BMW Have just Crashed My //M Coupe!

[a11y]

scottish69,

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your car WILL be devalued IF there's any evidence of repair. And 95% of the time it's fairly easy to spot a repair, even a good one. I'm no expert but am getting better at spotting repairs, but my father-in-law (a trader buyer) never fails to spot even minor repairs, no matter how good they've been.

They will be replacing not repairing so you wouldn't notice. :wink:

I know. I meant to say in relation to paintwork. Even if it’s a brand new bumper, it’ll need painted, and in 95% of cases it’s possible to spot if additional paintwork’s been done on a car, even if it’s a new panel. Paintwork done at different times, i.e. different batches of paint, will always appear slightly different

 

[senwar]

scottish69,

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your car WILL be devalued IF there's any evidence of repair. And 95% of the time it's fairly easy to spot a repair, even a good one. I'm no expert but am getting better at spotting repairs, but my father-in-law (a trader buyer) never fails to spot even minor repairs, no matter how good they've been.

They will be replacing not repairing so you wouldn't notice. :wink:

I know. I meant to say in relation to paintwork. Even if it’s a brand new bumper, it’ll need painted, and in 95% of cases it’s possible to spot if additional paintwork’s been done on a car, even if it’s a new panel. Paintwork done at different times, i.e. different batches of paint, will always appear slightly different

Yep - these are also detected by the RAC check IIRC - different paint thickness etc even by very very minute differences

 

[mmm-five]

These are also detected by the RAC check IIRC - different paint thickness etc even by very very minute differences

I hope they've upped their game since I paid them £350 to check out an e34 M5 for me.

They reported stuff on the car as 'cause for concern' when it was a trait of that engine (i.e. the lumpy idle at 850/900rpm), a hole in the floor near the battery (drain hole which is meant to be there), and they failed to spot an incorrectly fitted brake pad (one retaining pin had been fitted behind the pad rather than through the slot provided and thus didn't work properly) and even though I finally bought the car, they didn't notice the 6 inches of filler on the bonnet - nor did I until about a year later when the paint started to discolour and a ridge appeared.

For 'specialist' cars you need a specialist - and that's what I thought I was getting as I was paying double what their normal rate was.

 

[outrun]

I'd be tempted to tell them that they had totally taken the shine off the "ultimate driving experience" and you'll take your purchase price back for the car. Then i'd buy another one and spend 2 weeks in the sunshine at a 5 star hotel with the difference.

Seriously, i'd recommend taking many photos and dangling the possibility of them finding their way to the press over their heads. I'd definately also go for CSLs from them and a free service or two. If you ask for more, you're likely to get more than you'd actually settle for. Aim high.

My dealer kerbed a CSL and refused to admit it. I'd hang them all if i could.

 

[senwar]

These are also detected by the RAC check IIRC - different paint thickness etc even by very very minute differences

I hope they've upped their game since I paid them £350 to check out an e34 M5 for me.

They reported stuff on the car as 'cause for concern' when it was a trait of that engine (i.e. the lumpy idle at 850/900rpm), a hole in the floor near the battery (drain hole which is meant to be there), and they failed to spot an incorrectly fitted brake pad (one retaining pin had been fitted behind the pad rather than through the slot provided and thus didn't work properly) and even though I finally bought the car, they didn't notice the 6 inches of filler on the bonnet - nor did I until about a year later when the paint started to discolour and a ridge appeared.

For 'specialist' cars you need a specialist - and that's what I thought I was getting as I was paying double what their normal rate was.

Ouch - thats bad.

Th one I talk of was when someone came and did an inspection of a beetle I was selling several years ago. Although I'd mentioned the work to the buyer, the engineer found the paint differences and showed me the results. Was pretty impressive to be honest

 

[mmm-five]

These are also detected by the RAC check IIRC - different paint thickness etc even by very very minute differences

I hope they've upped their game since I paid them £350 to check out an e34 M5 for me.

They reported stuff on the car as 'cause for concern' when it was a trait of that engine (i.e. the lumpy idle at 850/900rpm), a hole in the floor near the battery (drain hole which is meant to be there), and they failed to spot an incorrectly fitted brake pad (one retaining pin had been fitted behind the pad rather than through the slot provided and thus didn't work properly) and even though I finally bought the car, they didn't notice the 6 inches of filler on the bonnet - nor did I until about a year later when the paint started to discolour and a ridge appeared.

For 'specialist' cars you need a specialist - and that's what I thought I was getting as I was paying double what their normal rate was.

Ouch - thats bad.

