Question

My 2000 740il developed metal shavings in the oil filter. Dealer said a gear on the timing chain had split (in spite of careful maintenance) and the engine needed replacing. I was about 35,000 miles past the 100k certified warranty, but still had two years left on payments. After three years of payments, I was still upside down even if the car was running! Estimated cost of repairs: $22,000... nearly 3 times the value of the functioning car. I can''t sell it or scrap it because I don''t own it until I finish paying for it. I''ve been paying $560 per month for a year (the 4th in the payment book) since it died, and have another year to go, but it''s ruining me. What can I do? I did everything I was supposed to, yet a defect in an original manufacturer''s part put me in this situation. Do I have no way to get some help? The dealer doesn''t care, and still has the car, rusting on his lot (I think... I haven''t heard from him.)