Lock punch attempt

[go4carter]

Good morning!
Some cracker tried to bust into my car last night... doesn't seem like he got in though.
There is a nice 4" scratch up to my driver-side lock, and the lock is mauled... totaly unusable.
Do I have to replace all three locks? or can they match the new lock to my current keys?
I have to assume this will be more than $300 fix so I'll go through ICBC... BMW Store for the lock? Any suggestions for the scratch repair?

[Drake]

You can get a lock repair kit from the dealer. They're just under $100. It has the tumblers to match it to your current keys. Take out your lock and repair it with the kit, that should solve your problems.

When it happened to my car the bill was just under $300 including labour and parts. If I had known the solution I would have done it myself. You pay them alot to take apart the door and screw around with the tumblers to fit to your key. You can do that stuff yourself pretty easily.

There's a DIY guide to repairing them somewhere on the net, but I'm at work so I can't access my favorites. bmwe30.net is down right now, I think it was on there.

[go4carter]

thanks Drake... I'm thinking about using ICBC so I can get the gouge repaired... and the lock has been "pushed" into the door panel a little.

[kowalski]

good luck if your going to do it yourself get the matched paint and apply it with a small brush or toothpick and then put clear nailpolish over top as a clear coat. wont look great, but it will look better.

[Dubly]

Carter,

That sucks. Did it happen out at your new place or in Vancouver?

[go4carter]

In Vancouver... I'm not out to the 'burbs 'til June.

I need to do some research this weekend...
1) how it will affect my insurance to get it done right, ie, with fixing the dent and scratch, getting it painted, getting someone to do the tumbler.
or
2) how tough it will be to fix the lock myself, and do a quick fix on the scratch.

[Drake]

ICBC doesn't adjust your insurance rates for accidents that aren't your fault or things covered under comprehensive. In other words, if it wasn't your fault your rates don't change.

As to the lock and scratch, the lock will be easy, the scratch may not be depending on how deep it is.

[go4carter]

Thanks Drake... I didn't know that about ICBC. I guess I'll go for the Full-meal-deal then!

[Drake]

ICBC will be able to give you all the details regarding claims as well as give you a list of approved collision experts. (i.e. I don't think you can bring it to just anyone)

[kowalski]

you can bring it to anyone but you have to pay them first then bring your car back to icbc and get them to check it and then they pay you.

[go4carter]

thanks, Kowalski

[kowalski]

no problems

[kowalski]

i know a guy who will do a good job if you can't find anyone.

[crashaholic]

thanks Drake... I'm thinking about using ICBC so I can get the gouge repaired... and the lock has been "pushed" into the door panel a little.

My suggestion would be to find out who your local BMW has do their repair work-take it there. Most likely they'll be an ICBC shop as that's where your local dealer is taking them for their claims.
For example, Autowest used to have MG collision (they still may) do most of their bodywork/paint, they know how to colour match. Its pretty much an art form and if you want it to look right, don't try to touch it up with a toothpick and a pint of what in theory was the factory option paint. That's fine for rock chips.
Clour matching is more than just pulling up the paint code as your colour will have changed after 15 years of being on the road and in the elements. What's in the can won't match what's on your car.

(this is the advice of a 45 year veteran of the bodywork industry)