Th one I talk of was when someone came and did an inspection of a beetle I was selling several years ago. Although I'd mentioned the work to the buyer, the engineer found the paint differences and showed me the results. Was pretty impressive to be honest

That's the problem though, one bad experience usually tars the lot with the same brush.

I've got similar feelings of BMW service departments (I only ever use them if I really, really, REALLY have to) - although I gave them many more chances to get things right, but I gave up in the end. I'll be doing interim oil services myself (i.e. not resetting the SI) and then getting an ///M specialist 240 miles away to do my services & inspections. The cost savings more than cover the cost of the petrol and hotel for the night (if needed).

I sound like a grumpy old man and I'm only 38 :roll:

 

[mikedav]

Seriously guys, many of you are being a little idealistic here IMO. Bumps and scrapes happen. They do not automatically make the car worth less. Every case is subjective.... Obviously we would all prefer an example that has lived in bubble wrap and is 'as new', but there is no guarantee of that on ANY car, even with a new one straight off the boat - it's highly possible are you are driving a car that was repaired at the receiving centre after a scratch / bump / scrape during transit. Some of the damage that gets repaired may even stun you!

Of course you can spot damage if it has badly aligned panels, actual 'repairs' (reshaped panels or doors, welding, patched panels, filler), bad paintwork (poor match, overspray, etc). But not all repairs will feature any/all of those things. If a dealer uses a micrometer to measure paint depth he can spot repairs (resprays are thicker than factory - and usually better!) but even then that could be for any number of reasons. Keyed cars, scraping it on the garage door, stone chips...paint is not automatically bad. in fact i'd ask him to do it on every panel of the car I was buying too...!

If we are talking about a bumper and a headlight, I am absolutely certain he has no worries .

you'll have to sign something when you trade to a dealer saying it was never in an accident.

Never done such a thing in my life...?

 

[scottish69]

Been to see the car, not as bad as i feared. Rear drivers alloy had a good bash - enough to cause a side wall dint - so thats a new set of rears they will put on. The only other damage is the front drivers corner. A new light needed and bumper. They may be replacing the front wing too, internally the car is OK though it wanst a bad bang on the body work. Front drivers wheel track end rod has been sheared off, so its all gonna be replaced and tracked etc to my satisfaction.

They all seem as keen as hell to make it as good as new to be honest, esp seen as it was their fault!

The loaner is a 320i coupe, missing around 200 horses from my //M.

Didn't take any pics of the car, though the delaership guy is forwarding theirs to me for my records.

They said they will laser align and take any action necessary for it to be sorted, but im a feeling OK now after seeing it. Had images of looking at a wreck ffs.

With regards to depreciation they said theres no way of telling its been in an accident, it seems you could only tell if you took paint thinknesses etc. And whose to say it was the owner and not the supplying dealer that had it repaired after delivery problems. They said PX via BMW it wouldnt affect its resale value.

So... i was thinking about free oil service, then free insp 1, then free extended 4th year warranty. Any chance?

 

[scotia_steve74]

you'll have to sign something when you trade to a dealer saying it was never in an accident.

Never done such a thing in my life...?

Had to do it when buying my most recent BMW and all the Porsches I bought....

Been to see the car, not as bad as i feared. Rear drivers alloy had a good bash - enough to cause a side wall dint - so thats a new set of rears they will put on. The only other damage is the front drivers corner. A new light needed and bumper. They may be replacing the front wing too, internally the car is OK though it wanst a bad bang on the body work. Front drivers wheel track end rod has been sheared off, so its all gonna be replaced and tracked etc to my satisfaction.

They all seem as keen as hell to make it as good as new to be honest, esp seen as it was their fault!

The loaner is a 320i coupe, missing around 200 horses from my //M.

Didn't take any pics of the car, though the delaership guy is forwarding theirs to me for my records.

They said they will laser align and take any action necessary for it to be sorted, but im a feeling OK now after seeing it. Had images of looking at a wreck ffs.

With regards to depreciation they said theres no way of telling its been in an accident, it seems you could only tell if you took paint thinknesses etc. And whose to say it was the owner and not the supplying dealer that had it repaired after delivery problems. They said PX via BMW it wouldnt affect its resale value.

So... i was thinking about free oil service, then free insp 1, then free extended 4th year warranty. Any chance?

Don't let them away that easy. £1000 at least or CSL's....

 

[scottish69]

I reckon oil service and insp 1 comes upto about a grand doesnt it?

I think a single year of warranty is more like 1500 quid from BMW.

Gonna push for it after the car has all been repaired just as i pick it up... then at least i know the car has had care and attention.

