Possibly Totalled my car this morning....

[Jdudley13]

Yes its true, a sad day indeed...

I was driving to work in the storm this morning on buford Hwy, came around a turn and hit standing water, tried to get over and could not. My car stalled in the middle of the road. Tried to start it to move it out of the road and it wouldn't start. Put my hazzards on, called 911. While waiting the water continued to rise. It eventually got up to my window, I could feel the car start to float so I figured I should get out. When I jumped over my console to get out the passenger side, water started to come into my floorboard on the driver side. Opened the passenger door into knee deep water. Jumped onto a concrete barrier and watched. Buford hwy was completely stopped. My car eventually floated, yes FLOATED about 30 yards down buford hwy. The police said there is only one drain in the area and it was completely clogged. They eventually backed everyone down the opposite direction and I waited for the water to go down. A cop took me home as my car was still floating. I'm waiting ot hear from my insurance company to move forward. Its an '03 325i premium package. I'd assume bluebook is around 23k maybe? I'm hoping they will cover my car and at least give me bluebook...Just have to wait and see, pretty upset about it now...

So as I was stranded in the middle of the "river" I called mitch (yes, from the middle of the flood) to begin discussing options. If it has to be repaired I will talk to one of our sponsors to see if they can help, if is totaled (best case scenario I think) then I will be in the market for a 330 rather than a 325i...Let me know opinions


Pictures will be coming later today. A girl stuck in traffic behind me let me use her digital camera so I got a lot of pictures...

[4ngie]

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that. :(

[Justin]

WOW i am sorry to hear that man! I think you are right it is going to be best if they just total it because it will never be worth BB again with a salvage title for a flood!

[Jdudley13]

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that. :(

sorry enough to let me drive your E46 until I get a new one?

[4ngie]

sorry enough to let me drive your E46 until I get a new one?
Umm.. http://forum.e46fanatics.com/images/smilies/icon9.gif

[Jdudley13]

It was worth a try....

[Justin]

LOL she doesn't even drive it!

[Catmint]

Holy cow, I'm so sorry to hear about that! I agree that it would be best if it were totaled. You will totally lose any sort of resale value if a flood shows up in a Carfax-type report.

I'm glad you're okay. I haven't had the radio on today so I hadn't heard anything about any flooding problems on Buford Hwy. When I used to live in Vegas, flash-floods happened whenever it rained, because it rained so rarely that when it did the water came in faster than the storm drains could take care of it. We've had so little rain here lately that this was bound to happen. Sucks.

[88e28]

Wow that sucks, I agree with Justin buy it back with a salvage title, The car really isn't that bad because its fresh water not salt water. The car can be dried out. And change all fluids.

[4ngie]

LOL she doesn't even drive it!
I drive it occasionally.. just not to the mall & places like that where it could get physically molested. :D

[Mitch]

Just glad you are OK Jon! Wayne, its not that easy just to dry it out and flush out the fluids. If the engine is hydrolocked, there is no fixing that. I'm curious to know the extent of the damage. Jon had a CAI filter on the car, it might have sucked up enough water to kill it. Keep us posted!

[Jdudley13]

Will do, i'm in the process of talking to the insurance company to figure out what I need to do from here. I want to make sure we can get off my CAI and my exhaust if they get rid of it. So at this point my dinan software is a total loss correct?

[88e28]

hydrolocked

Hydrolocked?

Will do, i'm in the process of talking to the insurance company to figure out what I need to do from here. I want to make sure we can get off my CAI and my exhaust if they get rid of it. So at this point my dinan software is a total loss correct?

If its a loss let me know the name of your insurance company. I have a friend who has a turbo engine.

[EnderM3]

Wow that really sucks, never though I would hear of someone's car getting flooded like that.

ECU might be ok if the car was off when the water got up to it(if it got that high at all)

Oh and hydrolocked is when water gets in the combustion chamber, then since water doesnt compress the rod bends and usually jams the piston sideways into the block locking the motor up.

[88e28]

I don't think its Hydrolocked because when he got out of the car the water was knee high. Then the was floating.

[Jdudley13]

Yeah but the intake would've been submerged already..I have a CAI so my intake is down really low...And yeah, i understand how people can get caught in flood waters now, I had no clue it was deep enough to stop me and then the water came up really quickly...

[88e28]

Yeah but the intake would've been submerged already..I have a CAI so my intake is down really low...And yeah, i understand how people can get caught in flood waters now, I had no clue it was deep enough to stop me and then the water came up really quickly...

I hope all goes well for you

[F1Julie]

That sucks! I hope the insurance company does right by you and gives you a good settlement.

[Dakkarmthree]

Sorry to hear about your car Jonathan,i hope the insurance take of you good luck.

[Jdudley13]

So heres a picture from the WSBTv.com website.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/14936343/detail.html

282


So i talked to the insurance adjuster and it sounds like its going to be a total loss. Kelly blue book is around $20,500, NADA is around $19k. Now the part that really pisses me off; from what I understand if I take my exhaust and intake off the value of my car will decrease, but ther aftermarket parts don't increase the value. So is it worth trying to take my dinan exhaust off and putting a stock one back on(cost of having someone come to the salvage yard to weld it, if even possible) and can I find a stock intake and get it on so I can at least keep my Dinan CAI?

Extremely frustrated and this is my first time dealing with an insurance company like this, want to make sure I get everything that I possibly can...Any input is appreciated.

[BMRSEB]

Wow! That sucks about your car.. In memoriam, you should make that pic your avatar! At least finding some humor in this, will be helpful.. :)

Good Luck with the insurance.. Maybe you can locate stock parts for the airbox/ CAI, though might not be worth the cost for removal/reinstall on the exhaust?:confused:

[Jdudley13]

So lets say they offer 19k for my car. I owe, lets say 15k as a round number. They pay 15k to the bank and i'm left with 4k to put towards something else. So that leaves me with around 22k to play with. Can I find a 330 (enough HP initially to make up for the mods lost until i can afford to mod again) for that price or will I be able to tell the insurance company that I want a comparable car (including my mods)? Is that even an option?

Example:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?rdpage=thumb&car_id=234095267&dealer_id=75054&car_year=2004&model=330I&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=2002&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=BMW&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=30309&advanced=&end_year=2004&doors=&transmission=&max_price=23000&cardist=13
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?rdpage=thumb&car_id=231765896&dealer_id=61279477&car_year=2003&model=330I&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=2002&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=BMW&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=30309&advanced=&end_year=2004&doors=&transmission=&max_price=23000&cardist=15

[BMRSEB]

.. So that leaves me with around 22k to play with. Can I find a 330 (enough HP initially to make up for the mods lost until i can afford to mod again) for that price or will I be able to tell the insurance company that I want a comparable car (including my mods)? Is that even an option?

Don't know about telling the ins. co, about what you have and wishes to have the same/comparable, give it a try, nothing to lose..

However, you can find quite a few 330i (5 speeds) for around your $20K figure, some much less (see link, I selected manuals only)..

I myself, am looking at selling my '99 540i/6 to possibly get a 330i/5.. :)

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?num_records=25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&search_type=used&distance=75&address=30127&marketZipError=false&style_flag=1&make=BMW&model=330I&make2=&start_year=2001&end_year=2005&min_price=&max_price=&transmission=Manual&engine=&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=&color=&keywords_display=&sort_type=priceDESC&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=y&default_sort=priceDESC&awsp=false&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&systime=

[BMRSEB]

Example:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?rdpage=thumb&car_id=234095267&dealer_id=75054&car_year=2004&model=330I&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=2002&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=BMW&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=30309&advanced=&end_year=2004&doors=&transmission=&max_price=23000&cardist=13
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?rdpage=thumb&car_id=231765896&dealer_id=61279477&car_year=2003&model=330I&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=2002&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=BMW&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=30309&advanced=&end_year=2004&doors=&transmission=&max_price=23000&cardist=15
I like the silver one.. Maybe I'm just partial to manuals.. :)

[Mitch]

OK you can certainly take off the Dinan stuff and replace it with the stock stuff. The insurance company will never know the difference. I would take off everything you can. But you gotta put the stock parts back on.

Man Jon I am really sorry about this man, at least you can now get yourself a 330 manual!

[Jdudley13]

Then i'm going to have to worry about finding stock parts and replacing them. Heres what i'm thinking. Not to put the car before the horse, I still don't know what the insurance company will give me.

If they offer me 19k for my car (NADA suggested) If I owe 15 on my car i'll have 4 left over as a down payment. I spoke with a friend a few min. ago who said he can absolutely find me an '04 330i under 60k miles for 22k or less. With the 4 remaining from my insurance settlement that gets me down to 18, if I put even 2k down on top of that i'm around 16. With that being said, I can have a year newer faster 330 rather than 325 and my payments will be virtually the same..(Puts on flame resistant suit) And I want an auto because a manual is not practical living where I live and dealing with daily stop and go traffic(steptronic seems to be the closest I should practically get)...

[PaintPolisher]

Jon PM sent.
Al

[Dan_UnitedBMW]

Dude, that SUCKS! I'm sooo sorry!

However.... :blink:

If your Dinan CAI is still intact, would you consider a possible trade for my stock intake to put on your car? I sold my stock exhaust and bought a Dinan one as well... damn if my car totals I'm going to be screeeeewed lol.

[Dan_UnitedBMW]

As far as options go for a 330.. I'd aim for ZHP in a 5 speed.. it'll take you a pretty long while to find one in great condition for that price, but it's well worth it. 5 speed 330i/ci-ZHP's are extremely hard to come by, but ask any ZHP owner... it's WELL worth the wait.

If you want good power for a low cost, an E36 M3 is the way to go as well. They run about $12k for a good condition one (don't let many of the stubborn E36 M3 owners tell you that it's worth 17k... it's not...) with about 75-90k miles. The great thing about E36 M3's is the upkeep. Unless you get a lemon, it'll only require a little bit of work. With the money you'll get from the insurance company, you could be looking at a completely paid off 240hp/240tq M3. You could then easily replace any bad parts with some of the money (I'll hit you a discount on the parts) AND you still have mod money. $12k + 1-3k in repairs = $13-15k. That leaves you with what, 5-7k to spend on mods. E36 M3's are easy to mod too..

Good luck searching on either one!

[87635csi]

I just saw your car on the news.

[88e28]

Maybe your next car can float on water like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang or fly over.

[Jdudley13]

Dude, that SUCKS! I'm sooo sorry!

However.... :blink:

If your Dinan CAI is still intact, would you consider a possible trade for my stock intake to put on your car? I sold my stock exhaust and bought a Dinan one as well... damn if my car totals I'm going to be screeeeewed lol.

Possibly...I really need to see how much I can get a stock intake for and what I can get for my CAI. If its going to devalue what they will give me for my car I would like to make some money back on it. Let me see how the process goes next week and we'll talk about it. As for the Ci..I think a 4 sedan is more practical at this stage in my life. Think the 330 is my best option at that price. I talked to one of my friends that frequents auctions and said he can def. find an '04 330 for 22k.

I just saw your car on the news.

Did it say anything about it?

[Jdudley13]

Maybe your next car can float on water like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang or fly over.

haha, everyone's got jokes today

[88e28]

All in good fun...But I do hope all goes well for you.

[Catmint]

Jonathan: I found a new car for you! Only $13,500, so you should come out ahead. (Beware before clicking on the link, the ad is in all-caps so your eyes may start spinning around in their sockets when you try to read it. I didn't bother reading, the pictures said it all.)

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/car/521413340.html

[mistertripps]

Jonathan,

Jut got home from spending the day on the road in the rain myself. Thankfully, no flash floods....

I really hope this works out for you. You may have to be patient to get what you want from the insurance company. Their initial offer is likely to be low-ball just to see how desperate you are to get this behind you. Losing the Dinan stuff would suck, but unfortunately they don't care about those things like we do. Is there a possibility that it will be junk after removal? If so, you'd have to consider the risk in paying to remove and replace with stock in case it too is worthless.

I applaud you for the calmness you are showing, at least on the board. I remember how bad I felt when my Bimmer got hit three days after I got it. I think that was the beginning of the end for me with that car. I just never felt good about the car after the bumper got knocked off. Silly, I know, but sometimes fate has a way of telling you things.

I wish you luck in finding a new car!

Tim

[atl530i]

Sorry about your car. The only real piece of advice (great advice has already been given :) ) is not to take the first offer if it is too low. A good friend of mine made that mistake one on a totalled car.

[87635csi]

Possibly...I really need to see how much I can get a stock intake for and what I can get for my CAI. If its going to devalue what they will give me for my car I would like to make some money back on it. Let me see how the process goes next week and we'll talk about it. As for the Ci..I think a 4 sedan is more practical at this stage in my life. Think the 330 is my best option at that price. I talked to one of my friends that frequents auctions and said he can def. find an '04 330 for 22k.



Did it say anything about it?

not really it just said that someone got stuck in the water, and it showed a little video that looked like your avatar.
Good luck on finding a 330

[Philip]

Dude, I am soooo sorry to hear about that man!
That car was *nice* too. I looked at it when he brought it to the Globe.

[Dan_UnitedBMW]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-3-Series-PERFORMANCE-PERFORMANCE-PKG-2004-BMW-330CI-6-SPEED-18-WHEELS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6007QQihZ001QQit emZ110209165906QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

GO GO GO!

[Philip]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-3-Series-PERFORMANCE-PERFORMANCE-PKG-2004-BMW-330CI-6-SPEED-18-WHEELS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6007QQihZ001QQit emZ110209165906QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

GO GO GO!

w00t! E46 ZHP FTMFW!!

[Philip]

w00t! E46 ZHP FTMFW!!

wow, step back and take a look at my last post from an outsider's stand point. If you understand what that means you're probably a dork.

[Dan_UnitedBMW]

wow, step back and take a look at my last post from an outsider's stand point. If you understand what that means you're probably a dork.

Damn I know what that means :(

[Jdudley13]

THats a badass car Dan..Just have to see what the insurance company will offer me...I went to get my stuff out of it last night and its destroyed...mud up to the dash, standing water in the floor, engine is covered with debris..It was depresing..The worst nightmare for any enthusiast has been realized, just hope it works out in the end...

