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07-10-2026LAST POST
Unfortunately I was rear ended in my M3 by an uninsured drunk driver. The driver who rear-ended me was traveling at about 60-70mph while I was at a standstill. The car was towed away from the accident scene and sat in a tow yard for about 1.5 weeks before being taken by the insurance company. The vehicle has not been valued or officially totaled but it looks like my insurance company will total the car.

About my car:

I have a 2013 E92 M3 which is fully optioned - competition, premium package, DCT, carbon fiber roof, cold weather package, premium sound. Jet black on extended black novillo leather. And only 44k miles. I even have the original window sticker and original pouch w/ all of the original manuals, one of which is still sealed, that came with the car.

The car has been very well maintained throughout its life: the RB's were done @ 40.7k miles (this service was done by Mporium, so it includes a new oil pan gasket, new engine mounts, and a power steering fluid flush), spark plugs @ 37k miles, differential serviced @ 20k miles, brake fluid flush @ 35.3k miles, coolant flush @ 28k miles, fuel breather valve + hoses replaced @ 42.4k miles, and regular oil changes w/ a recent oil change done about ~500miles ago @ 43.5k miles.

The impact was entirely to the rear of the vehicle. No airbags were deployed. The only front-end damage is my cracked CF GT4 lip, which was caused by the towing company (and I literally just installed the lip a week prior to the accident...).

Upon inspection, I suspect there is damage to the unibody. This is due to a gap now being visible between the body and the trim around the side-rear windows, and this gap is maybe a quarter of an inch big. The rear quarter panel on the passenger side has damage. The passenger rear wheel suspension appears to have significant camber compared to the driver's side, which makes me suspect the suspension or subframe might be damaged. The suspension on the driver rear wheel visually looks okay. And of course, the rear bumper, trunk lid, crash bar, etc. are all damaged (as seen in the pictures below). My rear window shattered on impact, and since it was raining + windy when the car was hit, water definitely got inside the car. The rear leather seats have been damaged due to rain water getting in. I'm not sure if any electronics were damaged.

I'm also unsure if the car runs and drives. The battery was dead when I inspected it, so I wasn't able to determine if the engine starts. When the impact happened, the car was pushed approx. 80-100 feet from its original position before coming to rest. And when I regained consciousness after the impact, the electronics appeared to be functioning but the engine had shut off.

What makes this difficult for me is that this is exactly the car I wanted, which I spent months searching for. It's a final production year E92 M3, low-mileage, fully-optioned with every option I wanted, and has been meticulously maintained. I've also only owned this car for 5 months (bought @ 39k miles) and have driven it only 5k miles, and I've grown attached to it :lol:

With how rare and expensive these cars are getting, my question here is: should I consider rebuilding the car or just take the insurance payout and move on? For those who have experience with E9X M3's and structural repairs, does this sound/look like a car you would rebuild, or is it more trouble than its worth?
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That is not worth rebuilding, take the payout and buy another one. The car has significant structural damage, the entire rear trunk floor, possibly into the subframe mounting points have been compromised.
Rear ended at a stand still from 60-70mph is nuts, hope you are okay, you mentioned being knocked unconcious, crazy!

Yeah, that car is done. As much as it sucks this happened, take the money they pay you out for an start another search, they are out there...and now that you've had one, maybe you have other desires/optioins this one didn't have. I know what you mean that you got attached to it but thankfully it was only in your life for 5 months.
Your payout should def be well north of 35k! If not, don't settle. The insurance is just going to compare this to a regular 3 series and probably offer you way less than you paid for it.

Next would be your health (or first). I hope you have a great health strategy and plan. That would entail WEEKLY massage/chiropractic probably for a duration of at least 30 to 40 weeks depending on as well as physical therapy. Whiplash can be terrible and have everlasting effects on your C5 and C6. You need to make sure you have full range of motion turning your head left&right/up&down.

Depending on your policy, you may also be entitled to pain and suffering clauses.

If you're not getting this service/support from your insurance, then you might want to consider hiring an attorney for automotive personal injury.
Bloody hell, that is a bad punch. Like Rockety says, fokus on your health at this point man. There is another good car waiting for you out there.
If you want, I can help you purchase it back as I hold my dealer’s license.

I.e. say insurance gives you a give pay out, you go a different route, but part of you still wants to keep it - either use as parts or as a project car - and you buy it back from the auction at a big discount.

