The saddest first post ever

[Smccauley]

So, I was the proud owner of a 2004 330i, 6 speed with perfomance package. Used to belong to my ex-Father in Law and it only had 16,000 miles on the clock when I bought it off him. Currently it has 56,000 miles on the clock.

Notice I said "was". Last week someone decided to drive in to the back of me at speed which basically wrecked the entire back end and the force of the impact pushed me into the car in front causing damage there as well. It is currently at the insurance assessor who is basically going to write it off as the repairs are estimate to be more than 80% of the car value.

Question, what do you esteemed members consider to be the value of such a car in good condition. Before the wreck it was pristine - no damage at all to the exterior or interior, garage kept and smoke free. I received several offers over the years (the last one was 6 months ago) for anything between $10 and 12,000 but I fear the insurance company will go very low and I want to go back to them with something when that happens.

Here are the after photos. It is very tough to see the car in such a state:



Any help you guys can give me would be very much appreciated.

[san]

Damn, so sorry this happened. It’s really sad to see such a low mileage zhp end up like this. I personally think it’s worth much more than $12k especially since it’s a 6-speed. Anything below $15k is low IMO.


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[Smccauley]

I guess the other question is - is it salvageable? Is it worth the money to get it repaired? I guess the only way to answer that is to get it inspected by a specialist. The airbags didn't deploy which tells you that the shunt in to the car in front was minor. Some shifting of the hood and light displacement but nothing too severe. I know the trunk is supposed to collapse a bit to protect the passengers but it just feels like the damage is too severe to consider repair

[san]

From the picture you posted the damage does seem quite excessive. I personally wouldn’t spend money to try and fix it. But since the engine and transmission don’t have a lot of miles on them and assuming they are ok after the accident and also depending on the buy back price, you could buy another zhp (or a regular 330) with maybe high miles for cheap swap in the engine and transmission from this car.

I think Dane had a pre facelift 330 prior to the zhp and his car was also totaled for a similar looking accident if I remember correctly. He maybe able to guide you a lot better.

Also if the car had a lot of sentimental value to you and you decide to get it fixed, just keep in mind that you would not get a lot of it back if/when you decide to sell it and you might actually struggle to sell it unless you price it very low, which again means you would lose a lot of money on it...


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[Oli77]

Sorry about this news. And indeed, it is a sad "second"post, heck, a terrible second post.
You do not have injuries correct?
It does not look good to me but I will let others address whether the car can be salvaged.
There are plenty of threads with people being low-balled by the insurance company and the bottom line seems to be to never accept their estimate.
Best of luck with all.

[az3579]

Damn, so sorry this happened. It’s really sad to see such a low mileage zhp end up like this. I personally think it’s worth much more than $12k especially since it’s a 6-speed. Anything below $15k is low IMO.


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He's definitely not getting $15k from an insurance company. He'd be lucky to get even $10k.
The car is beyond reasonable repair IMO.

If it was me in your shoes, I'd fight for $12k and accept $9k or above.

[Vas]

Buy back and part out if you have the space and time?

[slater]

He's definitely not getting $15k from an insurance company. He'd be lucky to get even $10k.
The car is beyond reasonable repair IMO.

If it was me in your shoes, I'd fight for $12k and accept $9k or above.

with 56K, it's in EAG territory. i'd take their listings to the insurance company as a starting point.

[danewilson77]

with 56K, it's in EAG territory. i'd take their listings to the insurance company as a starting point.

At 56K miles, $15K to $18K all day long.

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[johnrando]

Sorry about the car, that's awful. Glad you're OK. Hope things work put whatever yiu do.

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