[time2fly]

I'm hoping someone can help me. About 4 months ago I bought a very clean 1990 BMW 325i, 5 speed. Straight body, fresh paint, perfect interior with a new dash, power sunroof, an all-around nice driver. I paid $5k for the car - probably a little high but it was VERY clean for a '90.

Last month I caught some black ice and crunched the front fender/grill area. Long story short, USAA wants to total the car and is only offering me $3k, less my $500 deductible, netting me $2,500. Their independent appraisal company could only find 3 "comps" in the entire country - none of them as clean as mine. USAA tells me that to fight their value I need to hire my own appraiser to go to battle with theirs. My fear is that I'll spend $500-$800 on an appraisal but not get enough of a bump in valuation to make it worth the hassle & risk.

Any honest appraisers out there who know bimmers well enough to know how rare my car was and what a clean one is really worth? I'll spend the money if I find someone I can trust who's not just trying to take my $$.

Please email me at bceverson@gmail.com if you have any suggestions. Thx...

[AlterZgo]

Are they making any adjustments on the 3 comps? If yours is much nicer, they should be adjusting the value up for perfect interior, new dash, exterior, etc. Ask for their detailed appraisal and see what methodology they used. Perhaps you can negotiate or speak w/ a supervisor.

If that doesn't work, you can try filing a complaint with your state's department of insurance or with USAA's corporate office?

These options won't cost money... just some time. Be calm, professional and rationale and you should be able to get more money.

[David1]

It isn't a rare car. It is just an old BMW 325. Considering you can find 1992 325's from $1200 to $5000 I would take the 3k. USAA is being more than fair. No insurance company will give you more than retail.

[The Cleaner]

2500.00 it top dollar in my area for a 1990 325.

[stan_betz]

You seem to be unlucky on this one! What you can do is look around for similar priced cars in your area and if you can show your car insurance company sufficient proof of a higher value, they might match your value.

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by The Cleaner

2500.00 it top dollar in my area for a 1990 325.

I think you should try to find a clean 1990 325i with nothing wrong with it. Its fucking hard, I've been looking for the past 6 months. There are plenty of e30s going for 1200-3000, but they all are basketcases with cracked dashes, torn seats, dents, ticking engines, worn out bushings and blown shocks. Cars that actually have been maintained are worth 5000, and owners know it, and will charge it.