318is totalled after a month of ownership

[agealy]

As some of you might know, I purchased Sumyungguy's 318is on september 13th. Unfortunately, last thursday I hit a deer on my way into town and the insurance company has just deemed it a total. I was driving the speed limit on a straight stretch of road and despite slamming on the brakes as soon as the deer came into view, I wasn't able to stop in time.

State farm has evaluated the car at $2512. My options are to either let them keep it and get a check for about $2500 or to buy it back and receive $2070. Right now I'm going to try to find a similar model that's sold in the past 90 days for more than $2512. If anyone's aware of a posting on a "verifiable" site like cars.com or autotrader, please let me know. Unfortunately, neither craigslist nor ebaymotors are suitable.

I have not yet decided whether to relinquish the car, keep it and sell it as a whole, or part it out myself. I know I'd get the most out of it if I parted it myself, but with college applications just around the corner, I probably just don't have the time to invest.

I feel horrible that such a fine example has been permanently taken out of circulation, but there's really nothing that could have been done to avoid this.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Another deer? In California? Danny has a homie.


My most sen sere condolences to you for your loss.

[Maluco]

Damn, sorry to hear about that... Glad to hear you are ok.

What was the speed limit? Did the deer really cause that much damage? Depending on all the variables, I'd keep it. You'll have to weigh all the factors. If anything, I'd still keep it and part it. I hate to think of the insurance company selling it to some death yard for $100...

[kenika65]

This sux but I want pictures, some people think the car is totaled when it could be fixed in a week.

Pics!!!

[Jon325i]

$2512 - $2070 = $442

Now I don't know the overall condition of your car (post dear encounter), but I'm willing to bet there is more than $442 worth of parts on there. If you're willing to (and your schedule allows), consider getting it back and parting it. You may be able to turn a nice little profit on what's salvagable. The downside to parting a car is the time & effort it takes, plus dealing with any shipping and the occassional flakey customer. If there's a grand or more worth of stuff to sell, it might be worth it.

Jon

[Danny]

Fix that mo fucka.

[TDE30]

Your hood's still black.

Fix that mo fucka.

[agealy]

Damn, sorry to hear about that... Glad to hear you are ok.

What was the speed limit? Did the deer really cause that much damage? Depending on all the variables, I'd keep it. You'll have to weigh all the factors. If anything, I'd still keep it and part it. I hate to think of the insurance company selling it to some death yard for $100...

Speed limit was 55mph. I would definitely prefer to buy the car back from them, but I'm not sure if I would part it myself.

$2512 - $2070 = $442

Now I don't know the overall condition of your car (post dear encounter), but I'm willing to bet there is more than $442 worth of parts on there. If you're willing to (and your schedule allows), consider getting it back and parting it. You may be able to turn a nice little profit on what's salvagable. The downside to parting a car is the time & effort it takes, plus dealing with any shipping and the occassional flakey customer. If there's a grand or more worth of stuff to sell, it might be worth it.

Jon

I would think that someone might be willing to buy it for more than $450. The interior is in excellent condition aside from a carpet stain. Plus it has weaves in good shape without caps and h&r sport springs. I would guess that the seats, wheels and springs alone would all sell for more than that.

Repairs were estimated at around $4250, so I really don't think reparing it is realistic at all. Keep in mind it would still have a salvage title even if it was brought back to its previous condition.

[daniel]

you had full coverage insurance on an e30?

[agealy]

you had full coverage insurance on an e30?

Normally, I'd be covered for $1k, but the nature of the accident (not my fault) means that there's only a $250 deductible. I'm not sure of the details; the car is insured by my parents.

[der affe]

does the BMWCCA have a news letter with a classified section and cars for sale?

we used to use the PCCA (Porsche car club of America) news letter to show fair market value of an old Porsche when the were totaled. not the KBB, like the insurance company would like to do.

just a suggestion, and since it is published it might stand.

[z31maniac]

you had full coverage insurance on an e30?

Shit son, mine is about to be insured by Hagerty or a similiar classic car specialty insurer.

My wheels and suspension alone destroy the book value of the car. And I don't want to have to haggle, hire an appraiser and spend months fighting it to get what the car would actually take to replace.

Not to mention, Hagerty quoted me within $50 a year of State Farm's full coverage. But they won't insure cars that have roll bars and mine will before the spring, so I'm trying to find a company that doesn't give a shit about that.

[Nicademus]

If I was you I'd keep the car.

If you don't want it why don't you allow a local member to buy it off you for like $550. You make an extra $100 real easy and the community benefits?

[agealy]

If I was you I'd keep the car.

If you don't want it why don't you allow a local member to buy it off you for like $550. You make an extra $100 real easy and the community benefits?

If I decide not to part it myself and can sell it to someone for cheap like that then I'll definitely buy it back.

[whiltebeitel]

I know it's kinda mean, but do you have pics? It may not be so bad to get back inot running shape.