Will a bent unibody affect handling?

[dougthedude]

My 92' 325i has been sitting in the driveway for the last month since it hit a curb sideways last month. Now that the weather is improving, it's time to make a decision on whether or not to repair it. I'm ready to give it a try, or possibly pay someone to do it, except for one nagging concern: what will the effect by of a slightly bent frame?

I know it is bent because the back door is now misaligned by about a centimeter or two. Will handling be affected at all if the rest of the suspension is in order? The last thing I want is an inherently unstable car.

[Spyke]

Yes. It will be effected. By how much is the question. I say get it on an alignment rack, and let the pros advise you on if it's worth keeping, or the damage is too great.

[flyfishvt]

If it is repair properly by a competent frame guy you will never know the difference. It might even be better than when you bought it. My dad was an insurance ajuster for 30 years. He became very close friends with a ton of body guys and he absolutely swore up and down that almost any car could be brought back to like new condition in the hands of a competent body guy.

The frame machines they have today are computer precision instruments.

[Spyke]

+1 on what Fly said. There are some great rack guys, who really know their stuff and use precision laser alignments. Then there's others who will just chain the subframe to a tree and throw it in reverse. Just depends on if you can find someone that truly knows their craft, and if the cost is reasonable for whatever amount of work you need.

[dougthedude]

OMG frame machine? I don't think it's worth enough to justify such a major operation. Does a slightly misaligned door really indicate serious enough frame damage for such a repair to be necessary?

When I bring the car in for an alignment, will they be unable to align it if the frame is damaged? If it does align properly, does that mean I am good?

[jmo69]

You won't know till you at least get it on an alignment rack. Get the suspension straight first and go from there. It would help if there were more adjustments available from the stock set up.

[dougthedude]

So I had a mechanic / BMW hobbyist stop by today to take a look at it. He said to get rid of it. LOL.

Pretty much the whole rear suspension was jacked. Trailing arm control arm, shock, axle, diff, etc. I was looking at $1500 in parts alone plus he thought a few weekends work. Plus possible frame damage.

I will replace it with another BMW though!