damn ice

[timothy100]

I was coming home at 11:30pm a few nights ago, turning into my apartment complex I hit a patch of black ice and lost control. I hopped the curb sliding sideways and smashed into a lightpost. Luckily the lightpost was fiberglass and snapped in half, but it still left a huge dent in the front left fender.

The worst part: when hitting the curb a lot of the suspenison parts got damaged. I took it into a shop today and they said the subframe was bent and needed to be replaced, along with the left control arm + thrust bushing. the right tie rod also needs to be replaced.

This is the estimate they gave me:
subframe-$300-500 depending on if they can find one from a wrecking yard
control arm-$121
thrust bushing-$34
right tie rod-$53
5 or so hours of labor-$400+

so im looking at around $1000-1200+ just to get my car so its driveable again, the body work is another issue...

This really sucks... I only have liability insurance, so it looks like I'm going to have to pay half of my cars value just to get it driving again (86 325e) :x :x

[randomtask37]

that really sucks man, like, hardcore.

anyway, good luck comin up with the money, and getting it back on the road.

[ColdAccord]

shitty. I almost lost it the other day. I was driving down a residential street, which has a really slight left bend. I was about half way through this little bend, so I hadn't made any sudden movements, or hit the brakes or gas or turn fast or anything of the like

car just all of a sudden does a 180 counterclockwise, heading right towards a fire hydrant and a lamppost. thank god, the car caught traction RIGHT before it would have jumped the curb and smashed all that shit. scared the crap outta me, I saw my car's life flash before my eyes

[Jordan]

You hit something hard enough to bend your subframe?

Holy fuck man, you need to park the car. You were going all of way too fast in such weather.

[Clay'87IS]

You hit something hard enough to bend your subframe?

Holy fuck man, you need to park the car. You were going all of way too fast in such weather.

Maybe he just hit it wrong, man. Accidents happen, you of all people should know that.

[timothy100]

I hit the curb almost completely sideways going about 30mph, maybe less. I wasn't driving fast or unsafe. My mistake was not thinking about ice. The roads were completely dry... the spot where I hit ice however is in the shade for almost the whole day so there was some ice left over from the morning. I definetely learned my lesson though, even though its dry you always gotta watch for ice when its cold

[Jordan]

Part out the car.

[timothy100]

I am considering parting it out, but the thing is its my only car and I need something to drive to school. Also, it is very hard to find ANY e30 around here for less than $3000, even an eta.

This is the only deal around my area that looks good: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...or=&cardist=25

I barely have enough to get the suspension/steering parts fixed, let alone the body work. I wouldn't be able to make $2000+ from parts, would I?

(my car besides the recent damage is in perfect condition, everything works and it runs good)

[ColdAccord]

that 325i seems like a decent deal, if it's in nice shape.

you could probably talk them down a bit too

that's what I would do

[UNHCLL]

Dont feel bad. I've done similar.

My drive way is a 500' -S- Turn with a -U- in elevation change of 100'. Black ice... roads were fine. got to the top of the opposite side, and couldnt make it onto the level top. Slid sideways and backwards down the driveway and slammed into an Ice bank. Dented door, rear 1/4 panel, and fender were my injuries.

Shit happens.
Sorry to hear about it.

[Bryson]

[quote="timothy100"]I hit the curb almost completely sideways going about 30mph, maybe less. I wasn't driving fast or unsafe. My mistake was not thinking about ice. The roads were completely dry... the spot where I hit ice however is in the shade for almost the whole day so there was some ice left over from the morning. I definetely learned my lesson though, even though its dry you always gotta watch for ice when its cold[/quote

I'm doubting that your subframe is bent, my 325is knocked a curb completely sideways at ~70mph and didn't have any subframe damage. I'm calling BS on the mechanics :?
Also, I don't think we've ever seen a salvageable car come into the shop after bending a subframe. Tweaking the rear subframe a little bit is another story, that's much more common

[Super Eta]

Part out the car.

I agree with Jordan.

Eta's dont hold a high value anyway and you right there are spending as much as the car is worth whole and i think parting it out you would be getting more money out of it.

I will be soon getting an estimate on my car and if its a bit higher then what i want to spend to get the car perfect i will be setting out for a straighted body e30 and swapping my stuff onto it and problem then is solved.

Now before you get jumpy i wont be putting in an Eta motor if i do go through with it i have a 1988 325i motor that is needing a head so i will put that into the rolling chassis if i get one.

[Brew]

Sorry to hear it man. Shit happens.

I'm doubting that your subframe is bent, my 325is knocked a curb completely sideways at ~70mph and didn't have any subframe damage.

That's badass. Sounds like you are lucky that you didn't roll it. My friend hit a curb going sideways in his Honda Accord at maybe 15 mph and had two shops estimate more the $4k in damage. Needless to say he bought a new car.

[kidrobot]

dibs on your hood and passenger side skirt.
I hit it hard in the ice too. Snow suxx......

[gstuning]

There is harldy a chance you bent the subframe

take it to another shop or the bmw dealer represented paint shop,