the front hood, etc.

I have had EVERY body panel off possible on my car, believe me...and I did NOT see any identifying VIN stickers nor did I see the famous "DOT-R" stickers that other manufacturers place on replacement panels.

If a quarter has been replaced, you will certainly be able to tell from underneath, I would say - no matter WHO did it.

If a door has been replaced, look for signs of the hinges being unbolted or the factory insulation panel missing, as a new door shell does NOT come with one and the insulation piece is about $180!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

I used about $30 worth of Dynamat material and have a MUCH better insulated door, with about 40% more insulation coverage than factory...the "bassheads" love it.

If a front fender has been replaced, I think it will be fairly obvious as it would be difficult to duplicate the quality work of undercoating/sealant that the factory does...you actually have to CUT off insulation around the bolts to the front cowel to get a socket on them for removal! <img border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" title="" src="graemlins/cussing.gif" />

If the hood has been replaced, look for splices at the wiring for the courtesy light and a missing "brake fluid" sticker on the right side while facing the front of the car...unless you're as ****-RETENTIVE as me and ordered a new one and had the hood done up like factory!

As far as glass, etc. look for the main manufacturers name like Siglia and you can tell if the seal has been replaced, if the car was not repainted...while on that subject, if you're looking for signs of a repaint, I rarely see a 911 that is "flawless" and does NOT have signs of the window seal being taped off or hit with a high-speed buffer and blemished.

Again, trust me on these telltale signs!! ...my car was PERFECT, that is, until...

I pulled out all the glass and got NEW rubber, re-sealed the front fenders as best I could, etc.

While it's not as high-quality as the factory would turn out the car, I would have to say it's not too bad. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />