Crocked Engine - Insurance Write Off?

[DuncanF]

I killed my RS4 last night. Driving in gales and torrential rain in the Yorkshire Dales, I rounded a blind corner and waded straight into a deep flood. Got out the other side, but the engine had swallowed water and bent a con rod. I'm gutted.

On a flat bed now on the way to an (insurance approved) garage. Spoke with them earlier and they explained that the insurers will typically go for a replacement engine, rather than strip/rebuild, to avoid issues/comebacks down the line.

My question is for the board experts is ... will the insurance co. try to write the car off? It has around 67k on an 07 plate so I guess a the book value should still be more than the cost of a new lump?

I've had the car from new and love it. I really cannot think of any car I'd rather have, inc. the B8 (don't like estate cars ), so I really want them to fix it up and get it back on the road rather than write a cheque ...

[andyg72]

im new here but ill give a comparision i know of this happening to a vw r32 new engine from vw 10k quoted so as a guide id hate to think of a rs4 new engine from audi .

but im sure a good specialist could rebuild for half the cost of a new engine

[Surrey Sam]

A guy has mentioned that it's 13k for a new engine in the below linked thread, then there is the labour aspect on top of that.

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=109634&hilit=piston

I'd imagine the insurance company will write the car off, if using the book value. Market value would perhaps keep it viable to repair. If you're intent of fixing it, then I'd start phoning around dealers to get quotes for a replacement engine. The more you can get that cost down then the better chance you have of keeping it from being written off.

[NJMAudiRS4]

Can you get a quote for a rebuild and ask the insurance company to cover the cost of that rather than write it off ?
I'm sure some gentle persuasion could move them in that direction as it would be a cheaper cost option to them than paying out for a new lump from Audi which is North of £10k.

If they do decide to write it off buy it back from them and get the engine rebuilt, it would be classed as a Cat D write off but as you have owned it from new you obviously have full provenance of the vehicle and any subsequent repairs, and as you don't want to part with it, means you can continue driving.

[Audi Pardner]

Or try and source an engine from a breaker. Still got to factor in fitting costs, but got to be better than writing it off

[murph22]

A lad I worked with had the same happen to him in a 530d, the Insurance company wanted to write off the car as a new engine exceeded the economic percentage
value of the car. In the end he convinced them to pay for a second hand engine sourced and fitted by a BMW dealer but with no comeback against
the insurance company.

[Bladerider]

If you want to keep it then I'd let 'em write it off and then buy it back.

A new engine fitted will be well over 15k, closer to 20k and hence a write off for sure.

BUT there are plenty of the RS4 V8's available from decent breakers for 4-6k (I would think a similar amount to rebuild your block assuming its not toast) and a decent Indy should be able to swap it out for 4-5k labour at most. I would imagine you could buy your engineless car back for under 10k and if I were you I think I would argue that market value for lowish miles, one owner with providence is the thick end of 20k, so it should be just about do-able with a bit of legwork on your part.

You might even be able to get MRC to do all of it and supercharge it at the same time for a lower overall cost - maybe ending up costing you 7k for example !!

This could be an "opportunity" in disguise, you might get a 20k payout, buy your car back for 8k and then cost you about 20k for a newly built, fully forged and monster supercharged engine for another 25k and be in the 700+ club lol



Good luck.

[TonyHayers]

Yeah, there appears to be a good few engines around with pretty decent mileage. Probably 5k-ish I'd say for fitted engine. This could be a great opportunity tbh

[infernousuk]

pm'd

[DuncanF]

Guys,

Thanks for the input. I just wait to hear now what the outcome of the inspection is, but I fear the worst.

I will start doing some legwork around re-builds and second hand lumps. If I do take this path then the insurance co. will want to wash their hands of any comeback, which is understood. Adam, PM rec'd, thank you. I will talk to you once I have a clearer picture.

On the upside, I spent several hours perusing the B8 forum and playing with the Audi configurator. Given the discounts out there just now, the estate is starting to grow on me! If I do go down that route I'll just have to stop thinking of the B8 as a "looker" compared with the B7 "supermodel" I was with before ...

Duncan

[infernousuk]

PM'D

[Surrey Sam]

PM'D

Have you paid to become a site sponsor yet?

[Bladerider]

PM'D

Have you paid to become a site sponsor yet?

You're on form today Sam - 7 weetabix for breakfast I assume !!

Loving your work on the TPMS thread !!

[The_Coat]

PM'D

Have you paid to become a site sponsor yet?

You're on form today Sam - 7 weetabix for breakfast I assume !!

Loving your work on the TPMS thread !!

+1

[Surrey Sam]

Have you paid to become a site sponsor yet?

You're on form today Sam - 7 weetabix for breakfast I assume !!

Loving your work on the TPMS thread !!

+1

Thanks guy's. Yes, that one really did pull my plonker but I was very polite about it.