So a tree fell on my M3

[JohnnyRoaster]

A section of a huge maple fell on my 2009 E90 M3 that i picked up in Germany six years ago. I am looking for advice from fellow M3 owners. The initial estimate was for 11,000 but they left quite a few things off. Two of the wheels and tires were damaged as well as a fold on the hood. I think the total will be closer to 20,000. As you can see, just about every body panel suffered some sort of damage. Sorry for the graphic content...

I am stuck between having a car that will never be the same or getting less than I feel it is worth if they do total it. I would appreciate the advice from anybody that has been through something like this or has first hand knowledge of the repairs involved.

Thanks.

[douglee25]

That'll buff right out!

Horrible. That sucks man.

[ilikebmxbikes]

sorry to see this - sadly i think the damage is much more than 20k. car is toast.

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by ilikebmxbikes

sorry to see this - sadly i think the damage is much more than 20k. car is toast.

Agreed. That looks like total loss territory to me. What's up w/the tree? I.E., your tree, neighbor's, heavy winds, etc....?

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by ilikebmxbikes

sorry to see this - sadly i think the damage is much more than 20k. car is toast.

yea that looks like way more damage

[tommyfyeah]

painful to see. let them total it buy it back sell it or part it out. PMed

[Beemdog]

Even if totaled someone will fix this car because the damage appears to be all superficial (roof and two rear quarters + glass). It probably has no suspension damage and will drive fine after the body work is done. If your insurance does fix it (rather than total it), I would drive it for maybe a year and then move on...

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by Beemdog

Even if totaled someone will fix this car because the damage appears to be all superficial (roof and two rear quarters + glass). It probably has no suspension damage and will drive fine after the body work is done. If your insurance does fix it (rather than total it), I would drive it for maybe a year and then move on...

i would expect some suspension damage. if the tree hit the car enough to compress the car to the point to bend the B pillar, there is likely some damage underneath.

Just from looking at the photos and the body panels alone - the repair bill will be huge.

Often this damage alone will salvage a car. If the door frame is bent - its a goner 100%.

[JohnnyRoaster]

It was a large maple in our driveway. We had a huge microburst that did a lot of isolated damage in the area. I was out of town when it happened.

[douglee25]

What did insurance say?

[JohnnyRoaster]

The initial estimate was $10900. The body shop will do a preliminary estimate once the get the car. They are busy and couldn't schedule it in until the Friday after Labor Day. I think I can push them to total it because the first guy had no clue. The body shop was highly recommended and does a lot of work on high end cars.

[douglee25]

Wow, that seems awful low!

[ksa]

Wow that's horrible sorry this happened to you. Luckily though that's what the insurance is for. I think it'll be better for you to write it off at this point (if you can) than to have a car with a substantial damage record reducing its value!

[tacoman]

Originally Posted by douglee25

Wow, that seems awful low!

+1

Cant imagine this is only 11k worth of damage.

[rocket_science]

Billy Mays to the rescue!

For real though, Damn... sorry about your luck bro

[IB M]

Bummer. I'd push for a total and take the cash.

Is it a slick Top? Maybe someone will build this into a track car.

[Strokeyguy]

I disagree with most people, this car is not totaled, it's just body panels rear quarter, top + glass. Looks like the front windshield didn't even blow , that says its is all ugly but purely cosmetic. no way is there B pillar damage.
Looks like the tree branch fell nicely centered along the car and hit sides, not transverse, so except for slamming and severely denting panels, it did zero structural damages.

I would not total it. If they do, whoever buys it -As Is - and pays to have it repaired would make a huge profit selling it, even with the history.

[JohnnyRoaster]

Diminished value in Massachusetts does not apply if the car is more than three years old and is only for collision in which you are not at fault. I am friends with my insurance agent but I think I will still take a big loss on this one.

I forgot to mention the same tree put a hole through the roof of my house. That claim seems like it may go a bit smoother.

[Quicksilv3r]

Seems to me that replacing structurally-dependent features like a roof would yield an unsafe vehicle. Not sure if I would trust a repair job. Hope they total it and for much more than that limp-wristed initial estimate. Best of luck

[JohnnyRoaster]

Originally Posted by Strokeyguy

I disagree with most people, this car is not totaled, it's just body panels rear quarter, top + glass. Looks like the front windshield didn't even blow , that says its is all ugly but purely cosmetic. no way is there B pillar damage.
Looks like the tree branch fell nicely centered along the car and hit sides, not transverse, so except for slamming and severely denting panels, it did zero structural damages.

I would not total it.

It was lined up nicely. I hope you are right. I am just worried about what they will find once they start tearing it down.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by JohnnyRoaster

It was lined up nicely. I hope you are right. I am just worried about what they will find once they start tearing it down.

Ohh...wow ! I truly feel sorry man .
About your car...
Even when your car is repaired it will never be the same , doors don't close properly , wind noises from the wind at higher speeds and cracking noises all over and rust within a couple of years and more defects will come ones you drive it for a couple of months !
Sorry but you really should sell the car .

[Rat3d ///M]

Atleast your rod bearings are okay.