420D F36 written off after driving through water not half way up the wheels

[MickP]

I've just received word that our much beloved 2015 F36 420D Grand Coupe has been written off after stopping in flood water on the highway recently (which all other traffic was fine driving through). The write-off isn't a huge problem as it's agreed value for a reasonable amount, though I suspect that there wasn't much real investigation before the decision was made to write off the car and I am wondering what type of damage is really likely to have been done. My Partner was driving the car at the time. The auto start stop engaged when the car stopped for traffic and then it refused to start after that, displaying an ignition system error. The car was then towed, a claim placed and subsequently written off.

I have heard that it is possible to arrange to purchase a written off car from the insurance company (yet to be confirmed with insurance company) and am curious as to the real extent of damage to the car. When it was towed away it was sitting in water not up to the middle of the front wheels. I've subsequently read the advice in the manual about not driving through water more than 9" or so (don't recall the specific depth sorry) but am wondering if. at this depth, the damage might be to the starter motor, alternator etc rather than the engine having sucked up water though the air intake causing catastrophic(ish) engine damage. Does anyone know what the height of the engine air intake is, or what the most likely scenario is? Has anyone experienced a similar situation?

Also, as the car is in otherwise pristine condition, does anyone know how much it would cost to have BMW supply and fit a new motor?

Cheers,

Mick.

[328 Power 04]

Every time the starter gets wet, it should be replaced, since it's installed in the lowest part of the car. That shouldn't be written off just for a starter.

Did the engine stop on its own after hitting water?

[MickP]

Thanks Abel. No. The car was running fine until the engine was stopped by the engine start/stop "feature". It just didn't start again. I have been thinking that the starter is a much more likely scenario than it having sucked up water into the engine.

I suspect that with the volume of cars to process during a flood event the words "flood damage" being written on the pickup docket by the towie is all that they have relied upon in determining to write off the vehicle.

I plan to contact the insurance company & ask whether it's a statutory or repairable write-off. If repairable hopefully they will sell it back to me at a bargain price. It would forever carry the taint of being written off but would serve as a decent drive for quite a few more K's.