Hit road debris. Totaled. Now what.

[jason89i]

After a 4 month complete refresh of the zhp, I hit a semi retread tire at 400 miles later. After 7 years (~120k miles) Im really heartbroken. Sold the TS2+ car this fall. This was my 3rd zhp (over 250k miles logged in zhp's) and I expected to keep it forever. This was the keeper.... the car was hyper maintained. A lot of things were replaced "because I was there."

Now, the insurance company has totaled it and I am looking for advice.

1. Fix damage only. (front bumper, radiator, ps lines, undertray.) It will have blend marks....get over it. No out of pocket.
2. Fix damage, pdr 2 dents, repaint whole car. Will require out of pocket costs.... but I end up with a great car....salvage title.
3. Move on, dont look back. Find another zhp or e46m. Already have a 340i 6mt for daily duty.


Here she is as of now....




Maintenance records.........

2005-330izhp-maintanance-2-18-22.pdf

[sillieidiot]

I'm surprised it's totaled. That doesn't look like 4k of damage. At least considering price values of the cars now anyways, it would have to be around that much.

I would do a slightly modified option 1. Basically, only paint the front bumper. No blend with the rest of the car. Get someone to color match it as well as possible. The slight shade difference between plastic and metal is pretty much always there anyways.

Since you know the condition of the car and it's not damaged in any other way, I'd keep it.
But if you're really wanting a clean title car. Then option 3 lol Part out some of the mods and get as much as you can. For the next car.

I hope you're getting comps and getting the best value for the car.

[Vas]

That's a fixer. Get it back on the road.

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

[jason89i]

I hope you're getting comps and getting the best value for the car.

my insurance company (whom ive been with for 30+ years) was not playing nice. none of their comps were zhp's. Their low ball offer (like 3k buy out) insulted me..... especially when you consider the work done in the last 1000 miles.

That's a fixer. Get it back on the road.

yea, i will probabily get it fixed. Im just unsure on how deep to go.
Part of me says walk away and start over with an e46m. BUT, I would loose my shirt on any sort of trade.
(I have 20k in parts alone on the "maintenance" list and the car was "done.")

[WOLFN8TR]

(I have 20k in parts alone on the "maintenance" list and the car was "done.")

Sorry to hear about the ZHP. If you have 20k in parts I would definitely keep it. It doesn’t look totaled, how does the other side look?

[cakM3]

I'm surprised it's totaled. That doesn't look like 4k of damage. At least considering price values of the cars now anyways, it would have to be around that much.

I would do a slightly modified option 1. Basically, only paint the front bumper. No blend with the rest of the car. Get someone to color match it as well as possible. The slight shade difference between plastic and metal is pretty much always there anyways.

Since you know the condition of the car and it's not damaged in any other way, I'd keep it.
But if you're really wanting a clean title car. Then option 3 lol Part out some of the mods and get as much as you can. For the next car.

I hope you're getting comps and getting the best value for the car.

That's a fixer. Get it back on the road.

Sorry to hear about the ZHP. If you have 20k in parts I would definitely keep it. It doesn’t look totaled, how does the other side look?

I say keep the car, get it restored and then not worry about putting mileage on the car and enjoy the car.

It sucks that you hit that blown tire remains but as they say . . . shit happens. Very unfortunate but you can save this amazing car and enjoy putting on the mileage after you fix it.

[Bird-Dog]

my insurance company (whom ive been with for 30+ years) was not playing nice. none of their comps were zhp's. Their low ball offer (like 3k buy out) insulted me..... especially when you consider the work done in the last 1000 miles.

That sucks. I hate it for you. It's an eye opener for the rest of us, though.

I'm sure a lot of members here know already, but the best way to get a fair shake on these cars is to insure on an "agreed value" policy as a collector car. Grundy and Hagerty are the main players, AFAIK. As long as you have another daily and don't put a lot of miles on the ZHP you'll get better coverage going this route, and likely for a whole lot lower premium while valuing the car in-line with the actual market too.

[jason89i]

......... an "agreed value" policy as a collector car. Grundy and Hagerty are the main players, AFAIK. As long as you have another daily and don't put a lot of miles on the ZHP ......

Ive been down that road. Most of those companies say you "cannot use the car to go to work."
Its a non-starter for me. I have a small business and Im always using the cars for work.
More loop holes for them to deny coverage.
I called a broker and shopping for everything.

If its a forever car who cares about the title status. Get as much money from insurance, fix and enjoy. Good Luck.

I will. I will. I will. But there is something about original paint and a clear title. Its just not the same.
J

[fredo]

Sorry to hear the news. Did you show the insurance company receipts for recent service and repairs ? They should consider that in their offer.

[John in VA]

Sorry to hear the news. Did you show the insurance company receipts for recent service and repairs ? They should consider that in their offer.

In my limited experience, thankfully, USAA only considered expenses incurred in the past year.