Techno m3

[m3f_ahartwell94]

I've been wanting a techno violet e36 m3 for a few years and finally bought one. I'd finished refreshing the rubbers, reinforced the rear shock towers, replaced the flywheel, clutch,slave, master, flex disk, you name it... The body had a few rush spots here and there so i had arranged to have it taken care of by a friend and have the car resprayed within 2 weeks of completing all this work. However..... a tree branch came down on it destroying the roof and trunk. The insurance company has offered me 2.8k for the damages but bring it to reputable body shops they say the car should have been totaled or the only way to fix the damage would to be to put a new roof on. As of right now i'm not sure what to do. Has anyone had there m3 totalled? If so what was the pay out? Should I total it, buy it back, or cut my losses and get into a new e36?





-Alex

[m3f_M_Parallel]

Ok I'll do it...


We Need Pics!

[m3f_MR E30]

Pics will definitely help

[m3f_Radmobile]

What company do you have your insurance through?



Sounds like their estimate is from their adjuster and/or preferred shop that are clearly undercutting the cost of repair. Insurance companies will give you typically three body shops in proximity that they prefer. However you are not obligated to use their preferred shop. Not sure what the law is in NY but you should be legally entitled to take your car anywhere you prefer. Then, have your preferred shop walk through the damages and estimate of repairs with the insurance company's adjuster. They'll then negotiate the repairs. You should only be out of pocket for your deductible. Insurance should have to cover the rest.



As for salvaging the car...you need to prove to them that the damage exceeds more than 50% of the car's value. Otherwise they'll tell you repair it and tough luck.



If they are quoting $2.8k, that means that you need to prove that your car is worth less than $5,600.



Now, if you want top dollar when salvaging the car, you'll need to show them records, maintenance, detailed photos, and comps (not KBB bullshit) to prove that it's worth more than what they are willing to pay you for settlement.



You're in a catch 22 scenario. If you want a pay-out and to salvage the vehicle then you need to a) prove the damages are far greater than $2.8k, and b) prove your car is worth just under 50% of the total cost of repairs (whatever that ends up being).



For instance:

1. Insurance claims $2.8k in damages.
2. Your body shop claims it's more like $5k in repairs.
3. Insurance can agree to terms and fix it for the $5k (you'll be out deductible)
4. Or, you then prove that your car is worth $9,900 (but no more otherwise it'll be repaired) thus the $5k in repairs equates to 51% of the car's value. This would lead to totalling the vehicle.

[m3f_JitteryJoe]

That sucks. Not that many Technos around.

[m3f_ahartwell94]

Here are a few pictures after the branch came down on it. I'm going through allstate insurance.

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

Damn that sucks... Still wouldn't call that totaled though

[m3f_Rakshas]

That looks totaled but repairable. All totaled means is that it costs more to fix than the insurance company deems is reasonable, based on what the car is worth, and they're not going to think a 90's BMW is worth much at all no matter the color or condition.


If you love it, let them pay you out and get it fixed yourself. If you can find another, buy it back, part it out and get a new one.

[m3f_westopher]

Prove the cars value. There is no way that's totalled. At least where I'm from, repair must cost more than 75% of the vehicles value to deem it totalled. I'm sure that's a 10k car if it's in good shape otherwise. I'm not sure how it works in your state so my advice may be useless. But I tried.

[m3f_Hasan Shaikh]

Very sad to read about your car. Hope you get it resolved to your satisfaction.

[m3f_///Minivan]

I dunno, maybe you could argue the structural integrity of the roof is toast and therefore total it?


If you keep it, for god's sakes man, get matching wheels.

[m3f_Rakshas]

Prove the cars value. There is no way that's totalled. At least where I'm from, repair must cost more than 75% of the vehicles value to deem it totalled. I'm sure that's a 10k car if it's in good shape otherwise. I'm not sure how it works in your state so my advice may be useless. But I tried.

Depends on your insurance but in my experience they just do not give a ****. When my ZHP was in an accident they comped it against automatic, non ZHP cars, despite me explaining that it's a 6-speed ZHP and as such goes for significantly more on the open market.


If you own a car that you absolutely want repaired no matter what, insure it with Hagerty for a stated value policy.

[m3f_legacyej25]

Bleh. Sorry about the bad luck. That color on the E36 is amazing.

[m3f_westopher]

Depends on your insurance but in my experience they just do not give a ****. When my ZHP was in an accident they comped it against automatic, non ZHP cars, despite me explaining that it's a 6-speed ZHP and as such goes for significantly more on the open market.



If you own a car that you absolutely want repaired no matter what, insure it with Hagerty for a stated value policy.

Our insurance here is BC is a government run entity. As much as we complain about the cost, if you can prove your cars value, you will get top dollar for it. We also have a 5k budget for mods. If you go over you can pull parts off the car and replace with stock before they total it.

[m3f_ahartwell94]

I was offered a reasonable amount of money and the title is NOT TOTALED!



Now just have to decide if i should fix it or sell and get another one