BMW Electronics

A few weeks back I went to a Tigers game and drove the new BMW Z4. We packed a cooler for a little tailgating action. A small cooler, just enough to hold a 12 pack. We parked, killed the beer, and went into the game.

I dropped off my buddy, and on the way back home, the radio went out. Then all the electronics went out: blinkers, power top, airbag warning, basically everything besides the engine. I got home, worried, and opened the trunk to unpack the cooler. It tipped over, and water leaked all over the trunk. No big deal, right? Well, it turns out the battery and all electrical components are in the trunk, without a seal to protect it. Just a weak carpet-like cover with no seal. Did I mention no seal?

It turns out the water was in the battery compartment where the computer hard drive and radio amplifier is housed. All fried. Totally fried. I was driving around the car while the wires were basically on fire, melting from the combination of water and heat (that day was 100 degrees).

I took it to a friends auto shop and he said immediately, "call your ins agent and take it to the BMW dealer." So I did. And its a good thing, because the $9,700 original estimate (State Farm says $8,000 is what they will pay) is covered by my comprehensive policy because it is classified as a "sudden" accident. The other thing is that the entire harness needs to be built to suit which takes 6 weeks. In car world, that means 10 weeks. Goodbye summer with the top down.

note: the dealer will do the work for whatever State Farm says, so my total out of pocket will be the deductible of $500.

side note: yes, I do feel bad about myself.