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

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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