Hit a Rock on the Road
07-12-2012 | 02:56 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: California
Hi guys,
Just wanted to let you know to be careful on mountain roads!
Was coming down from Lake Arrowhead, CA in my 08 535 when I hit a huge rock on the road!
Stepped down to inspect what happen and noticed that the entire undercarriage was ripped straight down the middle and oil was spilling everywhere. I wasn't sure at the time if this was transmission oil.
Basically car was stuck on the road for 1 hour until AAA came to put it on a flatbed.
Worse part was they didn't know how to put the car in neutral, so we had to figure out how to put the dumb car in neutral so that we can pull it up on the flatbed. Finally, we figured out we need to pull the trim pieces around the gear lever and stick the screwdriver they have in the trunk into the gear slot to move the car into neutral.
We've find out what the damages are today as the car is at the dealer
A major pain in the @ss, but luckily no one was hurt and its something that can be repaired...I hope
I will keep you guys posted!
Just wanted to let you know to be careful on mountain roads!
Was coming down from Lake Arrowhead, CA in my 08 535 when I hit a huge rock on the road!
Stepped down to inspect what happen and noticed that the entire undercarriage was ripped straight down the middle and oil was spilling everywhere. I wasn't sure at the time if this was transmission oil.
Basically car was stuck on the road for 1 hour until AAA came to put it on a flatbed.
Worse part was they didn't know how to put the car in neutral, so we had to figure out how to put the dumb car in neutral so that we can pull it up on the flatbed. Finally, we figured out we need to pull the trim pieces around the gear lever and stick the screwdriver they have in the trunk into the gear slot to move the car into neutral.
We've find out what the damages are today as the car is at the dealer
A major pain in the @ss, but luckily no one was hurt and its something that can be repaired...I hope
I will keep you guys posted!
07-12-2012 | 03:11 PM
#2
Contributors
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
From: Encino, CA
My Ride: 04 545i - Titanium Silver/Black, Sport pkg, Comfort Seats w/ Lumbar, Premium Sound, power rear sunshade, Adaptive Xenon Headlights, Steptronic, Park Distance Control, Fold down rear seats w/ski bag, Aux jack, 6-disk changer, puddle lamps...
Engine: Custom Remus cat-back exhaust w/chrome square tips, K&N Air Filter, Charcoal Filter Removed, Sprint Booster :-), 50/50 mix of 91+100 Octane, EuroRev ECU Remap (coming soon lol), Dinan High-Flow Throttle Body (coming soon...maybe lol)
Interior: Portable Sirius Stilletto 100 w/car kit, Garmin Nuvi 680 mounted below rear-view mirror, LCI-style I-drive knob, Dark Poplar Center Dashboard Trim.
Exterior: E60 forum clings, 5% rear tint, ACS roof spoiler (painted black for distinct look against limo tint), ACS trunk spoiler, ACS add-on front spoiler and rear apron (awaiting installation), "18 Black Staggered BeBeS Style OER (emergency replacement for cracked sport 124 rims), black kidney grill, white accessory lighting (including license and trunk lamps), Angel-eye upgrade, AIB xenon-matched fog lamps, AIB V3's on order, red rear reflectors
Hi guys,
Just wanted to let you know to be careful on mountain roads!
Was coming down from Lake Arrowhead, CA in my 08 535 when I hit a huge rock on the road!
Stepped down to inspect what happen and noticed that the entire undercarriage was ripped straight down the middle and oil was spilling everywhere. I wasn't sure at the time if this was transmission oil.
Basically car was stuck on the road for 1 hour until AAA came to put it on a flatbed.
Worse part was they didn't know how to put the car in neutral, so we had to figure out how to put the dumb car in neutral so that we can pull it up on the flatbed. Finally, we figured out we need to pull the trim pieces around the gear lever and stick the screwdriver they have in the trunk into the gear slot to move the car into neutral.
We've find out what the damages are today as the car is at the dealer
A major pain in the @ss, but luckily no one was hurt and its something that can be repaired...I hope
I will keep you guys posted!
Just wanted to let you know to be careful on mountain roads!
Was coming down from Lake Arrowhead, CA in my 08 535 when I hit a huge rock on the road!
Stepped down to inspect what happen and noticed that the entire undercarriage was ripped straight down the middle and oil was spilling everywhere. I wasn't sure at the time if this was transmission oil.
Basically car was stuck on the road for 1 hour until AAA came to put it on a flatbed.
Worse part was they didn't know how to put the car in neutral, so we had to figure out how to put the dumb car in neutral so that we can pull it up on the flatbed. Finally, we figured out we need to pull the trim pieces around the gear lever and stick the screwdriver they have in the trunk into the gear slot to move the car into neutral.
