Wrecked the 1

[decaturdad]

My son had someone run a red light last week. It totaled the 1, but at least no one was hurt. (These cars really are safe.)

But now I get to deal with the insurance company and argue about the value of the car. This was a 2012 135i coupe 62,000 miles. Second owner with CPO. It was an M-sport with DCT and no nav. I had also upgraded it with custom wheels, carbon fiber spoiler and defuser, a jb4, intake, charge pipe and cat back. Their initial offer is $20,225. That seems pretty low to me. I can't even find one for sale with the CDT in Georgia.

Any one want to give me an opinion of value? Should the extras such as the jb4, wheels, CF make a difference? This was the other driver's fault, so I really just need to be sure I am getting an accurate value.

[iEuropa]

In my experience, you will not be reimbursed by an insurence company for modifications, even if they are ruined. Wheels and tint are the only mods I was reimbursed on when my last VW was wrecked, despite extensive suspension work. (At that I only got 50-60% value on those).

As for the rarity of the car, that should be easier to argue. There is no doubt that 1'ers carry a higher value than an equivalent 3 in the Mid Atlantic ... probably the same in GA.

Also, NEVER take the first offer!

[decaturdad]

Originally Posted by iEuropa

In my experience, you will not be reimbursed by an insurence company for modifications, even if they are ruined. Wheels and tint are the only mods I was reimbursed on when my last VW was wrecked, despite extensive suspension work. (At that I only got 50-60% value on those).

As for the rarity of the car, that should be easier to argue. There is no doubt that 1'ers carry a higher value than an equivalent 3 in the Mid Atlantic ... probably the same in GA.

Also, NEVER take the first offer!

Thanks. I assumed that, but wanted another opinion. The big thing will be getting a fair price for a stock 135i with DCT and no nav. I can't even find one.

[lowbudgethero]

you might get reimbursed for the factory CF stuff and maybe even wheels/tires if you have receipts

[decaturdad]

Any idea what a stock 2012 with m-sport and DCT is going for? They are saying $20,225. I am seeing them closer to $24,000.

[TheCaptain]

Just put your exact car into Edmunds and get the book value. I can't do it from the computer I'm on, but I think you'll find that offer pretty close to Edmunds' book value.

If you took your car to a dealer before the accident their first trade-in offer would probably be about $15-16k towards a new BMW so it doesn't sound like you're getting ripped off.

[decaturdad]

Edmunds comes in at $22,532 in excellent condition and $21,300 in clean condition. I would consider mine in excellent condition. And they do not have an option for the m-sport.

Anyone know where I can pick up a 2012 DCT m-sport for $20,000?

[i_love_cars]

insurance companies (at least in my experience) always write the book value based on "Excellent" condition and price based on expected retail on a dealer lot. There's too much variation for them to micromanage it any more than that. The same applies for banks lending money for a car.

If your insurance company is trying to low-ball you then I would fight that for sure.

[lowbudgethero]

Originally Posted by decaturdad

Any idea what a stock 2012 with m-sport and DCT is going for? They are saying $20,225. I am seeing them closer to $24,000.

Use NADA, also search dealer inventory for similar models if they are being unreasonable. In all of my cases my insurance company was very generous.

[50shadesofhockenheim]

Im buying a 2012 M sport, navigation, and DCT with 29k miles from Georgia for $24k

[Hankdoll]

Ask for the insurance company's analysis on how they determined value. I just went through this with my mother-in-laws car when someone hit her and totaled her car. The insurance's value was based on 10 cars that recently sold. The dealers and VINs were listed. One of the dealers was something like Johnnyz (with a z), so I ran a carfax on every single comp. Turns out 4 were in accidents, one had a branded title and all were multiple owner cars.

I pulled half of their bad comps and added in five from carmax currently for sale (I argued that carmax had fixed pricing, so selling price should suffice). They reviewed and agreed, upping the payout 20% from their initial offer. Total value was more than NADA, KBB, etc (I would've went this route if this was higher!).

Good luck.

