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  BMW Forums » BMW discussion forums » General BMW
  E46 Wagon Rear End vs. Semi Front End with Predictable Results

 E46 Wagon Rear End vs. Semi Front End with Predictable Results



So coming home from work on the highway today and I got read ended by a semi. I'm fine, bruises on my knees from the under dash and left arm from hitting the doorpillar as I got tossed backwards. So now I have a few questions and concerns. I asked on the E46Fanatics board (fun board mostly on it to keep track of the MITE46 M3 transplants) and figured I'd try over here as well.

Accident Details
Sorry no pictures but the wife didn't bring the camera with her to pick me up.
Car is a 2000 323iT with a manual transmission and the Sport Premium package.
Nothing too high speed, I had just finished braking to avoid some rubberneckers and was already stepping on the gas again, when things got a little bumpy. I got hit almost straight on from behind from this semi, full size with a trailer and everything. One of the good things is that one of the reasons everyone was slowing down was apolice officer at the side of the road who saw everything. So no issues with whose fault it is, truck driver was cited and so forth.

Car Damage
Rear hatch is pushed in close to a foot in some areas. It was pushed in far enough that an item that was in the trunk was able to be picked up off of what was left of the bumper on the outside.
The rear glass is gone and the bumper skin was torn off. It would appear that the frame of the semi bumper skipped my bumper frame and came right on in above it.
The right rear third window was shattered and so forth.
The airbags did not deploy but the light is on and the seat belt tensioner definitely fired. I was the only person in the car and my seat back reclined from the impact and would not return to the fully upright position. You can hear the gears clicking and such as I had Sport Premium seats.
The car was still running afterwards and I idled or coasted to the side of the road. I can't remember if it did it under it's own power, but after taking it out of gear and turning it off, it would not start back up.
Rear quarter panels are both squished and folded. All doors still open up and close just fine, but you can see damage on the rear door sills where the panels pushed into them. The car coasted fine as a Dept of Transportation truck pushed me from the merge lane divider to the side of the road as I was in neutral.

Concerns/Request for advice
Obviously I hope this car is totalled, but if it isn't what should I look out for. I am of course concerned about the unibody and suspension etc... but since this was a manual transmission, was in gear and the truck rode up onto the rear instead of popping it up and letting the wheels spin freely, what could have happened to the transmission and engine. Anyone seen any damage from something like that?
Also what kind of figures have people been seeing for deprecated values of the car due to it being in an accident. I was possibly going to sell it soon and have worries about being able to do so easily now.

Again sorry for not having any pics, but I even called the tow yard to see if I could get in to take some pics, but their policy is not to allow anyone to see the car unless the towing and storage bill is paid.

Dodge (Guess I didn't this time) Derek
   Reply » E46 Wagon Rear End vs. Semi Front End with Predictable Results

Quote:
So coming home from work on the highway today and I got read ended by a semi. I'm fine, bruises on my knees from the under dash and left arm from hitting the doorpillar as I got tossed backwards. So now I have a few questions and concerns. I asked on the E46Fanatics board (fun board mostly on it to keep track of the MITE46 M3 transplants) and figured I'd try over here as well.

Accident Details
Sorry no pictures but the wife didn't bring the camera with her to pick me up.
Car is a 2000 323iT with a manual transmission and the Sport Premium package.
Nothing too high speed, I had just finished braking to avoid some rubberneckers and was already stepping on the gas again, when things got a little bumpy. I got hit almost straight on from behind from this semi, full size with a trailer and everything. One of the good things is that one of the reasons everyone was slowing down was apolice officer at the side of the road who saw everything. So no issues with whose fault it is, truck driver was cited and so forth.

Car Damage
Rear hatch is pushed in close to a foot in some areas. It was pushed in far enough that an item that was in the trunk was able to be picked up off of what was left of the bumper on the outside.
The rear glass is gone and the bumper skin was torn off. It would appear that the frame of the semi bumper skipped my bumper frame and came right on in above it.
The right rear third window was shattered and so forth.
The airbags did not deploy but the light is on and the seat belt tensioner definitely fired. I was the only person in the car and my seat back reclined from the impact and would not return to the fully upright position. You can hear the gears clicking and such as I had Sport Premium seats.
The car was still running afterwards and I idled or coasted to the side of the road. I can't remember if it did it under it's own power, but after taking it out of gear and turning it off, it would not start back up.
Rear quarter panels are both squished and folded. All doors still open up and close just fine, but you can see damage on the rear door sills where the panels pushed into them. The car coasted fine as a Dept of Transportation truck pushed me from the merge lane divider to the side of the road as I was in neutral.

Concerns/Request for advice
Obviously I hope this car is totalled, but if it isn't what should I look out for. I am of course concerned about the unibody and suspension etc... but since this was a manual transmission, was in gear and the truck rode up onto the rear instead of popping it up and letting the wheels spin freely, what could have happened to the transmission and engine. Anyone seen any damage from something like that?
Also what kind of figures have people been seeing for deprecated values of the car due to it being in an accident. I was possibly going to sell it soon and have worries about being able to do so easily now.

Again sorry for not having any pics, but I even called the tow yard to see if I could get in to take some pics, but their policy is not to allow anyone to see the car unless the towing and storage bill is paid.

Dodge (Guess I didn't this time) Derek
On a 7 year old car, it is hard to believe it wouldn't be totaled.. My wife had similar damage on an '01 Accord sedan and the bill came to $9K.. It was only 10 months old at the time, so they fixed it. (leased, fortunately). Without seeing the car, and with seat damage, etc... I'll guess $13K-$15K damage..

If they want to fix it and give it back, scream loudly...

Glad you are okay... that is the important part..

   Reply » E46 Wagon Rear End vs. Semi Front End with Predictable Results





   Reply » E46 Wagon Rear End vs. Semi Front End with Predictable Results

Wow, that held up pretty well, I was expecting total destruction.

BTW, no offense, but when was the last time you washed your car (or cleaned the wheels)?

   Reply » E46 Wagon Rear End vs. Semi Front End with Predictable Results

That car is totalled.

FWIW, the battery disconnect probably triggered.

   Reply » E46 Wagon Rear End vs. Semi Front End with Predictable Results

Don't like cleaning wheels much, eh?


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