MGs350

Hello all! I will be needing to get some damage repaired which will require repainting the doors, fender and quarter panel. I'm wondering how much it will match or blend in. Anyone have any experience with this color? Any insight would be appreciated!

peasodos

iTrader: (1)

Your basically repainting 1/3 the car. You'll get what you pay for, it takes a lot of skill to match/blend a 3 stage paint properly. Make sure they color sand and buff. I'd say at least $4k depending on what kind of damage you have on the panels. Whatever gets repainted it will never be 100% perfect like the factory paint job, maybe 95-98% at the best. Good luck, keep us posted with the progress, also pics of the damage.

Lukas99GS

My previous 14 GS was starfire pearl as well as my brothers 15 and we both had a fair portion of our cars repainted, we went to the body shop my Lexus dealership recommends so they had a lot of experience with that color. I had both my bumpers and one door done, the bumpers were basically a perfect match but the one door that was done although it looked a perfect match during the day, at night you could tell it was slightly “darker” I’m suspecting due to the pearl coat not being the same as the rest. Same thing with my brothers who had his done at the same shop. Should be less of an issue if you’re doing one big portion of the car rather than one specific panel. Ask your dealer who they use/recommend. Incidentally my old car had been repainted before I bought it on one door and it was such a perfect match that I couldn’t tell at all day or night, so it is definitely possible to get a near perfect match but it is more tough than other non pearl colors.

MGs350

Ahh such a small incident at low speeds is causing so much work! Not knowing any reputable shops, thinking about just going with the lexus certified ones for collision repair. Going to hope for the best. You both confirmed what I was thinking. Will post pics soon!

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

Pearl is a Nightmare to match. Its always going to be off in one type of light or another.

peasodos

iTrader: (1)

Maybe if they fully repaint the entire front fender, doors, and rear quarter all the way to the a-pillar, it won't be as noticeable since all those panels are on one side of the car. other than maybe at the rear bumper.

Longevite1

I got my from bumper repaint by Sewell in Dallas, they did a good job by matching it, but the shade not the same, if you look straight in, it's okay but at some angle it's off. I feel like the clear coat and metallic layer not the same.

MGs350

So two weeks after dropping the car off for inspection and repair i find that it will be a total loss since the damage includes entire right side with both front and rear bumpers, fender, quarter panel and both wheels being replaced! All this costing about 20k with parts, body, labor, paint, etc! What a shame! Had intended on keeping the car for many more years.

AJLex19

Sorry to hear that - are you planning to get another GS or something else?

MGs350

Absolutely! However not sure if I should get the 2015 body style which was what I had or the I believe 2016 and up. I feel like they are quite overpriced due to GS being discontinued and shortage of vehicles all over. Looking to get something with warranty left so maybe 2018 and up possibly certified again. I want the lane departure, break assist, and blind spot monitoring. Any ideas on which model and or packages I should be looking for to have this included?

AJLex19

Nice to hear you sticking with the GS! All 2016+ and up GS's with the safety system+ will have the lane departure and pre-collision/brake assist. Typically refreshed 2016+ GS's have the blind spot monitoring feature as standard on the premium and above models. Really depends on your budget - used cars prices in general are still inflated as the chip shortage continues.

Best bang for your buck will be a 2015 but likely will have no warranty or harder to find those safety features ... best model years for the features you want AND warrantied will be a 2016/2017/2018 and up but prices for those will be in the $35k+ range.

MGs350

I enjoy driving this car and with everything considered, believe it is one of best choices out there. Not sure about the drive feel from 2015 vs 2016 or 2018 and up but I expect it to be the same with 8speed. I'm sure the sports+ vs sports drove mode will have quite the difference. You're right, all available options are $35k+ for what I want!