98 M Roadster - total loss...what to do?

[Wres157]

Front end smooshed and the rear end was kissed. Hood pushed into the A-pillars. Insurance calling it a total loss. 98k miles. Didn't get much time to really drive it with young kids the last couple years.
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Had ACS splitters and shaved the front reflectors.

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I wish I had more pics with the Apex EC-7 on. 18x9 p2 and 18x11 p3, gave a really mean look.

So I guess the question is whether it makes sense to just let her go or buy it back for $2.5k. No idea if the frame is bent at this point. Seems to be still holding coolant and the engine turns over. If anyone has any suggestions I'm all ears, never been in this situation before.

[pine1000]

I would want to get it up on jack stands and get the hood off to take a serious look for frame damage. You can get a hood and all of the front end bumper stuff (except for the skin) from a Z3.

[z3forlife]

If it got into the unibody then I’d probably punt.

[BUCK57]

It'll be a great project for someone. The question is, ........ is that someone you???

Beware what dangers lurk in the hearts of roadster owners.

Me, at this point in my life I want/need less and easy is becoming real important.

All the best with your dilemma

[bk94si]

For $2500, I would buy it back and part it out. I don't think I would rebuild it. Looks too tweaked to me. Wheels alone are probably worth a bit.

[s8ilver]

I wish I had more pics with the Apex EC-7 on. 18x9 p2 and 18x11 p3, gave a really mean look.

Me too, but for my own selfish reasons of going to 9" and 11" with modified Roadstars.

Glad you're ok, and if you do find unrepairable damage a partout is entirely worth it only if you have the space, time, and patience. Heck, there's at least $2500 in interior bits alone. Also, if you decide you want another M, you'd could have some spare unobtanium parts in reserve.

[CoconutPete]

I think I'd punt on putting it back to the road as well.

For 2.5K though ... I'd consider buying it back and parting it out.

Hell.... even if you sell the interior bits and some random body panels you could be left with a very cheap powertrain to transplant somewhere.

Not sure if you are near NC, but I'd be interested in interior parts, seats and door cards especially.

[gtwhimself]

Had a similar situation with my 98 M Roady last August. Total loss. 125k miles. Frame damage, trans damage. Went to the yard and removed all the bolt-ons: CAI, BBT, etc. GEICO settled up with me for 17k+. Quite a bit more than I bought the old M for 6 years ago. So I'm guessing these cars are appreciating in value. Almost immediately found a 99 M Roady with 30k fewer miles, in much better shape than mine, better paint, great audio upgrade, 18" M wheels, almost new top... for $14k. I never thought of buying old one back and parting it out. I was done with it. It was a bad freeway accident and I am grateful the car saved my life, but I'm much better off now. Slowly putting all the bolt-ons back on... Good luck.

[TexaZ3]

Let it go. Fight with insurance for fair settlement and get a new one.

[workhurts]

If you have the space (and time/desire) it really seems like the wheels, seats, interior console, door panels, air bags etc would easily clear $2,500.

[KBH22102]

Sorry to see and glad you are okay. Even if you get it fixed, your long term value will be reduced due to the accident. If you have the time, space, and interest, I agree you will get the most value by parting it out. A lot of the undercarriage items like the subframe and M trailing arms are NLA and quite valuable.

[Hoyt Clagwell]

If you don't want to part it out yourself, maybe you could find someone else who would give you $2,500.00 for it as is. I'd hate to see all those parts end up in the scrap yard. I'm not sure how the insurance business works, especially in the U.S. but maybe the insurance company would sell it to a wrecker and it would get parted out anyway. In that case, it's just a matter of do you want the somewhat tedious but lucrative work of parting it out yourself.

[s8ilver]

Oof. Wonder what they charge for one with a good bearing.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/22447436435...0AAOSwYlNgrWc0

[sydjai]

Sorry to see and glad you are okay. Even if you get it fixed, your long term value will be reduced due to the accident. If you have the time, space, and interest, I agree you will get the most value by parting it out. A lot of the undercarriage items like the subframe and M trailing arms are NLA and quite valuable.

Oof. Wonder what they charge for one with a good bearing.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/22447436435...0AAOSwYlNgrWc0

Like Kelvin and Nathan, I came here to suggest this. Just the rear trailing arms alone are probably worth $5k.

OP, where are you located? If you do scrap it, I'm going to start researching junk yards and Copart auctions in your area!

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I spent a year picking on this pre-facelift 97 Z3 till they finally crushed it a few weeks after I took this picture. and no, I'm not the idiot that messed up the windshield trying to get it off! I actually had a heat gun and window removal wire with me on that trip just to get the windshield!

[s8ilver]

I spent a year picking on this pre-facelift 97 Z3 till they finally crushed it a few weeks after I took this picture. and no, I'm not the idiot that messed up the windshield trying to get it off! I actually had a heat gun and window removal wire with me on that trip just to get the windshield!

Can you come take my windshield out? I have the Chrome Line surrounds I'd love to install, but it's windshield out for a correct installation.

[solimans]

I bet someone here would pay more than $2500.00 as is. Highest bidder wins


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[ZUUD BYE]

Let it go. Fight with insurance for fair settlement and get a new one.

That would be my choice. Just went thru this but not with an ///M Roadster. My 2000 Z3 2.3 165K Smiles was hit & totaled by Sate Farm 01/20, 02/12 bought a replacement Z3 1.9 66K Smiles, happy as can be. But there is money in parts if you have the space and time to disassemble, list and deal with all the contacts, plus shipping. Good luck flipping the coin.

[bk94si]

I went through this with a motorcycle a while back (not my fault). Bike was worth about $2k, the insurance co paid me $2.5k, I fixed it myself for $800. Worked out well for me. I even got another $1000 because I broke a rib.

[BladeRunner919]

I feel like BimmerBreaker is going to need a new project soon, as the V8 is coming on.

[MartyBtoo]

I feel like BimmerBreaker is going to need a new project soon, as the V8 is coming on.

Since the factory already did a V-12, maybe he should do an M5 V-10?

[BimmerBreaker]

I feel like BimmerBreaker is going to need a new project soon, as the V8 is coming on.

I'd be interested in buying it if it is made available for sale

Since the factory already did a V-12, maybe he should do an M5 V-10?

Too rich for my blood. I'd definitely do something unique though... maybe I'd make a poll and let the community decide what to swap between a few options

I've been toying with the idea of an M57 swapped Z3. There is something endearingly stupid and fascinating to me about a diesel roadster. But still gotta finish Ye Olde Dunkle first

[zellamay]

" I've been toying with the idea of an M57 swapped Z3. There is something endearingly stupid and fascinating to me about a diesel roadster. But still gotta finish Ye Olde Dunkle first "

You can create the first electric Z3. It will happen, and it might as well be you. .....

[BimmerBreaker]

You can create the first electric Z3. It will happen, and it might as well be you. .....

Someone else can do the first electric conversion lol. I like noises and smells too much for an electric swap... be it high octane gas and a V8 burble, or a diesely tick accompanied by the warming smell of sulfur...

[IndianaRoadster]

With a Z3 electric, you would need to disguise some exterior subwoofers to look like exhaust pipe tips. Then you crank out the sound of a 800 horse monster engine!

[s8ilver]

With a Z3 electric, you would need to disguise some exterior subwoofers to look like exhaust pipe tips. Then you crank out the sound of a 800 horse monster engine!

I can help with that bit. I'm thinking some round horn prison yard speakers though. We'll do subs in the wheel wells for the tactile part.