Yeah, both front rims got a bit of damage (more like a curb rash really), one from the impact, other from the curb, but they can be refinished. No big deal.

 

Before I address anything, here is an important bit of advice. Find a BMW Certified Collision Shop. That way you are assured that your 5er will be repaired in accordance with clearly documented BMW standards for repair work. Do not accept anything less.

As I clearly posted, my comment was not at all directed to you but simply prompted by your comment which made me recall how many people do indeed say what I complained about.

 

Yes, having several BMWs taught me to always fix them at a right place. We have a shop that specializes on E60 repairs, its BMW certified, and has very knowledgeable technicians.
About the hood - I would rather have it replaced, but that is not always the case with insurance companies. We'll see how it goes. The damage is minimal, so i really don't have a preference - new hood will have new paint AND non-original VIN sticker on it, original hood will have original sticker, but it will be fixed and painted. Hard to tell which is worst!

No worries about the other comment. I posted my reply before I saw yours.

 

Great. Keep us posted on what the insurance company says etc.

I forgot to ask, did the other driver get ticketed with anything because of the illegal turn or did the police indicate on the report how it was her fault (who does something stupid like turning right from the center lane, esp. when there?s someone in the right lane?)

 

It wasn't obvious to me after I read your initial post that you were asking about the airbags out of curiousity -- especially when you stated you didn't feel that the impact was severe enough to warrant their deployment. (It sounded more like a complaint to me.) I now understand that you weren't complaining, you were just curious. I still stand by my position that I'd much rather have them deploy and suffer a minor injury (even if it was caused by the bag) than risk a more major injury. The engineers that design these systems have to make assumptions that err on the side of caution so in this case, I think the car performed perfectly and did it's job protecting you from any serious injury. Even if it's true in this case that without the deployment, you'd have suffered zero injuries, how was the car supposed to know that?

As far as the hood repair, I understand why you feel that the insurance company is going to try to repair it (based on what they usually do) but in this case, as others have said, you're dealing with an aluminum hood that simply doesn't repair well at all. In fact, the labor required to repair an aluminum hood, even if they could do it, would probably end up being more costly than just getting a new one, painting the entire thing, and bolting it on. I had a few dings in my hood before delivery and they had a paintless dent removal guy look at it and he immediately said there's no way he could fix them since it was aluminum. A week later, I took delivery of my car with a brand new hood installed and painted...

 

I'm not completely sure, but I think ALL front airbags are designed to deploy when the car senses a frontal impact at a speed of 30mph or greater.

The injuries you sustained from the airbags are normal and acceptable. Its been well documented that even more serious injuries (like broken noses) can result - even if the driver is positioned in the seat correctly. The amount of force from a deployed airbag is substantial. Thats why you are not supposed to put infant or child car seats in front.

Bottom line is the powers that be have decided its better to get beat up by an airbag instead of a dashboard or windshield.

I'm glad nobody got seriously hurt.

 

Best is that you and the Mrs. are OK. We have had several air bag deploys and have always been reminded of their vaule.

I think is is good policy to report accident to your insurance company at the outset, even thought they may not end up with any responsibility. Would be my bet that you will have a problem getiing what you are due and your insurance can then assist.

 

The crash sensors measure the force of an impact and deploy at a certain amount of it.

In your case the damages don't look too bad, but the airbags are deployed, so the force of the impact was severe.
When airbags deploy, the forces that are created by the impact can cause injuries. This means, even though your car doesn't look too bad, this accident could have been a serious one for you, in which you could've been injured.

The damages only tell you HOW the accident happened. The damages are not telling you anything about how severe this accident has been for the passengers.

 

First and fore most, you and your wife are ok. I am glad to hear all is well. Cars can be replaced, a human life cannot. In regards to the airbag deployment, I could be wrong, but I think the airbags are deployed in any collision over 25 miles per hour. Again, I am glad to hear you and your wife are fine.

 

After reveiwing the posts; the car doesn't look bad at all. The hood, fender, bumper cover will in all likelihood be replaced; because its easier, faster and on a newer higher end car the ins companies probably won't fight it. I think the sensor for the airbags are close to where you got hit and they protect the passengers so it appears that maybe why they deployed. Im gonna guestimate 9k damage with both the airbags. Glad ur both ok.