Can My Flooded M3 Be Saved?

[Advorsor]

Hi all -

It is with GREAT sadness, I am reporting my M3 was caught in MASSIVE flooding in last night (not saltwater). This never happens here… it was like Katrina outside (8ft water outside my apartment).

My car was completely submerged in water overnight, I HAVE NOT turned it on.

I have done my best to clean/shampoo the inside, but will I be able to save this without a total loss to insurance?

I was planning to take it to a mechanic to flush all fluids and speed up the drying process with a space heater inside the car + a dehumidifier.

Any thoughts?

EDIT: I’ve put soooo much money into this car trying to make it bulletproof/the way I want it. That’s why I want to keep it as insurance won’t appreciate the money/value I’ve given it.

[bigjae46]

Pull the carpets out ASAP. And trim that got wet.

It can be saved but it’s gonna be $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$


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[keljos]

I don't have much in the way of help to contribute here, but i'm really sorry to hear about what's happened. What a devastating kick in the nuts on top of an already challenging situation to live through.

Temporarily gutting the interior may be painful but helpful to getting as much moisture out of there as possible. Full flush of all fluids is a good move.

[Slideways]

Sorry to hear OP

Like jae said, interior needs to come out and thoroughly dried out. Also, unplug the battery and it might be best to get all the modules with circuitry out, such as the DME, GM5, LCM etc. Those will need to be completely dried as well and cleaned if necessary (unless there is a lot of corrosion).

[Mr.wReckless]

Might as well also just drain the oil, and leave it to drain for a while so everything in there will gravity drain. Would remove the spark plugs and spray some oil in there.. And also consider handcranking the engine with fresh oil in the not too distant future to remove moisture and re-lubricate the engine and prevent internal rust.

Regards

[sev]

clean all the body grounds too. thats a point where corrosion can happen.

I had this happen to a lesser degree to my vert (rain water flooded in through the convertible hatch). I removed the entire interior and carpetting and let it dry out and it ended up fine. But I was lucky it didnt get into the engine or anything.

[Advorsor]

Thanks all.

Question: To those suggesting remove the carpet/interior, does that have to be done in a certain amount of time?

I can eventually get it done but not for a couple days or week at the earliest. Will running a heater suffice in the interim?

[Jimbo's M]

Completely under...as in over the roof? Forget it. You'll never get the electronics to function properly again, let alone all the countless other stuff to worry about. I'd get a hold of your insurance company, and

if you do, I'll bet they total it out. Very sorry for your loss.

[eacmen]

Honestly I would convert to track/race car and sell it or race it yourself.

File a claim with insurance, they will probably total it - then buy it back from them and do the conversion.

[02_lsb]

I suspect this will be one of many threads in the coming days based on what happened in the North East and Mid Atlantic. It’s a shame. Good Luck OP.

[Tbonem3]

Agree with above. Find comparables of similar cars for your insurance claim. Buy it back and turn it into a track car or sell it as a track car candidate imo. Then go buy another, nicer e46 m3 with all the proceeds.

[Advorsor]

Has anyone had experience with insurance giving additional proceeds/$ for the performance mods you’ve put into your cars? For example I’ve cataloged My Headers, Exhaust, BBK (stoptech), ZCP Wheels, etc all with Gieco l. But will I have success to get them to pay extra?

[Estoril]

Has anyone had experience with insurance giving additional proceeds/$ for the performance mods you’ve put into your cars? For example I’ve cataloged My Headers, Exhaust, BBK (stoptech), ZCP Wheels, etc all with Gieco l. But will I have success to get them to pay extra?

That depends on your specific policy. Policies aren't generic.

[Estoril]

Your interior will likely be the least of your problems. Anything electrical that was submerged is unlikely to be salvageable. That includes the full wiring harness - which (in my experience) is always toast.

[repoman89]

No way I’d be considering trying to salvage a car that went completely underwater especially for that long … maybe as a gutted track car. That water would be filthy too and is now all throughout every nook and cranny. Insurance claim and buy a new one IMO. Some stuff might still be good if you buy it back like the exhaust, wheels, maybe even bbk after a rebuild.