Because all the work you put into the engine makes it sound like there still is value in it!
amrazM wrote
That is not worth rebuilding, take the payout and buy another one. The car has significant structural damage, the entire rear trunk floor, possibly into the subframe mounting points have been compromised.
darren p. wrote
Rear ended at a stand still from 60-70mph is nuts, hope you are okay, you mentioned being knocked unconcious, crazy!

Yeah, that car is done. As much as it sucks this happened, take the money they pay you out for an start another search, they are out there...and now that you've had one, maybe you have other desires/optioins this one didn't have. I know what you mean that you got attached to it but thankfully it was only in your life for 5 months.
Thank you guys for the input, really appreciate it.
RocketyMan wrote
Your payout should def be well north of 35k! If not, don't settle. The insurance is just going to compare this to a regular 3 series and probably offer you way less than you paid for it.

Next would be your health (or first). I hope you have a great health strategy and plan. That would entail WEEKLY massage/chiropractic probably for a duration of at least 30 to 40 weeks depending on as well as physical therapy. Whiplash can be terrible and have everlasting effects on your C5 and C6. You need to make sure you have full range of motion turning your head left&right/up&down.

Depending on your policy, you may also be entitled to pain and suffering clauses.

If you're not getting this service/support from your insurance, then you might want to consider hiring an attorney for automotive personal injury.
The payout for the car should 110% be way above the number you stated. I'm expecting to fight w/ insurance on the value of my car, which I've already prepared a document with recent comparable cars that have sold for 45k-50k+. I also have all documentation of work being done in the car (this includes invoices + pictures). And, if needed, my lawyer is there to assist.

And yes - I've retained counsel. I won't speak on my injuries or treatment I'm going through right now as advised by my lawyer but all I will say is that it was a very horrible accident. I'm genuinely grateful this car could take a hit like that and to be alive.
Helmsman wrote
Bloody hell, that is a bad punch. Like Rockety says, fokus on your health at this point man. There is another good car waiting for you out there.
Yes sir and that is the main priority from here on out. I've already started searching for another E92 M3 so hopefully I'll be back in another one soon :)
Ambrozie wrote
If you want, I can help you purchase it back as I hold my dealer’s license.

I.e. say insurance gives you a give pay out, you go a different route, but part of you still wants to keep it - either use as parts or as a project car - and you buy it back from the auction at a big discount.

Because all the work you put into the engine makes it sound like there still is value in it!
I appreciate the offer. I have a couple of close friends who have offered me the same, and I might be taking them up on that offer. There is still so much value in the car so I definitely think I can make some good $$$ stripping the car down.
A nearly identical situation happened to me; I had my first e92 m3 for 8 months or so and got rear-ended by someone going highway speed while I was at a standstill (I actually wrote a post about it on this forum with pics).

In my situation, the car caught on fire and burned to the ground, so there was no option to rebuild it. But even if there was, a car rear-ended like that will never drive the same. Best to take the payout and get another one.

Insurance (of course) tried to lowball me, but I countered with comps from my local market, and in the end, they ended up increasing the payout by ~50%. Make sure you get what's fair for your car, and fight back at the insurance if you have to.

Best of luck!
dmz_m3 wrote
A nearly identical situation happened to me; I had my first e92 m3 for 8 months or so and got rear-ended by someone going highway speed while I was at a standstill (I actually wrote a post about it on this forum with pics).

In my situation, the car caught on fire and burned to the ground, so there was no option to rebuild it. But even if there was, a car rear-ended like that will never drive the same. Best to take the payout and get another one.

Insurance (of course) tried to lowball me, but I countered with comps from my local market, and in the end, they ended up increasing the payout by ~50%. Make sure you get what's fair for your car, and fight back at the insurance if you have to.

Best of luck!
~50% increase is pretty substantial. Good job on standing your ground.
dmz_m3 wrote
A nearly identical situation happened to me; I had my first e92 m3 for 8 months or so and got rear-ended by someone going highway speed while I was at a standstill (I actually wrote a post about it on this forum with pics).

In my situation, the car caught on fire and burned to the ground, so there was no option to rebuild it. But even if there was, a car rear-ended like that will never drive the same. Best to take the payout and get another one.

Insurance (of course) tried to lowball me, but I countered with comps from my local market, and in the end, they ended up increasing the payout by ~50%. Make sure you get what's fair for your car, and fight back at the insurance if you have to.

