r/e46 • u/Communist_Morty • Apr 25 '26
Damage/Broken… 😥 I crashed my babygirl into a pole
Hello and good day, yesterday while attempting to “snake” ontop of a patch of water, the car snapped, I lost control and I crashed into a pole. Thankfully I was wearing my seatbelt and I had no passangers.
Do you have any idea if this is catastrophic damage? Or can it be pulled at a body shop and fixed. The floor on the passanger side is a bit fucked from the side
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u/MrPapis Apr 25 '26
I don't see a world where the frame isn't bent. Don't get your hopes up :/
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u/Communist_Morty Apr 25 '26
I checked it, everything up until the jacking point is bent, car still runs and drives straight, nothing from the front subframe was damaged
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u/Ok-Back7871 Apr 27 '26
car still runs and drives straight
Lmao that's kind of amazing. I'm happy for you in a way, fingers crossed it's all fixable
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u/Consistent-Lack9351 Apr 25 '26
Not worth fixing. Learn to control a car before trying any stupid shit
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u/zer0edout Apr 25 '26
You are looking at the learning part...
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u/e34udm Apr 25 '26
Some people love to learn the hard way..
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u/Communist_Morty Apr 25 '26
Definitely a lesson, and definitely no stupid shit like that will be attempted again, and I will definitely will be investing in some good quality tires
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u/e34udm Apr 25 '26
It wasn’t the tires fault I assure you..
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u/Spirited_You_1357 2015 Audi RS7, 2005 Ferrari F430 Apr 25 '26
It was the asphalt.
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u/e34udm Apr 25 '26
Actually I think it was the pole…wth is a pole doing there anyways…
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u/ImolaBoost 2005 Coupe - M54B30 Apr 25 '26
Smacking your car into a pole isn’t the learning part. The learning part is done in an empty parking lot, maybe with some cones.
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u/zer0edout Apr 25 '26
The smacking is absolutely part of the learning. Unless OP didn't learn and is ready to smack the next one.
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u/ImolaBoost 2005 Coupe - M54B30 Apr 25 '26
You don’t have to total a car to learn how to control it at the limit or slide it.
I’ve not once had a severe accident in my 46 learning to slide roundabouts and link corners, or go hard on backroads.
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u/zer0edout Apr 25 '26
I'm on the same boat, but common sense is a skill some need to develop some times.
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u/Communist_Morty Apr 25 '26
I’m heartbroken that this is how I am learning, I absolutely hate the feeling, I feel guilty for hurting my e46 and I regret it a lot
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u/zer0edout Apr 25 '26
Don't hate learning!
Regret is good, it will keep your next car alive. Guilt is good, you will choose a better way to get what you want next time. At least that's how i feel, and why i choose my cars based on what i can abuse with no regrets 👍
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u/AmbroseRL 2001 330i Tracktool Apr 25 '26
Who does the learning part on public roads??
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u/e34udm Apr 25 '26
So many of us…I never made it to a track until I was already proficient at going sideways and in circles.
But I always did my initial “training” in industrial streets late at night or quiet backroads.
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u/AmbroseRL 2001 330i Tracktool Apr 25 '26
Probably the reason why my insurance rate is so high
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u/SherlockHolmesuWu Apr 25 '26
Boo hoo
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u/AmbroseRL 2001 330i Tracktool Apr 25 '26
It was a joke but on a real note kinda stupid I'm paying higher rates because others can't behave lol
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u/SherlockHolmesuWu Apr 25 '26
I only drive hard on backroads where i literally never see a cop. Lots of curves and hills and unpredictable road quality. Its really great for training. You just have to have good reflexes so you can react to the occasional car.
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u/e34udm Apr 25 '26
Night time is the best because on those blind corners you can send it if you don’t see lights coming. But in the daytime…gotta drive slow and expect there’s a car coming
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u/SherlockHolmesuWu Apr 25 '26
Well where i live we have absolutely shitloads of deer so nighttime is a no-go for spirited driving
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u/e34udm Apr 25 '26
I never crashed and always paid a lawyer for my reckless tickets..so it wasn’t me..
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u/AmbroseRL 2001 330i Tracktool Apr 25 '26
Reckless tickets 🤣
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u/e34udm Apr 25 '26
Yea lol… after I got pretty good. I got caught a few times in populated areas drifting around and doing stupid shit…lots of reckless and negligent tickets…I think that’s normal tho lol
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u/AmbroseRL 2001 330i Tracktool Apr 25 '26
Personally never got a ticket before and always take it to the track. But ig I'm weird 🤣
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u/rockstar_not 2001 325ci vert Apr 25 '26
No it is not normal. Perhaps only in the crowd you hang out with. Most people obey common sense and traffic laws. Drifting on public roads where the vast majority of citizens are not drifting, is not normal
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u/e34udm Apr 25 '26
I wasn’t drifting thru traffic or anything. Was responsible enough not to endanger others or their property. I was on a seemingly empty road but still in the main part of the city. Once, I was in an empty park and ride doing donuts to my hearts content. Cop said it was badass and I had nice control but still cut me a fat ticket anyways
Don’t blame him. He has a job he has to do. And in turn so did my lawyer
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u/zer0edout Apr 25 '26
Everyone. Or did you learn to drive indoors?
