Insurance advice

[Richard29]

So my nephew hit a badger in his 2017 120i Msport. Damage caused - needs new radiator and complete new front bumper.
Costs for these new radiator fitted at BMW £730.00. Part cost is £350.00.
New bumper sprayed and fitted at MStyle £550.00.
He just notified Admiral insurance and they notified him it is total Loss without even inspecting it.
Does anyone have any advice.

 

[John_B]

Take the payout and buy the car back (for a fraction of the payout) and pay for the repairs with some of the surplus?

(I have never needed to do that, just what I have read others do when faced with similar situation)

 

[TriumphZ3]

He just notified Admiral insurance and they notified him it is total Loss without even inspecting it.
Does anyone have any advice.

They're quoting for massive garage bills at some over-inflated accident repair shop which makes most of their profits from over-charging Insurance companies. A new bumper and radiator can be sourced relatively cheaply, not necessarily straight from BMW, then fit them yourself and avoid Insurance completely.

 

[Toby]

Something possibly seriously wrong there - what value are the putting on the car ? Which edition is it also ?

They may not let you but back, as often sent to auction and they know they may get a good price for it.

 

[Duncodin]

Something possibly seriously wrong there - what value are the putting on the car ? Which edition is it also ?

They may not let you but back, as often sent to auction and they know they may get a good price for it.

I'd be interested to hear what value they're putting on a 2017 120i

 

[SV8Predator]

accident repair shop which makes most of their profits from over-charging Insurance companies.

If you seriously think that, then you are deluded. Insurance companies hammer down the repair shops, but most modern accident repair shops only do insurance work, so have to agree to all the insurance company's terms and conditions.

 

[Argyll Andy]

They're quoting for massive garage bills at some over-inflated accident repair shop which makes most of their profits from over-charging Insurance companies.

I had mine in BMW for a bumper repair recently. First question I was asked was I paying myself or insurance. They told me £50 p/h for all insurance work, £165 p/h for non insurance work, both plus VAT of course. As mentioned above by SV8, insurance companies tell them what they’re paying before quote is approved.

 

[Richard29]

Its an Msport auto 2.0 184bhp in met black
To replace it is looking at £11k ish
He is not going down insurance route.
I stripped the radiators out last night. It has split bith inner and outer radiators. Needs complete new bumper assy and trim. Air scoop and air duct to brakes and plastic radiator trim.
We will fit new the new rads and have a new bumper painted and fitted when car is drivable.

1 more question. Does any one know the coolant bleed procedure. It us electric pump.
I assume you fill. Run heater fan on hot with engine off and open a bleed valve. Any advice on this welcome.
Many thanks

 

[B21]

Its an Msport auto 2.0 184bhp in met black
To replace it is looking at £11k ish
He is not going down insurance route.
I stripped the radiators out last night. It has split bith inner and outer radiators. Needs complete new bumper assy and trim. Air scoop and air duct to brakes and plastic radiator trim.
We will fit new the new rads and have a new bumper painted and fitted when car is drivable.

1 more question. Does any one know the coolant bleed procedure. It us electric pump.
I assume you fill. Run heater fan on hot with engine off and open a bleed valve. Any advice on this welcome.
Many thanks

The bleed procedure with an electric coolant pump is to use a combination of ignition on/full throttle in dome combo to initiate the auto bleed procedure..look for YouTube videos showing the process..no bleed valves required..this assumes it’s the N20 engine..

 

[Richard29]

Its a B48 engine

 

[B21]

Its a B48 engine

Here's the full procedure

Attention! Filling without vacuum filling unit (watering can filling) is not approved for this engine. In case of noncompliance, there is a danger of engine damage!

Attention! Lifetime coolant filling: Never reuse used coolant! When replacing and removing components which rely on the corrosion protection effect of the coolant, it is essential to change the coolant. The cooling system must therefore be drained and refilled. In the case of other removal work involving the draining of part quantities of coolant, replace these quantities which have been drained with new coolant.

Note on ordering: Workshop equipment Workshop equipment catalogue Vacuum filling unit number 81 39 2 152 473 Collecting vessel no. 81 49 2 152 347 Adapter: 17 0 100

Attention! Risk of slipping due to coolant on the floor. Danger of injury! Catch and dispose of emerging coolant in drip tray (1) and if necessary special tool 00 2 030 (universal hydraulic lifting equipment).Recycling: Observe country-specific waste disposal regulations.

Attention! All coolant hoses must be checked before filling cooling system with vacuum filling unit. If necessary, replace damaged and porous coolant hoses.

1) Vacuum filling unit with vacuum meter and shutoff valves 2) Filler hose 3) Coolant container 4) Venturi nozzle 5) Compressed air connection (max. 6 bar) 6) Outgoing-air hose (lead outgoing-air hose into a collecting container)

Preconditions Cooling system expansion tank must be empty. There must be sufficient premixed coolant in the vacuum filling unit container, 1 - 2 litres more than the vehicle filling capacity. Use only recommended coolant. Observe mixture ratio. Observe capacities. Position the vacuum filling unit container at the same height as the coolant expansion tank. Compressed-air connection with 6 bar pressure present. Set vehicle heater to maximum temperature.

Select adapter (Y) according to table and connect to coolant expansion tank. Connect vacuum filling unit to adapter connection (X).

