2015 M4 Rear-ended, frame damage

[schnazzy]

Originally Posted by 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?

At $7k that is pretty good, I'd venture it will be $8k ish in the end.

The question is whether or not the frame (at the suspension points) is aligned or not. If they are, and I assume so, then really, pulling some slightly bent metal out of your rear crumple zone is a non-issue. If the hit was so hard that your actual mount points for the suspension is out of alignment then that is a harder job but totally fixable by the guys next door. I seriously doubt you have any actual mis-alignment of the frame (where it counts). that bent back lip will be fixed.

As before, I'd ask for as much documentation as possible and keep your pictures.

[TWiTCHY]

Originally Posted by schnazzy

At $7k that is pretty good, I'd venture it will be $8k ish in the end.

The question is whether or not the frame (at the suspension points) is aligned or not. If they are, and I assume so, then really, pulling some slightly bent metal out of your rear crumple zone is a non-issue. If the hit was so hard that your actual mount points for the suspension is out of alignment then that is a harder job but totally fixable by the guys next door. I seriously doubt you have any actual mis-alignment of the frame (where it counts). that bent back lip will be fixed.

As before, I'd ask for as much documentation as possible and keep your pictures.

Will do!

So RNR accepted the insurance company's estimate and the first structural part arrives tomorrow

Rick will be able to give an estimate on the date of completion once all the parts arrive some time next week.

[AYTifosi]

Don't forget about the diminished value. If you push, you'll probably get it. While your car will most likely get fixed so well you'll never know it was every hit, an M4 with a ding on CarFax will have a slightly lessor value in a potential buyers mind. Perhaps not as a trade in, but certainly as a private sale. A buddy with an S5 got a $5,000 check just for diminished value. Worth trying...

[schnazzy]

it wasn't his fault and the other person got a ticket. Unless they run out of insurance, he should be able to get diminished value and 3-5k like your buddy would seem to be the range

[AYTifosi]

I am thinking he will have to file a claim for it. Not automatically given. I could be wrong.

[TWiTCHY]

Originally Posted by AYTifosi

I am thinking he will have to file a claim for it. Not automatically given. I could be wrong.

I just called them and they said to initiate the claim for diminished value once the car is back in my possession, and to present documentation/evidence supporting how I came to the value I am asking for. I plan on calling up an appraiser once the car is done!

[m34SPD]

Originally Posted by TWiTCHY

I just called them and they said to initiate the claim for diminished value once the car is back in my possession, and to present documentation/evidence supporting how I came to the value I am asking for. I plan on calling up an appraiser once the car is done!

Have them take pictures during the repair, that is basically what the appraiser uses...

[TWiTCHY]

Would the shop do that? I feel like that would be an annoyance for them. I can provide the appraiser with the insurance company's estimate. I was thinking that would be enough.

[m34SPD]

No, they can do it for you.

[Lups]

I don't recommend 405 now to anyone. It appears Seattle is in full strike mode tonight, almost got two hits in 2.5 miles

[schnazzy]

funny I went down 405 from 522 to i90 at about rocket speed, no issues. no workers on south side, all were doing stuff on north side, it was later than Lups did though.

[Xerxes480]

405 always sucks ass. I avoid it like the plague.

-X-

[Donger Kim]

whats interesting is that if you rear ended someone and had frontal damage you mightve even had a shot at it being totaled. This car clearly isnt but fixing front ends are much more expensive than fixing rear ends. Sounds like this car is not leased?

[schnazzy]

Originally Posted by Donger Kim

whats interesting is that if you rear ended someone and had frontal damage you mightve even had a shot at it being totaled. This car clearly isnt but fixing front ends are much more expensive than fixing rear ends. Sounds like this car is not leased?

It's an 80k car so it would take a ton to total it. Front end would usually be more cost as the headlights and hood are more likely to break and it is my understanding that the front crumple zone on some/all? cars is softer than rear. Not 100% on that.