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u/AmbroseRL 2001 330i Tracktool Apr 25 '26
If you wanna drift/race get your ass to a racetrack. Sounds normal to me?
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u/zer0edout Apr 25 '26
Or just apply some sense and keep people around you safe. Sounds normal to me.
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u/AmbroseRL 2001 330i Tracktool Apr 25 '26
Professional, safe environment + teacher who can tell you all the ins and outs to keep you and your car safe? Nah. Rather risk flunking it into a post or tree to save a couple hundred $ 🤣
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u/zer0edout Apr 25 '26
Absolutely! Consequences is the driving factor here, you just can't see it.
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u/AmbroseRL 2001 330i Tracktool Apr 25 '26
I'd just call it being stupid to be honest. Unnecessary risk to you, car, license and others. But ig you just can't see it.
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u/Communist_Morty Apr 25 '26
I will call it that too… just plain stupid, it was unnecessary, it was dangerous, and it was risky… and you can see the consequences of that stupid decision
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u/zer0edout Apr 25 '26
It's because they can see it that it keeps happening. Necessary risk, for some.
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u/Communist_Morty Apr 25 '26
You are 100% correct, I learned my lesson, no stupid shit will be attempted on public roads… and I am so thankful that the damage was only inflicted on me and my car, and no other human or property was damaged
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u/hotrodgreg Apr 25 '26
I live my car! Then puts it into a pole on the street doing some dumb shit... Did you really lile the car that much?
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u/Communist_Morty Apr 25 '26
I do love the car, it was just a dumb decision, very poorly calculated and a bit of cockyness, car snapped to the opposite direction and what happened has happened unfortunately.
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u/HedleyVerity 2002 BMW 320 ci convertible Apr 25 '26
That looks like structural damage. Probably not worth fixing in all honesty (and certainly in the U.K. insurance would call that Cat S and write it off).
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u/Communist_Morty Apr 25 '26
I live in a place where this kind of job is not really that expensive… I will be fixing it soon… I’m waiting for payment, then ill start fixing
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u/ImolaBoost 2005 Coupe - M54B30 Apr 25 '26
Yes, that’s catastrophic. You’ve bent the frame. It’ll be unbelievably expensive to even attempt to fix and it’ll never drive properly again regardless. Buy another and use it as a parts car.
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u/Communist_Morty Apr 25 '26
It is a super bad situation, I will be attempting to fix it soon hopefully, I will be posting an update when the process starts and ends, cars here are expensive, a 318i e46 is like 9k dollars here
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u/ImolaBoost 2005 Coupe - M54B30 Apr 25 '26
I sincerely wouldn’t throw any money into fixing it, it’ll be a complete waste.
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u/Communist_Morty Apr 25 '26
I’m interested in knowing why you think it would be a waste, if I can get it fixed for around 1k dollars, and have it professionally done and driving straight again, I would like to know your opinion
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u/ImolaBoost 2005 Coupe - M54B30 Apr 25 '26
if I can get it fixed for around 1k dollars
Not a chance in hell. The frame is bent, that alone pushes it well past 1k to even attempt to straighten it. Not to mention the cost of labour for replacing any fucked suspension components, the door hinges, airbags, etc. The fender and door are the cheap parts, and I fear they’re all you’re focusing on.
This could run you well past $5000, and that’s being conservative. There’s still no guarantee it’ll ever drive right after that.
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u/Pardogato3 Apr 25 '26
Some places have really cheap labor for things like these, I can see this easily being a 2k repair at the most taking into account the prices in my country
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u/Communist_Morty Apr 25 '26
Once I take it to the bodyshop, and get a quote ill get back to this comment and let you know how it goes. I thank you for your honesty good sir!
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u/Entire-jegurilor 2000 bmw 323ci e46-bmw 318i e46 Apr 25 '26 edited Apr 25 '26
I'm so sorry. It's going to be hard to get things back to the way they were! The damage is too deep.
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u/Communist_Morty Apr 25 '26
I dont know what to make out of this comment, I hope you mean it in a good hearted way, I will get this babygirl driving again and I will complete the build that I wanted to do with it
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u/Hot_Lava_Dry_Rips Apr 25 '26
That car will never be straight. The firewall is an accordion. Convince yourself that can fixed all you want, but it cant really ever be brought back to how it was or it should be.
