SPEED3 WRITE OFF, help please!

[bergspeed3]

hi guys, i have been a member of the site ever since i got my true red 07 speed3 . I am not all too knowledgeable about the car but i did love it and treat in better than anything i have ever owned. 2 days ago the man in front of me locked up his brakes because he "thought he saw his brother". Long story short, my car is most likely a write-off (both airbags went) and i think i am going to buy the car as is from the insurance company. The engine and all of its components (including rad) were untouched, as was the frame. I will basically have to replace the whole front end cosmetically, lights, bumper/grille, hood. Anyways i am asking for your input on how is the best way to go about looking for these parts and what parts to i buy? will i be better off going oem or aftermarket? Thanks alot for anything you can give me

[Fobio]

autoexe grill/bumper, cf hood, search scrapyards for lights, airbags and such...good luck bro!

[Unoriginalusername]

they don't write cars off easily... if you think that you can repair it, so will they. Expect it will be repaired and the title updated to salvage

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Isn't it if they think the can repair it cost effectively?

It's not always whether or not the vehicle will be unsafe afterward. Salvage will tank the resale value though.

[kevcol74]

they don't write cars off easily... if you think that you can repair it, so will they. Expect it will be repaired and the title updated to salvage


If it is "salvage", the insurance company has already written it off, and will not fix it. They don't pay to fix salvage vehicles. They fix it, it will still be a clear title. They "write it off", it will be salvage. Then you fix it yourself if you even have the option to buy it back, and it will be on your ownership as "Rebuilt", not good for resale, but if you keep it, no big deal.
Good luck with the whole situation though, I hope it works out! :pop

[laksman91]

personally I wouldn't buy it back. but it depends on your situation.

[bergspeed3]

insurance adjustor declared it a write off today...i think i am going to buy it from the insurance company and start ordering parts myself...im not going to replace the airbags (call me a fool, but i'm saving $5000 and they were useless in the accident i just had) and ill have my buddy safety it for me. As for this car, the front end of these things are designed to explode. For the severity of the accident, the front end of my car is absolutely mangled. (Est.10 - 12 km/h impact speed) I think i might be able to use the hood as an accordian or something, the thing is just crumpled. I am just hoping the existing fog lamps (untouched) will fit into the autoexe bumper that i am considering. Anyways thanks for the input guys, and drive safe.

[Fobio]

just out of curiosity...what's the salvage/buy value from the insurance company?

I believe the autoexe bumper just calls for a relocate of the OEM fogs...

[kevcol74]

insurance adjustor declared it a write off today...i think i am going to buy it from the insurance company and start ordering parts myself...im not going to replace the airbags (call me a fool, but i'm saving $5000 and they were useless in the accident i just had) and ill have my buddy safety it for me. As for this car, the front end of these things are designed to explode. For the severity of the accident, the front end of my car is absolutely mangled. (Est.10 - 12 km/h impact speed) I think i might be able to use the hood as an accordian or something, the thing is just crumpled. I am just hoping the existing fog lamps (untouched) will fit into the autoexe bumper that i am considering. Anyways thanks for the input guys, and drive safe.

Airbags don't need to be there for a safety check, so you will be good to go there anyways... Higher speed accident, you may wish you had them though! Just wait until the price comes down, or look in the wreckers!
Take some pictures of the mess when you get it back! And maybe some progress pics as you go! I love seeing what people can take something from and to the finished product! (like restoring my 66 Mustang!)

[mleblond]

ya im interested in the buy back value as well. This calls for a perfect track car build :)

[3GFX]

Or a sedan MS3 ;)


I'm glad to hear you're ok but I'd see what the insurance company thinks as well. Depending on what they want to do you can explore many options. I would get the frame checked for sure before you buy it "as is".

[SonicBoy]

From your description, it doesn't sound that bad however pictures would help.

You'd be surprise what they can repair. If you have sheet metal damage to the front clip, it still may be repairable so don't write things off just yet. The insurance adjuster will be making the final decesion.

[kevcol74]

From your description, it doesn't sound that bad however pictures would help.

You'd be surprise what they can repair. If you have sheet metal damage to the front clip, it still may be repairable so don't write things off just yet. The insurance adjuster will be making the final decesion.


insurance adjustor declared it a write off today...i think i am going to buy it from the insurance company and start ordering parts myself...im not going to replace the airbags (call me a fool, but i'm saving $5000 and they were useless in the accident i just had) and ill have my buddy safety it for me. As for this car, the front end of these things are designed to explode. For the severity of the accident, the front end of my car is absolutely mangled. (Est.10 - 12 km/h impact speed) I think i might be able to use the hood as an accordian or something, the thing is just crumpled. I am just hoping the existing fog lamps (untouched) will fit into the autoexe bumper that i am considering. Anyways thanks for the input guys, and drive safe.

You might have missed this SonicBoy... :chuckle

[Thrizzl3]

if you repair the car, wouldn't the bill be more than the price of buying it from the insurance? since you stated that the front end is mangled then how is it a possible fix?

[Magitronic]

buy it back and part it out you can prolly make a small profit depending how much they want for buy back