I dropped my car off at the local Porsche dealer this morning, 2009 997, for the annual maintenance. I got a Panamera S Hybrid as my loaner.
I get a call about an hour later from the dealer telling me there has been a slight accident where another employee hit my bumper creasing it. The bumper needs to come off, be fixed, and repainted. I'm not that **** about it, an accident is an accident, but my question here is will anyone be able to tell that the bumper has been redone come trade in time? Could that affect my trade in value? Should I be looking for anything other from them other then them fixing it? Thanks

 

If you are going to trade the car to the same dealer then I think it should not affect you since they know the reason for the paintwork.

Just my 0.2 cents.

 

Depending on the year and the age of the paint you might want more than the bumper painted to make sure the finish and color is seamless.

 

http://youtu.be/qVLBD-uHRgE

Depends on the color. I wouldn't want them painting anything but the bumper. They should be able to match the paint perfectly. If they don't then make them re-do it. Now if your hood is all chipped up then maybe you want them to fade the paint onto the body. But avoid it if you can. Check out this video. If it's creased bad then they have to do some plastic welding.

 

call and tell them as they have caused this problem they have to put a full clear wrap on the bumper after re-paint.

 

I'm a big fan of having things put in writing. In this case, have th dealership put something in writing that they attest to the cause of the accident and have them commit to giving you wholesale value at trade in time equivalent to an unwrecked, unmolested vehicle.

 

The front bumper on my old 996 was clipped by my dealer in the same way. The bumper shell was removed and the complete respray was a perfect match and indistinguishable from the original paint. Paint matching shouldn't be an issue with a car as new as yours. Unless this incident were to show up on Carfax I don't know how anyone could reasonably tell. I didn't have to deal with the moral dilemma of telling a prospective buyer about it, as I eventually traded the car back to the dealer.

 

I can't f#$%&*g believe they gave you a Panamera loaner,did you buy the car there? My dealer flat denied me one when I asked. Said it was for a new TT recall!

 

I would expect a new, painted bumper cover. They don't repair all that seamlessly I'm told. They must have anticipated denting your car, which explains the nice loaner.

 

My dealer has no problem giving good loaners and i didn't buy my car from them! I would require new bumper and like you said a letter from the dealer as to the accident!

 

I agree to get everything in writing. Also it's worth a shot having them make an offer to you as it sits right now in it's damaged state towards a new car. And be super pissed about it- don't be Mr. Nice Guy. You may be able to get a sweet discount on a new one since they know they screwed up.

My dad bought a brand new 2012 Black Edition that had lot damamge- a door ding on the crease above the rear wheel well. He paid $4000 under invoice for the car a couple of months ago if that gives you an idea of what body damage can do to a car value. He got all the free Black Edition stuff like Nav and Bose plus $4000 under invoice! All becuase of a door ding.

 

What Selo said. Don't get too **** about it. So long as they correct it properly.

 

Have them replace the bumper. Their screw up. They will take care of it if pushed.

 

Just make sure your happy before you drive off into the sunset

 

Brilliant. Have a few other panels painted as well. That will surely reassure buyers it hasn't been in an accident.


In intelligent response to the OP: Do be critical they've properly colour-matched the bumper. Check it outside in daylight before you accept it. And do have the dealership supply you with an invoice stating what has been repainted and why. That way if a buyer picks up on the repaint, you're armed with proof the car wasn't involved in a serious collision.