[mmmmm235i]

Now on to accessing the damage to the 235 in terms of time and cost. The police came to the scene and based on the statements of myself, a witness, and the other driver, I was told that the other party will be cited. The car is a self insured rental car, so I assume the insurance will cover most of the damage 70-100%. I will have the work done at a BMW dealership and hopefully add a new diffuser. What do you think we are looking at in terms of cost? Is it still a problem to get the parts for this car quickly?
I see a new quarter panel and rear bumper with new fender lining. The car needs an allignment, but I was able to drive away from the accident. There does not appear to be any structural damage.
Let me know what you think...
Sorry can't seem to properly orientate the picture, will fix tomorrow when I can think.

LATEST UPDATE

The wheel housing that sits behind the quarter panel was bent during the accident. Unfortunately this could not be discovered until removal of the quarter panel, which took a few extra days due to an adjuster miscommunication. To make matters worse this part is also on back order and will not be shipped until the 14th with an estimated arrival date of the 20th. Because the part is behind the quarter panel, pretty much ZERO work can be done until the 20th. This means that I will be without my car for just about another month. This process has been awful. I am still experiencing pain from the accident and the damage to the car continues to mount. They also found a bent control arm so I'm surprised the car was able to make it home from the accident so easily. Anyway I'm trying to be patient and I have been fortunate to have a decent rental car while I deal with this. It's truly amazing how well the vehicle held up and based on the damage it appears that if he hit me square on the car would likely be a total loss. Accidents suck...safe driving to all.
I'll post some pics of the car fully opened up when I get a chance

[uberspeed]

Ouch, glad you're ok though and from the sounds of it could've been a lot worse, especially if they other guy flew across four lanes. Quarter panel and liner look pretty roughed up, amazing your rim seems unblemished. I live in SoFla not too far from the accident site you described, sorry about your car but I think it should mend quickly.

[NY10]

WOW! This is heartbreaking to look at. I'm glad you're ok and the accident wasn't worse and everyone was able to walk away.

As far as damage I think you're spot on with the damage you named. You're rims and tires look fine which is good.

Like you mentioned getting parts and stuff for the cars are not fast because they are no as popular as other BMW models. Being you're not at fault is good but I'm guessing sometime before you are able to get your car back.

Maybe the good thing out of this is your dealer will hook you up with an awesome loaner while yours is being fixed.

[overcoil]

Were you knocked hard in the accident ?
Did the Malibu just glance off the side not transferring a sharp blow into your back?
Just be prepared for anything, my Mercedes which had more bumper damage but less visible body damage had over $10,000 worth of damage, when hit similarly at around 30-40 mph.

[mmmmm235i]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Were you knocked hard in the accident ?
Did the Malibu just glance off the side not transferring a sharp blow into your back?
Just be prepared for anything, my Mercedes which had more bumper damage but less visible body damage had over $10,000 worth of damage, when hit similarly at around 30-40 mph.

I took a pretty good shot, this guy was probably going around 60 based on the impact and how his car reacted. I have a little tightness now and will see a doctor if it worstens.

[mmmmm235i]

Originally Posted by uberspeed

Ouch, glad you're ok though and from the sounds of it could've been a lot worse, especially if they other guy flew across four lanes. Quarter panel and liner look pretty roughed up, amazing your rim seems unblemished. I live in SoFla not too far from the accident site you described, sorry about your car but I think it should mend quickly.

Thanks, yea it is pretty amazing the rim is still perfect, he pretty much went right behind it. Any idea on the cost of such a repair at the dealership?

[CF22]

Damn that sucks, glad you and the other people are ok and the car is fixable. I've seen a few accidents like yours in that same area of I-95, driving in Miami is shit but accidents happen. Hope your car gets fixed quickly, what dealer are you planning on using?

[bimmerbuff]

Sucks bro. I'm glad everyone is okay though; cars can be replaced, people can't. My girlfriend has chronic back problems even after having a spinal fusion all steming from a car accident.

I really can't believe things weren't worse after hearing the Malibu went across four lanes. Hard to say how much damage was done to your car. There might be hidden damage. I would say at least $5,000 based off the picture alone.

