TravisTheHuman said:
sevenracer said:
You have to make an appointment with them and bring the vehicle to one of their locations - and have to tow it because it won't be legal to operate on public roads at that point.
Even for anything that didn't damage anything functional to begin with? That would be a dealbreaker for me - I'm living the apt. life now and I dont have another car.
That was my understanding. Once the vehicle is declared a total loss it is not legal to drive on public roads until it receives a rebuilt title. Plus, I don't think you'd have insurance on it once the claim is settled. MAy not be super likely to get caught - unless you drive it to meet with a Highway patrol officer 
.
The officer that got back to me was very helpful, so might be worth contacting them.
Honestly, if this is your only car, I think it would be a huge pain to deal with, certainly without renting a car for a while. Not sure how much work it would be to move your RV stuff over to a new one, but might be the best option assuming you have access to it.
sevenracer said:
Honestly, if this is your only car, I think it would be a huge pain to deal with, certainly without renting a car for a while. Not sure how much work it would be to move your RV stuff over to a new one, but might be the best option assuming you have access to it.
It only takes a few mins, its all bolt-in.
Sounds like I'll be finding a new car. About to talk to insurance, hopefully I can at least use this (or a rental?) in the meantime while I look for another.
Small update:
Got a replacement van.
Good:
1 year newer
20k less miles
power mirrors
Better infotainment (built in Carplay)
Mixed:
No rear windows at all. Undecided on this. Could be good, could be bad. For now its not really an issue either way.
Has a 75mph speed limiter.
Bad:
Transmission does weird things. Feels like just supper sluggish shifts or TC engagement and only when hot and usually only at high speeds, but I'm not an auto trans expert. Have an appt at dealer to have it looked at this week. Hoping its a flush, code update (there are a few TSBs) and maybe some valve body work, and not a new transmission. Despite the 8F35s wide usage, it seems to break a LOT and there doesn't seem to be a good fix from the aftermarket when you do a rebuild.
Current to do list looks like this:
Deal with transmission
Sell off shelves/ladder rack/etc. equipment. This one is loaded with stuff and I should be able to recoup about $1k from it if I take my time.
Learn more about sound deadening / thermal insulation in cargo van applications
Cut & build rear platform stuff. Undecided if I am going to keep my previous design or switch to a drawer slide out solution instead.
This is super slow going and very frustrating, but at least its during the coldest/E36 M3tiest time of year when I wouldn't really be camping or biking much.
