I've heard about the Savage BMW story on Bimmerfest and Bimmer Forums (which is enough to show, one would think, that this type of news travels fast and far). Time will show the parallels, but I don't want a wrecked M3 no matter how nice the work. I shopped forever to find those options, colors, mods, and took max care of that car...it just wouldn't be the same, plus I can't even figure what a hit the resale value would take when shopping it to as small a market as there already is for these cars.

What would be your estimate of the hit to value of a clean history over a collision, all things being equal (assuming there is a buyer for every car).
The high KBB retail (it truly was that clean) is $44,700. Forgetting mods, what's the value now?

 

I've heard about the Savage BMW story on Bimmerfest and Bimmer Forums (which is enough to show, one would think, that this type of news travels fast and far). Time will show the parallels, but I don't want a wrecked M3 no matter how nice the work. I shopped forever to find those options, colors, mods, and took max care of that car...it just wouldn't be the same, plus I can't even figure what a hit the resale value would take when shopping it to as small a market as there already is for these cars.

What would be your estimate of the hit to value of a clean history over a collision, all things being equal (assuming there is a buyer for every car).
The high KBB retail (it truly was that clean) is $44,700. Forgetting mods, what's the value now?

 

That is really a sad and frustrating story. I'm not big on lawsuits, but in this case I would not hesitate. Your car will never be the same, you will never have complete faith in the car and its value will be lower. You also are without a car now for how long? I would be very pissed and would unleash the hounds. Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

I'm curious...why were they test driving it? Did they get your permission to drive the car? I have a couple BMW's and am unaware of any "random test drives" That must have been an unauthorized drive, especially since they called and told you the car was ready for pickup.

 

The testing and work was done at 1:30 when I was called for pick-up. The crash was at 3:30 on the "random" test. Apparently, they have a random testing procedure (but no written policy) of testing cars for low wiper fluid, check oil, etc and drive them on a preset course. The work order did allow them to test drive, I assume, as related to the actual work being requested, but this second was something else. The kid had no checklist with him, again, they have no formal policy on this type of testing, time will show he likely has little/no certification or training as an actual shop terchnician, PLUS he was speeding (almost 50 sideways in a 30 mph zone). I say negligence and joyriding...I guess we'll have to see what the judge says.

 

You can make a claim for "diminished value" and it should be substantial. I believe there was someone on this board that did it on their Millenium Edition 996. One of the things that he had going for him is that his car was 1 of 911. I am not sure how that would play out for you with a "regular" M3.

FWIW, always appear to be open to negotiations rather than make demands. It's far easier to go back and forth with the GM or the dealership's owner and come to a mutually acceptable resolution rather than go through the time and expense of legal action.

Also, since your car is no longer produced, you may want to consider a different car altogether, maybe even a Porsche . Even though the dealership is a BMW dealer, they can easily acquire a car from a different dealership at cost even if it isn't a BMW.

Good luck!

 

I collected diminished value on a 96 M3 about nine years ago. The car was worth 32K unwrecked and 27K after repair according to estimates I received. The car took a big hit at an intersection at about 40 mph. The damage was about 18K. That was the last time I will accept a repaired car because it was never the same after that....

 

I recently had some minor damage done to my car while it was being serviced (for two months ). Nothing compared to what you're going through (no accidents involved). Anyway, while trying to get it resolved, the GM told me that the slip I sign when I drop the car off authorizes them to drive the car and that any damage done to the car while they were servicing/driving it would be handled through "my" insurance company. crazy. i always assumed when i hand them the keys that they own it till they give the keys back. not so, at least at my dealer. on a brighter note, after several conversations, they seem to be doing the right thing and taking care of my damage. so far so good.

not sure what advice to give you here. i don't think you can really make any decisions till you know the complete extent of the damage. if it's just the bumper and rims, reset/repack the airbags, etc... i wouldn't worry about it. maybe you could get them to sell you some mods for cost with free install to make up for your time and trouble (plenty to choose from in the Dinan catalog )

 

If there is no written policy for the "random" test drive you can assume that he was joyriding the car. They do not need to drive the car to check wiper fluid levels etc.

Tell them to give you full retail book on the car plus mods and find another car.

 

yeap. those bastards.
i don't understand when they drive the car more than they need to.
a random selection to f up your car is more of an appropiate word choice.
I once took my car in to shop to get wheel balanced and came back with 75 extra miles. hmmm. dealers suck and the worst is when people don't take responsiblity for what they have done. I would be so pissed that they even contacted an attorney to have the car removed. wtf? i would go and **** on their face.

 

keep that message dealer left you stating the car is ready for pick up with a timestamp. put it on a tape recorder or something. it'll be crucial to point out the car was ready for pickup before the accident occurred. the kid was on a joy ride, a "random" joy ride. find out the kid's name through police report and check what he does for the dealer - i bet not a mechanic. maybe a car wash guy. this can be used in court in addition to the fact that this joyride violated speeding limit.

your options are:
1. dealer buy car at kbb plus upgrades
2. fix car, sell it, get difference between sell and kbb price
3. not fix car, sell it as is. get difference between sell and kbb price

if you do decide to have car fixed, do not have this dealer fix it. they will cut corner. you may want to take the car for an estimate at another dealer.

dealer is really trying to screw you. i would make them buy your car and would consider 3rd option if you want to sue them. 3rd option is faster and less risk. This way, you sue them for loss of value and damage instead of loss of value (which is harder to prove).

 

This will be a tremendously hard to negotiate situation, the dealer has the upper hand and will sit in their ***. I have not heard of your insurance and BMW rep getting involved in this matter. Also no photos are shown in this thread but I hope you have some. This guys gave you 5 days to make a desicion or storage will charged. I say let the storage bill start to run until you sit with a BMW rep at the dealer and go through the whole situation, bring attorney or friend pretending to be and have insurance rep there too. Of course there will be a loss of value, that would be way simple to prove, bring any carfax example and its done. Most likely their insurace will not work out as this will be determined as a joy ride, and they are not covered under dealer insurance policy. So its you, your insurance trying to work out something with them, but I think you would be able to manage better via BMW rep, because like I said first, dealer will sit on his ***.

 

I think you are pissing in the wind if you think you will get a new car due to this. You should be able to get a diminished value check but that would be it would be my guess.

Hitting a curb at 50mph should not destroy the cars geometry/performance IMO if fixed properly. Also, do not let this dealer fix the car, the insurance company will try and make you get it fixed at the lowest estimate shop, however, by law you can have it fixed anywhere you like.

Christian

 

That sucks big time. I hate to offer any legal advice, but I hope things work out for you.

 

I probably would of gone so ****in balistic on them they would probably be suing me.

 

Wow, that really sucks. My only hope is that this particular BMW Dealer holds itself to a high enough standard as to step up and make it right for YOU, not for them. Different dealerships handle things differently, so I wouldn't write them off as trying to screw you just yet. Someone else said it best, calmly, but directly make your expectations known, but don't make demands, there's nothing worse than a dealership service manager on the defensive.

I agree with the idea of getting a lawyer, submit your expectations that way, and make sure they know you're willing to handle this like a gentleman, but you will NOT be pushed around and won't settle for anything less than what you feel is satisfactory compensation, whatever that may be.

Good Luck

Justin