Rollovers, multi-car and offset crashes are the more likely ones.

[TWiTCHY]

This probably doesn't apply to me since I'm financing my car, but out of curiosity: if the car had been leased and ended up being in the shop for over a month, would insurance pay for that month?

Also, supplemental charges were made to the insurance company, raising the total cost of damages to $9.2k.

[Donger Kim]

are you asking if BMWNA will pay for a payment while its in the shop?

[schnazzy]

Originally Posted by TWiTCHY

This probably doesn't apply to me since I'm financing my car, but out of curiosity: if the car had been leased and ended up being in the shop for over a month, would insurance pay for that month?

Also, supplemental charges were made to the insurance company, raising the total cost of damages to $9.2k.

$9k is in range.

Their insurance company should have provided you with a rental vehicle. If they did not and you asked, then you can probably get a bit more with your diminished value. If they did and you declined or otherwise you did and used a rental that they eventually paid for, then no. And no they don't have to get you a similar vehicle but they do have to get you one with similar accommodation. Meaning, if you drive a new big SUV, they can't rent you out a 1992 Geo Metro.

[TWiTCHY]

So the targeted completion date is the 26th. That's 1 month and 1 week since the incident.

I've had thoughts about selling the car not only due to the accident but because of my god awful 90 mile daily commute. That's 5 gallons a day, 25 gallons a week, or at least 100 gallons per month. Knowing that I won't be driving the car as efficiently as possible, these numbers will likely end up being higher. I rounded it to $300 per month on gas alone. Am I crazy to think that daily driving this car is justifiable?

[AYTifosi]

Yeah, thats a lot of miles. You just need a daily driver. Probably a lot of jetta diesels cheap.

[Mario_Kart]

I find the gas mileage surprisingly good on this car. I would have no problem driving this car daily, but I have a daily beater 2014 Buick Enclave for that. The Enclave uses around 20% more gas then the M3.

[mswaz]

Originally Posted by TWiTCHY

So the targeted completion date is the 26th. That's 1 month and 1 week since the incident.

I've had thoughts about selling the car not only due to the accident but because of my god awful 90 mile daily commute. That's 5 gallons a day, 25 gallons a week, or at least 100 gallons per month. Knowing that I won't be driving the car as efficiently as possible, these numbers will likely end up being higher. I rounded it to $300 per month on gas alone. Am I crazy to think that daily driving this car is justifiable?

How's the diminished value claim coming? Reason I ask is recently, last week, Seattle Jaguar had a used M4 for sale that showed an accident on the CarFax. this car was loaded with about 6,000 miles and original MSRP was about $87K, it had CCB's. Car looked to be in great condition but was listed for $59,995. Compared to what your car was advertised for with a lower original MSRP. I'm afraid your diminished value could be as high as $10K based on this car alone from the same dealer. Continue fighting hopefully you get some value from the insurance company.

[TWiTCHY]

Originally Posted by mswaz

How's the diminished value claim coming? Reason I ask is recently, last week, Seattle Jaguar had a used M4 for sale that showed an accident on the CarFax. this car was loaded with about 6,000 miles and original MSRP was about $87K, it had CCB's. Car looked to be in great condition but was listed for $59,995. Compared to what your car was advertised for with a lower original MSRP. I'm afraid your diminished value could be as high as $10K based on this car alone from the same dealer. Continue fighting hopefully you get some value from the insurance company.

Thank you for the tip, I emailed my sales guy there and asked for the ad and CarFax. I'm hoping to give this information to the appraiser once the car is done. He'll probably be able to guess if the insurance company will buy into it. Regardless, I'm going to present this info to the insurance company. Thanks a lot!!

EDIT: Found it! http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/5275360118.html and http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...&ct=clnk&gl=us

Accident was on driver's door at 1,100 miles but no clue how bad it was.

Also, Jaguar Seattle is offering to appraise the car for me. Awesome