My E34: RIP

[DaveVoorhis]

On May 28th, whilst travelling south along the Scottish coast on the A77, on a sweeping curve near the village of Ballantrae, a grey Mazda minivan coming in the opposite direction lost control and skidded sideways into my lane. For a brief moment I heard his locked-up tyres scratching the tarmac; as I jammed the brakes I only had enough time to think "The End" before his left front wing slammed, with brutal force, into the driver's side front of my car. The impact stopped my vehicle instantly -- 50mph to zero in a fraction of a second -- and spun his vehicle like a top, causing his left rear to crash into my driver's side rear door and imploding the window in a blizzard of glass.

Silence. The check display showed "Dip Beam". Amazingly, the engine was still running, though oddly quiet; the serpentine belt was probably broken. I turned it off with the key.

After verifying that my passengers were alive and not bleeding, I shoulder-slammed my door open (it was jammed) and got out. My camera, which was on the back seat behind me, had been flung around the interior and was lying on the rear floor. I retrieved it and took some pictures:





I have more, but, alas, the images of my poor car being hauled onto the flatbed lorry for its final journey to the knackers is too sad for words.

Goodbye, poor bimmer, and thanks for the good times.

[Tiger]

Sorry to hear of this. Hope you are well.

[pgrindstaff]

All I can say is WOW and stare at the pictures in disbelief. I am sorry for the loss of your car but am glad to hear it kept you and your passengers safe.

[Ross]

Aw, bummer. All uninjured I assume and hope.
Looks as if the offending troll took the worst of it. At least your car has all four corners of the suspension intact.
Will you be replacing it with same or do as many are lately and move into a newer series?

[525i winter driver]

wow how very unlucky, glad everyone was ok... looking forward to seeing your new project...

[Bo525i]

Ouch, glad to read that you´re ok!

[repenttokyo]

so sorry dude

[Ferret]

Yikes, that's really unlucky - were there any witnesses? That thing looks like a typical rental car so the b*stards might be hard work insurance claiming on!

Good to see you walked away from it though, these cars really do stand up to some abuse!

[e34.535i.sport]

You have my sincerest sympathies. I would hate it so much if some loser took my bimmer down like that. Keep your chin up, there's still a few good e34's out there...

[ThoreauHD]

Ahh, man, that's my nightmare. I'm glad you and your passengers got out of that ok.