So the insurance company wants to total my car

[colin86325]

I was recently hit from behind by another driver and the insurance company said my car was a total loss and will give me ~$1000.
Obviously I think this is far too low, so this post has two purposes:

• Ask advice on how to get more money
  
• I'd really like the car to go to somebody to be saved, so one scenario would be to somehow sell it to an enthusiast. I don't think the damage is too bad. Towards this purpose I will describe the car.
  

Here's the damage. I'll try to get some better pics soon. 







 
I think the tranny mounts got damaged because the car won't go into gear.  I'll post more info when I get it.

• 1991 Alpine White II 318iS with 262k miles.  I am the second owner.
  
• Rare dealer-installed electric glass moon roof (manufactured by American Sunroof Company)
• Engine was rebuilt at about 225k by E30Motorwerks with entirely new timing components (timing case, rails, sprockets, chain, bearing, etc.). 
  
• New oil pump and pressure relief mechanism.
  
• Polished crankshaft with tear-drop chamfered oil passages.  Metric Mechanic 360-degree thrust bearing conversion. Coated bearings.  Here's the engine build http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55835
  
• Brand new 4-pintle injectors
  
• Intake cam by Delta Cams.
• Big bore throttle body (BBTB).
  
• Metric Mechanic pulse chamber intake manifold. 
• Coil-on-plug (COP) conversion. 
• Electric fan conversion. 
• M40 single mass (lighter weight) flywheel with new clutch.
• E46 330i steering rack conversion at about 245k miles. Also replaced steering column u-joint and upper steering column bearing.
• New driveshaft installed at about 235k miles.
• new driver's side GKN/LOEBRO half-shaft installed at about 250k miles.
• Bilstein HD dampers (stock springs)
  
• M3 rear swaybar, 325ic front swaybar (both thicker than stock 318iS bars)
  
• New custom stainless steel cat-back exhaust installed at about 255k. Includes Hushpower II resonator and a Solo Performance muffler. Details here http://www.m42club.com/forum/index.php?topic=15344.0 
• Jensen HD headunit (blends in with the overall look of the instrumentation). Sirius radio unit installed with.
  
• ellipsoid headlight swap with HID conversion
  

I'm in Glen Mills, PA 19342






 

[normboudreault]

With all those goodies installed and the $$ invested why don't you just have it repaired?

Such a clean looking car with tasty upgrades...

[colin86325]

Hi Norm, I have 3 E30s right now and I might have to face the facts that it might be time to get something that is better for hauling kids in.

It can easily be fixed by a bodyshop but I'm not sure I want to take on the expense right now.  I had liability only insurance on it and the at-fault party is saying it's a total loss.

[normboudreault]

You will have no issues parting it out if you decided to... I have 3 e30s too....

I hope you choose to save it though... 

[DesktopDave]

Sorry to hear about your misfortune - that's a good looking car. Ideally I'd get the insurer to pay a reasonable amount toward the repairs. But they never like to be reasonable like that.

That's just a first offer from the insurer, they're low-balling you. If you didn't see their adjuster they're not serious. Their "Blue Book" of the car's value is probably $1K; certainly a rip-off. I'd collect a few recent eBay sales to let them know what you think the market value of the car is, along with a few estimates from reputable local body shops. Then refuse to settle or sign anything until they make a legitimate offer. Definitely be prepared to hire a lawyer.

[colin86325]

Norm, I guess in a small way I way hoping you'd swoop in and take the car away.  LOL! 

Gotta put my big boy pants on now and try to find comparable cars for sale. Of which ther have been no 1991 318iS for sale.
It's a one-year-only car that is basically the poor man's M3.

They are valued far beyond the KBB number.

[deansweet]

Call your insurance and ask how much they'd settle for? I get you have liability only but they would probably be able to give you what they would offer for total loss. Doesn't hurt to call and ask them? Maybe they'd offer to step in and help settle?

Let me know if/when you plan on selling.
Depending on how far East you are in to PA thats not too bad of a drive for me.
Edit: just looked up Glen Mills, PA 19342 and it's ~8hrs from me. Might be do-able depending on how much you'd take for it.


Dean

[normboudreault]

Colin,

I would consider buying it but here is a picture of my driveway I took 2 days ago...



Where the hell would I put it??

Dont say the front lawn.... 

[Warsteiner]

Colin!!!
Fix your car.....you'll be missing it when it's gone. Have the Ins Co make a deal with you. It never hurts to ask!

And if you want to take a ride in my car to see what you'll do to it next....well then I'll make the trip and meet you in Philly for a beer! And I need to visit VAC to put it on their dyno too. Lol

Just my .02

Cheers,
~Ralph

[normboudreault]

Listen to Ralph.. You've put too much into her...

[Darky]

Hi

Really nice car, I think you should fix her, too much time and effort has gone into that car!

Cheers Rohan

[Nick_318is]

Another vote for fixing it.

I'd hate to be in this situation but I'd be looking for comparables to take to the insurance co to tell them they're full of shit offering me $1k.