What do I do?

Dan203 · 06-03-2008, 03:09 AM

So tonight I'm driving home from Reno, about 30 miles north, on a fairly dark stretch of road, when all the sudden a huge raccoon ran out in front of my car. I tried to swerve to miss it, but I hit it with the left front tire. When I got home I found that it actually dented the plastic "aero kit" piece under the bumper. I looked up the part and it's only a couple hundred bucks, but this is the car I plan to trade in for my 135i literally any day now. They could call tomorrow!

So what do I do? Will the dealer take the car with the damage? And if they do are they going to seriously gouge me on the value? I don't think I'll have time to actually order the part and have it replaced before my 135i comes in, so it's pretty much impossible for me to actually fix it. I would be willing to take up to a $500 hit on my trade value, since that's what my insurance deductible is, but any higher then that and I'd be better off making a claim with my insurance company. But then I don't want to have that hold up me taking delivery of the 135i.

Man this really sucks!!! Anyone have any advice as to what to do in this situation?

Dan

TagMan · 06-03-2008, 03:32 AM

Forget about it. Don't even mention it. Really.

It's their responsibility to look over your car. If they don't see it, OK. If they do, they'll just calculate the value of your car in it's current condition. They do this all the time. Unless they come up with a ridiculous trade-in value, you should be fine.

If they come up with a ridiculous value... ask them why. If they attribute it to the damage, then show them the price of the part, and add a reasonable estimate for some labor. That ought to be sufficient.

IOW, don't make this too complicated, and don't look nervous.

They want to sell you the car.

Dan203 · 06-03-2008, 03:43 AM

It's pretty obvious. I guess if they just glance at the car, and don't pay attention, they could miss it but I seriously doubt it.

The worst part is that I'm so desperate to get the 135i that I'm afraid if they do a "take it or leave it" deal I might cave and just take it. Then again I guess I could just keep it, fix it and sell it myself. I have enough cash to pay for the 135i without the trade, I was just doing the trade so I didn't have to hassle with trying to sell it myself. Only problem is I really don't have anywhere to park it in the mean time. Plus I'll have to keep it registered and insured too, which would cost a bit. See, that's the kind of thinking that would probably cause me to cave.

Dan

cozza · 06-03-2008, 06:06 AM

If the damage is that minor, the dealer will be able to have it repaired a lot cheaper than you could. Don't worry too much about it dude.

IDBMW · 06-03-2008, 06:26 AM

Get an estimate from a body shop. If the dealer tries to play games you know the cost of the repair and can call there BS. They want to sell you the car so a few hundred $ is not going to be a show stopper.

buckwheat986 · 06-03-2008, 06:28 AM

you will take a small hit on your trade in value....nothing major....

my advice is to be straight with them.....

dealers don't miss much....

good luck

TagMan · 06-03-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan203

It's pretty obvious. I guess if they just glance at the car, and don't pay attention, they could miss it but I seriously doubt it.

The worst part is that I'm so desperate to get the 135i that I'm afraid if they do a "take it or leave it" deal I might cave and just take it. Then again I guess I could just keep it, fix it and sell it myself. I have enough cash to pay for the 135i without the trade, I was just doing the trade so I didn't have to hassle with trying to sell it myself. Only problem is I really don't have anywhere to park it in the mean time. Plus I'll have to keep it registered and insured too, which would cost a bit. See, that's the kind of thinking that would probably cause me to cave.

Dan

I like the idea of getting a couple of estimates. I didn't realize that it was that obvious, so yes you should tell them about it, as they will find out anyway. (If it hadn't been that obvious, there would be little reason to discuss it.) In fact, you might as well get the estimate right away and then tell them in advance instead of waiting. Then you will know where you stand and what to do.

Tom K. · 06-03-2008, 11:35 AM

If your insurance co. is like mine, you should be able to get a damage appraisal from them. Anything over the deductible would then result in a settlement check from them which you can use to repair the car or to make up the difference on the reduced trade-in value. This type of accident shouldn't raise your premium as you weren't at fault - but check with your agent on that one.

And I'd agree that you're probably much better off being straight with your dealer.

