What Should I Do Fix or Sell

[MTheory]

I recenty wrecked my E36 on the freeway during rush hour traffic. My passenger side fender and bumper is shot. I'm having trouble figuring what I should do: sell the car or patch her up. Really looking for some good opinions. The car has 205,000 miles on it but the motor runs tight. Thanks for the help.

[Pirate_copy]

Ouch!!! Hate to see that mate. Hope no-one was hurt.

Personally i would sell it. Although bimmer engines should be fine at 205k miles, it is getting to the point where bits will start to wear out.

The other side of the coin is how much it is worth to anyone else and whether it is worth more to you.

Dont know how much money you have, but i would sell it matey.

You modded her at all??

[jtsailjt]

Based on the photo's, I think I would patch it up and keep it. If there is additional mechanical damage we can't see, that thought would change though. But if the damage is limited to the bumper, hood, and fender, fix it and drive on.:)

The trouble with replacing it is when you buy a replacement car, unless its new, you won't know what you're getting so have to assume there will be at least a few thing$ that need attention so it will be just the way you want it to be.

If you've been taking good care of this car and been tending to all the little things, once the body work is done, you will know exactly what you've got.

[Black Isis]

i say sell it with the extent of damage you have the force was propably enought to do some damage to the suspension at least and possibly the frame too it could get pricey when you fix it

[jtsailjt]

i say sell it with the extent of damage you have the force was propably enought to do some damage to the suspension at least and possibly the frame too it could get pricey when you fix it

IFF that's the case I would part it out and sell it that way too because nobody else will pay much for the whole thing intending to fix it up to drive. Suspension problems and a bent frame or mechanical problems, in addition to what you show in the photo's, and considering it's already got 200K miles on it would make it un-economical for anyone to fix. But if it's just the body panels and the bumper, fix it.

[jtsailjt]

Do you have an estimate from a shop yet?

[MTheory]

Ouch!!! Hate to see that mate. Hope no-one was hurt.

Personally i would sell it. Although bimmer engines should be fine at 205k miles, it is getting to the point where bits will start to wear out.

The other side of the coin is how much it is worth to anyone else and whether it is worth more to you.

Dont know how much money you have, but i would sell it matey.

You modded her at all??

Forntunately no one was hurt other than the car. Theres no mods at all; shes bone stock. I had plans to add the simple bolt ons though.

[MTheory]

Do you have an estimate from a shop yet?

No I didnt get an estimate because I know its not going to be cheap but I will get one if youre curious and for future references for anyone thats interested. If I decide to fix it, I will buy the parts needed to replace the damaged ones and have a shop do the rest. Im not a wealthy man.:cry:

[jtsailjt]

No I didnt get an estimate because I know its not going to be cheap but I will get one if youre curious and for future references for anyone thats interested. If I decide to fix it, I will buy the parts needed to replace the damaged ones and have a shop do the rest. Im not a wealthy man.:cry:

If you can get an estimate for the whole job as a starting point and then deduct the labor of things you can do yourself and then subtract that number from what you figure it'll be worth when it's all done, that'll let you know about what it's worth as is to you today if you keep it. If someone offers you more than that or you think you can part it out for more than that, then consider selling. I think your decision will be made easier once you determine if there was anything more damaged beyond the body panels and bumper. But I do have to admit I'm a little biased and hate to see one of these great little cars parted out unless it can't be avoided.:)

[MTheory]

If you can get an estimate for the whole job as a starting point and then deduct the labor of things you can do yourself and then subtract that number from what you figure it'll be worth when it's all done, that'll let you know about what it's worth as is to you today if you keep it. If someone offers you more than that or you think you can part it out for more than that, then consider selling. I think your decision will be made easier once you determine if there was anything more damaged beyond the body panels and bumper. But I do have to admit I'm a little biased and hate to see one of these great little cars parted out unless it can't be avoided.:)

Yeah the first thing you worry when you slam your E36 is the maintenance cost of course but in the end it depends how much she means to you lol.Its my third E36 and I like how it runs over my other two overall. My friend that drives an e36 tells me to fix it because its a rare color for a 92 (silver). I dont know how true that is. I'm really fanatic about the model and I can look at them all day and I wouldnt like part the car either. Ive only owned this car for about two months and only drove it for one due to replacing the radaitor, water pump, clutch fan, fan belt, thermo and reservior. I really do consider repairing...once I save enough. Heres some previous images from before. Thanks for the tip.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a339/whisper129/Picture024.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a339/whisper129/Picture065.jpg

[DominguesE30]

sell it, that e36 is finished..... Most likely, with that kind of damage, the chassis would of bent.