[Ramb23]

Hi everyone, I had my first crash into a concrete barrier at 50/60mph a few days ago, what are your thoughts on repairability? The driver door is really stiff to open, wheel is hanging off. Just after some thoughts and opinions really while waiting for insurance. Many thanks in advance.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Ramb23

Hi everyone, I had my first crash into a concrete barrier at 50/60mph a few days ago, what are your thoughts on repairability? The driver door is really stiff to open, wheel is hanging off. Just after some thoughts and opinions really while waiting for insurance. Many thanks in advance.

Sorry about your crash. Hope you are okay.

Just as a reference, my wife's 2019 X5 got sideswiped while parked. The damage looked a lot like your car. All panels on the side scraped. Wheel, steering and suspension pieces mangled. Repaired at BMW Collision Center in California. Total repair bill: $28,000 USD.

[F30lolz]

Glad you seem to be ok. What year is the car? Kilometers? Headlight, fender, door, not sure about bumper but the whole passenger side would have to be repainted and other panels will need to be blended. Suspension work for sure, alignment but hope your steering rack is fine. That alone in the USA is a $4k dealer part. Let us know.

Edit: just noticed the hood has slight damage as well. Would you rather have used parts installed to prevent it from being totaled?

[cfm56d7b]

I hope you (and your passengers) are OK. Did your vehicle brush against the concrete barrier or struck the barrier at some angle? This is one of the key drivers of the damage extent.

The full extent of the damage will be identified in the inspection report performed by the body shop. That's when the insurance company makes the decision whether to repair the vehicle or total it.

[Ramb23]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

Sorry about your crash. Hope you are okay.

Just as a reference, my wife's 2019 X5 got sideswiped while parked. The damage looked a lot like your car. All panels on the side scraped. Wheel, steering and suspension pieces mangled. Repaired at BMW Collision Center in California. Total repair bill: $28,000 USD.

All ok thank you. That’s useful info thank you.

[Ramb23]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

Glad you seem to be ok. What year is the car? Kilometers? Headlight, fender, door, not sure about bumper but the whole passenger side would have to be repainted and other panels will need to be blended. Suspension work for sure, alignment but hope your steering rack is fine. That alone in the USA is a $4k dealer part. Let us know.

Edit: just noticed the hood has slight damage as well. Would you rather have used parts installed to prevent it from being totaled?

No injuries thanks. Late 2017 and I’m in UK so it is 22,700 miles not sure what that is in Km. No insurance will only spec OEM due to warrantee. I’d rather have it total loss rather than use after market tbh.

[Ramb23]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

I hope you (and your passengers) are OK. Did your vehicle brush against the concrete barrier or struck the barrier at some angle? This is one of the key drivers of the damage extent.

The full extent of the damage will be identified in the inspection report performed by the body shop. That's when the insurance company makes the decision whether to repair the vehicle or total it.

Thanks only me in the car thankfully. I was going around 50mph and no it was a distinct contact around 30degrees to the front approx. It bounced back from the concrete. Thanks for the info about the inspection report.

[Seesnax]

Looks like you hit it hard enough to move the steering wheel to the other side of the car....

[Ramb23]

Originally Posted by Seesnax

Looks like you hit it hard enough to move the steering wheel to the other side of the car....

Hahaha

[Tommy-G]

Glad you're OK.
In all reality no, its not a total loss. However, I dont know how the rules differ in in Europe and it truly depends on who you're insurance carrier is and what they "want" to do.

Here in the states, total loss is approx 70% repair cost verses actual retail value of the vehicle on the date of loss. (car worth $10k, repairs cost $7k or more car is totalled)

Nowadays, used parts fetch such a high value on a car like this that insurance may total the vehicle closer to 50% of value. Its all based on market value and demand. That vehicle even with the front suspension damage is an easy fix. Repair the 1/4 panel, 2 new doors and a new fender and replace the suspension. What I mean is there is very little if any "visisble" structural damage so its an easy fix. Unlike replacing front unibody rails or a trunk floor etc.