Sorry about your accident - rotten luck.
Tom

08bmw128i · 06-03-2008, 11:40 AM

Someone backed into my truck a few weeks prior to me purchasing the 128i. I got my insurance checks for the damage which was like $1000 or so, and I used that money for my downpayment, and the dealership didn't even notice that there was any damage to the car. They gave me more then what I was expecting to get!

sredish · 06-03-2008, 12:09 PM

not a deal killer. they may want you pay them some amount to fix or deduct a little from your trade to cover it. an estimate wouldn't hurt for sure, but shouldn't be a deal killer.

Dan203 · 06-03-2008, 12:14 PM

This just got a little more complicated! My 135i is at the dealership and will be ready for pickup later today. There is no way I'm going to have time to get an estimate on the damage. I'm just going to have to take my chances and see how badly they try to screw me on it.

I just need to keep telling myself "it's only money". Regardless of what happens this is not a deal breaker for me, so I should still be driving my new 135i by the end of the day.

Dan

Brandon26pdx · 06-03-2008, 12:21 PM

Let us know what happens. I'm guessing they might try to chisel a bit off the trade in offer if they're going to be stuck fixing it. unless they totally try to hose you down over it, I'd just let them worry about it and drive off in your new ride.

coco_m3 · 06-03-2008, 12:26 PM

YOU HIT A RACCOON!
THE ANIMAL ACTIVIST ARE ON YOUR TRAIL MAN.

j/k
i vote let the dealer look over it if they miss it its there fault, when i traded in my car i had hit my garage by accident and left a pretty good size dent in my lower front bumper and the dealer missed it, but i told them about it later and they liked that i was trustworthy and only charged me 100 bucks instead of 500.

RobLS · 06-03-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckwheat986

you will take a small hit on your trade in value....nothing major....

my advice is to be straight with them.....

dealers don't miss much....

good luck

Yes be somewhat straight with them. Although a couple cars ago when I traded in my jeep, it had several probs with it cosmetically and a prob underneath the car. If they ask about it tell them about it. The only prob I was worried about was the exhaust leak that you could only see if you crawled under the car and worked to see it. If they were to ask about it though, I probably would have said it was from the previous owner who was a lot more rough with it than I. When they finally did look at the car though, they just glanced at it all around, saw it was in good condition, and gave me 500 over kbb for it. They don't really examine every detail right then. They try to make it fast and get their car to you.

RobLS · 06-03-2008, 12:31 PM

As for my current car, I will point out the obvious, an ass dinged me in the parking lot of my work while planning the previous days to go into the dealership.

lacrosse · 06-03-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan203

This just got a little more complicated! My 135i is at the dealership and will be ready for pickup later today. There is no way I'm going to have time to get an estimate on the damage. I'm just going to have to take my chances and see how badly they try to screw me on it.

I just need to keep telling myself "it's only money". Regardless of what happens this is not a deal breaker for me, so I should still be driving my new 135i by the end of the day.

Dan

Dan - you have waited so long for your 135. Don't let this detract from the moment. Enjoy your new car. This issue will resolve itself.

topvega · 06-03-2008, 01:05 PM

I thought I was going to have a problem with my trade in as well... the leather on the passenger seat was pretty faded and looked like shit... was expecting them to take it out in the trade in value but they didn't even notice it or didn't care.. the only thing they got me on was my tires were worn out... which I knew was going to be caught... still got more then I thought for my trade in... Good luck

Dan203 · 06-03-2008, 01:07 PM

Well now my excitement has been dashed in another manor! The CA just called me back a few minutes ago and now he's saying that the service department can't do the PDI until Thursday for a Friday delivery. I put some pressure on him to get it done sooner, and he said that he'd see what he could do, but couldn't guarantee me anything.

Dan

RobLS · 06-03-2008, 01:08 PM

PDI?

Dan203 · 06-03-2008, 01:18 PM

It's the inspection they do at the dealer. Also where they remove the plastic, detail it, etc... It stands for pre-delivery inspection.

Dan

sredish · 06-03-2008, 01:23 PM

tell 'em bullshit. you didn't wait this long to have it sit there.

RobLS · 06-03-2008, 01:26 PM

ahhh, i hate set backs!

