Bought an old BMW M3, filled with regret...

That 650i looks pretty epic? I have always been fond of that shape 6 series, I know it's a Marmite shape, but I liked them. What is the engine and handling like of something like that? Not sure about those wheels though. Don't think it has bluetooth audio or USB.

LiE said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-53-B...752170?hash=item3f584367ea:g:~n8AAOSwv-NWXvS7

?

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-04-B...311998?hash=item1ea7a02ffe:g:r04AAOSwI-BWMWnS
Click to expand...

I've seen the grey one already but for the life of me can't remember why I disregarded it, and I can't spot why in the pics either! Mystic blue looks decent enough though, but really I want a nice leather colour :( Edit, but that example has had a lot of work done, Subframe sorted by ETA too. I'd have to get the wheels refurbed back to American Chrome, but other than that it does look very very decent for that money.
 
Last edited:
True, although my worries are less so now, I called BMW on the walk home just to find out some more details about the damage now that they've finished checking it all. The guy said the damage is actually minimal (even though it looks serious). The first panel of the boot floor only is damaged, the boot lid is raised off the nuts, so that's easy to sort, the boot lid lip needs bending back and treating. There is no subframe damage,no transmission damage and the alignment was all fine too.

So essentially there is no damage that would affect how it drives. The bulk of that 9k is indeed parts. He said they can apply a BMWLand/Cutters discount on top of their discount but only direct to the bill payer.

The estimate was sent to Admiral a few hours ago, so I won't hear from them until tomorrow. We know they will want to write it off, but with the discounts applied, and a new figure confirmed by BMW when that moment comes, they could offer payment in lieu. If not, then I'll buy it back after write-off and get BMW to do the work and pay for it with the discounts applied I guess. At least it keeps things all genuine.

The BMW guy said to not fret, they do these repairs all the time and it is an easy repair, and that they can juggle the numbers around for the best deal once they have an answer from the insurer.

I think this sounds promising? I really do not want to get rid of my car by cutting the losses. As mentioned, it's going to be nearly impossible to find another like it in the same state it is in. If it means buying it back, then so be it. Though if the PIL option is in my favour, then that's great as the car won't be written off then either.
 
If I didn't buy it back they'd sell it to a breaker or garage I guess who would fix it up and sell as cat c.

I can't bring myself to have that done to the car I've put a lot of time into.
 
From the brief research I've done already, if I buy it back as salvage after they write it off then yeah, but if I take payment in lieu (if available) then they simply wash their hands of everything and give the amount to get the car repaired and everything is considered settled.
This has risks in cases where further damage might be found after this route is taken, as all costs after that are on you. Since my car has no further damage. Assuming the bmw estimate is lower once discounts are applied, the insurer may agree to a lower settlement figure. It might mean I have very little pocketable change, which kinda sucks. Yet buying it as salvage, less the repair costs might leave me with more change, but with the car being cat c on paper (which isn't a big issue to me I figure).

I need to weigh up the options in more detail once I hear from the insurer tomorrow and have spoken to bmw afterwards to see what they can do for me as it all depends on the settlement they end up offering.
 
I really don't want to leave the car you see, that's my issue. I know this car inside out now, I know where its faults lie (the important part) and know its history. Getting another car up to that same stage will take just as long as it did this one (over half a year).

If all else fails, I know at least now that my local body shop can do the work at much lower costs, and I can source the parts myself. But that's the last resort option if BMW's number jiggling doesn't pay off in a favourable settlement.

In short, I'd much rather have it repaired and declared cat c, than have the massive hassle of buying a new car, hoping it doesn't end up being a lemon and bringing it back to the same level bit by bit over the course of another year :(

Okay it might mean I have some change pocketed over by finding a new car, but the time and energy put in has a value on it too.

Let's see what both BMW and Admiral come up with tomorrow and go from there.

Edit*
Oh and guess what? Tonight I had to roll my window down and tell a woman her headlights were not on (she gave way to me on a narrow road). She replied "oh god thanks!". Is there something in the air or what.
 
Last edited:
At least this thread can serve as a testament to the legitimacy of the car's life to any potential new owner :p

On a more relevant note, I didn't know that the insurance would increase on a written off car? Can't find a source for this!

It's a shame, because the damage is in reality minimal, it would still be a cat c based on the market value of the car and the repair costs in total - Even though in reality the car would otherwise be worth much more than that market value in the condition it is in had it not been in the accident.
 
The 4 way button is the bolster support isn't it? If not then I wonder what it is! It is certainly not one I've seen on a convertible, it's stand at on the coupe though for sure.
 
Ah yes, so it is lumbar support. Seems it is optional on the convertible, standard on the coupe (along with the bolster pillows button).

Some talk of it being just a harness and switchgear retrofit, though maybe that's on the coupe only. Ah well, no biggy.

That Cutters M3 looks alright, the extended leather is amazing. But it's priced high, is higher tax bracket, and needs quite a few cosmetic and paint repairs done too as well as de-coilover. Not a fan of that wheel finish either so there's at least a couple of grand's worth of near OEMing to be done to it. It's not at the same state as my car was for sure.At least not for that money!
 
Ricochet J said:
Are you set on another E46 M3, or will you take this opportunity to look at alternatives, if they exist?
Click to expand...