Shutoff valves (A) and (B) of the vacuum filling unit (1) must be closed. (X) Expansion tank connection

Connect Venturi nozzle (1) to vacuum filling unit (2). (X) Expansion tank connection

Connect compressed air (1). (X) Expansion tank connection

Open shutoff valve (B). The venturi nozzle produces a flow noise.

Then open shutoff valve (A) until the filling hose (1) is free of bubbles. Close shutoff valve (A) again. The filling hose (1) is vented in this way.

Shutoff valve (B) will remain open. Generate vacuum in coolant system for approx. 2 minutes. The final vacuum is reached at a vacuum of -0.7 to -0.95 bar. Green scale on the vacuum meter. Note: The coolant hoses contract during vacuum build-up. Then close shutoff valve (B) again.

Both shutoff valves (A) and (B) must be closed. Then seal Venturi nozzle (1).

The cooling system must hold the vacuum for 30 s. If the needle in the vacuum meter falls, this indicates a leak in the cooling system. If the vacuum remains constant, proceed with filling. In event of leaks, check cooling system for leaks.

Attention! There must be sufficiently premixed coolant in the vacuum filling unit container, 1-2 litres more than the vehicle filling capacity. Position the vacuum filling unit container at the same height as the coolant expansion tank. Shut-off valve (B) remains closed during the filling process. To fill the cooling system, open shutoff valve (A) to vacuum filling unit container.

Coolant is now added. The filling process is finished when the needle in the vacuum meter is at 0 bar or no longer falls. If necessary, reduce remaining vacuum. Open shutoff valve (B) to do so.

Remove vacuum filling unit with adapter from expansion tank.

Adjust coolant level to maximum. Close coolant expansion tank.

After the cooling system has been filled with the vacuum filling unit, another bleeding procedure must be performed: F31, B48

 

[B21]

Part 2

Bleeding the high-temperature cooling system(B48)

Warning! Risk of scalding! Open sealing cap only after engine has cooled down.

Important! Life-time coolant filling: Never reuse used coolant! When replacing and removing components which rely on the corrosion protection effect of the coolant, it is essential to change the coolant. The cooling system must therefore be drained and refilled. In the case of other removal work involving the draining of part quantities of coolant, replace these quantities which have been drained with new coolant. Follow notes for carrying out repair work on the cooling system !

Important! The following bleeding procedure is necessary when a part is replaced in the cooling system or when the cooling system is refilled. Filling without vacuum filling device (watering can filling) is not released for this engine. If ignored, then there is a risk of damage to engine! Filling specification absolutely must be adhered to. It is not permissible to operate the vehicle if the filling procedure has not been completely performed. This may lead to functional limitations (degradation) or overheating.

Necessary preliminary tasks: Before filling the high-temperature circuit, the low-temperature circuit must be filled/bled and functional. Fill high-temperature cooling system with vacuum filler device.

Overview graphic of bleeding routine for high-temperature cooling system.

Bleeding the high-temperature cooling system: Remove vacuum filler device on coolant expansion tank for high temperature. Open bleeder screw on coolant expansion tank for high temperature and shut again after approx. 10 s. Adjust the coolant level in the coolant expansion tank for high temperature to maximum. Shut the sealing cap on the coolant expansion tank for high temperature. Connect battery charger. Starting the high-temperature cooling system bleeding routine: Switch the ignition on. Secure vehicle against rolling away/driving off (apply parking brake and put in P in automatics). Switch on low-beam headlights and hazard warning lights. Check that driving experience switch is not set to ECO-PRO. Set heating to maximum temperature and turn blower to lowest speed. Press accelerator pedal for 10 seconds to floor. Cooling system bleeding routine starts Then start engine. Increased idle speed of 1200 rpm is set. After 1 minute, increased idle position (1200 rpm) - Press on accelerator up to about 3000 rpm for 10 seconds. - Idle for 10 s. - Press on accelerator up to about 3000 rpm for 10 seconds. - Idle for 10 s. - Press on accelerator up to about 3000 rpm for 10 seconds. - Idle for 10 s. - Press on accelerator up to about 3000 rpm for 10 seconds. - Idle position for 10 seconds. - Press on accelerator up to about 3000 rpm for 10 seconds. The high-temperature cooling system bleeding routine has finished approximately 11 minutes after having started the engine. Engine speed drops to idle speed level. Switch off engine. Allow the engine to cool down. Adjust the filling level in the high temperature coolant expansion tank to maximum. Close the sealing cap of the coolant expansion tank for high temperature until it lines up with the arrows.

 

[Richard29]

Excellent Thank you. So a vacuum filling device is needed.

 

[Delk]

We just went through this with Ann-Maries blue Z3. Got hit by a tourist on the right rear quarter panel. Very minor damage and the insurance companies first responce was to scrap the car. Went on forever and eventually the only option was cat N the car and get the payout. Insurance comapny never looked at the car but was more then happy to give her good money. It cost a fraction to fix.

 

[B21]

Excellent Thank you. So a vacuum filling device is needed.

Looks that way..whether you can just use the purge procedure as the engine is not running and do it two /three times..on the N20 and N54 that’s what I did..

 

[Richard29]

Nephew has ordered a kit to do it properly

 

[Richard29]

Total parts cost so far without the new bumper is £610.00.

 

[Richard29]

Thsnks for all the advice

 

[Dxbolton]

get ready for it now!
The fact that you spoke to your insurance Co will hike your premium next year.
even though you are not claiming, they will still log it as an accident.
they are a bunch of …….. (place word here)……

 

[Richard29]

Bandits!