 

[gannet]

you'll have to sign something when you trade to a dealer saying it was never in an accident.

Never done such a thing in my life...?

Had to do it when buying my most recent BMW and all the Porsches I bought....

Ive had to sign something similar but I recall the wording something along the lines of 'Never been damaged and written off'...

 

[cj10jeeper]

I'm delighted that the damage appears not to be too bad, but if track rod end is sheared off it can transmit damage to all parts of the front suspension. I would be certain that is all fixed up and an expert has aligned and tested it.

Mikedav I'm not going to argue with you unduly as it's diverse opinions that make this board so great, but you seem to refer to extremes here in both your posts comparing this crash to PDI damage and minor repairs associated with kerbing and keying or perhaps respraying after stone chips and I totally agree with all that and indeed most older cars will at sometime have had a repair of some sort.

This Zed was crashed fast and hard enough to damage the rhs rim on the centre kerb (so I assume a dual carriageway) then cross 2 lanes bounce up a kerb to shear a suspension member then hit something hard enough to require a new bumper cover, headlight and likely wing. Big difference.

Of course the dealer will make a good repair, hide/fix any damage and maintain that all is well value unaffected, etc. As others have said the Zed community is small ///M coupe's rare and this size of 'hit' is remembered (and 'valued') for a long time. I just encourage scottish69 to ensure he has it sorted to remain happy in a week, month, year and then when talking to a buyer to sell it.

 

[Smokin]

I think here in the US (well, in NC at least) it has to have been damage of 25% or s certain $ amount for you to report. When I traded my 325 in on the Z4, the salesman mentioned they didn't want my car as it "had a CarFax" on it. Silly man--the accident happened BEFORE I bought my car. Talk about falling all over themselves to make me happy!


Look, cars depreciate. The dealer broke it, the dealer should fix it LIKE NEW. Also, when time comes to trade, deal with them and remind them that THEY had the accident so you should not be penalized.

 

[scottish69]

Apparently it didnt hit the central reservation.. he just lost the back end and mounted the pavement...... plus the bumper is still attached its just the undertray bit thats been damaged where he went up the kerb as its such a low car....

Seriously the damage isn't bad, it was a slow speed accident in a quite narrow retail park at rush hour. Police said ice caused the spin apparently.

Having had the car only two months ill be keeping it at least another 3 years.

And hey - if the car aint perfect its NOT coming home! It has to be for me to be happy in the future with it as said above.

S>

 

[cj10jeeper]

Apparently it didnt hit the central reservation.. he just lost the back end and mounted the pavement...... plus the bumper is still attached its just the undertray bit thats been damaged where he went up the kerb as its such a low car....

Seriously the damage isn't bad, it was a slow speed accident in a quite narrow retail park at rush hour. Police said ice caused the spin apparently.

Having had the car only two months ill be keeping it at least another 3 years.

And hey - if the car aint perfect its NOT coming home! It has to be for me to be happy in the future with it as said above.

S>

OK - sound like the damage is fairly light so you are lucky and I'm delighted for you In terms of whatever deal you accept I think you should strike that now and before they start work. If you try later they will simply say 'sorry here's your car all fixed, nothing more we can or will do'.
Doing it now you are still open to go to lawyers, BMW HO, refuse to allow them to work on it, take it to another dealer etc. etc. and in the strongest position.

 

[scottish69]

I think i got carried away with images in my mind when i got their phone call saying it had been damaged... lol

Feel cooler now ive seen it though.

God this 320i coupe loaner is like driving a disabled kitten.



:|

S>

 

[Dammmittt]

OMG, dude I'd be so pissed, did you punch him in the face?

 

[Andy]

... In terms of whatever deal you accept I think you should strike that now and before they start work. If you try later they will simply say 'sorry here's your car all fixed, nothing more we can or will do'.
Doing it now you are still open to go to lawyers, BMW HO, refuse to allow them to work on it, take it to another dealer etc. etc. and in the strongest position.

that's one thing i strongly agree with - get your compensation sorted now, or it will be an anticlimax later when the dust has settled.

on a side note though, i took mine down a totally un-salted back lane today, sheet thick ice everywhere after 3+ days of -7 degrees or so.. it was actually delightfully hard to slide around with the DSC on, ok the ABS didn't let me stop (ever) but the individual wheel breaking and power cutting is so clever it's brilliant to play with it and feel it flick me back around.

it's actually amazing he got it to spin that easily, unless he had turned it off.. and if he did, he deserves the £1000 I would ask for, taken out of his salary.