These things can usually go any way you want them to....if you want it totalled, push the insurance to total it. If you want it fixed, convince them that its not a big deal and choose a reputable shop to back you up.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by Ramb23

Thanks only me in the car thankfully. I was going around 50mph and no it was a distinct contact around 30degrees to the front approx. It bounced back from the concrete. Thanks for the info about the inspection report.

Got it. Thanks for the additional details. Well - this is one for the insurance adjuster for sure. At 30 degrees frontal impact, I suspect there is enough damage which cannot be visually inspected.

The only solution now is simply wait until tear down has been completed.

[davidr3]

I'm gonna assume this will be totaled. On these cars the damage is already 10k+ minimum just for the damage I can see. Insurance won't take the risk and probably will total it out. Just my .02

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Ramb23

All ok thank you. That’s useful info thank you.

Yes, I was stunned when that estimate came back. OEM parts at BMW Collision equals a high price tag. AAA didn't even blink. They paid with no hassle. I'm still shocked.

[F30lolz]

If totaled, what will you replace it with?

[whatevs]

That looks like a "totaled" !

[upsidedownfunnel]

If your insurance is anything like American companies, it will completely depend on how much your car is worth. Damage like that can easily be repairable if your car is still relatively new. The damage could only be the sheetmetal and suspension components. It will be pricey, for sure, but might not be a total. It even looks like your headlight might have survived.

[Ramb23]

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

If your insurance is anything like American companies, it will completely depend on how much your car is worth. Damage like that can easily be repairable if your car is still relatively new. The damage could only be the sheetmetal and suspension components. It will be pricey, for sure, but might not be a total. It even looks like your headlight might have survived.

I think it is worth about £20k and I believe the repair to value ratio they are using is 70%... There were some lamp warnings and the indicator and lights (DRL or normal beam) were not working. The unit was cracked though.

[Ramb23]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

If totaled, what will you replace it with?

Nothing. I don't really fancy driving anymore... For longer journeys to see family I will hire a car (only do so once a month) and I live pretty much in the centre of a city so walk everywhere and walk to work too... Plus work have a shuttle bus for those rainy days!

[Ramb23]

Originally Posted by TommyG-inFlaNow

Glad you're OK.
In all reality no, its not a total loss. However, I dont know how the rules differ in in Europe and it truly depends on who you're insurance carrier is and what they "want" to do.

Here in the states, total loss is approx 70% repair cost verses actual retail value of the vehicle on the date of loss. (car worth $10k, repairs cost $7k or more car is totalled)

Nowadays, used parts fetch such a high value on a car like this that insurance may total the vehicle closer to 50% of value. Its all based on market value and demand. That vehicle even with the front suspension damage is an easy fix. Repair the 1/4 panel, 2 new doors and a new fender and replace the suspension. What I mean is there is very little if any "visisble" structural damage so its an easy fix. Unlike replacing front unibody rails or a trunk floor etc.

These things can usually go any way you want them to....if you want it totalled, push the insurance to total it. If you want it fixed, convince them that its not a big deal and choose a reputable shop to back you up.

Similar here. Repair to Value ratio for my company is quite high at 70%. I will have to wait and see what the garage come back with later this week/next week. Thanks

[Poochie]

If the suspension components or electronic power steering is touched, then that car is definitely totaled..

Surface appearance damage might not look like much, from the outside but when the adjuster writes an estimate and discover damage within the mechanics of the vehicle, all those little parts, here and there and plus labor, altogether, racks up a hefty bill repair bill, especially when supplementary damage begin to show up, later down the repair process.

The insurance companies know this and makes a calculated gamble, by totaling it out, for good measure, instead of risking the back on forth, on possible hidden damage.

Unless a car is a fairly new model, that has sustain its value, in relation to the extent of the damage, by a good margin, then I'm hedging my bet on it being a total loss, which is best possible outcome anyways.

[Ramb23]

Hi everyone, thanks for your inputs here. The repair bill came to approx. £15,000 due to the nature of the internal damage. The car was deemed un-economical to repair and therefore a total loss by the insurance company.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Ramb23

Hi everyone, thanks for your inputs here. The repair bill came to approx. £15,000 due to the nature of the internal damage. The car was deemed un-economical to repair and therefore a total loss by the insurance company.

That sounds like the correct outcome. Time to go shopping!