Need info on unibody repairs

[yidgyi]

Hi,

I was involved in a multi-car pile up. Got rear ended by an SUV. TL: DR, 6 cars were involved. All stationary at a red light and a driver who slept behind the wheel caused a chain reaction after he hit a car behind me. I thought the M3 was done for, totaled. To my surprise it is fully repairable. Since it was a SUV that hit me, my trunk took most of the damage. The only "frame" damage is a very slightly bent frame rail under the trunk on the left side. My car is currently at a BMW collision center shop getting worked on. The person who is handling it and helping me has explained the process of putting it on a frame machine and pulling the frame rail back to factory spec. I've researched it a bit and from what I gather is BMW has a unibody system for the vehicle, front subframe and rear subframe. The BMW shop is going to pull the frame rail back into spec and then reinforce it.

My understanding on this unibody system is (correct me if I'm wrong) that it was made so parts work together like a frame. If an accident occurred, the unibody has points of impact so the force breaks those parts and can be replaced. Essentially kind of like lego parts.

My question is has anyone had this experience before? If so, did your vehicle drive the same as before? My main concern is my M3 is not going to be driving the same again. I'd like to drop some money into mods but don't want to waste a couple thousand on a car that doesn't perform like it's supposed to. In my state I can claim diminished value since the guy who caused the accident was found 100% at fault. Should I just take the diminished value money and buy another one or would I be wasting time & money?

Thank you
Added a picture of the accident below.

[///Mlife]

Hate to see this but glad your alright. Find out how much the diminished value is and go from there.

[Helmsman]

Looks pretty bad Yid, glad to hear you're fine in neck and back.

[tlow98]

1 - From that accident it appears the the lower subframe was not shifted. If there is subframe or any work to be done that is connected to the frame then you can reasonably expect that likely the car will not be as new from behind the wheel.

2 - Another worry I'd have is the incredible amount of body work needed. Aesthetically, that car will likely never be the same, and that's a shame. It could be 90% when done, but an experienced eye will find issues.

If you can live with the possibility of #1 and the certainty of #2 then proceed with the car. Otherwise, I'd take the loot and look for another car just like it.

The first offer from your insurance company is never the final offer! Remember that and give them hell.

I've spent the last year in/around a body shop and this is what I've learned. Before that life long enthusiast and mechanical nut. The body business is incredibly interesting!

[tlow98]

Wait, re-read your thread. This thing isn't totaled? Shocked.

Extremely low mileage 2013?

[javarithms]

Sorry about the accident OP, glad you're not hurt.

I would take the money and buy another one.

[yidgyi]

Thanks for the replies. My car is a 2013 w/ 46K miles. I'll be following up with my vehicle tomorrow to know more information as I will also try to speak with the technician working on my car.

[MachinesWithSouls]

A good friend of mine has his own shop with a frame machine. Sees these all the time.

Unless something is cracked In the frame, you should be fine. It will drive and look identical from Before the accident. Frame, wheel alignment, everything will measure the same as a factory spec M3.

[schnitzed328]

correct if the shop has a proper frame machine and tram guages... there are measuring point for collision repair... with the tram guage you can tell if the guage points are off.


once all the bent stuff is pulled off like the rear bumper and its reinforcement the trunk the shop will know what up..

[scoale]

Resurrecting for the obvious reason My damage was not as extensive as yours (damaged rear bumper and put a slight roll in rear quarterpanel you can feel if you run your and over it), but am worried about car never being the same.

What was your outcome?

[yidgyi]

Originally Posted by scoale

Resurrecting for the obvious reason My damage was not as extensive as yours (damaged rear bumper and put a slight roll in rear quarterpanel you can feel if you run your and over it), but am worried about car never being the same.

What was your outcome?

Still in the shop. Paint was supposed to be finished today. Will likely know the outcome in January. Certified BMW collision center shop is handling my car so everything should be back in spec from factory. Thank god for unibodies amirite. Sorry to hear you were invovled in an accident. Make sure you go for diminished value claim if you can! Mine is taking a while but I have a full exhaust and BPM stage 2 waiting to be installed when it gets home!