Car 0 , Concrete 1 - Look at what's left of this 6 series

[Nick]

That's got to be the most stupid thing I've ever heard.
The car IS designed to split apart this way when SEVERE torquing forces are placed on the frame...to minimize damage to the cabin and its' occupants. But no, it's not supposed to be put back together.

I can tell you that a 6-series is a VERY VERY safe car.

[1991 318is]

Clips!

Ok.. assuming that this is how the car was designed, I hope that this car is declared a total loss is not repairable so that it can end up on the road again. I surely will not want to drive a car that was previously in two halves.

Rebuilders have clipped cars for 50-60 years. Take one hard hit in front and mate it to one hard hit in rear. This can be done safely but not always. Rebuilders love to buy wrecks from the owners as they get an unbranded title. For two cars you only need one good title. I don't know if this car was clipped or not but it appears to have come apart right behind the strut towers.
The damage from impacts is mis-leading as cars are designed to meet crash standards. There are other scenarios. From the looks of the van, this car spun and hit (trees and) the wall. The crash test scenario probably said there would be no injuries from the side impact with the van.

[m42technic]

The front end isnt designed specifically to split apart or be easily replaceable, Its aluminum, which cannot be welded to the rest of the steel unibody by regular methods. Its adhered by special bonding adhesive, using the same methods that have been used in aircraft construction for decades. Im not really all that surprised it came apart considering the kind of impact that car obviously went through.

[Jscotty]

Rebuilders have clipped cars for 50-60 years. Take one hard hit in front and mate it to one hard hit in rear. This can be done safely but not always.

That's what's scary. There are more people who do it than there are people who really KNOW how to do it properly.. I mean if a limo manufacturer can cut a car in half and build a 10 foot section of fuselage between it, the I know for a fact that technology exists where you can mate the front and back of two separate cars. But I wouldn't bet my life that they can do it at "Frank & Eddie's" mom and pop neighborhood body shop. Heck, I don't know if I would trust the dealer for that matter! :crazy: