[adamf30e90]

Hi all,

I want to start with stating I love this forum and the community and have been a lurker ever since I got my beautiful f30.

Tl;dr: need advice, car front ended, Geico insurance, small deductible. Estimate max on total fix? Drives ok but not sure for how long. Worth totaling? Advice on working with Geico? Car is not yet inspected.

Long story short,
Car in front of me slammed brakes and I ended up hitting the rear of the midsize suv (Toyota Highlander) hence the pictures.

I am afraid this car may have sustained long term damage. Pics don't show everything but the impact was more on the upper bumper and the internals show everything getting pushed towards the engine with engine seemingly feeling the impact. I have driven the car 100 miles since and so far no sensor has gone off. Looking inside the hood, there is lot of broken plastic debris and radiator looking heavily hit.

I need your advice in many fronts. Pls answer whichever or all below!
1. I have Geico. Should I try to pursue the totaling route?
2. If I have small deductible, is it worth going with BMW dealership for the fix? I live near SF BMW in San Francisco Bay Area. If not, any repair shop suggestions?
3. How much do you think fix would be? I live in expensive geo. Car was bought at around 19-20k
4. Anything I'm not aware of? From mechanical issue to navigating with insurance company?


I am newbie as you can tell by now. Help!

[BimR]

Here is my opinion. Others may disagree. Go to your insurance right NOW. What exactly are you waiting for? That has to get fixed no matter how big or small the damage is. If your deductible is $500 (guessing), then that damage will not cost less to fix. Plus that's exactly why you have insurance! Maybe you save $100 by doing it yourself because someone on this forum thinks it's purely cosmetic, is that worth it?

As for going to dealership, absolutely yes, if allowed by your insurance. Let them give a proper estimate and then you can decide whether you want them to fix it, someone else or total IF the damage is that bad. You don't have any options unless insurance gets involved.

Bottom line - I drive my car for fun but also want it safe. And that's why you have insurance.

[amancuso]

This makes me sad. I wouldn't count it out yet. Might just be a rad support and some other items.

[adamf30e90]

Originally Posted by BimR

Here is my opinion. Others may disagree. Go to your insurance right NOW. What exactly are you waiting for? That has to get fixed no matter how big or small the damage is. If your deductible is $500 (guessing), then that damage will not cost less to fix. Plus that's exactly why you have insurance! Maybe you save $100 by doing it yourself because someone on this forum thinks it's purely cosmetic, is that worth it?

As for going to dealership, absolutely yes, if allowed by your insurance. Let them give a proper estimate and then you can decide whether you want them to fix it, someone else or total IF the damage is that bad. You don't have any options unless insurance gets involved.

Bottom line - I drive my car for fun but also want it safe. And that's why you have insurance.

Yeah the insurance was notified right away. I had to drive back from the incident so I ended up driving the car instead of having it towed. They will be come for inspection in next day or two. I liked the car but I want to do what's best for my pocket in short and long term. Any suggestion on whether going with insurance recommended shop?

[adamf30e90]

Originally Posted by amancuso

This makes me sad. I wouldn't count it out yet. Might just be a rad support and some other items.

Yeah, I would love to have the car fixed. But my fear is that there is some unknown damage lurking in the engine or somewhere else in the hood due to the impact. I just want to eliminate all possibilities of getting car fixed but having issues down the road..

[BimR]

Originally Posted by adamf30e90

Yeah the insurance was notified right away. I had to drive back from the incident so I ended up driving the car instead of having it towed. They will be come for inspection in next day or two. I liked the car but I want to do what's best for my pocket in short and long term. Any suggestion on whether going with insurance recommended shop?

So here is my perspective. If I'm only paying $500 and Insurance covers the rest, I'm going to a dealership. Let's assume three repairs aren't done right, I can raise hell with BMW corp. I may never win my case but atleast I have someone to call. Again, that's my bias.

[StraightF]

Originally Posted by adamf30e90

Yeah, I would love to have the car fixed. But my fear is that there is some unknown damage lurking in the engine or somewhere else in the hood due to the impact. I just want to eliminate all possibilities of getting car fixed but having issues down the road..

Since you already have the thought of potential issues lurking down the road, I'd recommend just getting any problems taken care of definitively right now instead of putting it off, due more to peace of mind.

Yes, the financial burden may suck in the short-term, but it beats having mental stress long-term with potential additional mechanical issues down the road leading to even more financial cost (IMO).

[njdangelo]

This is exactly what crumple zones are for. Glad you and the other driver are safe! IMO I don't think you'll have to worry about any unforeseen long term damage. This doesn't look like a total loss to me.There might be some damage to the front rails but they are there for pretty much this exact purpose. Fenders seem straight still (passenger side at least) so I doubt you have any frame or structural damage. Should be a pretty straight forward repair and DEFINITELY go to a BMW dealership that way you know you getting OEM parts. New hood, new headlight, new bumper/supports/components, new radiator and supports, new rails, new bmw emblem lol and you'll be good to go. Enjoy the loaner!

[435gc]

Looks like its probably a total loss to me.

[adamf30e90]

Originally Posted by BimR

So here is my perspective. If I'm only paying $500 and Insurance covers the rest, I'm going to a dealership. Let's assume three repairs aren't done right, I can raise hell with BMW corp. I may never win my case but atleast I have someone to call. Again, that's my bias.

Thanks for your input. I will go with BMW dealership. I read somewhere on the internet that Geico can deny repair if the dealership charges outrageous prices. Anyways, I will deal with it if that was to happen.

