2016 S4 Front End Damage - total it or repair?

[AudiAdam11]

I have a 2016 B8.5 S4 Prem Plus Quattro w/ 43k miles. I just spent ~$15k in customizations. Not even 30 days later I hit a deer (POI = left front). After initial tear down the repair estimate is $21,600 & on the cusp of being a total loss. I’ll be arguing for at least a few thousand more, so there’s a chance damages won’t exceed 75% of vehicle value, but likely close.
Initially I wanted it repaired but now I’m concerned with the extent of the damage & if I might encounter issues down the road.

The repair estimate is for 5 hrs of mechanical labor & 1.5 of frame. So the majority of the $21,600 is in body & paint work.

The shop said “the fender came back & hit the A-Pillar. It damaged the wiring. One wiring harness for the front bumper is damaged, but don’t know if the full wiring harness needs to be replaced b/c there’s a damaged connector & it traces back behind the damaged left fender.” (Ins only approved 4hrs for a tear down).
Shop didn’t say the A-Pillar was damaged & the estimate doesn’t include it.
The custom work was done at a shop & I didn’t get the original parts (lesson learned), so I can’t remove & keep them if my car is a total loss.

I’m wondering if I should push to have the car repaired or totaled out? I’ve spent ~$30k since Jan on this car making it pristine, beautiful, smooth & fast. So it’s been hard to swallow the idea of losing it.
With the extent of the damages any thoughts on if I’ll encounter issues down the road? Ins wants A/M parts used. Most CAPA certified but some m&m. If the A/M’s don’t work then OEM is used. Will I notice a difference in appearance & performance?

I have pics of the repair estimate to include (as car damages), I just need to figure out how to add them. lol

[AudiAdam11]

COULDN’T ADD PICS SO HERES THE REPAIRS NEEDED:

FRONT BUMPER & GRILLE
O/H front bumper
Repl: Bumper cover
Repl: A/M CAPA Absorber
Repl: LKQ Impact bar +25%
Repl: A/M CAPA Lower grille center
Repl: RT Lower grille outer
Repl: LT Lower grille outer
Rep: LT Retainer plate spring
Repl: LT Lmp washer cover frm (9/15/12)
Repl: A/M Center grille black (CUSTOMER CHOICE)
Repl: Nameplate "S4"
Repl: A/M CAPA LT Bumper bracket
Repl: LT Guide
Repl: LT Support
Repl: LT Support rivet
Repl: Lower plate
Repl: Wire harness
Refn: Tow eye cap
Repl: Frnt lower spoiler lip Ecs tuning (CUSTOMER CHOICE)


FRONT LAMPS
Repl: LT Mount bracket
Repl: A/M CAPA LT Headlamp assy
Aim headlamps
Remove & Install (R&l): RT Fog lamp assy S4
R&I: LT Fog lamp assy S4
Aim fog lamps
Repl: LT Pressure cyl
Repl: LT Elbow
Repl: T-piece
Repl: Washer hose retainer clip
Repl: LT Control module daytime run lamp
Repl: LT Bracket


RADIATOR SUPPORT
R&I: Sight shield from 02/2013
Repl: Sight shield retainer
Repl: Like Kind & Quality (LKQ) Radiator support + 25%
Note: m&m 1800545-6855
Repl: LT Side shield
Repl: Front shield 3.0 Liter


COOLING
Repl: A/M Radiator w/auto trans Coolant
Repl: LT Air duct
Repl: A/M Upper hose
Repl: Fan shroud
Repl: A/M KEYSIO Intercooler Merc racing (CUSTOMER CHOICE)
Repl: Grille


AIR CONDITIONER & HEATER
Repl: A/M Condenser from 8/24/15
AC Service evacuate & recharge
AC Service refrigerant recovery
Pag oil & Freon R134a


HOOD
Repl: A/M CAPA Hood
Repl: Safety catch
Repl: A/M RT Hinge
Repl: A/M LT Hinge
R&I: Strut cylinder


FENDER
R&I: RT R&I fender assy
Rpr: RT Fender
R&I: RT Fender liner S4
Repl: RT Nameplate "Supercharged”
R&I: RT Stone guard
Repl: A/M CAPA LT Fender
Repl: LT Fender liner S4
Repl: LT Nameplate "Supercharged"
R&I: LT Stone guard
Repair: LT Filler plate


ELECTRICAL
R&I: Battery disconnect/reconnect
Repair: Mask electrical connectors
Repl: Engine harness auto trans????


