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

Of course he said that, as far as he is concerned there is no valuation in play so he will be optimistic of getting it fixed, once that valuation lands though they will soon change their tone.

Sucks. :(

£9,000 worth of damage from a stupid old man. :rolleyes:
 
I wouldn't entertain getting it fixed and keeping it. Even with the dealers on my E46, I kept having to go back to getting niggles fixed. I was also convinced there was more road noise and the alignment on the tailgate just was never quite right. They tried to fix it so many times but could only ever get it "close enough."
 
The second you accept a payout for the car being written off they'll take the loan car back from you (and stop paying you the £25).
 
pepsilol said:
I wouldn't entertain getting it fixed and keeping it. Even with the dealers on my E46, I kept having to go back to getting niggles fixed. I was also convinced there was more road noise and the alignment on the tailgate just was never quite right. They tried to fix it so many times but could only ever get it "close enough."
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What's the alternative though? He won't be paid enough to put him in anything as good.
 
My original TT was rear ended and had similar sounding damage and that was never right after it was repaired either - personally I'd cut your losses and walk away, or do the sums and see if buying it back and stripping it would make you more money.
 
I'll see once I get the list of parts needed from BMW, if there's nothing that suggests the rear axle area is damaged and needs work, or subframe, then it's worth buying back and fixing using the list to source parts myself and pass them to my bodyshop guy. The alignment, alloys and things are all done by other local specialists as well.

It's massive faff, but each of them are good at what they do, so providing there's nothing that suggests any questionable damage in those above areas, surely it would make better sense to go the buy back route?

I really don't want to cut my losses. It is not a car I will find again for any reasonable money in the same condition, although buying it back and stripping it for parts would bring in quite a bit of extra money I guess and that could well get me back into an E46 M3 which does meet a standard I'm happy with, but then there's the disposal costs and faff of getting rid of the rest when it's all been stripped?

Did I mention the massive faff in all this too?
 
mrk, it's really not worth it.

You found the car before, you'll find one again.

There are guys on the Evo forums in similar situations that have stripped cars for parts, they say never again. Spreadsheets coming out the ying yagn with details of who has paid, addresses, which parts etc etc. Take the cheque from the insurers and look for another car. In fact, start looking now.
 
Are there any bits you've added/changed/upgraded that you can strip before it gets binned if it goes down that route?

It sounds like you've put a lot of effort into the car, and paid somewhat over the odds originally, but as far as replacing it is concerned, it's not like it's a hugely rare car, it might take a while but I'm sure you could get another up to the standard you're looking for (or find a cheaper one and get it there yourself). Next time I'd also recommend specialist insurance so you can agree a value you're happy with - generic car insurance isn't much kop for anything outside the norm.

Unfortunately nobody wins when there's an insurance claim - the insurance companies ** Swear words must be fully starred ** everyone over, even the non-fault people :(
 
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Very quick look on AT.

No idea about specs on these so could be completely not suitable.

EDIT NVM, was Cat D hidden in the advert!
 
I have the head unit I'd definitely be taking back, £100 worth of the side and front indicator bulbs, there's nothing I can do about the new brake pads and discs I had fitted some 2000 miles ago, my plates, I'd like to keep the steering wheel too and gear knob but I bet that won't sit well with the insurer? I had an inspection 1 and an oil service done, the tyres were still good, around 4mm left on rears, and a host of other little upgrades like stainless steel lines and so on that aren't easily removed if I go to BMW to collect the bits I can remove, along with personal possessions still in the car..

I suppose if there is a private seller out there with a good example who is selling it for less than 10k I'd be in business. It doesn't "have" to be a manual, but I'd prefer one. It doesn't "have" to be a convertible either, but again, I'd prefer one. Just has to meet my base preferences of condition and colour combo really I guess.
 
I've never had a car written off myself but when family members have we've always had the chance to "get your things" from the car, which is generally anything that's not "standard", so push your luck as far as you can - I'd be looking to take all the additional bits off and the steering wheel and discs and pads, worst they can do is shout at you and tell you to put it back :)

Also, make sure you put your plate on retention before you agree to make it a write off or you might lose the plate.
 
Obviously if I go that route and don't buy the car back, then maybe steering wheel and knob should be left on the car, if I get an SMG, then they are useless :p Although Sellable I guess... No call from insurer as of yet.
 
Tell them you have stuff you need to get out of the car then act stupid if they question what you're taking - acting stupid has served me well in my personal and professional life all these years, although some would say I'm not a very good actor ;)
 
S2KIP said:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201509177016104

Trade seller thought.

As for getting bits back, it's a dangerous game as far as I'm aware but you may get some time. I remember I took a load of stuff from my DC5, things like rad cap, indicator bulbs etc etc.
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I like how it's advertised as a manual :p

But that does look decent, though it's a 2006, so will be in the higher tax bracket purely because of that. It's priced a bit higher than anything the insurer is likely to offer (post rejection of initial and maybe 2nd offer)? I guess dealers are open to negotiation just as much as a private seller though. But yeah, that does look ideal. Seats in good condition too, so all I'd get done is the steering wheel and bin those smoked chav lenses, pu t OEM ones back on.
 
Higher tax came in from March 2006, so check it out. It's just an example, you're probably looking at the other side of Christmas knowing from personal experience how long these things can take.

I'm looking for an R32 as a new daily and I'm having the same tax game and with the DSG's being listed as manual! It's annoying.
 
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