Bought an old BMW M3, filled with regret...
- Thread starter mrk
- Start date
If they write it off, then may as well just so it's all new and fresh. If they repair it, then no, will see what their workmanship is like though first, if the match isn't acceptable to me then I'll just complain and push for a full respray, so no extra expense.
If it is a BMW authorised repairer the work should be spot on, just ask them how much extra to spray the whole car considering to repair it they will have to paint 1/3-1/2 the car anyway, might as well just paint the whole thing, pay the extra and have a brand new looking M3.
Sorry to see this!
How rubbish
I remember how gutted I was when that guy crashed into me and dented a bolt on/bolt off front wing - can't imagine how it feels to have some proper damage done. I also took mine to BMW for repair also and just for reference on how much everything costs, the quote I got was £1744.52 from BMW.
This included a front wing, blended into door, blended into bonnet, bumper sprayed. I was massively more than what I was expecting for what is a wing which is effectively held on with 6 bolts which was dented, so brace yourself for a bill higher than you think for the type of damage you have :/
If it isn't a write off, happy days. My car has never looked better - I got them to remove all rust from the car and completely sand down/strip the entire front end and spray it for a few hundred more. The car doesn't look 3 years old let alone 11 years old!
How rubbish
I remember how gutted I was when that guy crashed into me and dented a bolt on/bolt off front wing - can't imagine how it feels to have some proper damage done. I also took mine to BMW for repair also and just for reference on how much everything costs, the quote I got was £1744.52 from BMW.This included a front wing, blended into door, blended into bonnet, bumper sprayed. I was massively more than what I was expecting for what is a wing which is effectively held on with 6 bolts which was dented, so brace yourself for a bill higher than you think for the type of damage you have :/
If it isn't a write off, happy days. My car has never looked better - I got them to remove all rust from the car and completely sand down/strip the entire front end and spray it for a few hundred more. The car doesn't look 3 years old let alone 11 years old!
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Just had a call from BMW, the guy who rang has been examining the car and has almost done everything, just wanted some details on the alloy refurb place as they will arrange all that with them directly no probs.
The estimate as it stands, before VAT, is approx £9000
The parts alone required come to £4000 he said. A new exhaust system is definitely needed.
He also said the car is fully repairable, just the sum of the (new) parts is obviously high.
Now, he also said the estimate once complete will be sent to Admiral later today, and obviously it's up to them to value the car and either authorise the repairs or not. He said to not let them write it off based on the condition and other factors alone, but if they don't authorise the repairs, then I have a few options according to BMW.
1: The dealer can help get discounted parts based on the age of the vehicle, which would drive parts down. I assume this means they source in used genuine parts as opposed to the new parts from Germany.
2: Last resort option: I can take a payment in lieu -But reading that link, it states insurers should pay the full cost of repairs inc VAT.
My mind is drawing a blank today so I need time to absorb all this.
Either way, I'll find out shortly what they come up with...
The estimate as it stands, before VAT, is approx £9000
The parts alone required come to £4000 he said. A new exhaust system is definitely needed.
He also said the car is fully repairable, just the sum of the (new) parts is obviously high.
Now, he also said the estimate once complete will be sent to Admiral later today, and obviously it's up to them to value the car and either authorise the repairs or not. He said to not let them write it off based on the condition and other factors alone, but if they don't authorise the repairs, then I have a few options according to BMW.
1: The dealer can help get discounted parts based on the age of the vehicle, which would drive parts down. I assume this means they source in used genuine parts as opposed to the new parts from Germany.
2: Last resort option: I can take a payment in lieu -But reading that link, it states insurers should pay the full cost of repairs inc VAT.
My mind is drawing a blank today so I need time to absorb all this.
Either way, I'll find out shortly what they come up with...
So Parts : £4kThe estimate as it stands, before VAT, is approx £9000
The parts alone required come to £4000 he said. A new exhaust system is definitely needed.
Labour : £5k, really? Even at £100 ph, that's 6 full days. I'm sure it doesn't take BMW 6 days to build a new M3 from scratch!!
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It'll get written off, but let's be honest you knew it would.
Too many times I've read stories where people have bought cars back and had them repaired, or where they've not been written off, and they never 'feel' the same. Whether that's all in the head or not doesn't matter, however I would strongly consider it before looking at buying it back and repairing it yourself.
Too many times I've read stories where people have bought cars back and had them repaired, or where they've not been written off, and they never 'feel' the same. Whether that's all in the head or not doesn't matter, however I would strongly consider it before looking at buying it back and repairing it yourself.
To be honest, the BMW quote covers everything needed, the estimate will likely be higher still once the guy has 100% checked everything (it was on the jig when he called).
I think I'd be fine with taking the payment in lieu option as long as the final estimate is sound for the work needing done, as anything they discover afterwards that needs doing won't be paid for by the insurer if the case is settled using payment in lieu. But as it's a main dealer, I can't see them missing anything off the repair list. Essentially I get my car back repaired as it should be, and while it is being repaired I get £25 a day for driving an Insignia?
Also, if the repair leads to any issues, I can just go back to BMW and let them sort it.
Someone set me right if I've missed something
I think I'd be fine with taking the payment in lieu option as long as the final estimate is sound for the work needing done, as anything they discover afterwards that needs doing won't be paid for by the insurer if the case is settled using payment in lieu. But as it's a main dealer, I can't see them missing anything off the repair list. Essentially I get my car back repaired as it should be, and while it is being repaired I get £25 a day for driving an Insignia?
Also, if the repair leads to any issues, I can just go back to BMW and let them sort it.
Someone set me right if I've missed something
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The estimate as it stands, before VAT, is approx £9000
This car is a writeoff - there is no chance they will repair this now. Start gathering evidence to support your case when you dispute the valuation, if appropriate.
They will not use used parts. Presumably he just means he can source discounts in the same way you can get discounts on parts and servicing.
Bodyshop labour rate at a main dealer is far lower than at the service workshop - it will be less than half this. If it's too high they don't get insurance approved work for fault claims etc which is a massive chunk of business.
They won't offer you payment in lieu for the full estimate amount. The estimate is £10,800, but the vehicle's value is appx. £10,000, and so if they write it off the cost is £10,000 minus e.g. £2,000 salvage = £8,000.To be honest, the BMW quote covers everything needed, the estimate will likely be higher still once the guy has 100% checked everything (it was on the jig when he called).
I think I'd be fine with taking the payment in lieu option as long as the final estimate is sound for the work needing done, as anything they discover afterwards that needs doing won't be paid for by the insurer if the case is settled using payment in lieu. But as it's a main dealer, I can't see them missing anything off the repair list. Essentially I get my car back repaired as it should be, and while it is being repaired I get £25 a day for driving an Insignia?
Also, if the repair leads to any issues, I can just go back to BMW and let them sort it.
Someone set me right if I've missed something
I don't know what to think as Admiral just phoned now to say they are sending me the cheque for the £25 a day for the hire car downgrade (7 days worth so far) and said they had not heard from BMW yet due to the bodyshop being busy.
I mentioned BMW phoned me and that they should have the estimate over soon. He said "that's great, as soon as we do our engineers will get that all authorised and we'll get some timescales from BMW".
Now, the cynic in me says he misworded that.... Do miracles happen?
I mentioned BMW phoned me and that they should have the estimate over soon. He said "that's great, as soon as we do our engineers will get that all authorised and we'll get some timescales from BMW".
Now, the cynic in me says he misworded that.... Do miracles happen?
