initial appraisal from the ins adjuster came in at 10800.. this seems really low so for now bad news for me. the body shop is going to tear the car down for their apprasial but i spoke to a certified bmw body shop today it seems there are lots of technical bulletins about which parts can and cant be repaired i think its better off to be taken there.

 

I would fix and sell, if they total it after the full tear down appraisal, take salvage value then fix and sell.

 

Fix and sell or keep it for a while and see how it feels. The price seems right subject to any aluminum suspension parts that may need to be replaced.
My 2010 accident involved the replacement of the rear bumper, drivers door, left front fender, left front wheel liner, left rear rim and all left rear suspension. As well, the front bumper, drivers rear door and left rear quarter panel needed body work. Then the entire left side was painted. $14,125 later and the car looked and ran like a dream. I kept it for over two years.
By the way, some insurance companies have limits on alterations to a car from stock. The Dinan may not have been covered. You should be better off fixing it and selling even with the loss of value due to the accident.
GL and I'm glad you're OK.

 

ya idk who would buy it with a major accident /air bag deployed carfax i know i wouldnt.. anything will sell of course at whatever the market would bear but i wouldnt even consider buying a car with an accident like that

 

Entire front inner structure of E60 is cold bonded aluminum. Aprons, sidemembers, everything. BMW recommends replacement of any structural aluminum component that is damaged, regardless of severity. That's potentially 15-20K worth of damage that you're seeing. I am an appraiser with an insurance company, and I'm at our dealer here at least once per week looking at crash damaged BMWs.

 

A lot of people, why do you think copart is a major business. Search eBay and look at the prices for rebuildables and salvaged cars. The car would sell no problem, with or without a salvage title.

 

I strongly recommend you having a "CERTIFIED BMW COLLISION REPAIR CENTER" examine and repair (if do-able) your 550. Owners - Certified Collision Repair Centers - BMW North America

 

10K easy. I had a similar accident a while back.

Totalled only if proven frame damage.

 

Happy you made it out alive. Was this the only pic you took? Would love to see the damage side angle.

 

I had much less damage recently, no airbag deployment, no frame damage at all, just new bumper, hood and headlights. Even the bumper reinforcement was untouched (hit a trailer hitch tow bar on a truck at less than 15 mph). Still the total damage was nearly $8000, and no, they did not total my car out.

Here's mine: https://5series.net/forums/e60-parts...d-ones-127885/