[HyeWarrior]

That's creepy. I have a 2012 135i DCT, no nav and 61,000 miles lol

[methodz]

I heard they just average all 2012's together to get the value regardless of trim package so if you have a lower optioned car it is to your benefit. If you have a high optioned car you are kind of screwed.

[tommyb13662]

It depends on the ins company. Also go through their ins if they are at fault. I made the mistake of going through my ins CONpany to try to speed things up. Why you dont go through your own company? Because they purposly try to give you less why? Because they can charge the other company full value whatever they didnt pay you is pure profit on their part... leaned this the hard way. I was paid $21.5k for my last car they got paid 27.3k from progressive. But since i signed their payout agreement tough luck...

[Gangplank]

Good suggestions above.

Check NADA retail
Check carmax and other sites - find a matching car.
If they argue just ask them to locate you one for sale w/ same specs anywhere in the us at the price they are offering. Shipping is only a couple hundred across country.

That sounds a few thousand low. Last December I picked up a 2011 135i w/ DCT, no vav - but sport (non-Msport) and 40k mi. It was a 2 owner car and paid around $22k. I would expect a 2012 to fetch a couple grand more...

[Gangplank]

In fact... There's a 2 on carmax right now

2011 Msport w/ DCT, black on black, w/ nav (a no go for me), and 39k miles.

https://www.carmax.com/cars/bmw/135/2011/13433561

KEY FEATURES
Premium Package
Cold Weather Package
Convenience Package
Front Seat Heaters
Harman Kardon Sound
Leather Seats
M Sport Package


2013 Msport w/ DCT - also black/black w/ nav (yuck) and good other options. $29k and 20k miles.

https://www.carmax.com/cars/bmw/135/2013/13602395

Premium Package
Technology Package
Run Flat Tires
Turbo Charged Engine
Leatherette Seats
Harman Kardon Sound
Msport

[decaturdad]

Thank you all for the responses. Gangplank, the 2012 at carmax is $2000 more then they are offering. (And I hate nav also.) I have asked for an updated evaluation.

I have also decided to get another 1 in the spring for my son. It was just such a fun car.

[Matticus91]

Sad to hear man, good luck with your insurance!

Fyi, my 2011 135i with 57k on it was totaled in Jan, my insurance paid out $21,500 in the end.

[Cmoney135i]

Originally Posted by decaturdad

Edmunds comes in at $22,532 in excellent condition and $21,300 in clean condition. I would consider mine in excellent condition. And they do not have an option for the m-sport.

Anyone know where I can pick up a 2012 DCT m-sport for $20,000?

WA state here, I know it's far but I see them for sale around 20k

I paid 20k for 6mt/msport/2009 w 60k miles/ nav / white on red

[Tommm]

study the appraisal, and then get your own comps.

a year ago when I was stopped at a light, someone pulling a trailer with a bobcat on it scraped (polite way of saying dented the whole friggin drivers side of the car) the side of my black/tan '99 E39 540 6m. There was $6500 damage. the car had 79k on it. they totaled the car.

they used three comps. a 6 cyl auto with 200k, a 6 cyl auto with 150k and an 8 cyl auto wagon with 150K. They were adding about a penny a mile to those cars values.

I sent the adjuster a nationwide autotrader search of all 8 cyl manuals in the country and added or deducted a penny a mile. Then I averaged them, and added shipping. That pissed him off. They then got a second appraisal. still all automatics.

There was also my complaint to the state insurance regulatory agency.

The third appraisal consisted of one manual. and the offer was 150% of the original offer. What a PITA.

The buy back was $400, and no branded title. The car was repaired and my buddy is enjoying it.

[thewubwub]

Damn, sorry to hear about the wreck good thing no one was hurt. Dealing with insurance can be a pain too, hope you get the most out of it!

[6MT_Addict]

Sorry for your loss OP.

Another thing you could try is contacting your local dealer.

Explain what happened and say you're considering purchasing a replacement vehicle from them but need to settle the claim first,

Give the vin/mileage and ask what they would list it at. If they are a good business and you've got a good relationship with the staff I'm sure they'll be willing to help and probably give you a more accurate price as they would know how to price the options appropriately