[Triple88]

So I decided to rear end someone this morning going 10mph, no one got hurt, no airbags deployed but my BMW who I wax constantly and take pristine care of got significant damage in the front. I have it at a body/repair shop that does great work with german cars. She was still running but was leaking coolant all over. Geico said it was close to $8,000 worth of damage without getting the open. They also said most likely after they see everything it will be $13,000.

I didn't get her too long ago and am just concerned with the repair with such a smashed in looking front. When I go there for the inspection is there anything I should be looking out for specifically with the front smashed in? I trust the guy working on it but want to make sure everything is looked through to smallest detail

Also they are gonna replace the radiator, condenser, and intercooler with after market ones. They said they can give me money towards one of my choice so im thinking its a good time to upgrade the IC. Any suggestions on which one to go with? Should I worry about the condenser and radiator not being OEM?

Thank you for any and all support, Im still reliving that sound of the metal crushing!

[MuffinMan910]

Sorry to hear OP. Glad no one got hurt.

I think the damage looks worse than it is thanks to the crumpled hood

Make sure you bring it to a reputable shop

Can't comment about aftermarket parts

[CalCarNut]

Every time someone posts something like that here, it's $12K plus. The headlights seem to be one of the more expensive parts on these cars. Glad you're okay.

[Triple88]

Originally Posted by CalCarNut

Every time someone posts something like that here, it's $12K plus. The headlights seem to be one of the more expensive parts on these cars. Glad you're okay.

$1500 per headlight

[skw]

I'm in the camp of if it were my car, please be totaled and let me order another one.

[blue dragon]

Now is a good time to get Euro adaptive LEDs, so you can do the NGHB with the tunnel effect

[jmg]

Sorry to hear OP!

As far as finding a reputable body shop, consult your local trustworthy BMW dealer and they can recommend the shop they use for their own repairs. Since your insurance is going to pay for it anyway, might as well disregard price shopping. If you're lucky, there's a BMW Certified Collision Repair Center nearby as well. You can search here and just check the appropriate box:

http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...r/default.aspx

If you have a cap on your car rental expenses, you can also check to see if the dealer will be doing the mechanical repairs as well. For that portion of the service, you can get a courtesy car from them free of charge.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by jmg

Sorry to hear OP!

As far as finding a reputable body shop, consult your local trustworthy BMW dealer and they can recommend the shop they use for their own repairs. Since your insurance is going to pay for it anyway, might as well disregard price shopping. If you're lucky, there's a BMW Certified Collision Repair Center nearby as well. You can search here and just check the appropriate box:

http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...r/default.aspx

If you have a cap on your car rental expenses, you can also check to see if the dealer will be doing the mechanical repairs as well. For that portion of the service, you can get a courtesy car from them free of charge.

Knauz BMW in Lake Bluff has a BMW Certified Collision Repair Center.

[TylerMcCraw]

Look on the bright side! Your going to have a brand new set of headlights!!! F30 headlights are prone to not look to well after a few years so be glad! Glad your ok, and yea the metal sound sucks.

[Kabrich]

Originally Posted by Triple88

Also they are gonna replace the radiator, condenser, and intercooler with after market ones. They said they can give me money towards one of my choice so im thinking its a good time to upgrade the IC. Any suggestions on which one to go with? Should I worry about the condenser and radiator not being OEM?

Who told you GEICO is using non-OEM parts?

They will normally have use used/refurbished OEM parts at the worst if you take it to a BMW Collision Center.

[perezr10]

So how did the accident happen. One of the benefits of driving a high performance sedan is shorter stopping distances. I suppose that didn't help you out that day.

[claykin]

Geico is one of the kings of using/forcing non-OEM parts.

Because of Geico (and a few others who quickly followed 20 years ago or so) the insurance industry typically offers OEM parts riders you can add to your insurance policy. I have this rider on my policy.

Assuming you don't have this type of rider, I'm unsure how a BMW certified collision center would handle this. Call and ask. Don't ask Geico, they're kings at convincing people aftermarket parts are the same as OEM.

One point to note about Certified Collision centers, these are typically "production" type shops. Everything is by the book and time. Painters are a trade who despise being held to the clock. I've heard (from reliable sources at BASF) that some BMW Certified Collision Centers have trouble holding on to good painters. Ask questions. Get comfortable with your decisions.

[anotheran]

For IC i recommend the Wagner Competition EVO 2. I have a ER but unless I can fix the creaking I'm having, I'll have to recommend Wagner.

I'd try to get used parts for radiator/condenser. It shouldn't be problem for aftermarket but I usually avoid chancing it unless my dealer says it's OK.

[lens]

Originally Posted by Triple88

So I decided to rear end someone this morning going 10mph, no one got hurt, no airbags deployed but my BMW who I wax constantly and take pristine care of got significant damage in the front. I have it at a body/repair shop that does great work with german cars. She was still running but was leaking coolant all over. Geico said it was close to $8,000 worth of damage without getting the open. They also said most likely after they see everything it will be $13,000.