06-03-2008, 03:09 AM	#1
Dan203 Lieutenant Colonel 136 Rep 1,592 Posts Drives: 2016 340i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Carson City, NV iTrader: (1)	What do I do? So tonight I'm driving home from Reno, about 30 miles north, on a fairly dark stretch of road, when all the sudden a huge raccoon ran out in front of my car. I tried to swerve to miss it, but I hit it with the left front tire. When I got home I found that it actually dented the plastic "aero kit" piece under the bumper. I looked up the part and it's only a couple hundred bucks, but this is the car I plan to trade in for my 135i literally any day now. They could call tomorrow! So what do I do? Will the dealer take the car with the damage? And if they do are they going to seriously gouge me on the value? I don't think I'll have time to actually order the part and have it replaced before my 135i comes in, so it's pretty much impossible for me to actually fix it. I would be willing to take up to a $500 hit on my trade value, since that's what my insurance deductible is, but any higher then that and I'd be better off making a claim with my insurance company. But then I don't want to have that hold up me taking delivery of the 135i. Man this really sucks!!! Anyone have any advice as to what to do in this situation? Dan
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06-03-2008, 03:32 AM	#2
TagMan Car Addict!! 62 Rep 1,303 Posts Drives: '08 135i Convertible Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Malibu, California iTrader: (0)	Forget about it. Don't even mention it. Really. It's their responsibility to look over your car. If they don't see it, OK. If they do, they'll just calculate the value of your car in it's current condition. They do this all the time. Unless they come up with a ridiculous trade-in value, you should be fine. If they come up with a ridiculous value... ask them why. If they attribute it to the damage, then show them the price of the part, and add a reasonable estimate for some labor. That ought to be sufficient. IOW, don't make this too complicated, and don't look nervous. They want to sell you the car. __________________ 2008 /// Commemorative /// 6-Speed /// Titanium Silver /// Fully-Loaded /// 135i Convertible
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06-03-2008, 03:43 AM	#3
Dan203 Lieutenant Colonel 136 Rep 1,592 Posts Drives: 2016 340i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Carson City, NV iTrader: (1)	It's pretty obvious. I guess if they just glance at the car, and don't pay attention, they could miss it but I seriously doubt it. The worst part is that I'm so desperate to get the 135i that I'm afraid if they do a "take it or leave it" deal I might cave and just take it. Then again I guess I could just keep it, fix it and sell it myself. I have enough cash to pay for the 135i without the trade, I was just doing the trade so I didn't have to hassle with trying to sell it myself. Only problem is I really don't have anywhere to park it in the mean time. Plus I'll have to keep it registered and insured too, which would cost a bit. See, that's the kind of thinking that would probably cause me to cave. Dan
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06-03-2008, 06:06 AM	#4
cozza ///Mthusiast 138 Rep 1,751 Posts Drives: M135i (March delivery) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	If the damage is that minor, the dealer will be able to have it repaired a lot cheaper than you could. Don't worry too much about it dude. __________________ ///M135i: AUTO \| ALPINE WHITE \| CORAL RED LEATHER \| HEATED SEATS \| SUNROOF \| NAV \| DAB TUNER \| HARMAN KARDON \| PERFORMANCE BITS 'N' PIECES
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06-03-2008, 06:26 AM	#5
IDBMW Captain 41 Rep 825 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boise, ID iTrader: (0)	Get an estimate from a body shop. If the dealer tries to play games you know the cost of the repair and can call there BS. They want to sell you the car so a few hundred $ is not going to be a show stopper. __________________ 2019 X3 M40i - Black Sapphire Metallic - Mocha Lather - 21" 718M wheels - Every option except Sun Shade
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06-03-2008, 06:28 AM	#6
buckwheat986 Lieutenant 12 Rep 468 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	you will take a small hit on your trade in value....nothing major.... my advice is to be straight with them..... dealers don't miss much.... good luck
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06-03-2008, 11:35 AM	#8
Tom K. Major General 124 Rep 5,627 Posts Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	If your insurance co. is like mine, you should be able to get a damage appraisal from them. Anything over the deductible would then result in a settlement check from them which you can use to repair the car or to make up the difference on the reduced trade-in value. This type of accident shouldn't raise your premium as you weren't at fault - but check with your agent on that one. And I'd agree that you're probably much better off being straight with your dealer. Sorry about your accident - rotten luck. Tom
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06-03-2008, 11:40 AM	#9
