RIP TUNDRA? After 7 months in the body shop, now SOLD TO CARMAX

Got most of waterproof membrane put up yesterday for the shower

 

Well Wreck Effects emailed back saying he and two tech's reviewed the pictures and believe there is going to be frame damage. Unfortunately, they don't know of any shops with a frame puller large enough for this truck. TBH, I would rather it get totaled out instead of making payments on a truck I can't use for the foreseeable future. He did say the Caliber Collision quote looked fairly complete.

There's another forum member who's 2023 Rav4 Prime just got totaled out at a shop that uses OEM parts and procedures also, so gonna try and hook up with that shop when I get the info for it.

 

Backyard projects.

No more mowing around these trees! FINALLY after 10 summers here, I've tilled up and removed all the grass along this 62ft stretch of trees. Laid down landscaping fabric, 1.5" layer of new in ground flower bed soil, and a ton of free mulch provided by the city. Just started laying down border stones to finish it off. Then will do smaller version of those stones around the trees

 

Dropped truck off at Nylunds Collision Center in Englewood, CO today. They're a Lexus Certified Repair Facility. Non of the State Farm preferred shops were. They do things right, but are on the expensive side of things for labor hours, understandably

 

That was how I handled mine. I dropped it off at the local high end body shop. All German and Italian cars there, mine was the shittiest vehicle on the lot.

 

Got most of the waterproofing done

 

Working on the M3. 106k miles on it. Changing out a bunch of worn rubber gasket and a leaky valve cover gasket

 

No longer leaking and burning oil out of the valve cover gasket! The last shop to replace it didn't use any gasket maker at all, were the instructions say to selectively apply it to certain areas

 

Why I do my own work.

 

The M3 is the exception for my garage, because I got a STUPID GOOD warranty on it from the exotic car dealership I bought it from. Paid $17k for the M3 all stock with 80k miles on it back in 2014 or 15, and another $3500 for a lifetime warranty. Every year up until about two years ago I'd have a yearly shop visit. I'd hand them a list with everything I knew was wrong, and said do whatever warranty will cover. They replaced the SMG Hydraulic pump when it failed, that alone was $5200! I only paid $100 lol. Even before that warranty had paid for about $7k worth of shop visits! I've never been glad to have been talked into a warranty before, and would also never buy one on a Toyota lol

 

That's different!

 

called State Farm to tell them their shop couldn't fix my truck and that it was now at Nylunds. They asked me to hold and all of a sudden I have a Specialist on my case. Except I just got his voicemail. Gonna try again tomorrow to see what that's about.

Also found this article about Nylunds dealing with State Farm and having to invoke the "appraisal clause" which brings in a third party to appraise market value and both parties have to accept outcome, which is usually in the consumers favor

http://www.autodamageexperts.com/general/what-if-i-disagree-with-my-insurance-adjuster

 

These are the guys that have my truck.

https://youtube.com/@RobertGrieve

 

State Farm specialist on the case called me today to inform me that Nylund's was on "a list" lol. That I'm under contract with State Farm to use third party parts in the event of a repair, and that any extra costs for OEM parts was on me. Also that Nylund's tends to be more costly because of procedures they do (OEM level repairs) aren't necessary. I told them about the "appraisal clause" and said that's fine, he was basically calling to notify me of the above. So that's gonna be fun to deal with.

 

I'd put them on notice that your atty is on speed dial & they can total it now or fix it properly.

 

I feel like I'm gonna have to eventually. Just got another notification from State Farm that says the below. Basically dragging this out as long as f'n possible. Dropping State Farm as soon as this is done with!

If your vehicle is already at Nylund’s Collision Center, please do not authorize any teardown to be performed on your vehicle prior to our inspection.
• You will need to authorize Nylund’s Collision Center to release the vehicle for towing to an inspection site.
o State Farm will pay the cost of the tow to and from the inspection site. Upon our completion of the inspection of your vehicle, we will return it to your selected shop at our expense.
o Failure by you, or Nylund’s Collision Center, to release the vehicle for towing to an inspection site, could result in cost to you and delay the repairs.

 

Fingers crossed the vented carbon fiber hood I ordered for the the M3 a year ago actually arrives soon! Been on backorder for over a year and a half!

https://www.drivenbystyle.com/2001-2006-bmw-m3-e46-carbon-af-2-hood-cfp-1-piece-41091.html

 

Delivery got pushed out again and they offered a refund, so I took it. That hood will never be in stock lol

 

Got the supplemental quote, still just under $15k, which is surprising since the other estimate from the State Farm shop was a little over $15k. BUT, the major thing that I was concerned about, did get added to the new quote. Which is to do a Frame Measurement. Hopefully I get some new details in the next couple of weeks.

 

Frame measurement? Hmmm see if they're willing to add a couple feet on the end so you can get the 6.5' box installed!

 

It barely fit in the garage as is!!

 

Pffff garages!

 

And how long are you supposed to wait to get an answer one way or another. Do they honestly expect you to be without a vehicle until they see fit to go and inspect your truck? How long has it been??

 

In the Denver area, literally every shop you're gonna be on a month long waiting list just to be seen. The accident happened two months ago, and already been to one shop that I didn't accept their answers. Been at Nylunds three weeks and going surprisingly fast. BUT, Nylunds is a different animal than most shops. They have an active YouTube channel where they lay out a ton of knowledge around body shops and insurance negotiations. Plus everything they do is OEM spec, Lexus Certified Collision Repair Facility. They even will arbitrate with insurance on my behalf. So at this point I'm fine waiting as long as it takes to repair it or total it out. Just glad I have other personal vehicles to drive while I wait.

 

Ok, that was just the State Farm "approved estimates". I just got off the phone with insurance and they said that Nylund's was at like $28k so far...I'll call the shop tomorrow and see what's up. I did make sure that State Farm isn't closing the case. If there's any frame repairs that need to be done. But a $14k difference so far isn't gonna be doable on my part. Hopefully Nylund's work their magic. Finger's cossed

 

Sent an email off to my insurance agent asking her to step in and help, that I'm at risk of moving my Home and Two vehicles off of State Farm policy if they can't get me a good outcome. Like they're punishing me for not doing anything wrong. FUCK, someone hit MY car while it was PARKED...

 

Have you considered presenting your case to a local attorney? Often times they'll initially consult for free and know exactly how to apply the right pressure for results.

 

I feel like I'll have to do that. Luckily Nylund's has a pro bono attorney they work with if I need to go down that route

 

the main thing pissing me off is State Farm is saying they'll only pay for Non-OEM parts. But two of those parts are on national backorder with no ETA. So what am I supposed to do with that....sit indefinitely with a truck I can't use? Pay $14k out of pocket to make up for the difference? I simply can't afford that.

 

I dislike State Farm. I had them for car insurance from age 16 and homeowners insurance from 20, until I was 36 and got a quote from another agency on a whim. They'd be robbing me for literal decades. Cut my insurance rates by like 75% while boosting my coverage and decreasing deductibles by moving away from them. Never looked back. My State Farm agent was a great guy but the company has earned my ire.