Wreck update: Totalled (pics)

[PScalfano]

They appraised the car at $8100, and they said there is $6900 in damage, so she's totalled. My folks are considering paying the salvage value ($1350) and fixing it themselves, so we are going to talk about it over dinner. My sister really needs a car, so they are thinking about fixing up the E34 for her and letting me get something else. So basically, I have a lot of thinking to do about whether I want to get the E34 fixed for myself, or to help my sister out and get another car so she can have the E34. Either way, I think we are going to keep the car and I'm very happy about that. If they decide to just let the insurance company have the car, I will post a list of stuff for sale. As for the physical damage to the car, I would like yall's opinions on how much it will cost to be fixed if we decide to keep it and fix it ourselves (how accurate that estimate really is) and if you think it's worthwhile financially to pay the salvage value and have the car fixed. Thanks!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b379/PScalfano/P8200301.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b379/PScalfano/P8200303.jpg

[DaCan23]

As long as there's no frame damage, you could pickup a mechanically troubled E34 just for the body panels, I was considering that just to have spares.

[pong]

i dont think that is such a big problem... had a bigger wreck than that before (not my e34) i dont agree that the repair cost will reach $6000+ unless you replace all the panels with bnew panels...

as dacan23 says... as long as the frame is not damaged... it can be fixed

[Alan_525i]

Heh, looks almost exactly like my accident. Cost my insurance $8700 to fix. The is a lot of labor involved in repairing the front apron that invariable gets messed up. See pics.

http://home.comcast.net/~asilver33/accpics.htm

[1995 525i]

They appraised the car at $8100, and they said there is $6900 in damage, so she's totalled. My folks are considering paying the salvage value ($1350) and fixing it themselves, so we are going to talk about it over dinner. My sister really needs a car, so they are thinking about fixing up the E34 for her and letting me get something else. So basically, I have a lot of thinking to do about whether I want to get the E34 fixed for myself, or to help my sister out and get another car so she can have the E34. Either way, I think we are going to keep the car and I'm very happy about that. If they decide to just let the insurance company have the car, I will post a list of stuff for sale. As for the physical damage to the car, I would like yall's opinions on how much it will cost to be fixed if we decide to keep it and fix it ourselves (how accurate that estimate really is) and if you think it's worthwhile financially to pay the salvage value and have the car fixed. Thanks!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b379/PScalfano/P8200301.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b379/PScalfano/P8200303.jpg

Send a PM to Rigmaster (Bret). He has a BMW farm here in NC. I bought a rear bumper from him. The stealer wanted 4 times what I paid Bret. He might have the parts you need. $6000 sounds ridiculous. I am surprised they got such a high price. It is unusual for an insurance company to go with such high repair costs.
Perhaps, if you find cheaper parts they will pay for it? Who knows. I say pay the $1300, contact Bret and fix that baby then go find yourself another 5 (Gayle is selling hers and it's white too). Bill B has a green one for sale ($7500) his thread showing it is here:
http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=13359&highlight=sale

Grab one of those and let your folks fix up yours for your sister.

:)

[Beemr750]

Had a similar accident on my E34 in Dec.The scum who caused it had no DL,no valid registration and no insurance plus left the scene on foot. Anyway I needed lf fender, ft bumper scirt complete,all lf light assys,lf and center grill parts,Air bag, but no hood.I found most major parts at a local junkyard.
About $700 on parts plus $600 the bodyshop incl painting and frame check.I had to install the lites and grill parts myself plus sort out the messed-up wiring.If your lucky you might not need painting.A hood exchange is a snap. The junkyards will only sell you complete assys. Like the ft bumper complete with foglites and side lites plus all the plastic parts,they remove it at the frame(4 bolts) and it pulls out with wires disconected or cut.I remeber the bumper only cost $200 after bargaining it down from 300,but had to have the scirt painted differenly.On the Internet you will find all kind of offers.My Air bag did cost me $69 with shipping for instance.Only problem was it took me 4 weeks in the bodyshop to get it for a reasonable price done and cash only. LOL

[upallnight]

Do a search on the internet, a brand new hood is about $100.00 plus shipping, a fender if you find it on sale could be had for under $50.00 plus shipping. You can buy a lot of brand new parts on the internet for a lot less than some junkyard.

[Nick.Hay]

Basically, I guess you have to way up[ what she is worth to you...

I'd gladly pay salvage and repair her if I was in your situation, but I guess it all depends on how attached you are to her.

There is always E34 bargains out there, and you could quite possibly get a tidyer, lower milage one for the pay-out costs... But (if you are as attached to your E34 as I am to mine), it won't replace the 'old girl'.


Just being sentimental... :)

[Robin-535im]

Does not look like $6k of damage to me... but then, I'm not a specialist (but I have had my E34 totaled before...) :)

If you plan to keep it, you must find a way to get the ins. co. to pay as much as they can WITHOUT totaling it, because a car with a salvage title is very hard to sell.

I bet they have a dollar amount they will pay without salvaging it... probably 80% of blue book, but *their* estimation of blue book! You can get them to value it more highly if you talk to them and work on them in a pleasant manner.

Good luck!

EDIT: find a good body shop and let them know you're paying cash and they will find a way to bring the cost down - they're experts at it!

- Robin

[genphreak]

NO 1995 525i should be scrapped. They are too damn good. Simply get the bits you want from a $1000 535 with too many problems.... once all the bits are off you will see what needs to be fixed and have another you can measure from (tip: make ABSOLUTELY sure its never been front-ended and repaired though). Then sell the balance of the parts from the other 535 or donate them to the board.

Done. Btw- to get good panel advice, try posting pics of the door-gaps, inside pics with the bonnet open and so on. Even better get a panel-beater to tell you what has to be done in detail. They will love the oppportunity to tot up a 'big job' (even if it isn't), but I reckon it may be (it all depends on the frame) How far did you 'shove' the other car on the road? (for what that's worth) :) GP

[JeremyT]

Man, that's too bad.... Being a BMW junkie (like everyone else on here), I'd opt for keeping it and doing the repairs. The biggest problem looks like the front inner structural area of the fender may be damaged, which can be a real bitch to fix. the main thing to look for is the inner fender being bent, along with the cross member and stuff around the radiator. These cars are made to be cut apart at many sections and simply welded back together. Just a big labor bill. Everyone's right.. hood, under $200, fender under $100, door (I've got several) under $150, etc...
My 95 525 had similar damage, likely more judging by the pics.. it was totaled out almost 3 years ago w/ only approx 68k on it. I parted it all out due to the extremely bent up front fender/ unibody area and a slight bend in the roof of all things. Well, good luck and let everyone know what you intend to do. Many of us have tons of parts we're interested in getting rid of rather cheaply.

[Gayle]

What did the family decide?

Why does your family want your sister to have the e34 and you have something else? What's with that?

Also wondering what kind of shape she is in mechanically. Maybe you said and I didn't see it. Is she closer a peach or to a lemon under the hood? Have you worked on her much? Invested $ or sweat? Are you attached to her? Are you a committment kind of guy when it comes to cars or are you a player?

[pundit]

Do a search on the internet, a brand new hood is about $100.00 plus shipping, a fender if you find it on sale could be had for under $50.00 plus shipping. You can buy a lot of brand new parts on the internet for a lot less than some junkyard.
Brand new???? Hood - $100.00?? FENDER - $50.00??
I'd like to see that!

[uscharalph]

"Are you a committment kind of guy when it comes to cars or are you a player?"

I like your quote, Gayle!