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Hi

I would think that fitting a full new side panel would be the better option as you dont need to remove any of the interior fitting,

Also when it is painted the side will all match, if you just fill and spray you will always see where the repair was and through time it might also start to let in dampness.

You mention ripples, I would think that as long as the new metal sheet is well bonded there should be much of an issue. But you will not get a complete ripple finish as the original side is made under factory conditions and press together in large machines.

If it was me, i think i would live with a ripple or two knowing that the repair is going to last a lot longer than a filled repair.

new side's is a misnomer they are actally a very thin ready painted & shaped aluminium skin that is bonded to the side of the van after the damage is filled & repaired. In order to do this all windows ect have to be removed & refitted

I have had both sides of my van reskinned due to a similer accident & also because the side panels of the van have a lower section that is corrugated & not possible to fill & respray. the end effect of the reskin is pretty good & i'm happy with it

How ever if the sides were flat I would probely have gone for the fill & respray(with guarentee's) as a reskin adds weight to the van,aprox 11kg for each section(usually each side will have a top & a bottom section) My repairs added 38Kg to the basic weight of the van reducing my payload allowance.

TD