We've find out what the damages are today as the car is at the dealer
A major pain in the @ss, but luckily no one was hurt and its something that can be repaired...I hope
I will keep you guys posted!
1st Welcome to the Forums. I'm sorry your first post here has to be basked in uncertainty about the condition of your E60. That said, you were riding in one of the safest cars on the road. Thank goodness that boulder didn't lead to a loss of control and a trip down the side of a mountain. I've done some late night aggressive driving on highway 18 and 330. This is a reminder as to how stupi that could be without at least pre-inspecting the road ahead. Glad you're safe and hope you get your machine back and better than ever!
07-12-2012 | 03:16 PM
#3
Contributors
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles, CA
My Ride: BMW
Model Year: 2006
Wow! Funny thing, I just came from Big Bear this weekend and almost ran into a huge rock on the road. It looked like there was a very minor rock slide around the area where the rocks were. There was quite a bit for about a 1/4 mile. Sorry about the car but good thing you weren't hurt.
07-12-2012 | 06:17 PM
#7
Members
Senior Members
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 663
Likes: 2
From: AZ-USA
Bummer about your bimmer man.
I ran over a semi wheel chock last month and tore up the steering rack and bumper. I thought $6K was bad.
If you got into the sumps and took out either the trans or engine that could make mine look like chicken-feed.
Good luck
I ran over a semi wheel chock last month and tore up the steering rack and bumper. I thought $6K was bad.
If you got into the sumps and took out either the trans or engine that could make mine look like chicken-feed.
Good luck
07-13-2012 | 01:29 PM
#8
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: California
Thank you all for the warm welcome! I am also on 1addicts as well and found out about this forum through bimmerpost! 
So I visited the dealer yesterday and the car was on the lift and still dripping oil. It seems like the rock hit the transmission and like a basketball bounced all the way down the car to the trunk where the spare tire is held. Initially, what I had assumed to be "regular" oil is actually transmission oil so the dealers recommendation at this point is to replace the entire transmission to ensure stability and quality because they don't want to risk further damage to the engine and its vital components.
So far transmission alone has been quoted around $6,000 not including labor chargers and also there is some damage to the under panels and such which is around another $1,500 to $2,500. WOW
I guess this is why we have insurance...
I have attached some pictures of the damages
So I visited the dealer yesterday and the car was on the lift and still dripping oil. It seems like the rock hit the transmission and like a basketball bounced all the way down the car to the trunk where the spare tire is held. Initially, what I had assumed to be "regular" oil is actually transmission oil so the dealers recommendation at this point is to replace the entire transmission to ensure stability and quality because they don't want to risk further damage to the engine and its vital components.
So far transmission alone has been quoted around $6,000 not including labor chargers and also there is some damage to the under panels and such which is around another $1,500 to $2,500. WOW
I guess this is why we have insurance...
I have attached some pictures of the damages
07-13-2012 | 01:36 PM
#9
Contributors
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
From: Encino, CA
My Ride: 04 545i - Titanium Silver/Black, Sport pkg, Comfort Seats w/ Lumbar, Premium Sound, power rear sunshade, Adaptive Xenon Headlights, Steptronic, Park Distance Control, Fold down rear seats w/ski bag, Aux jack, 6-disk changer, puddle lamps...
Engine: Custom Remus cat-back exhaust w/chrome square tips, K&N Air Filter, Charcoal Filter Removed, Sprint Booster :-), 50/50 mix of 91+100 Octane, EuroRev ECU Remap (coming soon lol), Dinan High-Flow Throttle Body (coming soon...maybe lol)
Interior: Portable Sirius Stilletto 100 w/car kit, Garmin Nuvi 680 mounted below rear-view mirror, LCI-style I-drive knob, Dark Poplar Center Dashboard Trim.
Exterior: E60 forum clings, 5% rear tint, ACS roof spoiler (painted black for distinct look against limo tint), ACS trunk spoiler, ACS add-on front spoiler and rear apron (awaiting installation), "18 Black Staggered BeBeS Style OER (emergency replacement for cracked sport 124 rims), black kidney grill, white accessory lighting (including license and trunk lamps), Angel-eye upgrade, AIB xenon-matched fog lamps, AIB V3's on order, red rear reflectors
OMG I'm shedding tears for you! 
07-13-2012 | 01:59 PM
#10
Members
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Have you confirmed that the insurance is going to pay? I was once hit by flying debris and they covered it only because it was thrown up by a car in the neighboring lane. They said if the debis was stationary in the road, they would not pay.
Good luck.
Please let us know.
Good luck.
Please let us know.