[KMA]

I posted a few weeks ago about my new 330xi...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6312

...and then exactly 7 days later, the drivers side front of my car was hit by a Buick that was improperly turning (i.e., other driver floored it right into me as I was going straight through the intersection--with inadequate time or space to avoid it). 7 days and only 200 miles on the car.

Anyway, damage didn't look too bad on the surface, and initial estimates were at about $10K. I was informed last week by the insurance company that the body shop finally got the car apart and that there was serious damage to the frame rails, which would necessitate disassembling the entire front end if it were to be repaired properly. Furthermore, the fire dept in this town that responded to the accident cut some sort of wiring harness, that costs about $2,200 and requires removal of the entire dash to replace. Anyway, I got the follow up call today that the adjuster stopped tabulating an estimate when labor & parts hit $38,000 today. There are a number of things to finalize, but looks like I will be getting what I paid returned back to me--and since this is being handled as a subrogation claim, ultimately the other driver's insurance will foot the bill for the whole accident (i.e., She admitted fault and police said I had no contributing factors in the accident, not to mention they noted on the report that she was improperly turning).

As all of you can imagine, I'm quite pleased with this outcome (i.e., obviously would have preferred no accident!), because I certainly didn't want a brand new car back with this kind of damage repair.

The one and only pic I have of the damage is from the scene of the accident on my camera phone. Doesn't quite look like $38K+ in damage, does it?

[E90 Enthusiast]

Good for you - there is no way I would have wanted that back. Time to go bimmer shopping!

[mds82]

fron here it really looks like 5-6k of damage, but then again we cant see too much in the car. I could only image in a few years if i ever get into an accident what will Happen. I'm glad to see your OK though. I got a little fender bender and i got $1000 out of the deal - and you cant even see the scratch.
I cant beleive though that the car is totaled !!! it looks so minor from the pic. well Good luck with the new Car, and make sure everyone else drives safe around you!

[txusa03]

i am glad to hear that you are OK.

[ON325i]

we should be glad that you are safe from this accident.

it is always the internal damage that raises the repair bill...

[petesamprs]

Send a nice thank you note to the fire dept for their aggressive use of wire cutters :-)

[Jason]

Glad to hear you don't have to deal with driving a car you know has undergone major repairs. Will you be shopping for another E90, perhaps with slightly different options now that you've had time to read through the forums and mull over your original configuration? Or perhaps the same exact car?

[KMA]

I'm hoping to get an actual copy of the damage quote, but the way it was described to me by the adjuster...

* Both front frame rails bent
* One frame rail pierced firewall
* Engine mounts damaged
* Front drive train damaged (i.e., since it's an "xi")
* Firemen cut wiring harness under hood (since they couldn't figure out battery was in the trunk), which meant entire dash would need removal for replacement of said harness
* Seat belt tensioners all fired, meaning that all seats would require removal in order to replace these (I don't know why they would all fire, but this is just what I was told)

[KMA]

Originally Posted by jwocky

Glad to hear you don't have to deal with driving a car you know has undergone major repairs. Will you be shopping for another E90, perhaps with slightly different options now that you've had time to read through the forums and mull over your original configuration? Or perhaps the same exact car?

I may hold off for a short bit (Still have my '00 328Ci that I never sold and my wife's '01 325i), but if I decide to replace the 330xi, this time around, I will likely do things the right way and order exactly what I want to begin with, which would include Sport package, PDC, and possibly Comfort Access (though I'm not sure on the CA). Originally, I had just Premium, Cold Weather, Auto, and Navigation. I may also go with the Poplar wood inside. Looks pretty good in the pics I've seen vs. the Walnut.

[David328M-Sport]

Glad to hear you are OK.

What BMW safety features were activated during the accident other than seat belt pre tensioners? Did you feel them gripping you back into the seat?
Anyone else in the car?

Does the irresponsible driver of the other car have any injuries? What about police action. Any? Or was it not that serious an accident?

[lux.sh]

Damn. Glad to hear you are ok, and glad to hear you will get a new car.

Just when you thought everything is going south. Best luck to you!

[KMA]

Originally Posted by David325Australia

Glad to hear you are OK.

What BMW safety features were activated during the accident other than seat belt pre tensioners? Did you feel them gripping you back into the seat?
Anyone else in the car?

Does the irresponsible driver of the other car have any injuries? What about police action. Any? Or was it not that serious an accident?

Everything worked as it should...
* Seat belt pretensioners (but I didn't feel them per se)
* Drivers side air bag deployed
* Ignition turned itself off
* Hazard lights turned themselves on
* BMW Assist operator was immediately on the phone and knew my exact location

I was the only one in the car thankfully. I think I mentioned somewhere in my old post that the girl who hit me got out of her car to ask if I was okay, made some cell phone calls, then got back into her car before the police/paramedics/fire dept arrived and demanded to be taken out of the car in a stretcher with her neck braced. So, I don't know if she is injured or just pulling some sort of New Jersey thing (i.e., NJ is reknowned for injury fakers!) There were no citations made for her "improper turning", but they coded the police report to say that the cause was her... not to mention she admitted fault in her statement. I've also since found out her father has his own law firm, so he is likely none to pleased that his daughter admitted fault at the scene (i.e., the car was registered to her him).

[northerncalguy]

The 2nd time around is better than the first...get one fully loaded!

[fredtoo]

It looks like you had a 200 mile test drive to figure out how you want the car optioned.

Good luck with the next one.

[KMA]

Originally Posted by fredtoo

It looks like you had a 200 mile test drive to figure out how you want the car optioned.

Good luck with the next one.

Excellent point!!! Few get the opportunity to more or less have a "do over" of their car buying experience ;-)

[myXI]

It's good to hear that you're okay, and it appears everything will work out for you in the end.

[LEDZEP]

Damn. Sorry to hear about the misfortune, but I think things have worked out as well as possible for you! I think the clue in that photo is the angle of the front wheel... frame damage.

I'm curious how you'll make out getting a new car. Will the insurance company try to screw you on the initial loss of value (i.e. if you traded the car after 200 miles)? If they do, you could probably sue the other driver individually for the difference... ?

[ase2dais]

good for you, how lucky can you get.maybe you can holdout for 328/335.

[sharadrai]

but you still do loose the sales tax? I always wondered, is there a provision where you get the tax money back?

[Atty]

Amazing....can't believe how much it would cost to repair the damage. Very glad to hear that they totaled it for you; now you get to go out and buy a new car on the house!

[timzerofive]

Wasn't there another thread up here a little while ago about some article claiming BMW's are making disposable cars now? Basically they said the way BMW weld their frames, it's extremely expensive if any frame damage occurs, to the point where the insurance company will just give you a new car. Case & point?

[KMA]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

I'm curious how you'll make out getting a new car. Will the insurance company try to screw you on the initial loss of value (i.e. if you traded the car after 200 miles)? If they do, you could probably sue the other driver individually for the difference... ?

I will have more info later this week, but of course this was my concern. The adjuster informed me that they use ADP to determine market value. Given that the car is new, ADP supposedly would call 15 local dealers to find out how much they would charge for a similarly equipped vehicle. She may be feeding me a line at this point knowing I will argue, but she seemed to think that there was no reason I should not get MSRP. We'll see. I plan on arguing to no end--and honestly, thus far my insurance company is being rather generous and helpful in general since they plan on sending the bill to (or suing, if needed) the other insurance company (i.e., part of the reason I went with subrogation vs. directly dealing with the other persons company).