2015 M4 Rear-ended, frame damage

[schnazzy]

Originally Posted by ASBSECU E93

schnazzy - GAP is optional if I am not mistaken on auto loans....

GAP is optional with your own insurance company and the finance dept at many dealers may also try to sell you GAP via their company (aka GAP only). I would assume that if you got a high balance to value loan (in that you would be negative equity the first year or two) that the lender may require it. I am generally unfamiliar with that type of scenario.

A car 3 days old would be hard to argue it is not new. Therefore GAP wouldn't be needed unless it was your own fault and you have a cut rate insurer. You get caught up when put almost nothing down and 72 months and a year later with 15k miles, you still owe $75k on a car that now has a market of $65k. GAP has nothing to do with your down payment, what I mean is that in the aforementioned, you'd have to pay $10k just so they can tow the car away. This has happened, this is why GAP is important. Or... you could just pay cash or a huge down payment.

[mswaz]

Twitchy,

I noticed and mentioned the tires as well. Order the tires on Tire Rack and have Tru-Line, right across the street from RNR install them and balance. They do a Phenomenal job. Ask for Byron.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by ///F80M3

Washington has bad drivers. I drove there a couple months ago and almost got hit 3 times in one day. This is coming from a ny driver

Yeah, I've been all over this country and here even I get scared. There is no logic in the moves others do. This state has enough cops to guard potato fields (you know those infamous potato stealing speeders every cop dreams of catching while in the academy?) and these masterminds of bad weather don't even bother to think one step ahead.

Honestly, I run away to Canada every chance I get to remind myself this place is hell and it's not all just in my head. I hate this all and one day I will start using paintball guns to get people to move over to the other lanes.

[TWiTCHY]

Originally Posted by mswaz

Twitchy,

I noticed and mentioned the tires as well. Order the tires on Tire Rack and have Tru-Line, right across the street from RNR install them and balance. They do a Phenomenal job. Ask for Byron.

Will do, thanks for the referral!

[ASBSECU E93]

schnazzy - GAP is absolutely worth it. Depreciation however is immediate as soon as the vehicle leaves the lot...even at 3 days...once you own it....

TWiTCHY - first, thank you for using a credit union....and, wise to take the GAP insurance.

[bimmerboyE92]

Subscribed to see how you make out.... Good luck

[TWiTCHY]

Dropped off the car today at RNR. They put me right into a rental after seeing that the trunk wouldn't close, and promised to make insurance approve of the rental. I'll give them until Friday before I call to get an update on the teardown/estimation of damages.

Insurance is still trying to get ahold of the teenager responsible.

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by Lups

Yeah, I've been all over this country and here even I get scared. There is no logic in the moves others do. This state has enough cops to guard potato fields (you know those infamous potato stealing speeders every cop dreams of catching while in the academy?) and these masterminds of bad weather don't even bother to think one step ahead.

Honestly, I run away to Canada every chance I get to remind myself this place is hell and it's not all just in my head. I hate this all and one day I will start using paintball guns to get people to move over to the other lanes.

You think Washington is bad. Nothing beats Taipei traffic ok.

You want being scared? Try driving a M3/M4 in Taipei.

TWiTCHY Did you find the little bastard who rear ended you?

[TWiTCHY]

Originally Posted by Arcades

You think Washington is bad. Nothing beats Taipei traffic ok.

You want being scared? Try driving a M3/M4 in Taipei.

TWiTCHY Did you find the little bastard who rear ended you?

Richmond up in BC is pretty bad, too.

No need to find her, just a matter of getting her to talk to the insurance company.

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by TWiTCHY

Richmond up in BC is pretty bad, too.

No need to find her, just a matter of getting her to talk to the insurance company.

Ahh... well maybe you'll get lucky and get a 2016

Good luck!~

[schnazzy]

Originally Posted by Arcades

You think Washington is bad. Nothing beats Taipei traffic ok.

You want being scared? Try driving a M3/M4 in Taipei.

TWiTCHY Did you find the little bastard who rear ended you?

Drive in Thailand! Holy scary day.

[schnazzy]

Originally Posted by ASBSECU E93

schnazzy - GAP is absolutely worth it. Depreciation however is immediate as soon as the vehicle leaves the lot...even at 3 days...once you own it....

TWiTCHY - first, thank you for using a credit union....and, wise to take the GAP insurance.

