Re: [bmw] New 95 525iT T-Boned By Illegal from Mexico

[Drew Mouton <drew@xxxxxxxxx>]

Bjorn,

Did you have decent insurance coverage? If so, I'd think very seriously 
about repairing this one.

I've rebuilt a lot of Bimmers, and while we actually *like* to do front 
impact rebuilds, and will do rear impact unibody work if we have to, we 
*rarely* will buy side impact hits, except to keep 'em as parts cars, 
unless it's strictly cosmetic or localized to the doors. As soon as it 
involves roof line, pillar or side frame bends, we're likely to pass. 
Mostly this is because side impact hits seem to have much more far 
reaching effects than anything else, which you can't always see. It is 
extremely difficult to make a side impact hit 'like new' without 
dissembling the car all the way down to the frame.

This is compared to a front impact, where you can easily dissemble 
nearly the entire front clip, straighten it, and usually see quite 
easily how to repair and fortify the rails, apron or whatever is 
damaged.

Conversely, bear in mind that a $5000 insurance claim for most Ins. 
companies has exactly the same impact on your future insurance rates as 
a $20,000 'total' claim. And if you do a good job of presenting your 
paperwork on current value of the car  - I've always given the adjuster 
a copy of _retail_ value from kbb.com, edmunds.com and/or 
nadaguides.com, PLUS a statement from the local dealer as to 
replacement cost - and don't let them push you into accepting their 
first offer, you should get a very good settlement. Then you can take 
that cash out and with some aggressive shopping find a good deal on a 
better vehicle.

As always, YMMV, but that's what I'd do (and have done).

Drew


On Wednesday, October 29, 2003, at 06:00 PM, Bjorn L. Meyer wrote:


> I have been meaning to share this with the list. The
> bargain 1995 tricked out 525iT got T-Boned really hard in
> the right side on Sunday. Slightly bent the frame and
> punched in the B Pillar and crushed the front passenger
> seat, turned the console sideways. Back right door is stuck
> shut and the front right wont close. Front windshild is
> cracked all over (you can see where the force transfered to
> the roof line. A 1985 dodge caravan loaded with illegals
> from mexico ran a red light at aleast at 45 MPH and clocked
> the car. They proceeded to take off and were not caught.
> The minivan was leaked fluid and I doubt that they got far
> before overheating. I had witnesses but when the police
> questioned them they changed their stories and didn't want
> to be involved. I was PO'ed to say the least.
>
> I will probably be taking it to the shop soon. It seemed
> there is alot of stress on it and I think it is slowly
> imploding as it sits, as each day goes by.
>
> They say at least $5000 to fix no less than 3 weeks. They
> are going to pull the floor and replace the B Pillar,
> doors, seat/track, four wheel alignment, etc. I sure hope
> straightening the frame fixes the bad vibration it has now
> when you start from a stop to until you reach about 15 MPH.
> Anyone have any clue what might be? Bent subframe? The
> vibration is emitted from the rear.
>
> If anyone wants pictures let me know.
>
> Bjorn Meyer
> Tucson, AZ
> 1995 525it
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