[ChiBoothStu]

Hi All,

I'm new to posting, but not new to the forum. In fact, all the useful feedback from posts from this site are what lead me to purchase my car a month ago. THANK YOU ALL!

Anyway, I love my new car, but unfortunately I was rear-ended by a not so sober motorist 4 days ago -- just 6 weeks after purchasing my new baby.

See the damage below. Fortunately my fiance and I are okay. My car, not so much. To be honest, though, I'm surprised that the damage wasn't worse, given the condition of the other drivers vehicle. After impact, the other car's engine appeared to fall to the ground. I believe his car was totaled, actually.

I'm curious what you think of the damage. Will my car ever be the same? Will it drive the same after repairs? After impact, and as you can see from the photo, my exhaust seemed to buckle, folding towards the ground. Is there anyone who's been in a similar accident? Was your car the same after repairs?

The other drivers insurance has agreed to cover the cost of the damages. My car is currently in the shop here in Chicago. I insisted that the body shop use only OEM parts, as many of you have mentioned here on the site. Hopefully that helps. The shop believes that their may be some minor but repairable frame damage, which is very alarming, and that the trunk lid may be replaced (they are, however, going to attempt to repair the lid). Also, the impact forced our vehicle to bump the car ahead of me. The driver of that vehicle didn't bother to stick around and left before I could get his information. The insurance company is fighting with me about whether they'll cover the damage.

The body shop is projecting that the repairs will take about 3-5 weeks, depending on parts and order delivery.

From looking at the pictures, again, I'm starting to feel like my F30 might never be the same, though. Unfortunate, because I just bought the car -- the first car I've ever purchased for myself -- 6 weeks ago. Crazy thing is, I've been driving for 15 years --since I was 14-years-old. I've never had a single accident, until now.

Curious what you all think. Thanks in advance

[metallicpea]

Pictures don't work for me.

[ChiBoothStu]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

Pictures don't work for me.

updated and reattached the photos

[ErkanTR16]

Glad to hear you guys are OK. Honestly by looking at the pictures it doesn't look that bad. Do you know if the rear body frame is bent at all? Hope everything will turn out the way you want it to.

[mbfanos]

@OP: it does not look that bad. Don't worry. I get what you feel. Remember to make the insurance company to reimburse you for car's decreased value or whatever it is called. You can do a search here as it has been discussed at lease several times on this forum.

[BlueCrabMafia]

That sucks OP, I feel for you. As you already have, insist on OEM parts. Don't buckle under pressure of the other persons insurance company either. Especially about the damage to the front of the vehicle. Remind them that their intoxicated driver rear ended you causing the damage to the rear and causing you to impact another vehicle through no fault of your own.

Also make sure you go after them for diminishment of value on your vehicle. They are responsible to cover you for the loss of value your vehicle has now incurred.

[HotTea69]

1) How did you drive at 14?
2) It dont look bad at all.
3) Better Rear than front because at least you know theres no damage done to any vital parts of the car

[metallicpea]

Crappy luck, but glad you are both OK.
Doesn't look too bad. Rear is so much better than the front. Don't worry about the exhaust.

That's the Kennedy at Montrose right?

BTW, I see only the last 4 pics, not the first 4.

[ChiBoothStu]

Originally Posted by HotTea69

1) How did you drive at 14?
2) It dont look bad at all.
3) Better Rear than front because at least you know theres no damage done to any vital parts of the car

"1) How did you drive at 14?"

I grew up in Oklahoma. A really rural part where there wasn't another house for miles and my family knew everyone in the village (for lack of a better word) where we lived.

Basically, when you grow up in a tiny, country town you learn to drive early because... well... why not.

[ChiBoothStu]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

Crappy luck, but glad you are both OK.
Doesn't look too bad. Rear is so much better than the front. Don't worry about the exhaust.

That's the Kennedy at Montrose right?

BTW, I see only the last 4 pics, not the first 4.

Close actually! The accident happened near the Ohio street exit heading into downtown. Traffic came to a stop. Everyone stopped. Except the car directly behind me. I guess he had other plans. :-/

[ChiBoothStu]

Originally Posted by Erkan_340i

Glad to hear you guys are OK. Honestly by looking at the pictures it doesn't look that bad. Do you know if the rear body frame is bent at all? Hope everything will turn out the way you want it to.

The body shop says that there was a slight dent in the frame, but that its reparable. I'm a little worried about it to be honest.

