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

[Kadarin]

Good on you for having the presence of mind to get out quickly and unhurt.

 

[TheFamilyMan]

You should have bought one in Alpine White...that particular color is so awesome it would have come out of this without a scratch.

 

[DominionSeraph]

The World's Unluckiest Person

Yes, a First Worlder whose accidentally destroyed toy was covered by insurance. I'm sure hostages who are being faced with beheading are glad they're not in your shoes right now.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Yes, a First Worlder whose accidentally destroyed toy was covered by insurance. I'm sure hostages who are being faced with beheading are glad they're not in your shoes right now.

wait... we have hostages waiting for beheadings reading these forums?? WHO?

 

[Fritzo]

Yes, a First Worlder whose accidentally destroyed toy was covered by insurance. I'm sure hostages who are being faced with beheading are glad they're not in your shoes right now.

I'm just feeling sorry for myself. This was piled on to a lot of crap going on at the same time that most people don't have to go through. In reality, I wasn't hurt, nobody else was hurt, I'm getting a fair amount back from the insurance, and at worst I'll have to drive a minivan for a while.

 

[SSSnail]

I'd take that 10K in a heart beat.

 

[highland145]

I'm just feeling sorry for myself. This was piled on to a lot of crap going on at the same time that most people don't have to go through. In reality, I wasn't hurt, nobody else was hurt, I'm getting a fair amount back from the insurance, and at worst I'll have to drive a minivan for a while.

Yo, peaches, how's the bride?

 

[Fritzo]

Yo, peaches, how's the bride?

Getting better every day

 

[nisryus]

Whao! Glad you got out ok. Hopefully you have reached the low point and things start to get better from now on.

 

[OverVolt]

Wouldn't wish that upon anyone. I'd be so embarrassed at the news filming my carbaque as well.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

I am truley sorry for your lots.

 

[Topweasel]

Yes, a First Worlder whose accidentally destroyed toy was covered by insurance. I'm sure hostages who are being faced with beheading are glad they're not in your shoes right now.

Where in the hell does this come from and as mentioned the post was to us the readers. Those guys getting beheaded aren't given internet access to read up on ATG.

Sorry your life is to great that you feel guilty and have to take your self loathing out on others.

Fritzo sorry to hear about your car. Glad it looks like you will be coming out of it ok.

 

[eng2d2]

I'm just feeling sorry for myself. This was piled on to a lot of crap going on at the same time that most people don't have to go through. In reality, I wasn't hurt, nobody else was hurt, I'm getting a fair amount back from the insurance, and at worst I'll have to drive a minivan for a while.

That is good to hear

 

[slag]

$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.

Not true. Book value is what matters. Whether its underpriced at book value or not, that is what most adjusters go off of. (source, my wife is an adjuster). There is wiggle room, but if kbb and nada and the black book all show one price, but you can't find one for that price around, book value will still trump anything else.

It's like the person who is driving an old beat up 1992 taurus and it gets totalled. That person probably won't be able to find a working car for the $50.00 he/she gets for it, but thats how it works. Book value, not replacement value.

EDIT: And to reply to your edit, no, that's not how it works. They offer book value for the car with the miles it has, not a percentage of book value. It may value from state to state, but they are also not responsible for sales tax as that is not car value.

 

[TechBoyJK]

My insurance guy is pretty good. It looks like they have a replacement cost plan. Expecting a call in a bit.

When I totaled my honda accord, my insurance turned the claim around quick. Within a day of the accident, the adjuster had seen the car, ruled it a total loss, and offered me a settlement. When I accepted, he drove the check to me the next day.

Within 72 hours of the accident, I had the money in my account to replace the car.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Time for a Tesla.....

 

[Midwayman]

Not true. Book value is what matters. Whether its underpriced at book value or not, that is what most adjusters go off of. (source, my wife is an adjuster). There is wiggle room, but if kbb and nada and the black book all show one price, but you can't find one for that price around, book value will still trump anything else.

It's like the person who is driving an old beat up 1992 taurus and it gets totalled. That person probably won't be able to find a working car for the $50.00 he/she gets for it, but thats how it works. Book value, not replacement value.

EDIT: And to reply to your edit, no, that's not how it works. They offer book value for the car with the miles it has, not a percentage of book value. It may value from state to state, but they are also not responsible for sales tax as that is not car value.

Many states they are responsible for sales tax. Illinois they are by law. Also if it were another person's liability.

Replacement value also varies by state. Here the intent is that you get a settlement for the amount you could buy a comparable car, at least here. This is typically done with an average of several comparable vehicles.

Where the insurance screws you is they beat down the condition of your car while assuming all the replacements are in pristine, just driven off the lot condition. Then they do some calculation to figure the "take" price that no human being that isn't a volume buyer is ever going to get and try to pass that off as the value of the comp.

 

[Jimzz]

...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.

That's my vote.

Had a Saab that had a heatsink on the fan controller. It got loose and would stop working. Got hot enough to melt a little by the time I found the issue. Got a cpu heatsink and drilled some holes and bolted it up. No problems after that.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Not true. Book value is what matters. Whether its underpriced at book value or not, that is what most adjusters go off of. (source, my wife is an adjuster). There is wiggle room, but if kbb and nada and the black book all show one price, but you can't find one for that price around, book value will still trump anything else.

It's like the person who is driving an old beat up 1992 taurus and it gets totalled. That person probably won't be able to find a working car for the $50.00 he/she gets for it, but thats how it works. Book value, not replacement value.

EDIT: And to reply to your edit, no, that's not how it works. They offer book value for the car with the miles it has, not a percentage of book value. It may value from state to state, but they are also not responsible for sales tax as that is not car value.

Bolded is what matters in this particular situation, as it's easy to find a e46 3 series on dealer lots. What you're talking about only really matters on really old inexpensive cars.

And you're right, tax is not included, but at least in my state (and surrounding states) the insurance company is required to pay full non-negotiated retail listed value plus any expensive preventative maintenance from the last 6-12 months which also raises value.

They usually start with black book, then kbb, both of which are lower than retail prices.

 

[exdeath]

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

I know right? I saw like 12 more on fire on the way home just now

 

[halik]

Wow, did you have some aftermarket stereo or alarm installed? I've never even heard of a single E46 burning down.

 

[halik]

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

They make decent control arms, but I wouldn't go aftermarket for electronics.

 

[Fritzo]

Wow, did you have some aftermarket stereo or alarm installed? I've never even heard of a single E46 burning down.

It was all factory. The FCR was replaced last summer with a OEM unit.

I have a new theory- two months ago my alternator went out. It made all the lights go crazy and then I had to run on battery power to get home for about 10 minutes. I wonder if that fried some wires and caused a short.

 

[Sulaco]

Yes, a First Worlder whose accidentally destroyed toy was covered by insurance. I'm sure hostages who are being faced with beheading are glad they're not in your shoes right now.

Wow, way to be a total dick.

Don't you have some cartoon horse porn to masturbate to?

 

[Insomniator]

I just searched autotrader in new jersey and e46 330ci's are like 13k. How is 9900 OK? Are cars cheaper in Ohio?