Absolutely right.

We'll see what happens, I haven't seen it (well, inside it), an estimate, or a parts list.

Thank you.

Most of us VA posters are local to you and we can offer some assistance. I do not know what shop you are using as they maybe a little overwhelmed when looking under the spare tire and seeing all the electrics located down there.

It is certainly not the end of the world and your not the first one to get water in the spare tire/Battery well. With the out side tempos being in the +-20 degree range, now is a great time to chop it out!

I would drop in on the shop today see what is happening and get their thoughts on cause and effects. Then make the decision to move the vehicle or .....

Thanks, Stephen, I really do appreciate it, everyone here has always been great! I read here quite a bit; searching generally answers any questions I need answered. Post when I need to, of course, usually for opinion calls like this one.

Shop is closed today, I haven't mentioned specific details as one never knows who is reading this board, but there is no doubt that most of you know the shop as well as Martin. Though, given the damage, the vehicle in question, and the location, anyone involved could likely figure out I was the owner seeking help here.

To take it a step further, assume the shop was accurate in the damage assessment, is there a preventative fix going forward? Okay, drains iced, water backed up, fine. Is there an actual fix, a MacGyver fix, something?

Frankly, like I said, I should have hooked up with a bunch of you guys a long time ago. That is going to change. Back when I had my first car in Chicago, a '74 2002, local BMW friends were amazing! The rod through the block, however, surpassed us. When I was in the Army, a fellow soldier raced superbikes. A bunch of us pitched in as crew, he'd wad it up, we'd half-ass it back together (lots of desire, a little knowledge, some sort of Bentley, and no experience) and get him ready for the next run. Heh.

Thanks again for your thoughts!

Monday morning. Let's see what happens today.

Curious also how long you had your estoril and where did you acquire it

PLUS subscribed to see results of the shops analysis Good Luck!

Let's see, got it in either late '06 or early '07, I want to say 38K miles. One owner, lil' ol' lady from Long Island. All records, taken care of, et cetera.

We hadn't planned on it, but it was too good to pass up!

Comprehensive covered replacement of my engine harness ($1837) after high water intrusion during a heavy rainstorm, so it's quite possible he could be compensated in that manner too. He would need to demonstrate the damage occurred under the extreme circumstances of the weather at the time.

I've found that maintaining full coverage, even on a 13 year old vehicle with 273,000 miles on it is still worthwhile as long as it is in good condition. And since mine has never seen any salt and has been "BMW maintained", I have only needed to emphasize its true replacement value with my insurance agent in the event of a claim.

2002 X5 3.0 273,500 miles
2004 325i 118,000 miles

Oh good a long term owner sounds like a good find. Im a recent new comer only 1.5 years and 49k. Hope this settles quickly and your able to join the rest of the DMV crew when weather also warms a bit too

No idea why I haven't so far.

Looking forward to it!

Any updates?