Disaster. Z3 a write off?

[DrDave]

Having owned my first Z3 for a little over 2 months. Someone decided to drive into the back of me today. Cosmetic damage to bumper and boot lid.

I overpaid a bit when I bought it because I fell in love with the rare velvet blue/cream leather combo.

Other driver has admitted liability but I’m very worried they’ll say uneconomical to repair and write it off which is the last thing I want! Especially as their likely to offer me a lot less than the £3.5k I paid 2-3 months ago!

Not really sure what my options will be, any advice gratefully received!

 

[t-tony]

If they write it off they should offer you the chance to buy it back. If they don't then ask. Most likely as you say cosmetic and all panels are "bolt on" so repairing it is a possibility. Do you have/ can you get some pictures? Where are you located again Dave?

Tony.

 

[Redline]

I sympathise with you. Had someone drive into the back of my wife's Z4 nearly two years ago. Cause £9.5k of damage on a car not much worth more than that.

Hope there is no damage to the boot floor or chassis. As Tony says, panels can be replaced and not necessarily by new ones if you can buy the car back. Sadly, it will likely have an insurance category assigned but it should be an N. If you intend keeping the car for a long time, that may not be important to you.

Stick to your ground. The insurance has a duty to put you back in the situation of where you were before. They will often try and write the car off because they can make much of the costs back by selling it on for someone to strip it and part out the components.

 

[Sean d]

I maybe able to help if you keep it and decide to repair it, I have various panels and rear bumpers that I could supply in Velvet blue

 

[Shelly]

I brought a car back when my car was in a accident ( not my fault) as it was classed as a right off about 25 years ago .
I took it to a garage, and they done all the work on it .
And I was left with about half the money the insurance gave to me
What a result

 

[DrDave]

If they write it off they should offer you the chance to buy it back. If they don't then ask. Most likely as you say cosmetic and all panels are "bolt on" so repairing it is a possibility. Do you have/ can you get some pictures? Where are you located again Dave?

Tony.

I’m in Bath Tony.
Pictures attached. Looks like a chunk out of the boot with associated dent, lots of scratches on boot and bumper and a cracker right rear light.

 

[colb]

That looks all repairable or replacement panels and a light unit, if they want to write that off deffinately buy it back from them and get it fixed up, loads of help on here and supplies of parts from our resident breakers.

 

[Devon Z]

Dearest thing may be the tail light, they demand quite a premium and not always singular.

That’s easily fixed, the wing looks a bit out of line.

 

[Andyboy]

50/50 on it being a write off. But if it is......

Whatever you do, DO NOT let them take it away for storage. If you let them take it, it'll end up at Copart accruing astonishing transport and storage fees. Turn down a hire/courtesy car.

Try and do a deal, i.e £1000 and you keep the car. The boot will repair or you can have another painted. £50 for a bootlid and about £100 to paint it plus an hour tops to fit it. £50 for a tail light, 20 mins to fit. The rear panel looks as if it has been pushed in very slightly (does the boot open and shut ok?) but a few thumps with a hide mallet will rectify that. £150 to paint the back bumper.

It's not a disaster - take the payout and fix both the damage and any other bits of bodywork that may need doing.

My neighbour also has a Velvet blue 2.0, a 2000 on an X plate.

 

[DrDave]

Thanks all for your really helpful advice! I really appreciate it.

 

[Andyboy]

Looking at it again, it looks as though the bumper impact has 'spread' the back wing slightly. However with the bumper off you can slacken the 10 mm lower wing bolts and readjust it.

 

[DrDave]

50/50 on it being a write off. But if it is......

Whatever you do, DO NOT let them take it away for storage. If you let them take it, it'll end up at Copart accruing astonishing transport and storage fees. Turn down a hire/courtesy car.

Try and do a deal, i.e £1000 and you keep the car. The boot will repair or you can have another painted. £50 for a bootlid and about £100 to paint it plus an hour tops to fit it. £50 for a tail light, 20 mins to fit. The rear panel looks as if it has been pushed in very slightly (does the boot open and shut ok?) but a few thumps with a hide mallet will rectify that. £150 to paint the back bumper.

It's not a disaster - take the payout and fix both the damage and any other bits of bodywork that may need doing.

My neighbour also has a Velvet blue 2.0, a 2000 on an X plate.

The boot is a little bit ‘sticky’ on opening actually. Not quite as smooth as it was previously.

 

[DrDave]

Fortunately they didn’t write write it off and has just arrived back looking nice and shiny. Took the opportunity to have my wheels refurbed and outer sills sorted.

 

[Paul Rice]

Fortunately they didn’t write write it off and has just arrived back looking nice and shiny. Took the opportunity to have my wheels refurbed and outer sills sorted.

Great news another Z3 saved

 

[DavidM]

Fortunately they didn’t write write it off and has just arrived back looking nice and shiny. Took the opportunity to have my wheels refurbed and outer sills sorted.

Any photos?

 

[Jess]

Fantastic news, so pleased for you

 

[motco]

Excellent! I drove mine for in excess of 230 miles yesterday and didn't spot another one. They seem to be achieving rarity status so do all you can to preserve and cherish yours!