So, I hit a deer... Now What?

[e30mpower]

I hit a deer, so far I know I need a new bumper, hood, left headlight and foglight, fender well, etc....

My problem is I have aftermarket DEPO HID headlights. I bought them on eBay a couple of years for about $900. Is the shop going to force me back into the stock halogens, retrofit BMW Xenons, or cut me a check for the light that's damaged?

Is there anyway the LCM and auto-leveling sensors could've been "damaged" in this encounter?

[e30cabrio]

With my insurance, anything on the car I have proof of purchase of is covered. Check with your insco.

[e30mpower]

Originally Posted by e30cabrio

With my insurance, anything on the car I have proof of purchase of is covered. Check with your insco.

Good to know.. I've got all the invoices and receipts.

[Ricky Bobby]

I'm fairly certain new replacement BMW headlights should be about the price of a replacement Depo set, just have the shop order you another Depo set, and you'll have a spare Depo in case you hit another deer LOL

Last accident I had with a deer some 6-7 years ago, I ended up with some new front end parts. For example, if you wanted to fit a 4.6 front lip at the same time, my shop wouldn't charge extra for painting/fitting under an insurance claim since they are already painting and fitting the bumper, they just roll that cost into the labor, I pay for part only.

Your insurance may cut a check to the shop for them to order replacement BMW lights, just ask the body shop adjuster how much credit the insurance gives for the replacement light or lights. Then give him the place to order you a set of Depo's and tell him you'll pay the difference, or in fact if the Depo's are cheaper, then have him credit you elsewhere.

Good luck!


EDIT: The long and short of it is the dealer won't force you to put stock headlights back on if that's what you think, the shop may ask you to purchase the headlights and provide them to the shop while they are performing the repair, and then cut you a check to reimburse you for them, since the insurance co. already paid them for BMW headlights. They Depo's are about $660 on ebay right now in case you're wondering.

[e30mpower]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

I'm fairly certain new replacement BMW headlights should be about the price of a replacement Depo set, just have the shop order you another Depo set, and you'll have a spare Depo in case you hit another deer LOL

Last accident I had with a deer some 6-7 years ago, I ended up with some new front end parts. For example, if you wanted to fit a 4.6 front lip at the same time, my shop wouldn't charge extra for painting/fitting under an insurance claim since they are already painting and fitting the bumper, they just roll that cost into the labor, I pay for part only.

Your insurance may cut a check to the shop for them to order replacement BMW lights, just ask the body shop adjuster how much credit the insurance gives for the replacement light or lights. Then give him the place to order you a set of Depo's and tell him you'll pay the difference, or in fact if the Depo's are cheaper, then have him credit you elsewhere.

Good luck!


EDIT: The long and short of it is the dealer won't force you to put stock headlights back on if that's what you think, the shop may ask you to purchase the headlights and provide them to the shop while they are performing the repair, and then cut you a check to reimburse you for them, since the insurance co. already paid them for BMW headlights. They Depo's are about $660 on ebay right now in case you're wondering.

Thanks man! That was what I was wondering. I'm already getting the Titanium grill since they have to replace both anyway. ($8 extra). Anything else I can add on?

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by e30mpower

Thanks man! That was what I was wondering. I'm already getting the Titanium grill since they have to replace both anyway. ($8 extra). Anything else I can add on?

Well you have a 2003, so you have reflector fog lights.

If you wanted, you could retrofit the Depo Projector fog lights, or OEM Valeo projectors. The pair of Depo projector fogs is 115 bucks, Valeos cost 200 for the pair.

You'll only need to get a pair of BMW connectors for 3 bucks each as the projector fog housing takes a proprietary connector. I'd have the body shop cut off the H11 connector and solder the BMW connector on, and boom, you have successfully retrofitted projector fogs.

If you have $330 for the 4.6 front lip I'd throw that on as well, but only if you plan on the rear diffuser to match it someday.

Other than the grilles, headlights, front lip, and fogs, you already have PDC so your front end should be set!

[e30mpower]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Well you have a 2003, so you have reflector fog lights.

If you wanted, you could retrofit the Depo Projector fog lights, or OEM Valeo projectors. The pair of Depo projector fogs is 115 bucks, Valeos cost 200 for the pair.

You'll only need to get a pair of BMW connectors for 3 bucks each as the projector fog housing takes a proprietary connector. I'd have the body shop cut off the H11 connector and solder the BMW connector on, and boom, you have successfully retrofitted projector fogs.

If you have $330 for the 4.6 front lip I'd throw that on as well, but only if you plan on the rear diffuser to match it someday.

Other than the grilles, headlights, front lip, and fogs, you already have PDC so your front end should be set!

Valeo projectors, done. And no, not interested in making my X look like something it's not (with the 4.6is spoiler), that's sacrilegious in my book. Sadly I don't have PDC, though I could probably use it.

[ProfessorX5]

Sorry to here it, bud. Might want to have the steering and suspension looked at, too. Our Xs are tanks, but can still take a beating on the control arms, bushings etc. Why take chances?

[Ricky Bobby]

Good call on the Valeo fogs, I bought mine a couple months back and had the Depo's previously, easily worth the $85 extra in my book.

[OptimusPriM5]

Not sure if this has been experienced by others but I found out, the hard way, your insurance company is not obligated to use OEM parts when having your car fixed unless you have paid for that option on your policy or it is included/stated in your policy they will defer to aftermarket cuz its cheaper and they want to keep cost down. Of course you have the option to pay the difference between what they select and what you want. Check your policy.