08bmw128i Second Lieutenant 51 Rep 226 Posts Drives: 2018 X5M Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lincoln Rhode Island iTrader: (2)	Someone backed into my truck a few weeks prior to me purchasing the 128i. I got my insurance checks for the damage which was like $1000 or so, and I used that money for my downpayment, and the dealership didn't even notice that there was any damage to the car. They gave me more then what I was expecting to get!
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06-03-2008, 12:09 PM	#10
sredish Private 2 Rep 76 Posts Drives: Join Date: Apr 2008 iTrader: (0)	not a deal killer. they may want you pay them some amount to fix or deduct a little from your trade to cover it. an estimate wouldn't hurt for sure, but shouldn't be a deal killer.
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06-03-2008, 12:14 PM	#11
Dan203 Lieutenant Colonel 136 Rep 1,592 Posts Drives: 2016 340i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Carson City, NV iTrader: (1)	This just got a little more complicated! My 135i is at the dealership and will be ready for pickup later today. There is no way I'm going to have time to get an estimate on the damage. I'm just going to have to take my chances and see how badly they try to screw me on it. I just need to keep telling myself "it's only money". Regardless of what happens this is not a deal breaker for me, so I should still be driving my new 135i by the end of the day. Dan
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06-03-2008, 12:21 PM	#12
Brandon26pdx Lieutenant Colonel 28 Rep 1,938 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (1)	Let us know what happens. I'm guessing they might try to chisel a bit off the trade in offer if they're going to be stuck fixing it. unless they totally try to hose you down over it, I'd just let them worry about it and drive off in your new ride.
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06-03-2008, 12:26 PM	#13
coco_m3 Brigadier General 168 Rep 4,311 Posts Drives: Supercharged E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SL,UT iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00] 2010 BMW E90 335i [0.00]	YOU HIT A RACCOON! THE ANIMAL ACTIVIST ARE ON YOUR TRAIL MAN. j/k i vote let the dealer look over it if they miss it its there fault, when i traded in my car i had hit my garage by accident and left a pretty good size dent in my lower front bumper and the dealer missed it, but i told them about it later and they liked that i was trustworthy and only charged me 100 bucks instead of 500. __________________
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06-03-2008, 12:31 PM	#15
RobLS Major 29 Rep 1,193 Posts Drives: M3 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Near Perpetual Rain iTrader: (0)	As for my current car, I will point out the obvious, an ass dinged me in the parking lot of my work while planning the previous days to go into the dealership.
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06-03-2008, 01:05 PM	#17
topvega Kinda sorta banned on N54 19 Rep 626 Posts Drives: 135 SGM JB3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NJ Exit 91 iTrader: (0)	I thought I was going to have a problem with my trade in as well... the leather on the passenger seat was pretty faded and looked like shit... was expecting them to take it out in the trade in value but they didn't even notice it or didn't care.. the only thing they got me on was my tires were worn out... which I knew was going to be caught... still got more then I thought for my trade in... Good luck __________________
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06-03-2008, 01:07 PM	#18
Dan203 Lieutenant Colonel 136 Rep 1,592 Posts Drives: 2016 340i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Carson City, NV iTrader: (1)	Well now my excitement has been dashed in another manor! The CA just called me back a few minutes ago and now he's saying that the service department can't do the PDI until Thursday for a Friday delivery. I put some pressure on him to get it done sooner, and he said that he'd see what he could do, but couldn't guarantee me anything. Dan
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06-03-2008, 01:08 PM	#19
RobLS Major 29 Rep 1,193 Posts Drives: M3 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Near Perpetual Rain iTrader: (0)	PDI?
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06-03-2008, 01:18 PM	#20
Dan203 Lieutenant Colonel 136 Rep 1,592 Posts Drives: 2016 340i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Carson City, NV iTrader: (1)	It's the inspection they do at the dealer. Also where they remove the plastic, detail it, etc... It stands for pre-delivery inspection. Dan
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06-03-2008, 01:23 PM	#21
sredish Private 2 Rep 76 Posts Drives: Join Date: Apr 2008 iTrader: (0)	tell 'em bullshit. you didn't wait this long to have it sit there.
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06-03-2008, 01:26 PM	#22
RobLS Major 29 Rep 1,193 Posts Drives: M3 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Near Perpetual Rain iTrader: (0)	ahhh, i hate set backs!
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