Total loss? what?

[jason32]

Hey guys,

I bought a 2004 x5 in feb this year, its in excellent condition not a mark on the body and everything works fine.
But last saturday I had an accident, was on A55 driving at 70mph on the right hand lane, then suddenly a range rover came from behind and hit a car on the left lane then moved to right and hit my car, I was able to keep control of my car and slowed down but that range rover kept going and kept hitting whatever was in its way...then stopped. The driver was having some sort of epileptic episode and was clearly not in control of the car.

Anyway long story short, the passenger side airbags were deployed in my car, both passenger side doors got scratches.

Now my insurance company is saying they cant repair so its a write off...what the hell. I told them the damage is not bad at all and could is driving at it was before. But they dont me not to drive because its a write off.

I am not happy with this and thinking about looking for other options? to get the airbags replaced?

Anyway If I go through this write-off thing, how much money do you think I'll get? Its done 104K miles, with service history.

[RickUK]

I would think it would be classed as a category D write off,it may well be possible that you could have the opportunity too buy it back after payout at a reduced rate,its could well be worth asking.Of course they will have the final say.

Sorry to hear about the accident,as long as no one was seriously hurt ?? after all a car is just a lump of metal that can be replaced,humans are a different ball game,it may well have been as a result of the X5 being built like a tank and with all those airbags that could have saved your life.

[jason32]

[quote="RickUK"]
I would think it would be classed as a category D write off,it may well be possible that you could have the opportunity too buy it back after payout at a reduced rate,its could well be worth asking.Of course they will have the final say.

Sorry to hear about the accident,as long as no one was seriously hurt ?? after all a car is just a lump of metal that can be replaced,humans are a different ball game,it may well have been as a result of the X5 being built like a tank and with all those airbags that could have saved your life.
[/quote]

I was driving and was alone in the car so I was ok but the driver and the family were taken to hospital they had some injuries but luckily nothing life threatening.

Oh yes if its possible to buy it back, that could be a good idea, but do you know how much do these airbags cost? and if they are replaceable at all?

[X5Sport]

The airbags should be replaceable.  Have a look at Realoem using the last 7-characters of your VIN as the 'Serial Number' to pull up the right model and year.  It's a current copy of the BMW parts database.

That will let you find the part numbers.  Probably only available OEM and they won't be cheap as you may well need certain trim panels too (like the front upper dash panel).  The details are under this sub section on the database.  I used my old Dec 2004 build E53 as the example.  The dash panel bits are under the Interior Trim sub-section.

Depending upon how many air bags are fitted, and which ones fired, will determine just how expensive.  You will probably need some actions carried out by a Dealer to fully reset the system before you start, just in case you change a unit, plug in the battery again and they all go off!  I would hazard you might be looking at maybe £2k+ just for SRS parts.

[Horizon]

You would be surprised what it would cost to repair in an insurance approved bodyshop using OEM
Parts. My wife had a low speed bump in her TT and I drove the car back for her after the accident, drove perfectly,
The insurance bill came to £9800

[Upex]

Price up the parts you know would be needed, add extra for the extras (like dealer resets etc) and note the figure. Ask for a quote to buy the car back and see how that reduced payment plus charges compares to buying another.

Given 'book' prices that insurance companies look to pay, it could swing either way, just dont forget the reduced resale value of a cat c or d (I'd guess it'd be a c given cost of srs parts) versus the potential to buy something else with issues, better the devil you know and all that, sometimes!

I've had this a few times and have both took the money and purchased the car back, a s class that was worth circa 6k to replace. Was offered £2300 due to mileage (132k) and after 7 weeks arguing and providing lots of research showing nothing sold or available in uk of ewual spec, and nearest lower spec was circa 5500, they increased to 2600, swines. I ask how much to buy car back, and offer reduced to 1900, so i took that, spend 150 on new rear lights, fixed a broken parking sensor and lived with the scuffed bumper. Was an easy decision that one, bugga.

Hope you get on ok and sort it out, either way, without too much issue.

[jason32]

3 side airbags were deployed not the front dash one. I can live with the exterior damage as thats minor and doesnt affect the drive.

I'll check that site for pricing.

[Alan Gunn]

I bought a complete door wit airbag and glass for £80 delivered.
My car was a cat d with just the door damaged but it is a 2002 car.

[jason32]

[quote="Alan Gunn"]
I bought a complete door wit airbag and glass for £80 delivered.
My car was a cat d with just the door damaged but it is a 2002 car.
[/quote]

Was that all or you did you have to go to a dealer to get it reset? the airbags?

[Alan Gunn]

[quote="jason32"]
[quote="Alan Gunn"]
I bought a complete door wit airbag and glass for £80 delivered.
My car was a cat d with just the door damaged but it is a 2002 car.
[/quote]

Was that all or you did you have to go to a dealer to get it reset? the airbags?
[/quote]
I reset it myself.(c310 scanner)