Minor Accident (other drivers fault) - a few questions

[wfdeacon88]

The other driver merged over into me, I had a wall on my right side of the highway so I slammed on breaks and luckily prevented a total mess at 70 MPH.. but this is the extent of the damage... bumper and fender scraped, wheels scraped (lots of tire rubber but still scraped up.. and clearly the mirror. I did not get the mirror cap..

She and her insurance company accepted liability (Geico) and I am scheduled to get an estimate through them on Thursday.

I will definitely get a BMW specialist shop to do the work and get me another estimate, but wanted to see if you all think... the wheel looks repairable, but if so, can I get them to refinish all 4 wheels under the estimate so that the finish matches? not sure if I'll need the front fender resprayed or if polishing will work... but want to make sure I don't get screwed and maybe get some favorable outcomes on wheels, bumper, etc..

[LuckiSevens]

Buff it out, fender/bumper look fine


rod bearings might need changing tho 🤣

[GRUESOM3]

Those look minor things that could have been fixed yourself without possibly damaging your Carfax if you care

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by GRUESOM3

Those look minor things that could have been fixed yourself without possibly damaging your Carfax if you care

I wasn't sure if they would pay plus it leaves it too much up in the air with a person vs an insurance company, but I'm not worried about the Carfax.. I plan on keeping this car for good.. but needed to make sure I at least get paid for worst case.

Someone told me the mirror was $1K to replace, so if I got that covered and was able to get it fixed, then it's a 'win' I guess. Hoping they agree to get all of the wheels refinished, but does anyone think that's possible?

[amrazM]

Originally Posted by wfdeacon88

I wasn't sure if they would pay plus it leaves it too much up in the air with a person vs an insurance company, but I'm not worried about the Carfax.. I plan on keeping this car for good.. but needed to make sure I at least get paid for worst case.

Someone told me the mirror was $1K to replace, so if I got that covered and was able to get it fixed, then it's a 'win' I guess. Hoping they agree to get all of the wheels refinished, but does anyone think that's possible?

Why would an insurance company want to refinish all four of your wheels when one got damaged? Insurance adjusters don’t like people nor do they want to help you out.

[MaximusB]

Originally Posted by wfdeacon88

I wasn't sure if they would pay plus it leaves it too much up in the air with a person vs an insurance company, but I'm not worried about the Carfax.. I plan on keeping this car for good.. but needed to make sure I at least get paid for worst case.

Someone told me the mirror was $1K to replace, so if I got that covered and was able to get it fixed, then it's a 'win' I guess. Hoping they agree to get all of the wheels refinished, but does anyone think that's possible?

Not sure how insurance policy works in your state, but where I live they will only fix the one wheel that is damaged. HOWEVER if the repair doesn't match the rest then they'll either refinish the set or buy a new one from BMW. From past experience, a good wheel repair shop can match oem no problem.

[InnerBlueSkies]

I guarantee you the estimate from your specialist will be above $3000. Your bumper looks flexed. Chime back when you get the estimate

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by InnerBlueSkies

I guarantee you the estimate from your specialist will be above $3000. Your bumper looks flexed. Chime back when you get the estimate

That's what I was thinking.... will do. They are making me first take it to some Geico shop to get the initial estimate, but a real perfectionist with BMW specialized care will be much more I suspect, so we shall see.... I hate this shit. I just got so much shit fixed and repaired and have multiple goodies arriving tomorrow, painted reflectors, side markers and an Alpine tune. but now I feel like I'm driving a fucking hoopty for the next few weeks when it's finally warm and not raining

[wfdeacon88]

Is my best option to order just the primed mirror cap? I wish they had painted caps in SG. any ideas? I can't deal with driving around with this thing open air.. makes the entire car look like a junk yard hoopty.

[InnerBlueSkies]

Originally Posted by wfdeacon88

Is my best option to order just the primed mirror cap? I wish they had painted caps in SG. any ideas? I can't deal with driving around with this thing open air.. makes the entire car look like a junk yard hoopty.

Sometimes you just have to appreciate that your in a position to have such a nice car. It could have been much much worse. Wait and see what all parties have to say and then try to get the best result. I believe there is much more to them just ordering and painting part, brackets could be stretched, bent or broken impacting fitment. What done is done, it will be fixed soon.

[SAMM3Y]

Geico will try and source as many used parts for it they can get away with... you should definitely try and get a new mirror not used.

[BayE30]

They will not be able to find a used mirror for an e90m3, as its e90m3 specific. fender is refinish, bumper refinish, wheel refinish, alignment to check for suspension damage. Estimate will be around $3500.

