Re: Smashed 89 200T

[Larry Mittell <lmittel@ibm.net>]

I'm not a collision repair expert in any sense of the phrase, but it sure
sounds like a total. If you want to get the car back on the road, be aware
that when an insurer assumes title, they will normally kill the
registration by duly informing the state DMV that the car has been wrecked.
It is then essentially impossible to re-register the car, even if it's
repaired and roadworthy. At least that's the way it is here in California.
I'd guess it's the same in many states. My insurer said my 5kcstq was
technically a total, but arranged to cut me a check for the price of the
used and aftermarket parts I'd managed to scrounge together and the labor
for a body shop to install them, while allowing me to retain title to the
car. That way I was technically the repairer, so they avoided the liability
associated with authorization of repair with used parts.

If I recall correctly, my insurer's criterion for a total was repair
expenses exceeding 80% of *wholesale* bluebook. So with the dear prices of
new parts from Audi, it doesn't take much damage to total a Quattro. In the
case of my Q, the damage was limited to bolt-on parts-- headlights, grille,
intercooler, and bumper cover. It's hard to imagine this constitutes 80% of
the wholesale value, but believe me, it does.

OTOH, if you will be parting out the car, it doesn't matter; all this is
purely academic. Good luck no matter what you decide to do. I know how
badly you must feel about it. Bummer!



At 03:33 PM 2/6/98 -0800, you wrote:
>I need some opinions from any bodyshop people on the list. Last night I was
>at a dead stop on the 405 when some idiot rear-ended my 200T at 65mph. I am
>VERY happy that I own an Audi. The inner fender of the right rear wheel is
>rubbing on the tire. When I looked in the trunk, the frame rail is folded
>several times. What does it take for the insurance adjuster to total out the
>vehicle ? The RR 1/4 is bulging out and the RR door gap is now not there. I
>just put a new trans and diff in this car !!! I would like it totaled out
>and I will by it back from the ins. CO. any info would be appreciated
>
>TIA
>Kevin Baisley
>kbaisley@earthlink.net
>Sore  89 200T pearl
Cheers,
Larry Mittell
87 5kcstq
89 200tqw
lmittel@ibm.net