MAJOR Accident - Insurance Company Want's to Fix

[dangoma]

I have a 2008 M3 - Fully Loaded
I got into a rather minor, yet structurally major accident a couple weeks back.
Long story short some idiot cut me off causing me to go off the road hitting the curb (4 inches high) at around 40 MPH. Needless to say the car has significant front end, suspension, axle, airbag, etc etc etc.
Got a call Friday that the car has, above what I have already mentioned a frame that is "off center" which will need to be put into place. No "damage" from what he continues to tell me (the insurance adjuster) but fixable nonetheless.
Oh and because of the frame "issues" the roof buckled, but that's also "fixable". Solution replace the roof. Yes, they are going to cut the rood off my car and REPLACE it!
Cost for repair: $31,770

I have various concerns:
1) Airbag deployments are documented on Carfax correct?
2) Any frame issues, regardless of it being bent or not are documented correct?
3) Should I push to get the vehicle inspected by BMW before signing off on repairs and taking possession of the car again? Since the car is still under all the warranties, I don't want to have an issue later and be told "well this car was in an accident so we're not going to cover it" type response.

Then a follow-up question, should I just sell it and call it a day, or keep it?

[PKL]

Unfortunately, I think the above poster is correct. I would do everything in your power to try and have the car declared a total loss. Not only should the insurance adjuster inspect the car but someone at BMW should absolutely inspect it as well. They may find other things bringing the cost up and making it more likely a total.

[Seattle S65B40]

Originally Posted by PKL

Unfortunately, I think the above poster is correct. I would do everything in your power to try and have the car declared a total loss. Not only should the insurance adjuster inspect the car but someone at BMW should absolutely inspect it as well. They may find other things bringing the cost up and making it more likely a total.

Yes - argue til you die to have this car totaled or it will be a headache for you...

[KIS]

Get a lawyer and let him represent you.

[Elaz]

This car will never again drive the same or feel the same to you.I think you should fight to get it totaled and buy a new one 2012 sound good to me.

[crackberry]

sorry to hear about your car. are you ok from the accident? was anyone else hurt?

good luck on trying to total your car.

[Prince_of_Persia]

Dude, Fight for it to be totalled!!! You gonna have a lot of problem / money loss by keeping this car!

I don't get it though, usually the cut off for totalling a car is when its cost of repair is70% of its current value. So 31,770/0.70= 45,385

Get $45K from the insurance company and give the car to them.
How much do you think the value of your car is now?

[bryan292009]

Do everything in your power to get rid of that car. If your insurance company is going to fix your car you need to get a lawyer because they are also supposed to take into account the loss of value of the car. I agree with the above individual a good rule of thumb is 70% plus the loss in value your car should be a total loss. You should contact your claims reps supervisor and get a detailed explination on the claim. Hope I could be of help.

[mdosu]

in regards to your last question, as long as your car doesn't have a "salvage" title, BMW will have to honor the warranty.

I would push for it to be a total loss.

[wwjd15]

Originally Posted by Prince_of_Persia

Dude, Fight for it to be totalled!!! You gonna have a lot of problem / money loss by keeping this car!

I don't get it though, usually the cut off for totalling a car is when its cost of repair is70% of its current value. So 31,770/0.70= 45,385

Get $45K from the insurance company and give the car to them.
How much do you think the value of your car is now?

It doesn't make any sense to me why he insurance company doesn't total it? To OP, do u have title in hand? If bank owns it, you might be in worse situation.

[Mthrice]

Have another body shop estimate the cost for repair on the vehicle. Specifically, one with higher labor rates. This should push the cost of repair high enough for the insurance company to declare a total loss. Most insurance companys allow you to go to whichever body shop you prefer. If that doesn't work, get a lawyer. Just my .02

[Totti]

Alternatively, there is a loon on this forum looking to buy a wrecked M3 so maybe try track him down and offload it once fixed? IIRC he was willing to part with $40k for a SALVAGE'd one!

[IFX]

Originally Posted by Elaz

This car will never again drive the same or feel the same to you.I think you should fight to get it totaled and buy a new one 2012 sound good to me.

usual moronic response from someone who has no idea what they are talking about.. How do you know it won't drive the same again?
How do you know it won't feel the same again?

If a good shop fixes it, there SHOULDN'T be any problem. Besides an accident history showing up on the carfax.

[Prince_of_Persia]

Originally Posted by IFX

usual moronic response from someone who has no idea what they are talking about.. How do you know it won't drive the same again?
How do you know it won't feel the same again?

If a good shop fixes it, there SHOULDN'T be any problem. Besides an accident history showing up on the carfax.

So if it was your 08 M3, you would accept them to fix the car with almost $32K damage rather than getting it totaled?

[IFX]

Originally Posted by Prince_of_Persia

So if it was your 08 M3, you would accept them to fix the car with almost $32K damage rather than getting it totaled?

dude, it is what it is.. If the car was beat, and had high mileage i'd probably opt for it to be totaled, but i doubt this is the case here...

And it wouldn't matter to me anyway, i'd be doing the repairs myself. So i know it would be done right.

[ES_TRADER]

Go to a BMW verified collision center. Your 31k estimate will magically become 62k and declared total loss. BMW centers are known to charge double of a normal body shop. There will be an invoice of at least 2-3 grand worth of screws, nuts, and bolts. As the factory requires replacement of these items because they are deemed one time use only by BMW.

[drey]

"And it wouldn't matter to me anyway, i'd be doing the repairs myself. So i know it would be done right."

If that's the case you could buy the OP's car from him for $31K, fix it for less, and drive it for the rest of your life. Everybody's happy.

[FLOSS M]

Bring the car to a BMW dealer and have it fixed. They can not deny any future problems if the car was repaired there.

[dimabimmer]

Originally Posted by richpuer

Go to a BMW verified collision center. Your 31k estimate will magically become 62k and declared total loss. BMW centers are known to charge double of a normal body shop. There will be an invoice of at least 2-3 grand worth of screws, nuts, and bolts. As the factory requires replacement of these items because they are deemed one time use only by BMW.

^^^ that is correct and the way to go.

[cmk227]

Originally Posted by KIS

Get a lawyer and let him represent you.

Need for the them to give you a check, find a lawyer.

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Get them to total it.

[08E92M3]

Sorry to hear about your accident! My recommendation is to have your car tow to BMW of Concord Collision Center to have a second estimate done. They are pretty much the only one you can trust to have your car repair right (if you have frame damage) around here, or they will discuss with your insurance to total it! I went with BMWCCA to attend one of their tech session & was very impress with their facility & their frame repair procedure. Gook Luck!