Ice Damage - Possible total loss
 

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!!

Are your sunroof drains confirmed clogged? they would have to be to ice up

I'd get a second opinion, 65k Estoril is not something you throw away

~I personally~ haven't confirmed that, the insurance company and shop will confirm it tomorrow.

Rest assured, I do not want to lose this thing!

Thanks.

Take the car to a different shop .... It's imppsibble the "entire" electrical system is damaged to me it sounds like a dead DME and that is replaceable there is a company called bba reman pull out "dead" electronic and have it tested by them $150 for testing

Thank you E38, that is the next step after tomorrow.

I can't really see NOT doing that, regardless of the outcome.

Thanks again.

To be honest if it was me I'd let them total it and keep the X or buy it back and take it to a bmw specialty shop and repair it with that money ... Just another thing to consider

Well, it is at a BMW specialty shop now, so we shall see. I am open to all routes, of course.

The second opinion would be a another local one I trust as well.

So frustrated with this, D'oh!

Thanks again.

Unless you get the car back for next to nothing, you'll end up with a car with a Salvage or rebuilt title. Most people would walk away from a rebuilt or salvage title vehicle, so when you're going to sell the X expect to get next to nothing for it.

Thanks for the heads up! If that is a way to keep it, I'm all over it! I want the ~car~, not its resale value. I haven't read through the "Where are all the 4.6is" thread yet, but this is one, right here.

Frankly, if I ever did sell it, it would be because it was nearly worthless and unreliable.

Well unless I gutted and restored it. I've always thought about cramming some other insane BMW plant in there. Complete money pit.

Thanks.

He would have already received what it was worth when the insurance company cut him a check.