so...update:
i got the car back finally. car was in the shop from july 1st to november 16th..then went back for another couple of weeks for minor adjustments, etc. now it's getting new tires etc.
i did end up making a diminished value claim. according to NADA the car sells for nearly what we paid for it STILL (as we all know), but for my situation, I made a claim for $2,900.00. the claim ultimately ended up being around $11,500 total...but the work completed was amazing. even the diminished value specialist that i hired said the work was immaculate. luckily, i've had zero issues other than one; a plug for the security system was left unplugged (travels down the passenger side, and turns on/off lights with remote entry). the only place you could tell [physically] was with the weld points near the inside part of the trunk. but honestly, the weld points are stronger than they would be with the stock glue/gunk anyway. overall, i'm pretty pleased all things considered. allstate (who is paying out the claim), did not ague with the diminished value claim and it appears that they will pay that diminished value settlement.
point of the story...don't damage that rocker panel!!! OMG...your car will be in the shop for a good 4-5 months. thanks BMW
(sarcasm). hope nobody else has to go through this...if BMW doesn't have the part...it will take FOREVER to get them!