X5 Sandwich
 

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.

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.

what happened exactly?

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.

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

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.

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

Do a search on "Diminished Value"....

Sorry to hear/see.

GL on repairs

A

sucks, still so new too.

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

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.

Definitely file a Diminished Value claim. I did on mine and got a check for $6k.

Do tell.

I've never been on the short end of that stick, but I follow the topic with interest... how did you manage to press such a claim?

I gather it varies by state, and most insurers will fight it tooth an nail (even "your" insurer if the other guy is at fault... they don't want DV claims to success since then they will be on the receiving end one day.)

Sorry for OT a bit, but this can help the OP

A

hmmm, im interested to learn more about this issue too, my e70 had a small accident last week...

funF, thanks for your posts, i will do a spot check on my X when i get home tonight...

to the OP, glad nobodys hurt and you are OK...:thumbup:

That really sucks!

The Tarus was probably just admiring your X5 too much from the back to have paid attention to what was actually happening on the road. (Probably not, but hope that put a smile on the OP's face).

The damage in the front looks quite substantial. I'm surprised the insurance company didn't categorize this as a total loss. My sister got in an accident in a Volvo (years ago) where the engine was damaged. They didn't want to deal with the problems and just paid out as a total loss. (The car was older too which might have factored into their calculations).

Hope the guy in front said that he only felt 1 collision instead of two. Makes a huge difference in the claim/fault when you're the one in the middle.

Just glad to hear no one was hurt.

You're welcome :)

Your 35d looks pretty good. But it still doesn't hurt the have a quick look for any hidden damage.

FWIW one reason our E53 took it so hard was that the pickup rode up on the hitch. This put a lot of force downward on the rear 'frame'. When an X5 is hit by a smaller car they often go under the X5. So a lot of the energy goes to lifting the rear of the X5 up onto the car's hood. This looks like what probably happened to the OP's X5. But there still can be 'frame' damage that would show up as slight buckling of sheet metal or popped welds, etc. The easiest place to check is in the trunk where the metal is clean.

Funf Dreisig

Sorry to hear about the bad news but luckily you are ok and walked away from it. I bought a 2006 x5 3.0, the very next day some idiot ran right into it when it was parked. Sucked but they replaced everthing and it has been running great.

Merry Christmas

Man, that sucks...sorry to hear it. Glad to hear no one was hurt.

Look at the hood on that Taurus though!!

I am suprised at what this car is made off up from, thermoplastics and aluminum hood seem inadequate. I dented my hood closing it one day. My 2003 X5 hood was more rigid.

Dump it. You bought a new car and what you'll get repaired back will be a constant source of headache. BTDT.

The insurance company of the lady that hit me did not offer Diminished Value. But Allstate, my insurance, did. Basically how it works is this: you print out a Kelly Blue Book value of your car pre-accident (put in the year, options, mileage, etc). Then after your car is fixed they told me to go get 3 estimates from dealers, etc of what they feel the car is worth. In my case, my '01 e53 was worth $28K (this is Spring '06) and you use the middle estimate (throw out the high and low) of the new value--which after the accident BMW of Dallas said $22K. So, they cut me a check for $6K.

Thanks for all the good wishes on not being hurt. I am going by the body shop today to see whats happening. I don't think they have started yet. Had to order parts.
As for the diminished value, not sure how that would work for me as I lease. Maybe BMW financial won't be to happy. I just hate the thought of having a brand new repaired car. The shop I use is very good so I am hoping for a positive outcome.
I will try to post updates.

Diminished value or depreciated must be paid by law in some states (like Georgia). I guess it's what they give you for ruining your carfax.

Yeah, forget everything we said about DV. You aren't the 'owner', you haven't suffered any DV loss...

I do not think the lessor will come after YOU for a future DV claim when you turn it in- never heard of it- but you may want to check.

Look at the bright side- imagine how you'd feel if you'd plunked down $65k of your own money... ;)

A

Anybody know if the muffler and tailpipe assembly from the 4.8 would be a direct bolt on to the 35d. I thought I might have the body shop do it if its not an issue.

`

Not a direct fit, 4.8 2 inlet pipes, 35D only 1.

SR-

Any updates??

Actually I was at the body shop this morning which tells you I don't have it back yet. Hopefully next week. Yesterday the body shop hauled it up to the local dealer to repair damaged wiring. Insurance didn't want the body shop to do it. Harness on right front was damaged. BMW does not sell a complete replacement. They sell a replacement that has to be spliced in. I am told they have to splice 62 wires. I am just as happy dealer is doing as I have no concerns with issues with the body when it's done. Wiring could be another issue and this way I go right to the dealer. As it stands now it is all painted and partially assembled so they can get at the harness. Will come back from the dealer maybe tomorrow. They will finish assembly and then haul back to the dealer for final testing, aiming headlight, alignment ect. Runs now but they said the dash is lit up like a Christmas Tree. Tab to date is north of 18k.

Interesting...

I am sorry to say that with my technical background, 62 splices is a non-starter for me. I'd have them total the car. I could create a case that technically it cannot be made 'whole' with that number of field splices... lack of validation in terms of long term strain relief, potential stress concentration leading to premature failure.. no how, no way.

Are you leasing?

If not, and the fault is NOT YOURS, ask yourself "If I was buying a used car, and found two- one perfect in every way, one with repaired damage and 62 splices to the engine wiring harness, what discount would I expect on the latter?" Diminished value, big time

A

Yes, he is leasing. I agree with you on the 62 splices, also with an electrical background. It's ludicrous. I can only imagine some tech with a solder gun and some shrink wrap working on the 18 or 19 gauge harness.

What a cluster ______

Solder? They're prolly using a crimp tool and electrical tape.

Yes, as the other poster commented I am leasing. Obviously I am not thrilled with the prospect of potential electrical issues. The saving grace is the dealer is doing it so if I do have electrical issues I can go straight to them and not the body shop.
If it gets me thru the next 34 months with no issues I am good. The next owner will have to decide what it means to them. I assume with Carfax these days you can't hide much. Anyway, it will be someone else's problem at that point.
Body shop just told me the dealer called them it is ready to pickup.
I will keep you posted.