ENGINE / TRANSAXLE
R&I: Air inlet duct from 1/21/13
m&m


WINDSHIELD
R&I: RT Reveal molding
Repl: RT Reveal molding rivet
R&I: LT Reveal molding
Repl: LT Reveal molding rivet


PILLARS, ROCKER & FLOOR
Repl: RT Rocker molding
Repl: RT Rocker molding clip
Repl: LT Rocker molding
Repl: LT Rocker molding clip
Repair pinchwelds after clamp RT & LT
Rpr: LT Aperture panel


FRONT DOOR
Blend RT Door shell frm 10/17/11
R&I: RT Belt molding chrome
R&I: RT R&I mirror as an assy
R&I: RT Handle, outside
R&I: RT Window trim
R&I: RT R&I trim panel
Rpr: LT Door shell frm 10/17/11
R&I: LT Belt molding chrome
R&I: LT R&I mirror as an assy
R&I: LT Handle, outside
R&I: LT Window trim
R&I: LT R&I trim panel


QUARTER PANEL
Blend LT Quarter panel


Pre-repair scan- set up & monitor
Pre-repair scan- Opus scan w/ invoice
Post-repair scan- set up & monitor
Post-repair scan- Opus scan w/ invoice

[ccssid]

my vote goes to repair the car. most of the work is superficial. so long as the repair / bump shop knows what they are doing.

[hardfive]

Most of the body parts are aftermarket along with the headlights. Not a huge issue if you plan to drive her into the ground but if you ever plan to resell the accident is gonna hurt and those parts are gonna make it even worse.

Id probably want her totaled. In this market you can find a deal somewhere on a clean car and avoid this future headache.

Sent from my SM-G973U1 using Audizine Forum mobile app (https://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87676)

[AudiAdam11]

The shop said more than likely the aftermarket headlamp is not gonna work. But the insurance is requiring the aftermarket be tried. The shop mentioned that three separate times to me so I have an inkling it will not work and I would get an OEM one.
Thanks for ur response! I appreciate ur feedback

[AudiAdam11]

It seems like they know what they are doing. Every time I’ve spoken to the guy he’s more than willing to have 30min+ long conversations with me about the car. & a lot of the things he said lead me to believe he is skilled & honest. I can’t speak to the work yet though.
Thank u for ur response! I appreciate ur input.

[carguy19]

I would be my right nut that the body shop is embellishing the estimate thinking they are doing you a favor.

I would talk to the owner

[Nillious]

I’ve worked in auto body a little in the past. I can tell you that most if not all insurance companies do not want to pay full labor rates and will only pay the time they allow. They will use junkyard and other aftermarket parts to keep the cost down. Shops are forced to either one pay subpar employees OR make the estimate as much as possible to make up for the cost of doing a job correctly and still make a profit. It’s rare anymore that an auto body job is done acceptably to a good eye for defects. A factory like result is very expensive and the employees who are capable are very expensive. Unfortunately many shops are also overwhelmed with work. All these factors make it more likely that you will either one be unhappy with the job or the estimate will climb to the point your car will be totaled. Once one of my cars are badly damaged I usually want it gone.

[carguy19]

I’ve worked in auto body a little in the past. I can tell you that most if not all insurance companies do not want to pay full labor rates and will only pay the time they allow. They will use junkyard and other aftermarket parts to keep the cost down. Shops are forced to either one pay subpar employees OR make the estimate as much as possible to make up for the cost of doing a job correctly and still make a profit. It’s rare anymore that an auto body job is done acceptably to a good eye for defects. A factory like result is very expensive and the employees who are capable are very expensive. Unfortunately many shops are also overwhelmed with work. All these factors make it more likely that you will either one be unhappy with the job or the estimate will climb to the point your car will be totaled. Once one of my cars are badly damaged I usually want it gone.

i fully agree with this.