Am I being unreasonable?

[caffeinatedsoap]

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I recently wrecked my newly acquired 325i ( http://r3vlimited.net/board/showthread.php?t=195646 ) but luckily for me I have full coverage on it. They got back to me today saying they totalled it out and are willing to offer me $2850 minus a $250 deductible with a $440.26 buy back. I told them that wasn't enough and wouldn't be able to get me anything near the quality this side of the United States. The lady I talked to took this as a personal insult and told me to email her a list of local cars of the same year and model (this is impossible) of similar condition for sale.

I ended up writing them an email that goes as follows:

I know I shouldn't be trying to name my own price when the wreck was my fault but I'm paying for full coverage and my family has had coverage with your company for quite awhile on many cars. I fully intend to get full coverage on my next car if this works out, otherwise I'll just take the difference in premium and start a savings account.

A few things about the car I had. I traded my previously wrecked M3 which in its current condition I got $5500 off the price of this car. I only ended up paying $1000 out of pocket for it as he wanted $6500. It had refreshed suspension including shocks, struts, bushing and springs. It was also recently repainted a very glossy dark black. The interior was great except for a worn drivers seat and a crack in the dash. Mostly all e30's (the chassis code for this car) end up with cracks in the dash. The seats that are in the car are not the original seats as the stock seats though they were in perfect condition were a less comfortable and less desirable seat. All in all the car was like it was 21 years ago with a bit more feel to it than it could of had then.

Now I know I'm not going to be able to get enough to buy one just like it as this was rare find for a car this old. I'm just looking for enough that if I get the buy back option I can salvage the parts I need to fix up a clean rust free donor and over time and money out of my pocket get it to be as close to the condition this one was in.

I've enclosed some close matches to the car I have right now for sale. They are from popular private party sales sites craigslist and for the e30 enthusiast which is the best place to find an e30, r3vlimited.net. Please get back to me after your consideration and let me know what your thoughts one the matter are.

http://tricities.craigslist.org/cto/2178645983.html - This person is trying to sell their e30 325i with 240,000 miles. This car is the same year and model as mine. The fact that it has an automatic transmission makes it less desirable as well. The car just like mine has new suspension wear parts installed.

http://r3vlimited.net/board/showthread.php?t=194487 - This guy is trying to sell a car with 188,000 miles that is practically identical to mine in Chicago for $5000. The car has been repainted just like mine (it is hard to find a 20 year old car with good paint and no rust.) It has the same work done to it as mine. His does have more issues though as his AC doesn't work and his rear windows won't roll down from the rear. The main thing about this car is that it is a 318. A less desirable car than my 325i as it has a smaller 4 cylinder engine

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=194612 - This car is actually a more desirable version of the car I have as it has 2 doors instead of four (Personally I like the 4 door.) He is trying to sell his car for $4100 and it has 185,000+ miles on it. This car has all the same engine maintenance (not modifications as mine has no engine modifications but timing belt, water pump and thermostat.) done to it as mine does. Unlike mine though the AC does not work, the power steering does not work, it needs a new wheel bearing (which I have done my self before and it is a huge pain in the butt and also expensive) and the rear bumper is cracked. You will note that this car is in Southern California. Its rather hard to find cars in our local area in good shape.

http://r3vlimited.net/board/showthread.php?t=195424 - This is a 1991 325i that is similar to mine. It has no rust according to the owner. If you scroll down he wants $5000 for it.

http://r3vlimited.net/board/showthread.php?t=192073 - This thread talks about how it is very hard to find a nice condition car in our area. He starts out with a budget of $3000 but bumps it up to $5000 as he can't find one.

I kind of feel like I'm being a dick but at the same time I'm paying for full coverage. I don't know, you decide.

[Kershaw]

try to get as much as you can. fuck the insurance company. you think they really care about you?

[ck_taft325is]

Kershaw nailed it.

Destroy them if you can. Push every high end, rust free fleabay pieces of shiny shit box at them.

[Danny]

LOL you think that's bad? They company who totaled my S50 car with GCs and many many other things has offered me 3400 three times. I told them to fuck off an try again each time. Its so bad we've now got the insurance commission involved as well as a local news station.

