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As I intend keeping my car for quite a while (which is a good thing considering the used prices!), I've been considering smartening it up. After 3 years now it is starting to show its age.

I have quite bad stone-chipping all over the front bumber and at the front of the bonnet, and a couple of scratches too. There are a few chips on each door mirroe. I have a scrape down part of a rubbing-strip. There are a few scrapes/chips on the rear bumber. And worst there are two patches of rust under the paintwork on the strip with the lock in it on the rear door (avant).

So my question is: Is this just the sort of work that companies like 'Chips Away' can do well or would I be better off going to a bodyshop?

Chipsaway can be bloody good if the guy who comes out is good, have seen some good and some shabby work. For the amount you are talking about, a good bodyshop will be your best bet, with loads of stonechips, you might as well take of the bumper and get it rubbed down and painted completely, same with the bonnet. As your car is silver, it requires not just colour but laquer as well, best done in clinically clean booth rather than your front drive

I had my rear apron resprayed a while ago now by a local bodyshop (Mitsu approved). I also got a quote from chips away and the like. The bodyshop told me that chips away will paint the area that needs it and not the whole panel/trim piece, and there is a risk of the laquer peeling after a while - good if you want to get rid of your car, but not a wise investment if you plan on keeping it.

I'm afraid it's a case of "you get what you pay for".

Nige.

Get it done at a body shop mate, then get the front Armourfended

I know a reasonable bodyshop in Reading if your interested

The rear rust thing is common and is a warranty item, but I believe yours is an import, may be worth a go though as prevention now would mean that you will not claim on the 6 year anti rust warranty?

Bushy

Thanks guys.

Steve, I am not going to even think about trying to claim warranty 'cos even if they agreed I'm sure that there would be strings attached. When I bought my car I knew I would have to pay all maintenance costs after the first year.

Yes I'd be keen to hear your recommendation of a bodyshop in Reading.
And also we need to arrange a meet...

Dippy, RS4John knows of a good bodyshop up near Wimbledon IIRC which he uses. Maybe ask him for more info if required.

I'd be interested in a good bodyshop near reading/basingstoke as my girlfriend's A3 needs some work - a few shopping trolley dinks etc...