Originally Posted by fast1

I had some superficial damage to the front bumper of my 997S. I took several pictures of the damage and then had the bumper repainted. I had the car appraised at CarMax and they offered me KBB good trade-in value for my car. I did not try to conceal the repair from them, and showed them pictures of the superficial damage prior to the repair.

My experience is that Porsche and Audi dealerships are notorious for offering very little for cars on trade-ins and will rationalize their low ball offer any way they can: that model isn't selling very well, too many miles on the odometer, and of course any repair, regardless of how superficial.

When the damage is superficial it will be a challenge to get anything in diminished value from an Insurance company, unless of course you are willing to take it to small claims court. If you take that path, you would require a diminished value appraisal from a professional appraiser, and of course you will have to spend some time preparing and presenting your case in court.

Bottom line is that if the damage is superficial, and the car is repaired professionally, I doubt that there will be much if any loss in value, but be sure to take lots of high quality pictures to prove to a prospective buyer that the damage was cosmetic. On the other hand if a car is in a high speed collision and sustains substantial damage requiring over $10K for repairs, then I would aggressively pursue diminished value.

Originally Posted by stratocaster69

You are right but with some risk. Many dealers will use a paint thickness detector and pick it up on a trade. My local dealer took a GT3 in for trade, and when he signed the contract, he signed to it never being repaired. Thats just part of most contracts. In the contract it may say. Has your vehicle trade in ever been damaged or repaired. Something to that fact!

They found out later, and after the trade, that it had damage by measuring the thickness of the paint. Now they are going back on him because he signed on the contract otherwise. So you pay cash now and its off the report but if you trade it in down the road and say nothing than you may be liable.

I would try the diminished value claim first to avoid headaches later on. I would think it's important to get on it right away if you do that route because of different states statue of limitations. With diminished value claims of 30 percent or more, it's worth it to make them pay if you can. I am not saying I am right. It's just an idea!

Originally Posted by STG991

One benefit to leasing. Major accidents on high end cars are a resale nightmare.

There have been numerous threads on this diminished value topic on 6Speed in the 991 section.

Originally Posted by Michael_s

They care about the carfax being clean not 1500 in damage. Keep receipts. Take some pics etc. My dealer wouldn't care about a panel painted as long as CF is clean. Most used buyers ask for the carfax not the paint readings....

How many here actually have a paint meter? (I do)

This is simply my advise. Not a chance in hell I would go through insurance Could be the worst idea of the day... (again my opinion).

Originally Posted by drcollie

Many dealers will use a paint thickness detector and pick it up on a trade.

Those detectors won't work on most 991's forward of the rear quarter panels as the car is aluminum. Just the rear quarters are steel.

Originally Posted by Selo

I settled a DV claim about a year ago. Go on-line and hire one of the companies to assess your cars value, and to estimate the DV. Then hire your lawyer to submit to the other person's insurance co, and to deal with them. You've got better stuff to do. It cost me about a thousand, but I got a check for about $15,000. Damage itself cost $4000 to repair. Took about six months and lots of frustration, but the DV check easily covered the LOV when I traded the car.

Originally Posted by stratocaster69

You are right but with some risk. Many dealers will use a paint thickness detector and pick it up on a trade. My local dealer took a GT3 in for trade, and when he signed the contract, he signed to it never being repaired. Thats just part of most contracts. In the contract it may say. Has your vehicle trade in ever been damaged or repaired. Something to that fact!

They found out later, and after the trade, that it had damage by measuring the thickness of the paint. Now they are going back on him because he signed on the contract otherwise. So you pay cash now and its off the report but if you trade it in down the road and say nothing than you may be liable.

I would try the diminished value claim first to avoid headaches later on. I would think it's important to get on it right away if you do that route because of different states statue of limitations. With diminished value claims of 30 percent or more, it's worth it to make them pay if you can. I am not saying I am right. It's just an idea!

Originally Posted by YYZ

Thanks for the replies, guys.
I'm going to consult with some more appraisers and get as much collective data and prepare for court if it comes to that... hope not.
While I understand the suggestions to "never mention it", it is disappointing. The accident and repair happened and I believe the new owner should know it. I can afford to tell the truth when I sell, till then I'll make up the loss wherever I can.

Thanks again!

Originally Posted by YYZ

Thanks for the replies, guys.
I'm going to consult with some more appraisers and get as much collective data and prepare for court if it comes to that... hope not.
While I understand the suggestions to "never mention it", it is disappointing. The accident and repair happened and I believe the new owner should know it. I can afford to tell the truth when I sell, till then I'll make up the loss wherever I can.

Thanks again!

Originally Posted by drcollie

Many dealers will use a paint thickness detector and pick it up on a trade.

Those detectors won't work on most 991's forward of the rear quarter panels as the car is aluminum. Just the rear quarters are steel.

Originally Posted by YYZ

Yeah, you missed the part where the $1500 in repair takes 10% off of my market value for the sake of a "VIN report".