I think GAP is worth it for people who get loans with high balances and long loan terms. Or for those destined to crash their car or live in areas where there is a higher chance. No judgment, but if you don't pay cash for a car or at least a very large down payment (50%), you probably shouldn't be buying the car. For those people they don't need GAP. We can talk about the "money trap" some other time.

I'd like to add...Unless you have some real ishty insurance. If you had a car and it was 3 days old and it was totaled.... The insurance company can tell you whaterver they fell like as the value but you can just say, replace it. So if they can't find one, you can sit on your rental car that they pay for (until it maxes) until they find one or give you the money to replace one.

They can't say oh, you had a 3 day old M4 with 275 miles on it but since it was now used and there are no used ones available I'll give you $60k or a 2011 M3.

Also, note they have to also pay for shipping and tax. So if they do find a used one, say in Georgia that is similar (better or worse) and you APPROVE it, they have to pay the $1500 to ship it and the $8000 in Washington tax. I think we all know that but just in the case.

As far as

[TTG]

Originally Posted by Lups

Washington strikes again. I'm sorry this happened to you op.

+1

Originally Posted by Arcades

You think Washington is bad. Nothing beats Taipei traffic ok.

You want being scared? Try driving a M3/M4 in Taipei.

TWiTCHY Did you find the little bastard who rear ended you?

I go to Taipei quite often and I would argue that WA is much worse. In Taipei drivers know what they are doing and pay attention to driving....otherwise, they wont survive.

In WA we are obsessed with looking at the friking mountains on a sunny day (if sun is not blinding you and then of course causing you to slam on your brakes), we can't drive in rain, sun (forget snow) and try to read a book, send emails, take selfies or drive 40 MPH on the left lane.

Best of luck to OP and I feel your pain.......especially as someone who rides motorcycles. This is my nightmare.

No one should be allowed to drive until they are 18 and that is after they complete an extensive, year long drivers ED programs like the ones required in Europe.

[TTG]

Originally Posted by schnazzy

I think GAP is worth it for people who get loans with high balances and long loan terms. Or for those destined to crash their car or live in areas where there is a higher chance. No judgment, but if you don't pay cash for a car or at least a very large down payment (50%), you probably shouldn't be buying the car. For those people they don't need GAP. We can talk about the "money trap" some other time.

I'd like to add...Unless you have some real ishty insurance. If you had a car and it was 3 days old and it was totaled.... The insurance company can tell you whaterver they fell like as the value but you can just say, replace it. So if they can't find one, you can sit on your rental car that they pay for (until it maxes) until they find one or give you the money to replace one.

They can't say oh, you had a 3 day old M4 with 275 miles on it but since it was now used and there are no used ones available I'll give you $60k or a 2011 M3.

Also, note they have to also pay for shipping and tax. So if they do find a used one, say in Georgia that is similar (better or worse) and you APPROVE it, they have to pay the $1500 to ship it and the $8000 in Washington tax. I think we all know that but just in the case.

As far as

BTW, I think OP bought his car used.....(the rear tires are bold and needs to be replaced according to what he wrote earlier) I believe it was only 3 days old to him.

My insurance company offers no questions asked free replacement for the 1st year ownership of a Brand New car. Luckily, I never had to use it abd who knows what the real story is when you need it. There is no way insurance company going to replaced OPs used car with a brand new one.

[TWiTCHY]

Insurance called me back and told me they are taking full responsibility of the damage, as expected. They also approved me for a rental car.

As far as estimates go, RNR won't provide one until they teardown the car and assess the extent of the damage. At that point, I assume the insurance company will come over to the shop and take a look for themselves, and provide an estimate of their own. RNR informed me that this particular insurance company always disagrees with their estimate.

The insurance company gave me two options: (1) pay the shop directly when an amount is agreed on by both the shop and insurance company, or (2) send me a check of the amount agreed on to give to the shop myself. I chose the 2nd option with the intent to go to the shop and talk to the estimator to make sure they are using new parts and to see how they will fix the damaged frame BEFORE paying them to do work. If I control the flow of money, I'll make sure that the right work gets done before they start. Is there anything that could potentially go wrong with the second option? What happens if the shop realizes that they need more parts or money to cover the repair? Do they contact the insurance company for more, or do they ask me to pay for it?

Thanks for your help!

[G4BR13L]

Imho every insurance company disagrees with the estimates. From what I have learned the body repair shops do not get the paid enough for the actual work that needs to be done so body repair shops take this into account and put in the estimate extra work that will never be done like charging additional hours for disassembling and reassembling panels.

