OK, sorry, sore subject on insurance since I moved country and lost my 11 years NCB. Anyway, one last try to get some helpful advice.

The most expensive part in the repair is a vibration damper 11238511371.`

RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 3.0d Belt Drive-Vibration Damper


Here in Italy these cost $600+

Non-oem parts like BMW Harmonic Balancer (X5 335d) - Corteco 11238511371 | FCP Euro don't offer much saving and are probably best avoided.

I am trying to get the insurance to pay, but the asshole at BMW refuses to associate the failure with the collision - even if the car was perfect before the crash.

I'm guessing that the impact caused something internal to this part to finally give up, that was probably on its way out anyway. Will be kinda hard to convince a loss adjuster to associate the two, but I'm going to try....

TIA for any suggestions on whether there's anyway to temporary solve the problem (eg pully adjustment) whilst wrangling with the insurers on paying for the replacement damper. I'm seeing a BMW indie mechanic tomorrow to get a second opinion

Cheers, Kev.