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

They will not be able to find a used mirror for an e90m3, as its e90m3 specific. fender is refinish, bumper refinish, wheel refinish, alignment to check for suspension damage. Estimate will be around $3500.

Dumb Question, but should I wash it carefully before I get the estimate? I was planning on doing a wash this week after all of this rain/wet roads, so it's filthy.. figured if I wish it, it will allow them less of an excuse that it's just dirty.. but just a guess.

[LuckiSevens]

Originally Posted by wfdeacon88

Is my best option to order just the primed mirror cap? I wish they had painted caps in SG. any ideas? I can't deal with driving around with this thing open air.. makes the entire car look like a junk yard hoopty.

What about carbon mirror caps? $120 on eBay.

Rather than create accident history and have panels repainted, just buff it out and put carbon mirror caps on... after all you already have carbon splitters! And y'all are changing y'alls wheels!

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by LuckiSevens

What about carbon mirror caps? $120 on eBay.

Rather than create accident history and have panels repainted, just buff it out and put carbon mirror caps on... after all you already have carbon splitters! And y'all are changing y'alls wheels!

Hah... I backed out of the wheels.. glad I did or I'd be really kicking myself. according to some people, it's going to need respray at the least..

[carenthuziast]

Make sure the drivetrain/suspension is not bent/damaged and get an alignment check.

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by carenthuziast

Make sure the drivetrain/suspension is not bent/damaged and get an alignment check.

Thank you! will do... question... Do people usually rely on a body shop to assess this? if not, how do I also get it checked at my Indy and if damaged, somehow get that linked to the accident?

[amrazM]

Originally Posted by wfdeacon88

Thank you! will do... question... Do people usually rely on a body shop to assess this? if not, how do I also get it checked at my Indy and if damaged, somehow get that linked to the accident?

When an insurance adjuster is involved you will want the car to be at a trusted bodyshop who can have the car repaired and will be as thorough as possible with an estimate and will push back against used parts.

Worth noting space gray is incredibly difficult to match.

And the guy that suggested eBay mirror caps lol

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by amrazM

When an insurance adjuster is involved you will want the car to be at a trusted bodyshop who can have the car repaired and will be as thorough as possible with an estimate and will push back against used parts.

Worth noting space gray is incredibly difficult to match.

And the guy that suggested eBay mirror caps lol

Thanks. one thing to note, for some reason, Geico requires I take it into a Geico associated shop, one in particular... bc my car is driveable.. so I'll have to do that, then take to my own shop for another estimate I guess.

[BayE30]

Originally Posted by wfdeacon88

Thanks. one thing to note, for some reason, Geico requires I take it into a Geico associated shop, one in particular... bc my car is driveable.. so I'll have to do that, then take to my own shop for another estimate I guess.

Yes, Geico likes to have control of the initial Estimate of Record. From there you take that estimate to your shop of choice and that shop will copy that estimate word for word and lock it in their system, and from there they can supplement that estimate for any changes that are needed. This is why the initial estimate is not as important as choosing a competent shop that will make sure everything is fixed properly and covered by your insurance.

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

Yes, Geico likes to have control of the initial Estimate of Record. From there you take that estimate to your shop of choice and that shop will copy that estimate word for word and lock it in their system, and from there they can supplement that estimate for any changes that are needed. This is why the initial estimate is not as important as choosing a competent shop that will make sure everything is fixed properly and covered by your insurance.

Thank you! this is what I needed to know... so I don't panic if they just low-ball me something. Now, hypothetically, if Geico offers me say... $3500 cash estimate, do I take it, and work with a good shop that I know who can get it done for less and then have cushion? This would be assuming I get my Indy to check the suspension and such for anything.

The reason I ask is because when my wife's 335 (08 POS) was totalled last year (I was rear ended), the other insurance company offered me $8K for the total loss, when bluebook was way less.. Abd the true value was less than a grand.

[BayE30]

Originally Posted by wfdeacon88

Thank you! this is what I needed to know... so I don't panic if they just low-ball me something. Now, hypothetically, if Geico offers me say... $3500 cash estimate, do I take it, and work with a good shop that I know who can get it done for less and then have cushion? This would be assuming I get my Indy to check the suspension and such for anything.

The reason I ask is because when my wife's 335 (08 POS) was totalled last year (I was rear ended), the other insurance company offered me $8K for the total loss, when bluebook was way less.. Abd the true value was less than a grand.

No, insurance estimate 90% of the time is not enough to repair the car properly. If you had a 2014 Honda Civic, you mite be able to cheat the repair and come out on top. M3, no way.