I had my 1997 E39 in the same situation - totaled for minor damage. Got a fair pay-out but because I'd just made major suspension overhaul and new tires, I was given an offer to buy it back for $200 - yes, $200 - after raising a hue and cry, trying to get compensated for all the new parts. I jumped at the offer, fixed her up (hood repaired and one headlight and bumper replaced) and she's been back on the road for 5 years now. At that time, the insurance company found it cheaper to quickly get rid of the car rather than incur storage costs, towing etc. The downside is that it has salvage title and can only get third party insurance.

That was a reason I didn't opt to keep it. Salvage title.

Having a salvage title was an issue I didn't want to deal with. Insurance is harder to get.

Progressive granted insurance right away, probably because they're the ones that wrote it off? :dunno: And I didn't have a problem with basic insurance - my beloved 1997 has a special place in my heart - I know that car inside out.:thumbup:

I see why insurance rates are always increasing. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

Glad your 4yo is okay.

The state of TN will not reissue a salvage title to any vehicle over 15 yrs old (or 12, or 18? I forget.) The title remains clean as long as you never relinquish the paper to the insurance, body shop, salvage yard, or city lot. As I've recently experienced. I've rebuilt two Bimmers in as many of the past 2 years from a total (airbags, seat belts, etc. Neither even show a carfax sniffle.:dunno:

I was always wondering how I ended up with clean title with after my accident and it seems you provided the answer:
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-my-mega-build

That's good to know. 👍

You should run to LKQ and get the entire cooling system for yours.

Plus the valve cover.

Coils.

Plugs.

Etc....