I really don't know what else comes in at this sort of price in the same or better all round package for performance, 2+2 seating in comfort, personalisation and let's be honest, the community to tweak and customised an E46 is absolutely huge and most of the BMW faults that are wtf are solved by the community (flange clamps anyone?).

The RS4, great engine, great exhaust, but the car looks too "cute and curvy" for my liking. I like the rawer more sporty lines of the E46 M3. It's the only performance car I've wanted and knew was a realistic long term own.

Assuming I took the money, I don't want to be sitting around for months waiting for the right one to show up on a sale somewhere. Let's be real, someone with a car similar to mine isn't likely going to be selling it either, the examples posted have been good, but would still need additional money being spent on them :(

The whole point of what this should be is for me to not have to spend additional money as that doesn't put me back to the stage I was at before the accident - Hence why I called the system a massive flaw earlier.
 
Last edited:
Gotta say those are quite nice. Although yeah, at 2k buyback, can't sniff at that. Still waiting for their call. If I buy it back and break it on cutters, I am sure as you say, the money from buy back will be made quite easily, almost certain I'd make a lot more back actually. But that still leaves me with great faff!
 
Last edited:
^ The seats would fetch some £450 or more, a quick look a round shows that figure for seats in not as good condition as mine. Mine are like new, especially since I've re-coloured the driver's bolster. Other things all round the car (not the rear :p) are worth quite a bit once everything is tallied up. The engine especially. The brakes and pads are new, could fetch nearly a grand at a push... You get the idea.

But... Interesting turn of events!

Still waiting for the insurer to phone me back, BMW have phoned me now and the guy said the insurer emailed him back and said the car would be a write-off. He's emailed them back saying they can help out with reducing the costs and what would be the best figure they'd be looking at to get the repairs done.

He's still waiting for them to get back to him, and I'm waiting for a call too.

In the meantime, I phoned my bodyshop guy few roads down (he did work on my old car and also the front bumper stone chip respray few months back) and explained what's going on. He said he knows already and was waiting for my call :eek:

It turns out the Corsa that hit me has gone to him for repairs, he's already seen the details and pics of my car and I've mentioned the repair work BMW told me about yesterday.

Looks like he will give me a good deal if I buy the car back and get it done through him. Realistically the only huge expense will be the new exhaust.

This would mean that I'll have at least a few thousand in pocket after the repairs are done, his paint and workmanship is warranted for 5 years too. All comes down to the settlement figure from the insurer.

Anyway, not to jump the gun, as I've not had a call from the insurer yet, but will keep you guys updated :p
 
Last edited:
I don't know what section of the exhaust as BMW said the exhaust system, I should clarify this with them when they call back. I assume it's the coupling where centre pipes meet the backbox, and the exhaust hangers on the backbox are obviously damaged since the backbox has moved in a few inches.

BMW would replace the whole lot though, even though the pipe might be repairable as per the common corroding backbox flange clamps that can be repaired for £25, whereas BMW want £700 to replace the entire centre pipe.
 
Will keep these in mind! The boot lid itself doesn't need replacing, BMW said it's off the nuts, so just re-adjusting and the lip bending back into shape. Edit* Along with the weather seal replacing.

I also have a carbon diffuser sitting in Voxination's garage :p So will pick that up!
 
Last edited:
Surely everyone has the option to choose to buy it back. It's not like it's a Cat A or B where it absolutely must be on its way to a salvage yard as repairing it would not result in it being fit for the road?
 
Well for whatever reason, Enterprise didn't have the Insignia they said they would have in, but they did have this JEEP RENEGADE!!!

rps20151210_151929.jpg


rps20151210_151949_952.jpg



Apparently it's in a higher group than an Insignia, but obviously a downgrade from the E Class. It's pretty LOL for sure, lol. Has nav, BT streaming and so on.

:o
 
I've now had a call from Admiral. They are declaring the car a Cat D write-off, so as far as they are concerned it's an uneconomical write-off. The guy asked me for some details so they can come back with a settlement figure, asked where it was bought, how much I've put into it, condition, average price for an example in the same condition etc.

He's said there are a few options, I can buy it back as salvage no problem, or take the settlement. I'll see what their first offer is, but I fully intend on buying the car back and getting my guy to do the repairs now, then pocket the remaining cash.

Obviously their first offer will be low, so I will reject this and let them come back with another offer.
 
I certainly will yes. I have no problem sending them pictures. I have hundreds of pictures of every crevice to attest to the conditional value :D
 
BMW got back to me too, they said they can certainly work with me in terms of parts prices if I take the settlement and get BMW to do the repairs. They can also apply the forum club discount (10%). The BMW estimate came to a final total of £9700 inc VAT.

I don’t know what Admiral will come back with, but let’s assume £10k, less £2k for salvage buy back. That leaves with not much in pocket once the BMW discounts have been applied, but the work will be done by BMW.

On the other hand BMW said to enquire about taking payment in lieu, this figure might be very close to their salvaged figure, but does mean the car isn’t Cat D then. This was based on what BMW have seen in recent times from similar cases coming to them.

With either option I can take it to my guy and pocket considerable change, or get BMW to do it and pocket far less change. All depends on the final settlement.

I’ll enquire about the payment in lieu option tomorrow when they call back. They may well end up giving a favourable settlement who knows.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom