Wrecked the '02. I need to "help" the adjuster.

[bugtustlebub]

The driver's front fender, headlight, grill, nose , and hood all recieved a pretty good hit due to someone failing to yield right-of-way. So, my '74 is gonna need some parts and work. No one was injured, and I was able to drive the car the rest of the way home, 20 miles or so.

The insurance adjuster is not familiar with '02s. He's wondering where to look for parts. He's not certain how much $$ damage has been done at this point.

I'd like a good "outcome".

Can you direct me to an information source for the adjuster? I did "Google" Mobile Traditions, but I really didn't see anything specific about parts.

I appreciate the help! Thanks!!

Regards,

Randy Bryant

Elkton, VA

[Mike Self]

most of what you need is available from BMW--contact a dealer, Maxmillian or the other "usual suspects" for parts availability and prices.

The only thing that might be difficult new would be the aluminum bumper and the bumper shocks, but they should be easy to find used.

Sorry about your car--unfortunately that's one of the prices we pay for having daily driver 2002s--other idiots on the highway. Don't let the other guy's insurance co Cheap Charlie you...

cheers and sympathy

mike

[Napes]

damaged car to whatever shop we want. Take it to the best shop you know of and let them put together the estimate. Then, if need be, the shop and the adjuster can work it out. The shop guys deal w/ adjusters all the time and know how to to do it.

[Guest bruno74tii]

was supposed to be a good shop - if they can't do it they can recommend someone local to you.

[Senna27]

Sorry to hear... If you have the stock '74-76 bumpers, make sure that the frame rails the bumper shocks tie into are not bent. This can ofter happen with that configuration. Not having seen your car, maybe it's time to get rid of those big ugly bumpers... IMHO...

This is what I did to my '75...

Other than that, follow Mike's suggestions...

[Lupin3]

Man, you and I are in a similar position. My 02, also a '74, was recently involved in an accident that did significant damage to the driver's side front fender, door, and a small bit of damage to the rear fender. The front fender and door will need to be replaced.

Here in GA, with State Farm as my insurer, I was able to select my own repair facility. State Farm needed to write up an estimate initially, however. From my perspective, there are two issues to be concerned with: one, that the actual value of our 02's is accurately depicted (not book value!) and two, that a realistic assessment of the repair costs is provided.

State Farm's initial estimate was alarmingly low, which implied a repair quality which was below my needs - bondo-ing the door, for instance, rather than replacing it, and basic paintwork. However, State Farm allows for supplementary requests to be made from the repair shop, which are paid directly to the shop. My transmission will need to be replaced as part of the accident repair, and my mechanic's supplementary request has already been paid. My body shop has just recently submitted their request, and a State Farm rep is apparently going to evaluate the car once again.

Which brings me to the other concern, the more serious concern where I am involved. As the repair costs mount, State Farm may decide that the cost to repair is approaching what they consider the car to be worth, and so may decline to cover the full cost, and junk the car. My car was purchased with financing through eLoan, so junking the title means I will lose the car, and most likely have to eat the difference in what State Farm claims my car is worth and what I owe (which is still less than the actual, real world, value of my car). A very bad outcome indeed for an otherwise beautiful 02.

Fortunately, here in GA (I don't know if this rule varies state by state) I can contest their valuation of my car. Basically, they hire a third party appraisor, I hire another, and together the two appraisors hire a third. These three then evaluate the car, and the two closest estimates are averaged. I am quite confident any such process will result in a valuation of my 02 that is much closer to it's real world value than the "blue book."

But actually, it looks as if it will not come to that. State Farm seems to understand that my 02 exceeds the book value, and have been reasonably generous in their estimates of it's worth. Now this may be due in part to the fact that my agent's office misrepresented to me their policy for stated coverage, which coverage they revoked from me (I drive my 02 everyday) not three days before my accident. Nevertheless, despite their (Major) failure to properly communicate to me their actual policy in this regard, they have so far treated me well.

I guess in your situation you might want to verify the suplement process, since it may be difficult to price parts whose availability will not be accurately reflected through websites. Good luck, too!

[brad_c-ville_VA]

they might be able to suggest a place, but i would call them anyway, Randy. just tell them you were at the open house event they put on last spring and mention my name and the blue ridge cca. greg shaffer is the owner but kenny shreve is the mechanic, the last i knew. kenny doesn't really do body work, but i bet he would know who to talk to.

it might be helpful to call crown in c-ville, but that is a big might. you would most likely have to go there in person and have part #s in hand. shoot me a comprehensive list to my e-mail and i'll look up the part #s, run by there and see if they can give me estimates. the sheet metal might be hard to come by.

i was hopin' you would get a decent adjuster...guess not.

b.

[Rob7502]

2002AD has all the replacment panels brand new.

[bugtustlebub]

Hey Brad,

It's a good idea(for me)to take the '02 to MidAtlantic and have Kenny check the car out, especially after "the bump". I'd like to be certain that there's nothing mechanical broken or misaligned beforeall the work is done. I'll see what Farm Bureau Insurance will let me do.

later,

Randy

[Mike Self]

"adventures" with their adjusters on relatively minor repairs when it was the other person's fault (and they were insured with State Farm). Never had any difficulties with USAA, tho.

mike

[bugtustlebub]

yeah Bruno,

They are good folks. I'll prolly get Kenny to check the car over for wreck-related malfunctions.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Where are you located? Local?

later,

Randy

[SteveJ]

Just tell the adjuster to bone up on his German and visit the Walloth & Nesh website. Tell him not to forget the exchange rate and shipping from Yurrup. Tell him the other option is to just go on ebay. Side mirror for $77?, Yep!

Don't tell him about this list or our supporters- 2002haus, La Jolla Ind, JF Pro, etc... just let him feel our pain with going to the BMW dealer and asking for parts for a 2002.

"A 2002 what?, BMW made several models in 2002."

"No. the car is a BMW 2002 made in 1974."

"Wait. What year is it? A 2002 or a 1974?"

"It's a 1974."

"Well, that's different from a 2002."

Maybe you could plan on being there to listen to the exchange between the two. Could be a nice laugh at these troubled times.

Sorry about the events and good luck to you!