Cecotto 479 RIP

Some of you may know that I had a "slight off" in the Cecotto the other day. First wet day after a long dry spell and, much to my shame and annoyance, I got caught out, the car swapping ends on me, mounting the kerb and landing on top of the armco, ripping the sump off and damaging a lot of the underside. Looking at the car, it doesn't look too bad, with virtually no visible panel damage but it's worse than it looks with sill and floor damage and a ripply roof.
Surprisingly, the tail did not slide in its usual predictable, progressive way, but just snapped round. Either way, I couldn't catch it and lost control. Upshot is that yesterday the repairer's estimate confirmed my initial fear that it wouldn't be repaired.

"Devastated" doesn't begin to cover how I felt last week, but it's only a car, nobody had even a bruise and all in all, in the great scheme of things, it's hardly relevant.

So, I'm looking forward to a bloody fight with the insurance co. over value. I think I saw someone else lose a Cecotto a wee while back and any pointers to the sort of evidence of value you used would be helpful.

Finally, for a number of reasons, though I love the car and the driving experience, I've decided not to replace it with another E30 M3.

I've had one. So many cars to own in one lifetime. The wife hates it. Short distances on A or B roads are amazing, but 100 miles or any motorway journey is just plain uncomfortable. Another different one wouldn't be the same and though I considered it, repairing the salvage doesn't appeal.

Anyway, like the Murphy's, I'm not bitter. I bought an M635 Cs HighLine tonight in anticipation of a healthy cheque from the insurance co. It needs a bit of a bodywork tidy and a good detailing valet, but what a car!! The original 1990 receipt is with the history showing that the first owner wrote a cheque for........wait for it .......... £48212.32 for the privilege.

It'll take a wee while to sort out a cherished number transfer and I'm abroad on business for a week. I'm pessimistic, but I might just get it all sorted out for the S14 Nurburgring trip, but it'll be tight and, as I said I'm not hopeful. Would I still get in Uwe?

Just thought I'd let you all know.

Regards,

Boyd

Boyd,

Just to let you kow you're not alone. After getting my car back from the bodyshop following a slight excursion from the road in icy weather, a taxi driver drove into the rear N/S qurter a few weeks ago.
I have had an estimate and am waiting for the bad news from my insurers. One assessor has called it a write-off and am now waiting for my insurers to either do likewise or get it fixed.

The damage doesn't look bad (bumper, rear quarter, inner wing etc. but body parts are expensive for these things so...

However it's still off to France tomorrow!

Regarding the 6, they are fantastic, not quite as pointy as a 3 but what an engine, and for fast sweeping roads your nerve will give out long before the car does.

Just make sure you get the 8 series brake conversion or you might warp the odd disk!

All the best,

Phil

Boyd

Very sorry to hear about the car, I've been there myself and hope some of this will help.

1. Value I assume was not agreed, so get any figures available for cars for slae and any quotes off here of what people have paid recently.

2. Get proof of your Cecottos limited edition status, eg. BMW magazine articles or book references.

3. Get valuation quotes from Munich legends, M-sport Register secretary etc.

4. Documentary proof of any large spends on the car, serving and parts etc. Ensure they were aware of them of course.

5. Photos of the car beforehand from as many angles as possible.

6. As you're aware it's unlikely you'll accept their first offer. BE POLITE AT ALL TIMES NO MATTER HOW INSULTED YOU FEEL! TO THEM YOU'RE JUST ANOTHER CLAIM.

7. One thing, you may have NCD protection, but be aware they will still load you as a result. My 9 yr NCD still hasn't helped, because the claim is still listed against you. Most unfair.

8. List any mods you told them about, be careful here. New tyres are OK but exhausts and alloys may not be a good idea. I should have removed my Alpinas before the assessor arrived, I got no value for them over std alloys as they weren't listed.

It will take time to resolve, mine took three months and pages of photocopies of M3 articles etc. They tried to value it against an E36, "well yours is 5 yrs older and this ones only worth £12k, hence offering you £6k Sir!".

You'll get there in the end, just be calm and positive.

Good Luck!

Sorry to hear about your car .

Just as a ref I paid £1500 to get my 89 2.3 M3 back off the insurance recently after It was hit from behind and written off .

I thought this was a fair price as I've seen some high prices for engines /gearboxes wheels etc .

Hope this helps in some way , regards Steve .

Sorry to hear this, I had an off in my M3 at Easter, So I know what it's like. Still as you say no one was hurt which is the main thing.
I'm still tryin to get a decent payout from the insurance.
There a bloody nightmare and I'm sure there messing me about on purpose. Still Good thing come come form a misfortune I know I has workout well for me. Now I just need to get some sort of decent payout from the %&$£* insurance company.

Sorry to hear about your off mate.

As long as you are OK thats the main thing, although it still does'nt help with the fact that you have lost your car.

Mind you a M6 is a fantastic replacement.

If you manage to get the car back off of the insurance then give me a call I'm on the lookout for a 'box.

All the best

Thanks for all your kind comments gentlemen.  Thanks for all the PMs too.  I'll reply to all in due course.  If I don't get to the Ring this time. maybe later in the year.

Ok, I'll also get on the case as well - is your illuminated gearknob still alive and in good nick?

Sorry to hear about your car - glad you've managed to already source another M car.

If you can buy back the car, and have space to keep it, breaking it for spares should recoup a fair bit of money.