[buyakae46]

2011 335is cabriolet

So I was exiting the highway in the rain storm, where a puddle had begun to develop. It was impossible to see the depth of this thing before entering. The car in front of me (a friggin honda civic) rolled through it with no problem. I went through at about 5km/hr. The water level quickly raised and the right side of my car dipped into what I imagine was a poorly constructed slanted ramp. The car stopped and put itself in park. Here I am with the right side of my car submerged in water. Almost as if someone had taken my right two wheels off.

The water level eventually raised even more. 3/4ths of my right wheel was under water, my right exhaust was submerged, my license plate submerged and actually came right off, floated away (ugh there goes 60 bucks from the dmv).

So I tried to turn the car on (later learning this is a big no no), car wouldn't roll over. Tried again it actually rolled over, and then I put it in drive and it rumbled roughly and shut off.

Then I smelt a burning smell and a slight bit of smoke came out of the left side of the hood. The battery is on the right side of the hood where it was close to being under water.

I left the car alone and waited for the tows to come (7 hours later).

The car was submerged like this for about an hour. The water level eventually came down as the rain stopped and the drains caught up.

The car after being out of the water for 6 hours, would not start.

We tried jumper cables, didn't work.

Car is going to the dealership tmrw.

Am I screwed? I'm in full blown panic mode. Lady on the phone from bmw roadside assistance (man those guys are useless) said it will be covered under warranty, as well as my sales rep who sold me the car.

I feel like no matter how this is fixed, the car is never going to be the same again..

What should I do?

Please don't flame, be rude, or sarcastic. I would never wish this on anyone here.

[surendrant]

Rough day in the T.O today! Luckily I didn't have to go downtown and I live in Scarborough which wasn't too bad. Sounds like you possibly hydrolocked your motor where the engine sucked up water. Worst case scenario you're looking at a new motor. At least BMW has said they would cover the damage though! The car should be fine after the repairs however.

[patrickkc]

I would press for your insurance company to just total the car. Even if you get a motor swap, you risk other electrical problems and mold in the future.

[Osobear]

Happened to my Ford and after repairs, it just wasn't the same ride and feel. Not to mention the unreliability with minor things acting up. Hit up your insurance to have it totalled.

[Meeni]

yep, have it totalled, it is better. You should first empty the water from the cylinders before ccranking, water is not compressible, it damages the engine.

[Hoooper]

BMW canada must be a hell of a lot better than USA if flood damage is covered under warranty

[litxus]

I hope you have full cover insurance as this will require quite a lot of it. Burning smell could be wires shorting out and frying bunch of computer modules in the process. But the best idea is probably to get rid of the car as on top of all electrical problems, don't forget to replace a whole lot of fluids etc...

[MrPig]

Yeah rough day in the GTA last night. Glad I got out of work right before the storm started and made it home in relative ease. Also no flooding/power outages up in my area of Richmond Hill.

Yeah, get car totalled by insurance.

[miringrains]

Even if the car is fixed, the car will be deemed as "flood damage" and resale will be really difficult..

[yarviinn]

IMHO, I would try to get the car totaled.

Start looking for a new ride. GL!

[Kid Eh]

I got caught in the flood last night too. My car was only in the water for about 3 seconds though. I'm wondering if it's just as bad? Having it towed to the dealer shortly. Crossing my fingers.

[buyakae46]

So BMW has my car and inspecting it now at a price of 280$ for 2 hrs. I won't know until tonight/tomorow.

He says he has 20 other cars very similar and most are write offs.

I called my insurance and I do not have GAP (Guaranteed Asset Protection) insurance, which means my car was financed for $55,000, and they likely will give me black book value. They also said I have a $2,500 deductible.

Kelly Blue Book says - Trade in Value of my car is LOW ($46,865) and HIGH ($49,730)

It says Black Book Average Asking Price is $54,997

Which number will they use?

I'm shitting bricks right now. I put $8,000 cash down, and will owe BMW the rest of the loan, 47,000 correct?

[litxus]

Originally Posted by buyakae46

So BMW has my car and inspecting it now at a price of 280$ for 2 hrs. I won't know until tonight/tomorow.

He says he has 20 other cars very similar and most are write offs.

I called my insurance and I do not have GAP (Guaranteed Asset Protection) insurance, which means my car was financed for $55,000, and they likely will give me black book value. They also said I have a $2,500 deductible.

Kelly Blue Book says - Trade in Value of my car is LOW ($46,865) and HIGH ($49,730)

It says Black Book Average Asking Price is $54,997

Which number will they use?

I'm shitting bricks right now. I put $8,000 cash down, and will owe BMW the rest of the loan, 47,000 correct?

If it is a write off, your insurance will pay you or the loan company whatever they come up with price in your area. I do not think they go by black book alone as you should look at equivalent cars values in your area to make your case. The very least you will be out of your deductible + whatever the difference in market value of the car vs loan.

