My wife's 2004 X5 was recently hit by someone who thought a red light meant to accelerate rather than stop. The car is now being repaired which included replacing all body work including frame rails from the fireward forward. This work entailed drilling out all robotic welds of the existing frame forward of the firewall and replacing with new rails. I have a real problem with repairing this car to "as good as new" condition as the insurance and body shop people are telling me. Anyone have experience with what to expect after such a drastic repair? A picture of the wrecked auto is inserted.
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R Blackshear
Springfield, Missouri
I have a real problem with repairing this car to "as good as new" condition as the insurance and body shop people are telling me. Anyone have experience with what to expect after such a drastic repair? A picture of the wrecked auto is inserted.
X5 pasengercells are known to be EXTREMELY ridgid except the boot floor, but like you I would have issues with a front-end damage like that as well. I'm sure the framelegs absorbed the impact as designed and bla bla bla, but I don't expect the car's entire wiring harnass to be replaced, and all the brakelines to be drawn new. Which makes you wonder....
The shell will probably retain most of it's ridgity, but the driveline has had a decent beating by being forced back. Wiring is likly to have been pinched/scored/kinked/etc. so be VERY wary of any electrical gremlins from day one. Damage like this will ALWAYS be visible to a professional that knows where to look.
Stevie
Thanks for the reply. I too am worried about all the little things that have been affected by the impact of the wreck. One of my biggest concerns is the resetting of the sensors for the air bags. I know from experience that something as small as a steering sensor can make a high tech BMW go haywire--i.e. by 2006 M5.
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R Blackshear
Springfield, Missouri
One of my biggest concerns is the resetting of the sensors for the air bags. I know from experience that something as small as a steering sensor can make a high tech BMW go haywire--i.e. by 2006 M5.
I don't think the crash sensors are reset, but replaced just like the seatbelt tensioners. Once everything is replaced the system does a self-check at the tech's command after which it can be armed. Not really anything they can screw up one would think. Then again......
So your insurance advise you against reparing it then why not just write it off?
I was rear ended once by this drunk lady at around 30 mph and the car never felt the same; however, it wasn't the M5 otherwise I would have been talking gibberish ever since.
?? My mother was rear ended at 45mph, she drove a 1990 Mercedes C Class and walked away no problems!
I am sure the M5 would have been fine.
I didn't mean it in terms of safety. It was more about my own personal feeling for the car. I would have been more piss off if it was the M5.
The car that I was in was an Acura TSX. It held up fine but it was never the same.
My mother was rear ended at 45mph, she drove a 1990 Mercedes C Class and walked away no problems!
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