[AvidReader]

So upset!!! Had major accident. Woman blew through red light at very high speed (someplace between 50-60), no skid marks, turned my car around, all air bags deployed, frame bent. My insurance (Erie) said slam dunk totaled due to high cost to repair, impound lot (biggest in area) said totaled, Other drivers insurance (GEICO) saying not totaled. Checking opinions. 2022 fully loaded X3 M 40i. Pristine condition until she hit it. ETA sorry for dup post of image. Don’t know how do delete

[avi66]

Originally Posted by AvidReader

So upset!!! Had major accident. Woman blew through red light at very high speed (someplace between 50-60), no skid marks, turned my car around, all air bags deployed, frame bent. My insurance (Erie) said slam dunk totaled due to high cost to repair, impound lot (biggest in area) said totaled, Other drivers insurance (GEICO) saying not totaled. Checking opinions. 2022 fully loaded X3 M 40i. Pristine condition until she hit it.

Seriously totalled imo, especially if all air bags deployed and bent frame. Lots of aluminium used around the body/structure.

I would not want to drive that following a “repair”, especially if it was not a repair by BMW, and the impact on future BMW warranty.

[nyalpine90]

glad your OK.
definitely TOTAL...

[83883]

No question.... totaled. Kept you safe though!

[ContactPatch]

Good to hear you were uninjured. Your X3 looks beyond totaled, remember to gather up your personal belongings in the car.

[Rottweiler]

GEICO must be high as a mf

[ridetime]

When GEICO gets the repair estimate I predict they will reconsider their initial assessment.

[ASAP]

wow yea... glad you're ok

airbag deployment and that front end is a total no questions asked

[Sportstick]

Totaling is usually when the repair equals a high percentage of value. I've heard some adjusters report 75%. For a five year old X3 and looking at the photos and extent of damage (including the air bag deployments), I'd agree with the comments here that it's time for you to start shopping for a new vehicle...another X3 of course!! BTW, if the adjuster told you the "frame" was bent, ask him to show you. The X3, like most modern vehicles does not have a frame. It has a floorpan as part of the unitized construction. Some body-on-frame trucks/large SUVs still have frames.

[Chitown_vroom]

Moment of silence for a beauty gone before its time. But, really glad you are ok. New cars can be bought!

[Keefy]

That’s certainly a total right off!

[brettl]

Car did its job protecting you. You’re paying for that safety no matter the trim level you choose, it’s baked into the value.
Glad you’re okay, don’t let the other insurance company bully you, no way I’d want that car back!! I’d imagine your insurance wouldn’t even cover the car after that extensive of repairs…

[AvidReader]

Thanks everyone for the replies. It’s 2022 and yes, it’s so beautiful. it was my mid-life crisis baby after three decades of Honda civics and Toyota corollas. Interesting on the frame comment. It was the guy at the salvage lot said it had to be bent because the front end is bent to the left and was stopped bending more by cutting into the wheel. The Erie guy said too costly to repair and since GEICO problem, he didn’t want to itemize. I already asked Quentin to put in a new build for an identical model but 2024. Now just need to figure how to convince GEICO to cover entire cost - no depreciation. If anyone has suggestions on that, please post. Because no broken bones GEICO is treating this like a nuisance event. 🤬 they should be happy and fair since my baby saved my life.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by AvidReader

Interesting on the frame comment. It was the guy at the salvage lot said it had to be bent because the front end is bent to the left and was stopped bending more by cutting into the wheel.

I suspect he was talking about the front section marked in green, rather than a traditional “chassis”.

[Sportstick]

This image helps to explain the difference so you can speak with them knowledgably. The upper vehicle is the "unitized" design as found on the X3 and almost everything else built today that isn't a truck...the body panels are welded together (although Jaguar has also used adhesive) to form the floorpan and structures above into a "body in white" shell.

For the vehicle with a frame, imagine a truck cab and cargo box or a larger SUV body being lowered and attached to the frame you see.

It had been the policy of some, Saab comes to mind, that once the floorpan is bent, the car is considered unrepairable. The force of the impact can cause the ripple/compression effect rearward into the orange area (floorpan) and magenta (aperture) in the above illustration. However, the "shotguns" in green are sometimes considered serviceable if the damage is constrained to that location.

[AvidReader]

Thanks!!! I had no idea about the structure. This is very interesting and helpful. Reading again to make sure I fully understand.

[SpencerPJ]

Glad you are ok.
My wife recently literally bumped a parking lot pole, got into the hood a tad, fender a tad, broke headlight, 15k estimate, the headlight alone is 3k.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by AvidReader

Thanks!!! I had no idea about the structure. This is very interesting and helpful. Reading again to make sure I fully understand.

One way to think about it overall is designing a vehicle by making a box with wheels versus making a platform with wheels and then putting the passenger/cargo compartments on top.

The "unibody" or "unitized" design is more efficient, lighter weight. The frame approach has been more durable but unitized vehicles have advanced significantly over past decades.

[Fredcohiba]

Great engineering to help protect you. Glad you are okay. Wife had similar situation in a new Jetta. All airbags deployed and restraint system did what it was supposed to do.

[jsh139]

Wow, glad everyone is ok.

If Geico starts dicking you around, just submit the claim through Erie, let them total it, and have them worry about getting their $$ back. As long as you aren't at fault, the only thing you lose is a little time while they subrogate to get your deductible back (which you will, eventually).

No way in hell I would drive that car after it was fixed. That thing is totaled for sure, 100% and will never be the same. Not to mention the depreciation hit you would take from it being in an accident in the first place.

[Sportstick]

If you go shopping again and now have heightened concern with crash (but maybe not at "buy the Volvo or the bigger Bimmer" level), one detail is that in a frontal crash, available space for the front end to crush and dissipate energy is helpful. That can translate into lower levels of energy going into the passenger compartment and ultimately, you. A six cylinder engine block is 50% longer than a 4 cylinder which means more solid mass and less open space for crush in a frontal impact. If you read IIHS results that gave Top Safety Pick+ to the X3, it was the 30i they tested. I'm confident that the M40i meets and exceeds all requirements comfortably and performs extremely well, as yours did for you and as do all BMWs, but if the crash now has you thinking about relative risk, the 30i would be expected to have more cushion in front of the firewall than does the M40i. Excellent can be excellent plus a bit more. This same premise applies to EVs that have more open space up front to absorb energy when crushed instead of a large solid engine. Everyone will balance risk/benefit differently, but knowledge is power and you seem interested. Best wishes!

[AvidReader]

Great idea on going back to Erie if GEICO doesn’t do the right thing. I have time for subrogation since the new build will take 4-6 weeks. I am going to call Erie on Monday and tell them a storm is coming and they should cut it off at the pass. The police said the other driver ran a red. I had a witness two cars behind me in the dedicated turn lane that said we had green arrow. Liability is clear.
Thanks all! You are the best.