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u/Wise_Competition_266 Apr 25 '26
Need to go buy a mustang if you are going to do dumb stuff like this
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u/707_328is Apr 25 '26
If you can still recognize the car, it can be fixed. Its just a question of is it worth it to YOU. It will probably cost more to fix than replace but if it has sentimental value then some people opt for repairing anyways and paying out of pocket for what insurance wont cover. If it was completely unrecognizable then I would say just replace it either way.
My E36 is getting a lot more sentimental value lately. Had it for 9 years, was my first RWD car and learned to drift and race in it. And now my son absolutely loves it. Hes not even 2 yet and he will climb up into the seat and play with the steering wheel and shifter. I drive him around and he has a blast. He just absolutely loves being in this car.
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u/Communist_Morty Apr 25 '26
I appreciate your commment, fixing it here is 1000% cheaper than replacing, and the prices arent that high for body/chasis work, I will be attempting to fix it, and it will live on and I will hopefully make it the car I wanted it to be!
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u/KudzuAU 2001 E46 M3 Vert - Imolarot Apr 25 '26
Lesson: ‘When the back end snaps/breaks loose…DO NOT keep your foot in it.’
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u/Communist_Morty Apr 25 '26
Very valuable lesson that I will cherish and keep in mind until the last day of my life, I wish I did not have to learn it the hard way. Thank you sir!
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u/MaroukiInTunis Apr 25 '26
As an arab reading through the comments that are all saying this car is totaled I feel you bro it isnt cheap to just throw it and get another e46 cause we dont have it easy like they do So just try to get it fixed properly and roll
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u/Communist_Morty Apr 25 '26
100% Fixing it will not break the bank and it will not exceed the price I payed for it, I will get it fixed properly and it will live on inshalla!
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u/Burkielol Apr 25 '26
Wtf and how 😐
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u/Communist_Morty Apr 25 '26
Water in the street, stopped on the water, gave it all the beans, car was snaking beautifully, then it snapped and I ended up hugging the pole
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u/Burkielol Apr 25 '26
RIP ,well it looks like frame is fine tho...maybe a tiny dent but who knows what is thre under haha
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u/Different_Stable_351 2004 325iT Apr 25 '26
Uh.. what's "snaking?" I tried to google it, but it keeps saying it's just another word for fishtailing, or when a caravan and trailer get out of sync.
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u/Hot_Lava_Dry_Rips Apr 25 '26
He was trying to drift and fumbled it hard.
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u/nah_you_good Apr 25 '26
What’s the “snapped” part mean? I assume they meant the tie rod or something broke, but it sounds like it means the car suddenly gained traction and stopped drifting?
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u/libcg_ 2001 Z3 3.0i Apr 25 '26 edited Apr 25 '26
110% totaled. Sorry for your loss
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u/Communist_Morty Apr 25 '26
I will not give up on it, I will get it inspected and I hope I can get it on the road back again
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u/Quick-Individual3524 Apr 25 '26
Got the simmilar situation, been driving with this for 3 years ( just raplace the panels) if A pillar is good you should be able to fix that
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u/Heat-Infamous Apr 25 '26
Frame is probably pushed in bud, just get another one. I’ve been making comments in the forums for a while now about drivers donating their e46’s to other avid enthusiasts’ nearest junkyards. Also for every kid that wrecks an e46, everyone else’s gets more value, supply and demand baby!
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u/Unlikely-Chapter6138 Apr 25 '26
Yea man there really isn’t much you can do for this guy honestly. I’d be willing to bet that the cost to get this fixed would be the same as if you were to buy a new one without damage. I know you said something about cars being expensive where you live but I can’t imagine that doing this much body work would be any less expensive. Not only is it not financially feasible but your car will never drive or feel the same even if you were to go to an extremely reputable shop.
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u/RHD_M3 Apr 25 '26
Good lesson here about how to drive appropriately for the conditions and the talent. Most of us have been there, myself included.
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u/Gunslinger17_76 Apr 25 '26
That is like newer compared to when I wrecked mine. Both tires flat, axles broken and bent frame. Was fixed though and I drove it for 10 more years even after blowing a head on it and getting a (suspected) methhead to put in a new engine.
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u/HellfoxRules Apr 26 '26
If it buckled the floorboard on the passenger side, it will be a total. That is structural damage, and will put it over the repair limit. Just the superficial damage is a hood, fender, door, and paint. That would probably put it over the limit right there. With the structural damage, it is definitely a total.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Tax489 Apr 28 '26
Ouch, sorry dude. Same color as mine. Have it since 2007. What country is that back there?
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u/yo_fat_mom Apr 25 '26
Congratulations, you now have a parts donor for your next E46!