Will this be a total loss?

[bronxborn]

Another driver made illegal u-turn right in front of me. She was moving very quickly and she created the classic t-bone situation. My 2011 135i suffered the damage seen in the attached photo. Any thoughts on whether this will be declared a total loss? Driver's airbag deployed, as did the passenger side curtain airbags. While the impact was pretty severe, there does not appear to be too much damage to the engine.

[AchtungF80]

If all those airbags deployed + all that front end damage, would you honestly want the car back?

[bronxborn]

I definitely do not want it back, and told my insurance company that I would never drive the car again. But this is the first significant accident I have been in, and I was not sure if this was enough damage for them to write it off as a total loss. I showed the pics to a few people who thought it would not hit the monetary threshhold for a total loss, but I went to the tow yard to clean out the car this morning, and the guys there laughed out loud when I asked what they thought. "Yeah, buddy, it's totaled" was their answer.

[b1aze]

It wont hit the total cost needed to call it a total loss, especially since its so new IMO. You can only really hope for significant frame damage and potentially engine/transmission damage to get you closer.

[elbles]

I agree with b1aze, it doesn't look like enough damage to total the car, especially a 2011. If I had to make an educated guess on it, I'd ballpark the damage at around $15-17k, and insurance companies generally don't total it until 80%, from what I've seen.

Depending on where you are in CT, I can recommend one or two body shops to look at, if it isn't totaled, and one definitely not to use.

[blitzjb]

Who is your insurance carrier?

[Golden3ye]

bro you need to clean your wheels

[SickSixSpd]

Just got my car back...Mine was a '10 with similar damage...focal point of the impact was passengers side fender/bumper. Both drivers steering wheel airbag and curtain airbag as well as passenger side curtain airbag deployed...some of the major things replaced on mine were steering rack, airbags, complete passenger side strut assembly which include control arm, tension rod, subframe, strut, spring, hood, 2 headlights, a fender, bumper, as well as a bunch of other miscellaneous stuff. Total cost to repair $20,xxx. Car was not totaled but repaired instead. I have geico btw.

[bronxborn]

Allstate.

And, yes, those wheels are about as dirty as they could be ... so I have to respect this: "bro you need to clean your wheels."

[Cemoto]

If they don't total it (and I think they will not), remember that when you go to sell it sometime down the road a nice fat accident will show up on the Carfax.

Tell them even if you repair the car it has lost significant value due to the accident and you should be compensated for that future loss, at least that's what your attorney told you . . . .

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[hernandez706]

good luck, bro. I hope they total it. If so, be sure to take those wheels off.

[bmw1racer]

I think it's totaled... Way back, a UPS truck broadsided the front passenger side of my 18-month old E30 (he ran a red light) and the damage didn't look nearly as bad as your E82... The insurance company totaled it.

[hyphy1]

declare total, get another 1er. im assuming it was your fault b/c you t-boned and could not control your vehicle at the time. unless you have video proof/she declares fault/or witnesses and police report that proves she was at fault.

[MarkRat]

Wow that looks pretty bad. I hope you where not hurt!

[Diver]

It is possible to get loss of resale value compensated on a very new car, but difficult. The other driver's insurance company will make you pay an appraiser. Expect a fight on the issue. And yes, a front end wreck like that usually does not result in a total loss.

[bronxborn]

Failed to mention one key fact. The car is leased. The lease term is up in May 2013. Does BMW have any say in whether the car is totaled? Do they want it back after this kind of accident?

As for fault, the other driver made a 100% illegal u-turn from a parking spot across four lines of traffic. Well, it would have been four lanes of traffic, but she put herself on a collision course with me first. There were numerous witnesses and the police said she was being ticketed for the illegal u-turn. I was not ticketed for anything.

[Diver]

The leased part is significant. OP should contact BMW leasing regarding where the car is to be repaired and what sort of deduction they will make on returning the leased car. A charge, if any, would make it easier to claim reduction in value. Also, the lessor may be able to push the liable insurer into totaling the car. I don't know what the lessor's policies are, but I am sure they are interested.

[sonicbimmer19]

If airbags did NOT deploy, it is not a total loss, 100%.
But airbag did deployed and there is a chance/good chance that this is a total loss.

[bxsinster]

i hate the bronx man like almost all my accidents occured there lol.

[135iMike]

owwww. keep us updated.

[shah269]

How did you not get out of your car and punch her?
I'm sure if some dumb ass chick who was texting did this to me I woul....I'm sorry I would have to hit her for being such a dumb ass!

[Hondamxracer51]

I sell wholesale parts for BMW. Looks pretty close to totaled. If it has frame damage it's totalled. Have they mentioned that?