There is no third option where you try to sell the car as it is and keep the money? You might be able to buy another F8x with the money. I know I would have this option in Belgium as I would not be obligated to have the car fixed but you still get the money from the insurance.

[schnazzy]

Originally Posted by TWiTCHY

Insurance called me back and told me they are taking full responsibility of the damage, as expected. They also approved me for a rental car.

As far as estimates go, RNR won't provide one until they teardown the car and assess the extent of the damage. At that point, I assume the insurance company will come over to the shop and take a look for themselves, and provide an estimate of their own. RNR informed me that this particular insurance company always disagrees with their estimate.

The insurance company gave me two options: (1) pay the shop directly when an amount is agreed on by both the shop and insurance company, or (2) send me a check of the amount agreed on to give to the shop myself. I chose the 2nd option with the intent to go to the shop and talk to the estimator to make sure they are using new parts and to see how they will fix the damaged frame BEFORE paying them to do work. If I control the flow of money, I'll make sure that the right work gets done before they start. Is there anything that could potentially go wrong with the second option? What happens if the shop realizes that they need more parts or money to cover the repair? Do they contact the insurance company for more, or do they ask me to pay for it?

Thanks for your help!

Also ask Rick if they should have BMW Bellevue look at it. Make sure there is nothing wrong with the car. Depending on the damage it may be good for BMW to check it out. My friend had a noise coming from the rear end so when the car was fixed up, they dropped it at BMW for a couple days to make sure things were good.

Its a 2015 M4, there really are no aftermarket parts. Since this is not your fault you an probably argue with the insurance company about parts but used OEM are probably the worst they can do and nobody had a used bumper cover. I am not sure what parts they could find used anyway.

I am not sure "you controlling the flow" of money will be of any benefit. Tell Rick your expectations and ask him to let you know beforehand if he can't meet them. Let the insurance pay them direct so you are not waiting days and days to get your car if the ins company is slow to mail you a check. Make sure RNR knows that this is not on your insurance so there should be no deductible. Do this well in advance.

There will most likely be more costs than estimated. The Insurance company will work that out with RNR.

[TWiTCHY]

Originally Posted by schnazzy

Also ask Rick if they should have BMW Bellevue look at it. Make sure there is nothing wrong with the car. Depending on the damage it may be good for BMW to check it out. My friend had a noise coming from the rear end so when the car was fixed up, they dropped it at BMW for a couple days to make sure things were good.

Its a 2015 M4, there really are no aftermarket parts. Since this is not your fault you an probably argue with the insurance company about parts but used OEM are probably the worst they can do and nobody had a used bumper cover. I am not sure what parts they could find used anyway.

I am not sure "you controlling the flow" of money will be of any benefit. Tell Rick your expectations and ask him to let you know beforehand if he can't meet them. Let the insurance pay them direct so you are not waiting days and days to get your car if the ins company is slow to mail you a check. Make sure RNR knows that this is not on your insurance so there should be no deductible. Do this well in advance.

There will most likely be more costs than estimated. The Insurance company will work that out with RNR.

Couldn't have asked for better advice, thank you!

[Xerxes480]

Ahh that sucks. Sorry Twitchy. Glad you're ok.

-X-

[TWiTCHY]

The insurance company's estimate is in at $6,984, of which $3,749 are parts and the remaining being labor and materials. The most expensive parts to replace include the trunk lid at $1,445 and rear bumper cover at $753. The remainder includes the taillamp, trunk lock, and rear reinforcement, each running at just under $300, and other smaller sums here and there.

My concern is the method of repair for the unibody frame. The estimate states that the frame will be pulled. Is this something I should accept? What would be the alternative?
Pulling the frame back into shape would weaken that area and compromise the frame's ability to endure another rear-end collision. Do I have a choice here?

[wazzza]

Sorry about the accident . Seeing so many M3/4s getting into crashes in the Seattle area makes me nervous even driving around!!! We need to get some Chicago cabbies here and teach most people how to drive. I have had my car for a month, and nearly been hit twice! :/

Hope everything gets fixed and it is as good as new!

[Lups]

Originally Posted by utsavized

Sorry about the accident . Seeing so many M3/4s getting into crashes in the Seattle area makes me nervous even driving around!!! We need to get some Chicago cabbies here and teach most people how to drive. I have had my car for a month, and nearly been hit twice! :/

Hope everything gets fixed and it is as good as new!

Only twice? You lucky bastard!

I think it shows how excellent drivers we all for any of us still being on the roads. This area is something else.