[adamf30e90]

Originally Posted by StraightF

Since you already have the thought of potential issues lurking down the road, I'd recommend just getting any problems taken care of definitively right now instead of putting it off, due more to peace of mind.

Yes, the financial burden may suck in the short-term, but it beats having mental stress long-term with potential additional mechanical issues down the road leading to even more financial cost (IMO).

Yeah, I will push them to resolve any issues related to the damages. I was mostly talking about damage to the engine and timing chain.. not sure if they would be willing to consider replacing it if it sounds fine..

[adamf30e90]

Originally Posted by njdangelo

This is exactly what crumple zones are for. Glad you and the other driver are safe! IMO I don't think you'll have to worry about any unforeseen long term damage. This doesn't look like a total loss to me.There might be some damage to the front rails but they are there for pretty much this exact purpose. Fenders seem straight still (passenger side at least) so I doubt you have any frame or structural damage. Should be a pretty straight forward repair and DEFINITELY go to a BMW dealership that way you know you getting OEM parts. New hood, new headlight, new bumper/supports/components, new radiator and supports, new rails, new bmw emblem lol and you'll be good to go. Enjoy the loaner!

Thanks! That's the plan and consensus on this thread.

[adamf30e90]

Originally Posted by 435gc

Looks like its probably a total loss to me.

Can you elaborate ?

[cfm56d7b]

Any damage to the car you like to drive is disappointing.

At this point, there isn't anything you can do other than take the car to a reputable collision specialist. Dealers typically don't repair collision damage. Your car will be taken to one of the preferred partner shops.

The process is still the same, whether damage is visibly small or extensive:

- The shop performs inspection
- The insurance company reviews the estimate
- There might be a dialog about using OEM or aftermarket parts
- The car is repaired or totaled

Patience - that's about it.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by 435gc

Looks like its probably a total loss to me.

Sure, if it was at least ten years old and the cost to repair was over half the value of the car. He's driven it 100 miles, so the engine is fine, suspension can't be too bad, frame is probably OK.

[adamf30e90]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Any damage to the car you like to drive is disappointing.

At this point, there isn't anything you can do other than take the car to a reputable collision specialist. Dealers typically don't repair collision damage. Your car will be taken to one of the preferred partner shops.

The process is still the same, whether damage is visibly small or extensive:

- The shop performs inspection
- The insurance company reviews the estimate
- There might be a dialog about using OEM or aftermarket parts
- The car is repaired or totaled

Patience - that's about it.

Yes - I will be doing it via their approved service centers. I do have couple in mind that only OEM parts. My question is - what happens if there is an issue say with the timing chain.. does the collision center work with other shops to resolve service related issues? The one I have in mind is only collision.

[cfm56d7b]

The car has to be brought to pre collision/ OEM operating specifications.

It's very common for the car to be transferred more than once between the dealer and the collision shop.

Your car will be connected to BMW diagnostic software. Any timing chain issues and other issues will surface pretty quickly.

[BimR]

Originally Posted by adamf30e90

Yes - I will be doing it via their approved service centers. I do have couple in mind that only OEM parts. My question is - what happens if there is an issue say with the timing chain.. does the collision center work with other shops to resolve service related issues? The one I have in mind is only collision.

As others said, you are safe and the car did it's job! That's important. You like your car and don't want to total it which is understandable. But let's make sure it's completely safe!

Now, my personal body shop actually is the Geico shop in the area. I go there because they do good work and not because I have Geico. And the biggest dealership in the area has their own body shop but others dont. However, the dealership coordinates everything with Geico. If they say "engine is xyz", Geico has to pay or total the car. That's your advantage going to a dealer. The adjuster can say whatever but unless they put the car up on the lift and look properly, they have to listen to the dealer.

When it comes to safety, I don't cheap out!

[adamf30e90]

Originally Posted by BimR

As others said, you are safe and the car did it's job! That's important. You like your car and don't want to total it which is understandable. But let's make sure it's completely safe!

Now, my personal body shop actually is the Geico shop in the area. I go there because they do good work and not because I have Geico. And the biggest dealership in the area has their own body shop but others dont. However, the dealership coordinates everything with Geico. If they say "engine is xyz", Geico has to pay or total the car. That's your advantage going to a dealer. The adjuster can say whatever but unless they put the car up on the lift and look properly, they have to listen to the dealer.

When it comes to safety, I don't cheap out!

Thank you. I found a very reputable body shop recommended by BMW. On their website, they recommend bringing the car to them first instead of getting a quote from Geico. I am assuming you're suggesting doing that as well.

[adamf30e90]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

The car has to be brought to pre collision/ OEM operating specifications.

It's very common for the car to be transferred more than once between the dealer and the collision shop.

Your car will be connected to BMW diagnostic software. Any timing chain issues and other issues will surface pretty quickly.

That makes sense. Thanks

[BimR]

Originally Posted by adamf30e90

Thank you. I found a very reputable body shop recommended by BMW. On their website, they recommend bringing the car to them first instead of getting a quote from Geico. I am assuming you're suggesting doing that as well.

Yes, if your dealership sends you there, go there. And talk to the shop. Have them look for "everything" if they talk to you. Make sure you are satisfied that they are looking everything over.

[F30lolz]

Looks far from being totaled. Maybe I missed it but what damage was done on the Toyota? Did you receive a citation? GL and hope you’ll be back on the road soon with proper repairs.