Let's Play, "Will My Insurance Shaft Me!"

[Vtec?lol]

"Hello everyone and welcome toooooo, WILL MY INSURANCE SHAFT ME"
Today the car in question is a slightly pristine 1992 BMW 318iC with an M20/5 swap.
The car only has 118,xxx registered miles and a clean interior and mint top. Minor common falws such as sun torn seats and that's about it!
This car was left by the 2nd owner in an Austin shop due to broken timing chain. After swapping in a fresh M42 for a few weeks, I said eff this and put the notorious M20 in.
This has been a pleasurable car and I commute in it daily until last friday when my car met with a Chrysler 300. There was absolutely no damage to the other car. I honestly can't remember the exact situation but I do remember him swerving from behind me in the right lane and slamming brakes as he jumped in front of me. All while I was already coming to a stop in the far left lane (fast/passing lane) whilst in traffic on the tollway.
I talked to my insurance but they told me it's best to not file a claim. I couldn't tell them exactly what happened at the time as I was really shaken up at the fact that this was my first accident ever and my pregnant girlfriend was in the car with me. The other car, the driver got out and said "you hit me. I'm good. I can't do this. I'm out" and drove off. I didn't get a chance to get the license plate nor did I really care. My only concern at the time was my pregnant lady. so... There wasn't a scratch on the other car though. Just a bent and scratched license plate ( I know, i saw the plate but couldn't remember it).I need my car though.
I work here in dallas but I live in houston. Right now my E30 is my most fuel efficient car as my other is an e39 540i.

Round one: the pictures.
Before this happened









And suddenly:bawling:







Now this might not be as serious as it seems to me but I'm scared they may want to total it if I do file claim.
What broke?
-motor/trans mounts
-shift selector
-a/c condensor
-radiator
-radiator support
-bumper
-valance
-core support
-bumper shock
What Do you guys think?:dunno:

[lambo]

Dibs on the left turn signal housing.

[Thizzelle]

I think if you file a claim you still have the choice to do it yourself and cancel the claim in the end. Not sure but you should call and ask.

[rustybullet]

If they do total it then just buy it back for cheapo and fix the car and pocket some cash.

[mrgraphics]

You can fix that. At current autoshop rates it'll become a salvage . . . >50% cost of car to repair the damage. Does the hood close?

[TurboJake]

Consider yourself lucky they didn't want to deal with taking you to court, drop the whole claim thing, and fix it or part it out.

I don't see how that could prevent the car from driving though... It didn't get near the engine enough to damage anything but the radiator... You still have your economical car as it sits. Broken and deflated but functional..

[sinep]

that hit broke the radiator? That is quite interesting...

[scottinAZ]

sounds like the other asshole was either swooping in to get you to hit him, and therefore claim against your insurance (decided against it when he saw you had a witness) or just didnt have insurance himself, so bailed.

you are most likely fucked with insurance, however, the damage does look repairable from what pics you show. radiator should be an easy fix, new bumper, pull a few dents, and rock it.

[ForcedFirebird]

That's a flesh wound. Take what the insurance will give you and find a reputable repair.

We had a similar case dropped off at the shop, on a tow truck at 1:30 PM. Car ran fine, but the shift linkage was broken and radiator wouldn't hold coolant. He picked it up at 7pm that evening, ready for paint.

If your insurance company wants to total it, refuse. Take as much as you can get and don't let the title fall into salvage status because of a valance and radiator support. Most states require the insurance company to salvage if radiator is punctured. Such a racket :(

[canadiankid]

lol you missed a license plate! But seriously, that is easily fixable. I hit a deer and it looked way worse. Fixed it for less than $200 in parts from a wrecker. Never bothered fixing the paint though. Mismatched fenders ftw.

[Vivek]

It's an easy fix. You can probably pull the rad support out. Radiators aren't all that expensive, especially if you get a used one. Unless your mounts and shift linkage were new, that can almost be considered just maintenance. Your valence looks fine unless i missed something in the pic. You need a new bumper and bumper support, shocks and stuff, but those are the main things.

[e30lov]

The top part of the valence is most certainly pushed in @vivek.

Do you have comp or liability insurance? If you have comp, they will most likely value your car @ 1500-2000 and total it... You could dispute the offer, however many headaches will ensue. Your best bet is to just cut your losses and get a bunch of used parts and fix it yourself...

On a side note I kinda remember you texting me a picture of this while I was blackout drunk last friday ...can't really remember what I said haha..

[agile30]

Lol was it along the lines of, "that'll buff out"

[Vtec?lol]

Yeah, the top of the valence is pushed in pretty bad. I'll take better pics.

I have full coverage. Yes I am lucky he didn't take me to court. I received a suggestion to file a police report and that should help the fault full from my hands a little more.

The motor mounts were new but the transmission mounts were worn.
I'm really worried about them totaling it because of all that was done. I may fix the mounts and such myself before filing the claim. Is that even legal?

I'm sure I can get it running with a new linkage, mounts, and radiator.

This is so inconvenient but I guess shit happens.

[Vtec?lol]

From what I keep hearing, the insurance companies go by the NADA values and not the KBB. What's the difference?
if that's the case then I feel sort of okay with $5500

http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Cars/1992/BMW/3-Series/318i-2-Door-Convertible/Values

And the KBB
http://www.kbb.com/bmw/3-series/1992...icetype=retail