They gave me a PT Cruiser as a loaner car...Its basically a box with a 4 cylinder engine..I feel like i'm going to break the damn thing

[4ngie]

wow, step back and take a look at my last post from an outsider's stand point. If you understand what that means you're probably a dork.
I'm a dork :(

[Stretch]

Holy crap man! I didnt even know this happened to you. So sorry to hear it man. I know of a badass 4runner for 9k if you want it. :luxhello:

[Jdudley13]

So I spoke with my adjuster this morning. She said that my insurance quote will be 100% of the suggested NADA book value. I also think that I will be able to keep my aftermarket parts as long as I replace the stock parts. That being said, Mitch graciously made a few calls for me this weekend and said that I can easily find a stock ecxhaust. If I can find a stock airbox I can also keep my CAI. Having never done the work on the CAI, how hard is it to replace the stock equipment? Is its something I can do in a parking lot. Because of the fact that my car was basically submerged, I'm worried about the weight of the car. To get this exhaust off i'm going to need a pretty heavy duty jack and def. some jack stands. Any help would greatly be appreciated.

All things considered, I might be pretty fortunate. If the quote works out the way that I think it will, I'll be in a new 330 in time for the next meet. Kind of excited about having 50 more hp and yet another project to begin...

[Catmint]

Jonathan: Sounds like it's going to work out okay for you. Glad to hear your insurance company is working with you in a positive manner.

Sorry, I don't have any jack stands or any expertise to offer you. Just a little moral support. :001_wub: Good luck!

[Jdudley13]

Well that always helps too...thank you..

[Justin]

The intake shouldn't be hard to put back on, just basic hand tools. You wont need a jack to do that but, you will need one for the exhaust.

[EnderM3]

both intake and exhaust can be done with just a screwdriver and socket set. but you will need a jack for the exhaust. not that big a deal to do either, I would try and get a second person there to help if you want to put the stock exhaust back on(i would probly just throw it in the trunk :))

and see about getting your chip too, if you can get it you might be able to send it back to the manufacturer and get a replacement(or upgrade for a fee to one for the 330)

and BTW i find it kind of ironic that your now driving a bathtub...at least you know that thing will float!

[Jdudley13]

both intake and exhaust can be done with just a screwdriver and socket set. but you will need a jack for the exhaust. not that big a deal to do either, I would try and get a second person there to help if you want to put the stock exhaust back on(i would probly just throw it in the trunk :))

and see about getting your chip too, if you can get it you might be able to send it back to the manufacturer and get a replacement(or upgrade for a fee to one for the 330)

and BTW i find it kind of ironic that your now driving a bathtub...at least you know that thing will float!

haha, i should have known someone would say that..

I agree, i def. need at least one person, preferably more. How would I take the chip out? I have absolutely no clue how to do that. Do you think they would replace it or give me an upgrade? Didn't think about that but its a great idea...

[EnderM3]

No sure on either, but im sure someone can tell ya how to get it out. And cant hurt to call up who's ever chip you have and ask them.

[4ngie]

both intake and exhaust can be done with just a screwdriver and socket set. but you will need a jack for the exhaust. not that big a deal to do either, I would try and get a second person there to help if you want to put the stock exhaust back on(i would probly just throw it in the trunk :))

and see about getting your chip too, if you can get it you might be able to send it back to the manufacturer and get a replacement(or upgrade for a fee to one for the 330)

and BTW i find it kind of ironic that your now driving a bathtub...at least you know that thing will float!

haha, i should have known someone would say that..

I agree, i def. need at least one person, preferably more. How would I take the chip out? I have absolutely no clue how to do that. Do you think they would replace it or give me an upgrade? Didn't think about that but its a great idea...
What kind of chip do you have? Wanna trade?

And do you have the big pic of your car in the water? Matt wanted to see it.

[Jdudley13]

My car has Dinan Stage II software. I don't know for sure if its loaded or if its a chip as it was in the car when I bought it.

The only picture I have is on page 2 i think of this thread. Click on it and it gets a little bigger. A girl let me use her camera to take some pictures, waiting for her to e-mail them to me.

[Jdudley13]

Who do I need to talk to at Global Imports to get a receipt of my aftermarket parts? The service was done there and I need the reciept to send to my insurance company.

[Squeak Squad]

That sucks man. I hope it all works out for you. How far is this road from Charlotte area, and how often does this happen. The trans is going on my Explorer and it would be nice if I had a non life threatening "accident" like that.

[Jdudley13]

Its in Downtown Atlanta so I'd say around 3 1/2 hours. You should be good to go..haha

[500ZHP]

Just to ask, Is your insurance co. still dragging there feet?

[Need4Speed83]

Sorry to hear about what happened to ur Bimmer... but no matter what happens, you should keep that photo as your Avatar 4 sho!!! Glad u are alright too.