X5 Sandwich

[sr421]

This is my first post after following the forum since early October. I ordered my X around 10/8, took delivery on 12/2 and this happened on 12/14. I actually got to drive it about 7 days as I went out of town for 5 days.
Intial estimate to repair was 14k but expected to go much higher once they really get into it.

[BGM]

At least you are ok. I had very similar damage on my e53 about 4 years ago---damage started at $15K and ended around $20K.

[spacegraye70]

what happened exactly?

[sr421]

Traffic stopped short in front of me, I believe I was going to stop in time but the car behind me hit dead on and pushed me into the car in front. Nobody hurt luckily.

[FunfDreisig]

OUCH!

Even though the rear doesn't look to bad. Be sure to remove all the trim stuff under the cargo bay floor and look for deformation and or popped welds, especially in the area where the plastic panel covers the battery. This type of damage is distributed, so it may not look too bad in any one spot. This is how the X5 absorbs arear impact to protect the occupants.

Funf Dreisig

[m5james]

A stupid ass Taurus wagon driver wasn't paying attention, that's why happened. Sorry man.

Hey Funf, why is the OP going to check that stuff...that's what the bodyshop is for.

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by m5james

....
Hey Funf, why is the OP going to check that stuff...that's what the bodyshop is for.

In a perfect world the insurance company and the body shop would both be competent and always act in the customer's best interest. That however has not been my experience.

So I find that it pays to take lots of pictures and determine the extent of the damage myself BEFORE the insurance estimates and repairs begin. That way if the insurance adjuster and/or the body shop miss some damage I know whether to trust them -- or not. Pointing out that you know how bad and where the damage is -- GOING IN -- has a way of keeping folks more honest.

Doing some homework up front takes a little time. But not as much time and hassle as fighting over an incomplete or botched repair.

Funf Dreisig

[wallyx5]

I am always amazed how little damage is done to the rear end of the X when it gets rear ended.

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by wallyx5

I am always amazed how little damage is done to the rear end of the X when it gets rear ended.

Exterior looks can be deceiving.

I posted this on another forum but it seems appropriate here so.
"The attached pictures explain why my wife will probably always own an X5. The first picture shows the external damage to her X5 after being hit from the rear by a pickup truck doing 60MPH as she turned right off a 2 lane road less than 5 miles from our house. There was no evidence that the pickup tried to slow/stop. In fact, the driver told me that he never saw her!

The first picture was taken after I got there and had opened the hatch and rear floor board to get to the battery. Doesn't look to bad - huh. In fact, all doors and the rear hatch still worked. You had to slam them but they would open, close and lock. None the less, this X5 was totaled by our insurance. The second picture shows why. The lower rear of the X5 uni-body frame crumpled, popped welds,etc. IOW the X5 absorbed the hit and protected my wife from serious harm."

And this is why I gave my earlier advice. I was able to show the insurance adjuster all the details. This extra effort on my part helped him to justify totaling the X5 without it ever going to a body shop. As much as we loved that X5, we didn't want to be towing a couple of tons in our utility trailer behind it after it was repaired.

Funf Dreisig

p.s. The 2nd photo is of the LEFT side. Not the more obviously damaged right side.

[Redridge]

Glad you are OK, that's all that matter... the X5 can be replaced.