Best of luck!
Would you be able to send me the link to your post? Would really like to read it lol.

What's crazy is that I filled up my tank earlier that day + had about 15L of 10W-60 oil in the trunk. So for the car to not catch fire with a full tank of gas + oil in the trunk while I was knocked unconscious is insanely lucky. Again, super thankful to be alive.
boxeeh wrote
Would you be able to send me the link to your post? Would really like to read it lol.

What's crazy is that I filled up my tank earlier that day + had about 15L of 10W-60 oil in the trunk. So for the car to not catch fire with a full tank of gas + oil in the trunk while I was knocked unconscious is insanely lucky. Again, super thankful to be alive.
Glad you're still with us, man. I thankfully didn't lose consciousness, so I was able to get out almost immediately, but the car was up in flames in less than 5 minutes. Very lucky for you.

Here is the post:

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1838663
Glad you're okay, man. Sad that things like this happen because people drive recklessly. Especially after getting attached to your car. Hope your search for the next goes well!
I was in a similar rear end at stopped in traffic on the 91 freeway years ago in my E46. New 5 series was following far back and wasn't paying attention, locked his brakes and hit me probably at about 45 mph, enough force to push me a good 5 feet into the car in front of me.

Neck was sore for a couple days, but was ok after that. I saw it coming and was in neutral, so that may have helped.

They had to tow his car first as his brakes were fused and couldn't get him to the shoulder.

Car was totaled, but Mercury for some reason has always been very reasonable to me on the first offer; part of it is probably luck of comparable LA prices at the time and they tend to up the value well based on options and condition.

Point of my story is I loved that E46, was never going to replace it, but that's how I ended up going E92 and everything worked out.
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info@epm.com wrote
Glad you're okay, man. Sad that things like this happen because people drive recklessly. Especially after getting attached to your car. Hope your search for the next goes well!
Yep, sucks when someone else's reckless and careless decisions effect others. Thank you!
jd501 wrote
I was in a similar rear end at stopped in traffic on the 91 freeway years ago in my E46. New 5 series was following far back and wasn't paying attention, locked his brakes and hit me probably at about 45 mph, enough force to push me a good 5 feet into the car in front of me.

Neck was sore for a couple days, but was ok after that. I saw it coming and was in neutral, so that may have helped.

They had to tow his car first as his brakes were fused and couldn't get him to the shoulder.

Car was totaled, but Mercury for some reason has always been very reasonable to me on the first offer; part of it is probably luck of comparable LA prices at the time and they tend to up the value well based on options and condition.

Point of my story is I loved that E46, was never going to replace it, but that's how I ended up going E92 and everything worked out.
Man it hurts seeing that E46. Glad to hear everything worked out in your favor :)
boxeeh wrote
Yep, sucks when someone else's reckless and careless decisions effect others. Thank you!

Of course! keep us updated brother.
Hagerty doesn't do declared value in the state of CA if park your vehicle in a shared garage. Doesn't matter if you live in the Ritz Carlton residences with 24/7 security.

I'd always pay for a pro car appraisal expert to build the case. ROI is material.

Gl in your search!
Figured I'd give an update.

The insurance company totaled the car and offered me $33.3k. I rejected their offer and had a ton of back and forth with them which led to two revised offers: the first for $44.4k and the second for $47.3k. They would not budge after the $47.3k offer and I knew the car was worth a lot more so I ended up invoking my right to an independent appraisal. My independent appraiser and the independent appraiser hired by the insurance company were able to come to an agreement on the value of my M3 very quickly and I ended up receiving a final offer of $59.3k.

The search still continues for another M3...
boxeeh wrote
Figured I'd give an update.

The insurance company totaled the car and offered me $33.3k. I rejected their offer and had a ton of back and forth with them which led to two revised offers: the first for $44.4k and the second for $47.3k. They would not budge after the $47.3k offer and I knew the car was worth a lot more so I ended up invoking my right to an independent appraisal. My independent appraiser and the independent appraiser hired by the insurance company were able to come to an agreement on the value of my M3 very quickly and I ended up receiving a final offer of $59.3k.

The search still continues for another M3...
Finally finished with that mess...Good for you! :clap:

Although the whole situation is regrettable, sucks...IMO a 'favorable' outcome.
Curious...if comfortable sharing, what's the insurance company involved?

Best of luck going forward 🍀