I didn't get her too long ago and am just concerned with the repair with such a smashed in looking front. When I go there for the inspection is there anything I should be looking out for specifically with the front smashed in? I trust the guy working on it but want to make sure everything is looked through to smallest detail

Also they are gonna replace the radiator, condenser, and intercooler with after market ones. They said they can give me money towards one of my choice so im thinking its a good time to upgrade the IC. Any suggestions on which one to go with? Should I worry about the condenser and radiator not being OEM?

Thank you for any and all support, Im still reliving that sound of the metal crushing!

I've been there buddy, I know your feel, but fear not! Just make sure you bring it to a good shop. They'll normally keep you updated.

I got rear ended and rear ended someone and had hail damage all within 2 months.

Total cost was 25,000$ which wasn't written off (guy who rear ended me, his insurance paid, 8000$)

Just for front end alone was 13k as the headlights were the most expensive. Then you have the body pieces, radiator etc... From what it looks, you have alot of things to replace. I'm guessing between 15-18k with a brand new repaint.

[M47]

Sorry to hear OP. Did you rear end a truck?

[mjordan]

If you are using a top notch repair shop they will not use non-OEM parts. If there are really good and have a good working relationship with the adjusters you can get BMW parts. My body shop I have used for 15+ years will have his parts orderer price shop with, in this case, there BMW supplier. A top notch body shop will not use non OEM parts! At a minimum would have to be good OEM but give a little in places that don't really matter like lower radiator core supports, inner finder wells and lower engine covers (plastic under front end), ect. The parts you need to be concerned with are fit and finish items, that is where true BMW parts come into play. I am just speaking from lots of experience. Be nice but FIRM so you get the job done correctly. Good luck in your repairs.

[Jaghave]

I just got my car out of the body shop because some eoman hubcap hit my fromt and that cost 1500 i dont even want to know how much that repair will cost.

If you live in central jersey i can point you to the shop that did my car they did an excellent job imho.

[Beek]

Whatever made you decide to rear end someone?
But seriously glad no one was hurt, hope you get er fixed good as new and lets see some after pics to go with the before's. Wishing you better luck!

[Kabrich]

Originally Posted by claykin

Geico is one of the kings of using/forcing non-OEM parts.

Because of Geico (and a few others who quickly followed 20 years ago or so) the insurance industry typically offers OEM parts riders you can add to your insurance policy. I have this rider on my policy.

Assuming you don't have this type of rider, I'm unsure how a BMW certified collision center would handle this. Call and ask. Don't ask Geico, they're kings at convincing people aftermarket parts are the same as OEM.

One point to note about Certified Collision centers, these are typically "production" type shops. Everything is by the book and time. Painters are a trade who despise being held to the clock. I've heard (from reliable sources at BASF) that some BMW Certified Collision Centers have trouble holding on to good painters. Ask questions. Get comfortable with your decisions.

Never had issues with GEICO and non-OEM parts.

Then again, considering some of your other posts this evening, I can see how you might have ended up with this perception.

[beanbaguk]

I had a front corner shunt back in July and it smashed one of my headlights, bent the hood and wing amongst a few things.

The shunt was at less than 10mph. Goes to show how "fragile" these cars are!

The total cost of my repairs was $6k, with a very large chunk going to the headlight. (I've got the full active headlight auto high-beam system you get in Europe).

I believe the headlight unit was quoted at $1.8k but I never got to see the final repair bill.

I think it should mostly be repaired but insist on new body panels for everything. Don't allow them to beat anything out as it'll never look right again....

[claykin]

Originally Posted by Kabrich

Never had issues with GEICO and non-OEM parts.

Then again, considering some of your other posts this evening, I can see how you might have ended up with this perception.

https://www.geico.com/information/in...utoRepairParts

Or try Google on the subject.

Maybe this practice will change one day. State Farm and Geico have ultimately won legal challenges, so they continue (along with progressive) to push aftermarket parts for many non-safety related parts.

Care to edit your post?

[Kabrich]

Originally Posted by claykin

https://www.geico.com/information/in...utoRepairParts

Or try Google on the subject.

Maybe this practice will change one day. State Farm and Geico have ultimately won legal challenges, so they continue (along with progressive) to push aftermarket parts for many non-safety related parts.

Care to edit your post?

As you don't correct your bad posts, no. Perhaps you should edit yours.

All Insurance Companies have right to use aftermarket or used/refurbished parts. However, in actual practice, I have never had an issue with GEICO. That's what matters to me.

Furthermore, BMW uses a large number of aftermarket parts in their vehicles anyway. Do I really care if GEICO puts Hella Headlights in my car for 1/2 the price as the same Hella Headlights without an additional BMW sticker on them?

I can find negatives on EVERY Insurance Company on the Web, so unless I wanted to self insure, that is a given.