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View Full Version : Tow company might have totalled my car?



eMpower3d
01-09-2014, 03:19 PM
So I drive a 1999 540i/6 sport with 160k on it. I've been fixing things on the car for a good two years and it is consistently acclaimed by shops as a very solid and clean car, paint sucks and some other simple things but it's pretty strong and pretty tight.

So to the point here - I got a flat bed tow when my aux pump gave out on 12/31/2013. Was without my car for a week due to our snow storm, holidays, and bmw sent over a faulty pump the first time. So I finally pick it up on 1/6/2014 after work and notice considerable damage to the rear of my passenger side skirt, right in front of the rear wheel. Get down and look underneath and my jack point is totally gone, ripped it off with the hook and left what looks like a shark bite.

The tow truck driver pried off my jack pads, hooked the chains to the jack pad mounting points and tightened the living crap out of it.

The general consensus by the two body shops who looked at it is "holy f€%^!! That's a lot of damage. That is not going to be easy to fix.

From what I can tell it needs a rocker panel sectioned from at least the rear edge of front passenger door all the way back to and including part of the rear wheel well. Never mind all the reinforcement to make it a reliable jack point again and then side skirt and paint.

One shop quoted me 1400 but I think he's severely underestimating the time it will take and the magnitude of the structural damage. Could I also have frame damage?

I'll try to post picture with the next day or so, I mostly only log in through my phone and I'm not sure how to post pics from here.

So I'm writing this thread because the guy wants to keep it off insurance. He's trying to tell me I won't get more than 3000 for my car and that he's trying to help me out. I'm partially inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt but with body work of this magnitude being done I think I'd rather the guarantee and accountability that comes with going through insurance.

Thoughts?

Thanks and sorry for the lengthy post.

540VIspd
01-09-2014, 04:40 PM
Ouch! I'm pretty sure you have taken Pic, very likely someone will ask to see pics here. GL with repair, it will be tough for tow company to deny that they were not responsible.

xillipson
01-11-2014, 07:44 AM
The longer you wait to get legal with it the harder it will be to get redress. Of course he doesn't want to involve insurance companies....they'll start looking at his operation.
I'd start off by getting some photos notarized at least. I've already been through a similar situation and the fact the vehicle has low Blue-book value doesn't come into it. It's your baby so get busy with it - now!

BTW- My brother got his mint condition Citreon C5 delivered and the moron truck driver chained it through the mag wheel spokes and stuffed them royally! Probably wouldn't have happened had it been a Holden but Euro-cars seem to be damage magnets for Mullet-men :(

eMpower3d
01-11-2014, 11:13 AM
Yeah I finally decided to put a claim in with AAA after consulting my insurance agent. They have already contacted the shop, I also finally got back my registration and tow hook.

Some photos:

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xillipson
01-11-2014, 12:22 PM
Wow! That's really nasty! You'd have to really work to get that sort of damage, and he knows he did it...has to, but just hoping it's going to go away. I feel for you. Just spent two weeks grooming and improving mine - second day back at work some numb---s backs into the front left :( Managed to push and polish most of it out....but still there's a crease on what was a perfect 25 year old panel!
Go after him and good luck! That's just plain negligence.

ross1
01-12-2014, 06:01 PM
Why should you be doing this guy any favors?
I suggest filing a claim with your own insurance, they will go after the responsible party.

ViolinARC
01-17-2014, 03:13 PM
When my stolen e32 was recovered, it was the tow company that actually totalled my ride. They dragged her to the garage without wheels then the insurance adjuster lowballed me!!! :eek:

eMpower3d
01-20-2014, 11:31 AM
Yikes.

AAA is stepping up to the plate and sending an inspector today or tomorrow. This guy has been a nightmare to deal with.

Not sure if I want to even bother fixing, I've been fixing slowly for 2 years and things just keep popping up. We'll see what they say.