1997 BMW 528I

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON INTERSTATE 5, SOUTHBOUND NORTH OF LOS ANGELES IN VICINITY OF SUN VALLEY, MY 1997 BMW 528I STRUCK A LARGE (30 GALLON) PLASTIC BARREL IN THE ROADWAY, IMPACTING THE LOWER FRONT CENTER/RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE ENOUGH THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY CONSIDERS IT A TOTAL LOSS (EXCEEDING $12,000). THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL OUTSTANDING ON THE 1997 BMW 5 SERIES (RECALL NUMBER 04V183000) REGARDING DEFECTIVE FRONT SUSPENSION/STRUT COMPONENTS, BUT MY CALL TO BMW AT 800-831-1117 DID NOT RESULT IN ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REGARD TO MY VEHICLE. THEY WERE ONLY ABLE TO CONFIRM TWO OTHER RECALL SERVICES THAT HAD BEEN PERFORMED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS OFFERING ME A SETTLEMENT FOR TOTAL LOSS, BUT I WOULD PREFER THAT THE CAR BE REPAIRED AND THAT BMW BEAR THEIR SHARE OF THE COST FOR THE SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF DAMAGE DUE TO THE KNOWN DEFECT.

DOOR HANDLES ARE MADE OF POOR GRADE PLASTIC. HANDLE BROKE OFF WHILE TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN A HURRY. WITH THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS ENGAGED, I WOULD NOT HAVE SAFELY GOTTEN OUT IF HAZARDOUS CONDITION HAD OCURRED (E.G. FIRE, DROWNING IN WATER, DITCHING...ETC.). SHOULD THESE HANDLES BE MADE OF METAL TO ENSURE DURABILITY IN THESE POTENTIAL SITUATIONS? IF NOT, WHY NOT ?