Ice Damage - Possible total loss

[Rush]

Hey All,

Wow, twice in two weeks, after so long! I do appreciate your help.

So, 2002 X5 4.6is in Estoril Blue. Say 65K miles. Went to start it, wouldn't start, had it jumped, drove it about 50 feet, it died, and nothing would get it started again. Towed to repair shop. First words out of his mouth "I've totalled cars for this". Brilliant.

In essence, the car sat outside through a few days of ice storms and thaws. Repair shop said that the sunroof drains iced up and water backed up into the electrical system and did extensive damage, it's a lot of work/expense to repair. He said the damage was an insurance claim and that is where we stand.

Never had to deal with anything approaching this with any car, and I CERTAINLY do not want to lose this particular car!! It's one thing it being smashed--it's another to have it sit there and be, in essence, destroyed. I had planned on keeping this thing forever! And I doubt I have any real hope of replacing it reasonably. As the Pet Shop Boys said: it's a sin.

Does anyone have any experience with this kind of damage? Any thoughts on the process? Should I get a second opinion on repairs? I'm kind of at a loss here, if insurance won't repair it (for whatever reason) I doubt I can afford to pay to have that kind of work done. Anything to look out for? I am well aware that the other players have different financial and economic incentive than I do, I'm just not sure how and where they come into play.

Any thoughts, musings, tips, tricks, greatly appreciated!!