[BlueCrabMafia]

Originally Posted by ChiBoothStu

The body shop says that there was a slight dent in the frame, but that its reparable. I'm a little worried about it to be honest.

There really isn't a "frame" in a unibody car. The body shop is probably referring to one of the rear structural members. There's usually a pair running lengthwise in the trunk floor and that is what the bumper struts attach to.

I had an '00 E38 740i that was rear ended by a Ford Ranger doing 55mph while I was standing still. Buckled one of the rear members slightly. I had that car put on a frame machine and pulled straight. Car tracked perfectly straight after the repair. You should be fine.

[bratwurst1]

What body shop?

[ChiBoothStu]

Originally Posted by bratwurst1

What body shop?

Perillo Collision. A friend used them and had a positive experience. But, I've seen on here that not everyone has.

[440xiGCMsport]

why not use a BMW authorized body shop to make sure OEM parts are used and to make sure the fix is done properly.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by ChiBoothStu

Perillo Collision. A friend used them and had a positive experience. But, I've seen on here that not everyone has.

Sorry about your wreck. It doesn't look too bad. You probably won't be able to tell after it's repaired. Perillo will probably do a fine job. Just fyi for future reference, Knauz is a BMW Certified Collision Repair Center. Of course, if you're in the city they're not terribly convenient.

[BMWalltheway]

That'll buff right out.

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by ChiBoothStu

Close actually! The accident happened near the Ohio street exit heading into downtown. Traffic came to a stop. Everyone stopped. Except the car directly behind me. I guess he had other plans. :-/

Darn, Hubbard's Cave was my second guess - so close

Seriously, don't worry about the "frame" damage in the rear - nothing really critical to long term reliability back there. I would think Perillo would do it right. Associated with the dealer, correct?

[ChiBoothStu]

Originally Posted by 440xiGCMsport

why not use a BMW authorized body shop to make sure OEM parts are used and to make sure the fix is done properly.

Totally agree. Going with a BMW Certified Collision repair shop was my first thought. But after doing some research, none of the certified shops in the Chicagoland area -- particularly Patricks and Knauz -- had consistently positive reviews. This could be a fluke. They're probably both great shops. It could simply be that the patrons who had negative experiences were just more likely to post feedback. Who knows. I can say honestly that when I spoke to people from both shops, they were extremely helpful to me. So, again, who knows really.

I went with Perillo, though, because a friend recommended their work, and they have pretty solid reviews. The Perillo Body Shop has solid reviews that is. The dealership, Joe Perillo, (same owners I believe) not so much. It's pretty well known in Chicago that the dealerships customer is dreadfully heinous.

I'll definitely update after my car is finished and let you know how they do. Fingers crossed.

[ChiBoothStu]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

Darn, Hubbard's Cave was my second guess - so close

Seriously, don't worry about the "frame" damage in the rear - nothing really critical to long term reliability back there. I would think Perillo would do it right. Associated with the dealer, correct?

Yes, the shop is associated with the dealership. It's run by a different set of people, however. Same owner. But different management. If that makes sense.

[Luminous]

Originally Posted by ChiBoothStu

Totally agree. Going with a BMW Certified Collision repair shop was my first thought. But after doing some research, none of the certified shops in the Chicagoland area -- particularly Patricks and Knauz -- had consistently positive reviews. This could be a fluke. They're probably both great shops. It could simply be that the patrons who had negative experiences were just more likely to post feedback. Who knows. I can say honestly that when I spoke to people from both shops, they were extremely helpful to me. So, again, who knows really.

I went with Perillo, though, because a friend recommended their work, and they have pretty solid reviews. The Perillo Body Shop has solid reviews that is. The dealership, Joe Perillo, (same owners I believe) not so much. It's pretty well known in Chicago that the dealerships customer is dreadfully heinous.

I'll definitely update after my car is finished and let you know how they do. Fingers crossed.

Really sorry about the accident!

Was the intoxicated driver arrested?

[jd_perspective]

If you purchased this car (vs. lease) you ABSOLUTELY need to go after them for diminished value. You'll probably need to find a local attorney but it's worth it. Also make sure that attorney specializes in this and never take the first offer.

Don't worry too much about the BMW repair shop. I had some incidents with my car and the Certified repair shop did a crappy job!! Installed cameras wrong, allowed me to drive away with a blown headlight, and left over-spray all over my car!!!