Since everyone was so supportive, I thought it only fair that I gave everyone an update.
The car was written off, apparently £7k of damage, but obviously that is putting everything back together with new parts etc. The initially offered me £4.4k less the £350 access. Since to buy a like for like replacement was minimum £6.5k I refused this. After some hard negotiation (and a little touch of ombudsman), we finally settled on £5.7k less excess = £5.3k in my pocket. I did ask as many of you suggested re keeping the car, however they were only willing to sell back to me for £2k. Having done the maths, plus needing a car which, once thrown in the pot with my honest interpretation of mechanical skills and owned tools..... I felt the numbers simply didn't add up. So with much regret had to let her go (Sorry Tim).
Since the money I received simply wasn't enough and, the fact that I am now pretty skint (I had just spent out £900 getting her tip top before the event), I was unable to find a suitable replacement with the correct mileage/year/extras etc. I suspect this is mainly down to seasonal fluctuations as much as anything.
Know doubt with a little criticism from some club members, we ended up replacing the car with a SLK 350, that I was able to pick up within the money I had. The car has a great deal of electrics on it, with a few not working. Therefore this was the perfect opportunity for me to get a vehicle within budget, that was roadworthy (so could get to work), with some additional extras not working that I would be able to sort once my money situation has improved. Ended up getting her for £4550. Can give you guys an honest 'user (rather than numbers)' comparison if you wish.
Anyway, just wanted to thank everyone for their support. It was a really difficult time for us, not least that the problems were created by my son which left me sitting somewhere between anger and sorrow, with no idea which way I was supposed to think about it. Believe it or not, it was you guys who helped me process stuff, for which I am eternally grateful.
I appreciate that getting the SLK may kinda exclude me from some of the discussions on here (birds of a feather and all that), however I don't think my Z4 days are over. I think if I get another, I will go for a Z4M, but not yet, just not yet.
Thanks guys, you've been brilliant