[buyakae46]

Originally Posted by litxus

If it is a write off, your insurance will pay you or the loan company whatever they come up with price in your area. I do not think they go by black book alone as you should look at equivalent cars values in your area to make your case. The very least you will be out of your deductible + whatever the difference in market value of the car vs loan.

Right, So if I owe BMW 47,000 on the finance and Insurance gives me a value of 43,000. I'd owe 4,000 + 2,500 deductable = 6,500.

and ONTOP of that when I go get another car, I have to fork up another $8,000 down payment to get something comparable for the same monthly...

^ that part is what really scares and pisses me off....

[Spensaur]

Moral of the story: Honda > BMW...

Jokes aside, we learn a lesson from every mistake. This was just a costly one along with bad luck. Goodluck

[Hoooper]

Originally Posted by buyakae46

Right, So if I owe BMW 47,000 on the finance and Insurance gives me a value of 43,000. I'd owe 4,000 + 2,500 deductable = 6,500.

and ONTOP of that when I go get another car, I have to fork up another $8,000 down payment to get something comparable for the same monthly...

^ that part is what really scares and pisses me off....

why would you get a value of $43k? If all you get from insurance is the low trade in value you are doing it wrong. Im not saying you arent going to owe anything, but if similar cars are selling for say $48k, you should get $48k or very close to it and you can always make your case to get closer to what its worth.

[buyakae46]

Originally Posted by buyakae46

and ONTOP of that when I go get another car, I have to fork up another $8,000 down payment to get something comparable for the same monthly...

Is this part true? So essentially instead of shopping in the $55,000 range, after write off I'd be looking in the $44-47,000 range

[cptcrunch]

Sounds like you didn't do your homework with your insurance company (and I mean this as nice as possible). Most people go with geico or the cheapest and dont realize that they are the cheapest because they wont cover everything, the deductible is skyhigh ($2500 is crazy high) or they do not include things like GAP coverage which EVERY new car purchase should have unless you just wrote a big fat check from your checking account. Your car should be totaled especially if your license plate floated away. A hard lesson to learn.

[buyakae46]

Originally Posted by Hoooper

why would you get a value of $43k? If all you get from insurance is the low trade in value you are doing it wrong. Im not saying you arent going to owe anything, but if similar cars are selling for say $48k, you should get $48k or very close to it and you can always make your case to get closer to what its worth.

I have no idea what I'm going to get yet. Claim hasn't even been issued. Waiting to hear back from the dealership techs on the extent of the damage.

[buyakae46]

Originally Posted by cptcrunch

Sounds like you didn't do your homework with your insurance company (and I mean this as nice as possible). Most people go with geico or the cheapest and dont realize that they are the cheapest because they wont cover everything, the deductible is skyhigh ($2500 is crazy high) or they do not include things like GAP coverage which EVERY new car purchase should have unless you just wrote a big fat check from your checking account. Your car should be totaled especially if your license plate floated away. A hard lesson to learn.

I did do my research. Maybe you didn't?

My car is a 2011 - hardly brand new. I purchased it recently. Last month.

Car doesnt qualify for GAP insurance under any insurer.

$2500 is high, but thats for other reasons (high risk driver , fleet insurance, etc).

I agree it should be totalled. and my poor license plate... I'll miss you lol.

Thanks for the pointers

[TeinBMW]

Have it totalled. It won't be the same. I'm sorry to hear that happened. As long as you don't have to pay out of your pocket, it should be fine. Make sure if they start saying bs you fight for it being covered under warranty. I can't imagine what it'll cost you if you had to pay out of your pocket. Hope it all works out

[Hoooper]

Originally Posted by buyakae46

Is this part true? So essentially instead of shopping in the $55,000 range, after write off I'd be looking in the $44-47,000 range

kind of up to you, I would be inclined to be shopping in the much lower range than that if I couldnt afford to cough up all the $$ that I just did and get a similar car. Maybe lease if you HAVE to have that BMW but the price tag doesnt work.

Originally Posted by buyakae46

I have no idea what I'm going to get yet. Claim hasn't even been issued. Waiting to hear back from the dealership techs on the extent of the damage.

I cant say I know how it works in Canada, but in the US if your $900k lambo is totalled and the insurance company offers you $200 for it you dont have to just take their offer, what you get should be a fair value for that vehicle and if its not you need to fight to get it

Originally Posted by buyakae46

$2500 is high, but thats for other reasons (high risk driver , fleet insurance, etc).

probably not what you want to hear, but if you can only afford a policy with a $2500 deductible because of driving history you maybe should be looking at cars that will come with lower insurance rates. The extra $50/year for my $250 deductible instead of $1000 feels like its worth it every time a new "my insurance is going to bone me" thread shows up on here.