Almost Lost Her

[Mach1er]

Today was a beautiful Texas day. Unfortunately, it wasn't a great day for me. Someone doing an illegal left turn into traffic collided with an SUV after misjudging the center turn lane location or some such issue and they collided head on and spun into my lane (opposite direction of traffic from the SUV) less than 100 ft in front of me going 60 mph-ish. I had two options:

1) T-bone the SUV which was crossing my lane perpendicularly and miss the Camry which was at an obtuse angle in the direction of oncoming traffic in my lane or
2) Stop in time to miss the SUV, but collide with the oncoming Camry.

2) Won because I didn't want to total my car and sustain multiple airbag-related injuries.

Took the Camry to the side, at about a 45-degree angle to the back tire, but things could have been a lot worse. The other cars involved were not so lucky. She got flatbed towed to the BMW Certified collision center and I'm checking on her tomorrow morning. Based on the photos (below) I expect to need at a minimum:

-Rear bumper (deformed from the wheel-well collision)
-Rear quarter panel
-Driver's side skirt
- Possibly a new driver's door (side swipe)
- Wheel / tire (don't feel like the tire would really be good after something so brutal even though it looks fine)
- axle?
- brakes?
- other suspension things?

I would love advice on what to ask for from the collision center. Some thoughts:
- If they offer to repaint the door, I'm not sure it would look stock / last as long. Thoughts?
- How about getting body parts from Germany which are painted at the factory?

I'd like everything as tight and perfect as possible, as I'm sure you guys will understand since the car is so new. Any comments on how to deal with their insurance would also be greatly appreciated. I'm relegated to a Ford Fusion for the foreseeable future...ugh.

Luckily no one seemed seriously injured and I and my passenger (father) were basically fine.

[ilikebmxbikes]

first off - glad you got out unhurt. Your car looks like it faired pretty well.

From the photos your car absolutely does look repairable. I cannot tell what you will need on the suspension side without inspecting it in person but the control arms are angled to bend in case of an impact like yours. You could simply need new control arms but no one can say from your photos alone.

You cannot get parts painted in Germany. You will get OEM Parts and repairs and have them painted locally. You will want to get the parts painted locally anyway as you have some large panels with damage and will want blending on everything.

[zamboni]

Glad you were OK.

[Mach1er]

Update from the collision center:

2 weeks until they can even look at the car.

Learned some about the painting and epoxy bonding of the panels. Anyone have any idea about strength/durability of the epoxy bonding they use for repairs in place of factory welding?

[AYEDEE]

Daym your card help up well! Good your still fine

[drewnel22]

Originally Posted by Mach1er

Update from the collision center:

2 weeks until they can even look at the car.

Learned some about the painting and epoxy bonding of the panels. Anyone have any idea about strength/durability of the epoxy bonding they use for repairs in place of factory welding?

It will be fine. Wait to see how its repaired and if doesn't look right then you can complain. But I feel like the BMW collision center will do a good job.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by Mach1er

Update from the collision center:

2 weeks until they can even look at the car.

Learned some about the painting and epoxy bonding of the panels. Anyone have any idea about strength/durability of the epoxy bonding they use for repairs in place of factory welding?

It is strong stuff. They will pull your panel out as much as they can and then fill it in to flush it

[meg180]

I'm glad you're ok!!

[Deutsche-Broke]

Holy Crap.... That was a rough one... Glad you're here safe to share the experience..

[BGR]

Originally Posted by Mach1er

Update from the collision center:

2 weeks until they can even look at the car.

Learned some about the painting and epoxy bonding of the panels. Anyone have any idea about strength/durability of the epoxy bonding they use for repairs in place of factory welding?

I heard from a friend (so not 100% sure) that there are certain BMW service centers that are BMW "certified" to repair body/paint damage. Others are qualified, but not certified by BMW. He was in an accident that damaged his rear quarter panel and drove it 300 miles to the closest certified dealer to have them repair it to BMW spec. The repairs are flawless.

Again, I am not sure if this is hearsay or actual fact. Just something to keep in mind if you want it as good as OEM.

[gmartan]

Originally Posted by BGR

I heard from a friend (so not 100% sure) that there are certain BMW service centers that are BMW "certified" to repair body/paint damage. Others are qualified, but not certified by BMW. He was in an accident that damaged his rear quarter panel and drove it 300 miles to the closest certified dealer to have them repair it to BMW spec. The repairs are flawless.

Again, I am not sure if this is hearsay or actual fact. Just something to keep in mind if you want it as good as OEM.

It's a fact. BMW Certified body shops do amazing work.

[Mach1er]

Originally Posted by BGR

I heard from a friend (so not 100% sure) that there are certain BMW service centers that are BMW "certified" to repair body/paint damage. Others are qualified, but not certified by BMW. He was in an accident that damaged his rear quarter panel and drove it 300 miles to the closest certified dealer to have them repair it to BMW spec. The repairs are flawless.

Again, I am not sure if this is hearsay or actual fact. Just something to keep in mind if you want it as good as OEM.

Originally Posted by gmartan

It's a fact. BMW Certified body shops do amazing work.

That's really good to hear, everyone.

And thanks for all of your support. This is my first accident ever in my 10 years of driving. It's not great that it happened after only a year of ownership, but I think I came out much better than if I had been in my Saab 900. Major props to BMW for the brakes and handling.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Glad you are okay.
Car seems repairable.

[Mach1er]

They got her up on a lift today. Apparently I need a new rear suspension cradle. I'm considering asking if they would do the M3 subframe bushings in the process. Anyone know if that is in-line with other things that would have already been taken apart to fix the cradle and things around it?

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by Mach1er

They got her up on a lift today. Apparently I need a new rear suspension cradle. I'm considering asking if they would do the M3 subframe bushings in the process. Anyone know if that is in-line with other things that would have already been taken apart to fix the cradle and things around it?

If they replace the subframe then yes- having them press m3 bushings instead of 135i ones would be a fair request. I would also try to get rear m3 control arms if you plan on doing the fronts too

[LeoBurr]

My suggestion: Take the car to Berli's in Pflugerville. That's where BMW of Austin takes their customer cars - Good guys, quality job.

I work not too far off 2222/360 BTW.

Hope it all gets sorted...but I'd definitely want Berli's on it. And definitely get the subframe bushings, and at least lower guide rods done.

[Mach1er]

Update: They finally ordered parts!

Other than the obvious bodywork and blending (they're going to blend the door and the trunk to the new quarter/bumper, not happy about that...) the big suspension items that are getting replaced are as follows:

Left Hub/Wheel bearings (33416771081)
Left Front Upper Control Arm (33326782237)
Left Rear Upper Control Arm (33326777980)
Left Lower Control Arm (33326772899)
Left Trailing Arm (33326763477)
Left Track Bar (33326763471)
Left Knuckle (33326774809)
Suspension Crossmember (33316783713)

At this point I'm just hoping the frame isn't too bent.
I'm also getting sadder by the day driving around in my GM rental. I miss my 1 so much!

Sidenote: The bodyshop guy didn't believe me when I said I didn't have any spider webbing in my paint because I take good care of it (EVERYONE has spider webbing, he says). He believed me after we went to double check. It better come back just as good as when I left it there...