On top of that I've sent them 15+ pages of pictures, comparable cars, receipts and other things. Still won't budge.

[Vtec?lol]

lol you used a bunch of r3v post. That was clever and may help.
But like kershaw, get all you can. They really don't care about you. try different sources and not jst craigslist or r3v.

But I say you did good work. Keep on calling and sending them emails and research. You gotta hassle em but not too much.

LOL you think that's bad? They company who totaled my S50 car with GCs and many many other things has offered me 3400 three times. I told them to fuck off an try again each time. Its so bad we've now got the insurance commission involved as well as a local news station.

On top of that I've sent them 15+ pages of pictures, comparable cars, receipts and other things. Still won't budge.

Damn

[StereoInstaller1]

If you wreck an E30, call a lawyer. Explain that these cars are going up in value, they are a classic and need to be paid for as such. Ask your local CCA, see if there is a specialist lawyer around your area. A decent stock E30 should net at least $6500.

[trackjunkie21]

If you wreck an E30, call a lawyer. Explain that these cars are going up in value, they are a classic and need to be paid for as such. Ask your local CCA, see if there is a specialist lawyer around your area. A decent stock E30 should net at least $6500.

This, you can even put collectors car insurance on your e30's. how does 170 dollars a year for full coverage sound? Along with roadside assistance and other awesome stuff.

[joshuafr]

lol you used a bunch of r3v post. That was clever and may help.
But like kershaw, get all you can. They really don't care about you. try different sources and not jst craigslist or r3v.

Show them ebay ads, they often have high asking prices.

[trackjunkie21]

Howbout we all creat a for sale ad on ebay asking 3x the asking price for an e30? maybe we can help op get more dough.

[Vtec?lol]

Howbout we all creat a for sale ad on ebay asking 3x the asking price for an e30? maybe we can help op get more dough.

LOL, that would definitely put the OP in jail for a while.

This, you can even put collectors car insurance on your e30's. how does 170 dollars a year for full coverage sound? Along with roadside assistance and other awesome stuff.

This would be great but not so much for the limits they give you. Only a certain amount of miles a month/year (sure the factory odometer has that one figured out for you). has to be parked in a garage. all sorts of BS limitations to qualify.

[trackjunkie21]

LOL, that would definitely put the OP in jail for a while.




This would be great but not so much for the limits they give you. Only a certain amount of miles a month/year (sure the factory odometer has that one figured out for you). has to be parked in a garage. all sorts of BS limitations to qualify.

A family friend has a z3 m roadster, his limitations are about 12k miles a year and it has to be garaged and all that crap. But they never check up on that. you still get the regular plates so noone is going to be stopping you if you drive it daily.

[Vtec?lol]

Sounds pretty reasonable. Do want.

[eur04lif3]

LOL you think that's bad? They company who totaled my S50 car with GCs and many many other things has offered me 3400 three times. I told them to fuck off an try again each time. Its so bad we've now got the insurance commission involved as well as a local news station.

On top of that I've sent them 15+ pages of pictures, comparable cars, receipts and other things. Still won't budge.

link plz :)

[Evan12]

Show them ebay ads, they often have high asking prices.

+1 on this. CL adds to, they have guys their who dont know shit and want to sell there e30's for like 7k.

[Ian F]

I bought an 325is that was advertised here about 9 months ago (search threads by Sonic). I paid $4500 for it.

When we went to register it at the local tag shop, the lady punched it into the computer and to our surprise, FMV turned out to be about $4500 (he wrote up the bill of sale at a lesser amount so I could save a bit on sales tax).

I have my car insured with classic insurance agreed value policy through Hagerty for $5000. I pay $173/yr. However, my car is not a daily driver.

Insurance companies only care about the book-value of the car as they see it. Arguing with them about it will be difficult at best. Keep in mind, they don't care how much money has been spent on mods. You will get none of that money back.

If you are concerned about this, call them and ask what the pay-out for your car would be. If you don't think this is enough, you can ask for a rider on your policy. Yes, you will pay more for it, but you'll be sure to get what you think the car is worth.