[mmmmm235i]

Originally Posted by CF22

Damn that sucks, glad you and the other people are ok and the car is fixable. I've seen a few accidents like yours in that same area of I-95, driving in Miami is shit but accidents happen. Hope your car gets fixed quickly, what dealer are you planning on using?

I was planning on going north and staying away from braman. I'm going to get a estimate tomorrow at vista or lauderdale hopefully.
Does anyone have an idea if the parts can be obtained in a reasonable amount of time or will I be driving around like this for a month. I know guys who got in accidents early on were out of a car for months. At least I can still drive it and get a loaner while they are actually working on it.

[VMRWheels]

Oh man, heartbreaking to see. Glad to know you're doing all right.

Best of luck to you with what follows

[tke743]

Glad to hear everyone is ok, but very sorry to see this.

[uberspeed]

Originally Posted by mmmmm235i

Thanks, yea it is pretty amazing the rim is still perfect, he pretty much went right behind it. Any idea on the cost of such a repair at the dealership?

In terms of service departments Vista is pretty top notch (bit far from me but been a few times when it was convenient) and so is Lauderdale BMW of Fort Lauderale, where I usually go. Not sure how well that translates to their collision but usually not too far off. Never had good dealings with the Pembroke Pines location so not recommending them. Scott Quick is the Service Advisor I generally use, 954.335.0271 is his number. Best of luck.

[overcoil]

mmmm235, just something that occurred to me, your asking about how fast the parts will come in and that you can still drive the car. But if you were to get hit again in the same car even a milder tap, maybe since all the impact protection has been knocked out of that part of the chassis any further hits would transfer much more damage into more critical parts of the chassis and it may not be worth taking that chance.

[david.orr]

Really sorry to hear and see this. Important that you're oak cos your car will be fixed well by BMW. All the best.

[BEM-S4]

You'll know more once they get it up on a rack, if the frame's bent at all you're looking at serious time and $. If the frames not bent go buy a lottery ticket immediately bc based on your description of the accident your luck has got to be at an all time high.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

You'll know more once they get it up on a rack, if the frame's bent at all you're looking at serious time and $. If the frames not bent go buy a lottery ticket immediately bc based on your description of the accident your luck has got to be at an all time high.

Unitized body design...there is no frame. There is a floorpan.

[Lucky13]

My son smashed the same area sliding out and hitting something on my 2004 E46 M3 and the fender and paint was $2,500. The big problem was when we got it back the car would not handle right and would slide out easily on corners. Took it to the dealer and the rear sub frame was bent and that was an additional $2,500 and that was back in 2004.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Unitized body design...there is no frame. There is a floorpan.

Ah yes. I wasn't thinking this morning and was having flashbacks to my V10 Touareg spending 8 weeks in the shop.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Sorry about that OP

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by mmmmm235i

I took a pretty good shot, this guy was probably going around 60 based on the impact and how his car reacted. I have a little tightness now and will see a doctor if it worstens.

Not fun... Doctors do nothing but give out meds. Go see a chiropractor and get a much needed adjustment, and prescription for some deep tissue massage.

The guy that hit you will be picking up the bill, so don't be shy about getting the care you most likely need.

Car is not to bad considering.

Good luck getting thing fixed back to normal.

[mmmmm235i]

So I went to BMW this morning to get the news. Fortunately the parts are available within a few days, so it shouldn't take months. Unfortunately I was not aware that replacing a quareter panel takes 2-3 weeks!!?? I need a new tailight and rim in addition to what I initially thought. The price for the quarter panel alone was 2400, so I think we are looking at somewhere around 10k when its all said and done. Has anyone else had the quarter panel replaced and does it really take this much time?

[mmmmm235i]

Also the car that hit me was a rental car and on the police report they are listed as self insured. I'm not sure if the driver opted for the extra insurance coverage. My insurance adjuster told me that unless the extra insurance was paid for the rental company will cover their own car, but not mine EVEN IF it is their fault. I'm somewhat well versed in the law as a 3rd year law student, but it seems to go against principles of equity in tort that a rental car company can send out drivers with no responsibility/liability when that driver injures someone else. Anyone been in this unusual situation that can shed some light?