No matter how bad your day was, mine was worse.

[GTaudiophile]

Amazing to see what's left...

 

[Mide]

wow that is awful, sorry to hear

 

[Fritzo]

Wow sucks, is that common to E46 cars?

How old/miles was yours?

I've been looking it up, and I was surprised at how many people reported the same exact issue.

Not sure I'd call it common though. I pampered that car, and just got to the point where the engine was perfect, then a damned electrical fire takes it down. It seemed to start right around the FSU, which is that damned heat sync thing that prevents your air con from working:

I wonder what the insurance adjusters will find. They're offering me $9900 reimbursement + sales tax.

Here's my girl in happier times

 

[kitatech]

Sometimes, the best news isn't very good news and isn't the news we would ever hope for.... and it changes everything very quickly.

...you're able to be here and post about it...and that is good enough considering the alternative...

Glad you're okay and wishing you the best for the rest of the year...

 

[tfinch2]

I've been looking it up, and I was surprised at how many people reported the same exact issue.

Not sure I'd call it common though. I pampered that car, and just got to the point where the engine was perfect, then a damned electrical fire takes it down. It seemed to start right around the FSU, which is that damned heat sync thing that prevents your air con from working:

I wonder what the insurance adjusters will find. They're offering me $9900 reimbursement + sales tax.

Here's my girl in happier times

I like the gunmetal wheels better.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[twinrider1]

At least the Les Paul wasn't in the trunk.

Glad you're ok. Looking forward to the happy New Car Day thread.

 

[phucheneh]

...those wheels do look pretty sweet post-fire. I didn't realize they weren't supposed to be that color. Sorry.

And holy CRAP...the blower motor resistor started that? Or, well, not really a resistor, I'm guessing...probably a little transistor-based unit for PWM control of the fan?

I've seen failures of those things with various brands. Last time I can remember seeing anything even borderline serious, it was in a Kia or a Hyundai- corroded harness leading to burnt blower controller. Dealer parts guy said it was common and knew which bit of the dash harness to price. Assumably, they never ACTUALLY catch fire, though.

I wonder if some of the 'Euro build quality' was its downfall...I dunno if BMW does this, but Mercedes likes to stuff random bags of foam everywhere. I'm sure it works to cut down on noise and contribute to that 'solid' feel....but...you know...it's kindling.

 

[mmntech]

I've been looking it up, and I was surprised at how many people reported the same exact issue.

Back when I was renting cars, we had a customer who had this happen to her BMW. Burst into flames in her driveway. Fire started near the glove box. Saw the car when I went to pick her up. Total write off. German engineering in da house. Though we figured she had dropped a lit cig in the car and tried to pawn it off on a faulty part. The fact that she was baked when she returned the rental didn't help her story. Thankfully her husband was the one driving it. Still one of my favourite war stories. She was some Indian lady in her 40s too. Not the kind of person you'd expect to be indulging in some reefer madness.

Anyway, I wonder if there's been a safety recall. Heard a few stories like this, so it can't be an isolated incident.

 

[pandemonium]

Wow, that's terrible! And after all of that time finding and getting things just right. It's a good reminder that while we enjoy what we enjoy, it can all be taken away in a blink of an eye. I hope you're able to cherish the moments you did have with it.

I'm guessing you were driving it at the time and pulled over once you started to smell something? Did you notice it after doing something? Like, turning on the A/C or something seemingly inconsequential like that? This could lead to compensation from BMW I would think...

 

[Fritzo]

Wow, that's terrible! And after all of that time finding and getting things just right. It's a good reminder that while we enjoy what we enjoy, it can all be taken away in a blink of an eye. I hope you're able to cherish the moments you did have with it.

I'm guessing you were driving it at the time and pulled over once you started to smell something? Did you notice it after doing something? Like, turning on the A/C or something seemingly inconsequential like that? This could lead to compensation from BMW I would think...

It started after the heater fan kicked on while driving it.

Also, the wheels were painted gunmetal...that wasn't from the fire I did that last November.

 

[Fritzo]

At least the Les Paul wasn't in the trunk.

Glad you're ok. Looking forward to the happy New Car Day thread.

I don't think I could handle that.

 

[_Rick_]

Welp, maybe I should get a fire extinguisher for my car, after all...

 

[Kaido]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

My condolences man. Glad you're okay. But still...your baby

 

[Ancalagon44]

You bought a Meyle part? That's your problem.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

$9900???? Seriously? I would have guessed retail is much more than that.

Keep in mind, what you paid doesn't matter. It's what it will cost to replace it with an identical car.


Edit: And I mean this in the best way, but insurance people are terrible for trying to be buddy buddy until something like this happens. They act like they're doing you a favor while offering you 70% market value.

I would spend some time on carmax, BMW dealers w/ certified used, make them pay what it will cost you + tax to come out of this financially unharmed.


Then take the money and use it to look for a good deal on a 335.

 

[lavaheadache]

that'll buff right out.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

$9900???? Seriously? I would have guessed retail is much more than that.

Keep in mind, what you paid doesn't matter. It's what it will cost to replace it with an identical car.


Edit: And I mean this in the best way, but insurance people are terrible for trying to be buddy buddy until something like this happens. They act like they're doing you a favor while offering you 70% market value.

I would spend some time on carmax, BMW dealers w/ certified used, make them pay what it will cost you + tax to come out of this financially unharmed.


Then take the money and use it to look for a good deal on a 335.

I will have to chime in about a Progressive agent I dealt with once. An old lady ran a stop sign and totaled at 97 Explorer I was driving. Was expecting them to offer around $3k or so. Retail was around $5k and doing my research it looked like ones just like mine were going for $4700 or so.

Progressive guy came to my office and said they came up with something like $4668. I just remember the difference being less than $100 from what I was wanting.

So agreed to the price if I could scavenge the audio system I put in and returned the old one and he said sure.

So while 99% are scumbags, this guy was doing it right.

 

[Vdubchaos]

That sucks, sorry to hear.

PS. German electronics are THE WORST by far. And they put more electronic crap in their cars than EVER before.

No thanks

I'm just glad you are ok. Car can always be replaced.

OP, when my car was totaled 10 years ago or so it felt like I lost my child (at the time). And it seemed to be one of the worst days of my life. I poured my heart and soul into it (countless $$$ and labor I poured into it.....without getting into cleaning it etc).

I now realize how stupid I was even thinking that way......it's just a car, whatever.

 

[dbk]

Ok what now? Bimmer people (enthusiast leaning) have a hard time giving it up. So I expect another 3 series for u.. how about a e82 135i?

 

[monkeydelmagico]

That's scary. I'm suprised the tires didn't catch fire too.

 

[LTC8K6]

Sorry to see that. Glad you weren't hurt.

You will find another car to love.

 

[Midwayman]

Bummer. Hope your insurer doesn't use CCC valuescope.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I will have to chime in about a Progressive agent I dealt with once. An old lady ran a stop sign and totaled at 97 Explorer I was driving. Was expecting them to offer around $3k or so. Retail was around $5k and doing my research it looked like ones just like mine were going for $4700 or so.

Progressive guy came to my office and said they came up with something like $4668. I just remember the difference being less than $100 from what I was wanting.

So agreed to the price if I could scavenge the audio system I put in and returned the old one and he said sure.

So while 99% are scumbags, this guy was doing it right.

He took almost 10% off retail... That's borderline scumbag.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

If you're still looking for another bmw then you have some serious screws loose.

 

[uclaLabrat]

It started after the heater fan kicked on while driving it.

Also, the wheels were painted gunmetal...that wasn't from the fire I did that last November.

Damn, thanks for ruining the joke, I was CRYING after that one