[urq] Experience buying back a totalled-out car?

[Jon Archibald]

Sorry for the non-urq/non-audi content here...A guy in my office building
has a well-maintained e46 325i (6-spd, sport suspension) that got
moderately rear-ended by a semi, and it's likely going to be totalled out
even though it doesn't appear the frame is bent (impact was above bumper).
My vague recollection is that the owner gets first dibs at the salvage
purchase if they want it, and at a pretty decent price. I think Jack Walker
did this with his 200qa20v. The car is ostensibly perfectly driveable
although wrinkled at the rear (trunk still closes), and I've daydreamed of
buying a 3-series for an auto-x car for a while now. I told the guy if they
total it I'd be interested in buying the wreck from him and do what I could
to make it worth his while (ie allowing him to profit a little from going
to the trouble to buy it back and sell it to me).

Question is how do I/he go about doing this? Any knowledge on this greatly
appreciated, thank you!

-Jon
'85 urq20vt (in "Spruce Goose" standby mode for months at a time due to
un-safeness of backseat and 3 kids)