Goodbye, old friend.

[CMT]

FRIDAY

I always thought I'd have you until I someday had a child old enough to drive, but it looks like it wasn't meant to be. For those that will inevitably ask, here is what happened:

I was sitting behind an Audi in the left lane of the Merritt, cruising home from renting some videos. I reached to turn up the radio, and suddenly heard the screech of tires. I looked up, processed that the tail of the Audi was in the air and under full brake, and panic-braked as well. I was able to scrub off a lot of speed, and get it down under 50 mph, but as the Audi slammed almost full bore into the minivan that had jumped in front of him at the last minute, the minivan was sent into the guardail, where it bounced up and back around, where it struck me in the front 3/4 of the car.

Hard.

My momentum pushed the minvan AND the Audi into the right guardrail, where the minvan got sandwiched between me and the Audi. My first instinct was to get the hell out of the car because my tail was still sticking way out into oncoming traffic, and I was able to get clear immediately....and realized that my M3 is most certainly 100% gone with the wind - but I am alive, a little shook up to be sure, but alive, as the car did what it was designed to do and took the hit so I didn't have to.

The Audi driver was ripshit - The minivan driver turned out to be an uninsured musician, and he ended up getting cited. In the end, I guess the real luck of the night was that nobody got seriously hurt or killed.

[CMT]

SATURDAY

USAA Claims: Do you have any upgraded parts on the car?

Me: Do you have a few hours?

After I was done filing the claim, the nice lady apologized, and said that her software was showing the car to be a "probable loss." As expected, no big surprise there. I have an adjuster coming out to look at the car next week, and then I am sure the battle will begin. She did take down all of the aftermarket modifications that I had, and specifically asked about them which I suppose is a good thing....but who knows. It's an insurance company, and this one is run by Uncle Sam so trust factor is even less than the already low rating of -33456624534 for insurance companies in general.

I went to see her for what may prove to be the last time.

[CMT]

I guess there's nothing left to say.:/

[e34werkz]

Wow. I know the feeling all too well. Your e36 was my favorite, it was always so clean. At least everyone's fine. I hope you get back on the road soon.

[asuj158]

poor car

[TH3 Shifty]

that seriously blows... kill them.. kill them all

[Idriftane30]

damn dude that really sucks, at least you are ok.

[rGrissM3]

I'm honestly sorry for your loss, if you have the chance you could probly still sell the wheels, provided you have stockers. I've always loved your car and your pictures and it sucks to see it in such bad shape. I had a similar occurrence only mine was on Christmas night. However, I received 18,000 for my car that I bought for 12,500. Keep your chin up

[e30polak]

That blows man!

Sorry to see her go like that.

Loved your car, but I'm sure you'll be in another BMW after you get the claims check.

[SDKmann]

Im sorry for your loss man, it was a gorgeous car. Just remember that you lived through it to build another. Sorry again man.

[raceboy614]

Glad you're ok!!! I remember the days i spent on dtm reading your detailing threads on that car....sad to see it a loss.

[BMWALDO]

Sheezus!

[TheM3nsah]

very sad to see her go!

[GEN3RIC]

Its the end of an era.

[shelbyz4u2nv]

omg my worst fear... i hate other drivers...

[downeaster1]

Wow.
This may seem strange to some, but reading this hit me hard. Your car was the car that I was starting to style mine after. Everything about it was perfect to me. This has been my wallpaper on three different computers for the longest time:



My god I'm going to miss that car

[DrBobOh]

Sorry man, that really blows. Btw what did you mean by 'ripshit' when referring to the Audi? I couldn't pick up on the comparison/analogy.

[generic]

Wow. I am really sorry for the loss. Like others have said, I remember your car from years ago on dtm. Glad to hear your ok though.

[bennyfizzle]

Sorry dude

[JBs]

[The_Stig]

Other drivers are the worst. Sorry to hear about this man

[MetaGear89]

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[4500 RPM]

That really sucks.

What sucks just as bad is that the "Audi" was a freakin' S4 Avant. Rarer than the M3.

Two nice cars taken out.

[Keda]

I'm glad you're alright, but what a shame. She was a beauty.

BTW, USAA has been fairly easy to deal with in my experience. Best of luck.

[liilpa09]

thats terrible. i feel really bad for you. Like you said though, i'm glad to hear no one was seriously hurt.