discussion Rear ended while stationary at a robot - damage advice required

[zabbo]

So, we stopped at a red robot in my e46 yesterday and a youngster in a Ford Figo drives into the back of us. It was a very hard and loud knock. My wife and kid were in the car with me and both were luckily wearing their seatbelts. The sound and impact was so great that my wife's got some whiplash and my kid says "i don't want to drive in a car again" :-(

I get out to inspect the damage after checking on my kid who is crying frantically and is soaked after spilling her cooldrink all over herself. Gladly they both appear to be better today.

So for the discussion ....

The inspection of the damage to both vehicles reveals not much damage at all. The Ford only has a damaged number plate and some cracks on its bumper.

My car:
Bottom section of bumper has 2 cracks/broken (in the diffuser area) and some fine cracks in the bumper higher up.
The bumper is loose on both ends.
No other noticeable damage noted and even checked inside the boot area.

So based on the impact and loud bang, I really expected to see alot more damage! Are these bumpers and stiffners that effective in absorbing impact? Or should I be concerned about greater damage in the panels behind the bumper?

Also, I have an SMG and noticed that on the odd occasion (happened 2/3 times) it sounded like the gears were not selecting properly in 1st and 2nd (this hasn't happened before the accident) and there is a slight whine from the diff. What are the chances that those are a result of the knock or is it just a bizarre coincidence?

Any insights will be appreciated and suggestions on how to proceed with the insurance.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jayaynikkal]

Hi Zabbo

Sorry to hear but I'm glad you and your family are fine.

I would definitely inspect behind the bumpers. Similar thing happened to myself - loud bang but not a lot of visible damage. However, after further inspection there was damage behind the bumpers.

Hope this helps and look forward to seeing your 46 in good health again.

 

[yunuso]

Hey Zabbo.
Glad to hear nobody was injured.
I would assume that you were in gear and foot on the brakes. The impact if large enough may have transferred force through the diff down the prop to the gearbox. Best have it assessed at and get a report for insurance. I doubt they will do it on there own.


Sent from my Mi 9 SE using Tapatalk

 

[Gordvisr]

sorry to hear about you accident, glad all of you are ok, chances are that the impact could have done damage to your drive train, the eye cannot always see the damage something in an accident could cause.

 

[Cally77]

Indeed family safety first. Was once rear ended with no visible damage, but later released their rear doors were not opening with ease. Wasn't a coincidence and had to sort it out through the guy's insurance.

 

[Cally77]

***realized that..

 

[Kishore]

Sorry to hear bud but at least the family were not injured seriously. I had a e class coupe about 4 years back and was rear fender rammed. Car was drivable but felt something weird with the gearbox changing. I noted this to the assesor during the initial assessment and 2 weeks after collecting her from the body shop it got worst. Turned out the mechatronic had to be replaced but luckily it was noted on the initial assessment so was covered by insurance. Having said that thou it was never really the same again and decided to let her go. Good luck bud

 

[zabbo]

Thanks so much for all the input. Will definitely have it seen to.

 

[Kishore]

@zabbo any updates mate?

 

[zabbo]

@zabbo any updates mate?

Its been hectic at work so only managed to submit the quotes to the insurance yesterday.

Strangely enough though, the BMW ARC only quoted for a diffuser replacement and repair of the back bumper. The other approved panelshop quoted for an entirely new back bumper. Both subject to strip and further investigation into possible gearbox and exhaust damage.

.... So waiting on feedback from insurer and assessor for now.

 

[shauwn]

ja ne they do that, its about how much they can steel from ur insurer