My car was hit last weekend

[ClsSvrBimmer]

My '03 530 was hit while crossing an intersection by a driver running a red light. I was going about 5-10 mph and slammed on the brakes, the driver was going about 40 mph in a '97 corolla. The insurance company said my vehicle is a total loss. However, I want to preserve this vehicle as much as possible, seeing how it only has 37,000 miles on it and I consider it a classic, one of the last all German built vehicles. Is it worth the repair if I really want to save this vehicle? I'm under the impression that the frame is bent, will this hurt performance of the vehicle?

http://imageupper.com/i/?S0200010050011H14161485181623851http://imageupper.com/i/?S0200010050011H14161485181623851

[JimLev]

Welcome to the forum, wish it was under better circumstances.
Anything can be fixed, it just takes time and money.
Are you capable of doing any of the work?

[e39power3]

I think it looks worse then it is. Post pics of under the hood. Does the frame look ok?

[tantumaude]

Sorry to hear that.
Yeah, it looks like the frame is bent to the left 2-3 inches at least. If you really want to preserve the car, then yes, a good shop can straighten it. Keep in mind, it will never be 100% perfect, you might notice the panel gaps are slightly off, or there could be odd shakes/vibrations. In my opinion, given that it is a 530, move on despite the low mileage. M5 would be another story, but the hassle and cost of fixing it will be more than the car is worth--more importantly, more that it will cost to replace with an equally pristine example.

[ClsSvrBimmer]

I wouldn't consider myself a mechanic by any means, and I do not have access to equipment to fix my car, but I went to three body shops and they all said any car can be fixed, like you said, it just depends on time and money. I don't have any pictures with the hood open, but here are other pictures I took: http://imageupper.com/g/?S020001005D14161529101628177

Most people probably have no idea how much this car means to me; it's my first BMW, it's low mileage, and I've always wanted it to last forever. I know it's no M5, but it's one of the last all German-made BMWs, the last year for the e39 chassis (I don't like the new ones as much), and I'm almost willing to put down anything to get it fixed, assuming the engine isn't damaged.

[PeterHall]

Will insurance pay you out when they total it? I would just take the money and find another. There's no use trying to fix this car

[240sxguy]

Yes it can absolutely be fixed. Can it be fixed to the point where panel gaps aren't an issue? Yes.

If this is a financially backed decision, I'd tell you not to fix it. If this is an emotional one... well that's your call then. Your car is very low mileage but as we all know mileage isn't the end-all in these cars. A well maintained 100k mile car is a better buy than a no-records 65k mile car IMO especially at this age.

It's going to be expensive to fix but if that's what it takes to live without a "pit in your stomach" feeling then go for it.

[JimLev]

Open the hood and look at the strut towers, do they look OK or are they also bent?
Looking at the pics you posted they might be OK.
Let the insurance company pay you, then buy it back from them. Arrange this ahead of time.
Then go find one that has been hit in the side or rear to use for parts to fix yours.
That's the least expensive way unless you can source a lot of used parts from a junk yard.

[BimmerBreaker]

I'm not sure this is one I would fix or is fixable for a fair price. Looks like the metal work under the fender got pushed in along with the radiator support, which will require pulling and getting all of that done to make it look right and fit properly is quite expensive. There was a lot of force involved in that accident, to make the headlight pop out like that is not easy

[AnotherGeezer]

Anything can be fixed. But the question you need to ask yourself is...is it worth it?

One of my main nitpicks for owning any car is previous damage. Not into buying wrecked cars.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

That just looks worst than it really is. It's an easy fix, if you know what your doing....

[Dave Sal]

I crashed my E30 when it was about 5 years old when an old man turned left in front of me. Similar damage and the repair was just over $10k, but since the car wasn't that old and only had about 25k miles on it there was never a question of having it repaired. Kept it for another seven years till I traded it for my current E39. The repair was done so well that even the dealer techs couldn't tell it had been in a crash. I say get it repaired if you really like the car.

[BimmerBreaker]

That just looks worst than it really is. It's an easy fix, if you know what your doing....
If the damage was just skin deep, that would be true, but it looks to be much more than that, with actual metal of the chassis being deformed. It is not simply a remove the bad parts and bolt on straight parts repair, this will require pulling.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Dismantling, ordering, receiving, measuring, pulling, measuring some more, maybe some more pulling, cutting, placing, measuring again, clamping, welding..... Like I said, if you know what you are doing, it's actually not so bad. And for those saying that it will never be the same again, go play a video game or something. :)

[philly98540]

Depends what portion of the frame got moved to the left? If just the front portion, then it would be worth fixing imo. If towers back, then I'd say no.

[Yonkers320is]

I would say move on, look for another e39. I just got rear ended, the guy had no insurance and I only had liability (it's a 98, wouldn't make sense to go full cover unless it was an m5) so I have to pay it out of my pocket and try to sue the guy to recoup some money.
it needs a new bumber, and pull the panel below the trunk lid (i was hit at around 30mph) and paint. using a good used bumper and a friend shop, it was estimated at 1200. Yours I would assume is at least 5-6k: just from the pics you need two headlights, two fenders, hood, bumper, radiator, a/c condenser, fans. that is 1500 right there, even on used body parts....

[absentmathis]

I'm a fan of repairing totaled cars. I've done it twice. That said, this one doesn't make sense. Despite low miles the car just isn't worth it unless there's something personal (throw financials out the window) about it.

[PorscheH6]

Take the check and move on. I'd upgrade to a V8 while oil is cheap.

[paolopp]

I guess you could repair, but I'd probably just move on and look for another...such a shame though

[theWalkinator]

I know we love our cars and people have sentimental attachment to their cars but when it is time to let it go, let it go. At the end, like every said, it is only financially sound to take the check and move on, you may be able to find another pristine condition e39, V8 or even better, a M5.

[larrym3711]

Depending on your time frame for replacement, I would also recommend taking the money and look for a good replacement. I looked for nearly 6 months, but found an E39 in excellent condition that only needed minor maintenance to be fully functional and was a garage queen prior to that. It was also 100% rust free with excellent paint and interior.

larrym3711
2001 540iA Sport