Firstfives.org

Saturday was a sad day. Was rear-ended pretty hard while driving in my e12. I have a strong feeling insurance is going to declare a total loss.

Anyway, I have a few things in the trunk I'd love to retrieve. I cannot open it through the button on back to get it to release. Is there another way to access? Has anyone had luck in popping one open using a lever?

Having had the exact same thing happen to me, while on vacation none the less, I know about it. Yes, there is a way in. I forget the exact angle, but drill a hole under the trunk roundel emblem and you can actuate the mechanism. Seems like it's a little off center to the right. I'll try to remember to check for more details tomorrow but ping me if I forget. Expecting a total gives you a little more flexibility, as long as the emblem covers it you could drill a big ass hole and nobody will ever know.

You can gain access through the tail light.
Couple ways of doing it.
Effectively demolish the light assembly with hole saw and cutters.
The other way is to slam the light housing really hard side ways so as to break off the threaded studs in the plastic. It's the quick and easy way to get in while at a wrecking yard. Them repair the studs by using epoxy.

Regarding total loss, when my 633CSi got T-Boned. I consulted with an attorney. I felt it shouldn't be a total loss because it was very fixable. He told me since the other party was at fault, and they had a different insurance carrier, that I wasn't bound to the fine print of the contract.
Basically, it's NOT totaled, unless I AGREE it's totaled.
I got a ton of money because I had the table turned on them.
Hope this helps.