An L.A. Times news story looks at how the increasing amount of sophistication and technology used in BMW cars is making the vehicles so expensive to repair they can become totaled with just moderate damage. The article also discusses the expertise needed to repair these vehicles.
The technology is another step in a much broader auto industry trend that is making collision repairs ever more costly, a kinder way of saying manufacturers are building throw-away cars. It means that more cars are totaled when they have relatively modest damage, particularly if they are more than five years old.
Although BMWs can certainly be repaired, it requires a degree of sophistication and cost that may be unprecedented.
BMW will certify auto body technicians only if they are employees of BMW dealerships, using BMW-approved parts, tools, adhesives and rivets. Though independent shops can buy equipment and get training, they are not allowed to say they perform certified repairs, BMW's official seal of approval.
"It is a game," said Don Feeley, owner of three independent body shops in Riverside. "Absolutely, they are shutting auto body shops out of their business."
Another issue is BMW's aluminum firewall which requires specialized tools to repair. The article says that critics of the cars believe manufacturers like BMW are intentionally making throw-away cars.
