nkctb7

After the insurance company invested $12,250.00 CAD into all new genuine parts on my car due someone hitting me in a roundabout. They are now deciding whether to write it off. I took it in for the alignment and it turns out that the entire right front suspension is bent and the frame is out a 1/4". The total to repair it is $1600.00. CAD. I was able to purchase a genuine new lower control arm for $70 USD which retails for close to $500 USD. I am now searching for the upper transverse control arm and the knuckle so I can bring down the cost of repair to avoid having it written off. I reside in B.C., CANADA and owners and family are not allowed to buy back their salvaged vehicles. This is due to an internal insurance company ring that was caught curbing vehicles. The persons responsible were terminated but the rules changed due to that incident. I have many receipts and they will add up to a significant amount. They valued the car at $17,800 CAD at the time of the accident and I have many receipts that will be added to that figure.

Tony_AMG

Not sure how the insurance claims work but you can take a cash-out for the car. Pay the repairs yourself cash. Here in SoCal it happens all the time. So Let me know if you can email me a copy of the estimate and pics of the damage.

KJI3jflarryfe93

glad you are ok

were you hit in the rear or in the front at the roundabout?
was that a massive impact?
the other driver was he or she drunk or something?

any pics of your car from the accident?

do insurance companies still pay for repairs on a 16 year old car?
it would be cheaper for them to write it off giving you a check telling you go get yourself a new car or fix her up if they decide to sell it back to you dirt cheap ?

Sulaco

Insurance company tried desperately to write my car off and crush it. Don't let them! Even fewer Canadian C43's in the world!

nkctb7

The driver was in the outer lane in a two lane roundabout and was supposed to exit. Instead, he kept going around as I was exiting. He was young and had no idea of how roundabouts work. He actually insisted that I was to blame. If the damage doesn't exceed 70% of the vehicle's value, they will fix it. It came within $240 but, that was before the suspension damage results. Now they are considering writing it off. I have no problem getting the parts and fixing it myself but, the frame is out a 1/4" and that is a costly fix. Everything was replaced with brand new genuine parts that my body shop allowed me to purchase. New nose, fender, Xenon headlamps and corner marker. My car was not equipped with factory Xenons but I purchased a brand new genuine set from a member here for $600 USD. The body shop checked off the Xenon option on their repair list and the insurance company paid for them. If they write it off, there are no other C43's around. I cannot purchase one from the USA as according to RIV (Registrar of Imported Vehicles), only the 2000 model year is admissible into CANADA. This is due to the child tether anchoring system not meeting Canadian safety standards. I highly doubt that a 2000 C43 is available anywhere due to only 21 or so in the USA. No 2000's were shipped to CANADA. I have my sights on a 1995 Porsche 968 Cabrio if I cannot find another C43.

cm60k

Sorry about that bro.,

C43 parts is little stiff to get around, you pay a damn $$$, to make it looks new bride, that's the main suffer,,

[[insurance = big headache]]

ZAYED,,

nkctb7

I was able to buy all new genuine parts at various online sites. I ordered the brand new nose and fender from genuinemercedesparts.com. They are by far the cheapest online parts for those who want genuine new parts. The nose came from Germany at a cost of $760.00 USD shipped. The new nose from a dealer in CANADA was just shy of 3K. I stripped and reassembled the entire car myself in order to have the entire car painted at no extra cost. It is only the front right lower and upper control arms as well as the knuckle that needs replacing. I was able to purchase the new genuine lower control arm for $70 USD on eBay as opposed to over $400 USD online.

KJI3jflarryfe93

car is now ok?

Sulaco

holy hell, that's all the damage it did!? if it was between writing it off, I'd just keep it and repair it myself! that damage is nothing!

nkctb7

Yes, that is it. I should have been a little more specific as the accident happened last Nov. It has been fixed and wasn't written off. The total cost including parts, labor and materials was $12,280 CAD. My friend who manages the shop that did the repairs advised me that my vehicle came within $240 CAD of being written off. However, that was before the suspension was checked. The insurance adjustor figured that it only needed an alignment and when I took it in last week, it needs a complete front right suspension as it is bent. Also, the frame is out a 1/4" and needs to be straightened. The total cost of repairs is $1600 CAD which is quite a bit more than the $240 remaining. Now that the total damages have exceeded 70% of the vehicle's value, they now want to write it off. Regardless of having already invested the $12,280 CAD into fixing it. I have no problem changing the suspension myself if it saves my C43 from being written off. Having said that, I am not paying for the parts and having the frame straightened due to an accident that was not my fault. I purchased the new genuine lower control arm for $70 and if I can find the upper control arm and knuckle as cheap, then the only thing that the insurance needs to cover would be the frame straightening. It does not look promising.

KJI3jflarryfe93

where did you get the genuine LCA for 70 dollars?

nkctb7

I realize that this is off topic but, could anyone tell me exactly where the two valves and the charcoal canister are located in regards to code P0455? Thx

Saaboteur

ICBC and insurance in general FTMFL.

A note on importing C43s though - given that we have a 15 year exemption, you should be able to import a US C43 now, or very very soon. I think I've seen some Japanese market cars advertised already too. That doesn't help you much with your current car of course, but could you arrange to get a pay out on the value, use that to buy your new C43, and then try to get a friend to buy the salvage vehicle and sell you back your parts?

nkctb7

I got it on eBay. The seller had it listed for $140 USD plus $40 shipping. I was able to talk him down to $70 plus the $40 shipping due to the small ding on the hump (see pic#3) that the coil sits around. The ding is irrelevant as it does not affect the arm whatsoever. It was the only genuine mb control arm that I was able to find at such a low price. I was also very lucky that it was the side that I needed.

mickey13

Don't let the insurance company jackals steal your car.

cm60k

I think these LCA are very old factory production between "2/1996 to 11/1999",

cause MB replaces those old (W202) # to (170) # in "4/2000",,

very good deal...

ZAYED,,

RPB

Congrats on being able to keep your car!

nkctb7

Thanks for all your help and the pics Zayed!

cm60k

Most Welcome...

ZAYED,,

nkctb7

I am trying my best!

nkctb7

Thanks but, that may all change soon when the insurance company decides what they are going to do with regards to the suspension.

mickey13

Can you withdraw a portion of your claim to keep it under the cutoff rate. Yes it sucks to dole out the dollars from your own pocket, but keeping the car is probably worth it. Crazy that they'd want to lose what they've paid already.

I'd turn around and argue bad faith on part of the repair shop. They knew fully well that the car would be totaled out at 70% and they low balled the estimate to get right below that figure to fraudulently have the insurance company and yourself pay for the repairs and once the money was already paid, they then turn around and try to hike the bill well over the 70% rate. Now I'm not saying they actually did this because I don't know enough about the case, but this would probably be my argument...

I'd claim they had full opportunity and ability to inspect the car as experts and quote for damage and in no case should additional monies be due for their failure to properly quote the damage. Of course, if it wasn't negligence on their part to properly quote then it must have been fraud, so which is it repair shop?

And if these arguments fall on deaf ears, I'd go to the motor repair licensing agency, the insurance commission, my local, city and state consumer protection agency, my state and federal congressman, the state and federal attorney general. I'm sure Canada doesn't have the same exact set up as the US, but you get my drift. Scream to high hell until someone does something.

nkctb7

I understand completely as to what you are saying. However, the body shop were not the one's that examined the suspension as the suspension was examined by the alignment shop. The body shop allowed me to purchase all new parts and submit the receipts to them. In turn, they submitted them to the insurance company. I feel that the insurance adjustor made a poor judgement call in regards to the suspension as he felt it only warranted an alignment. Had the suspension been evaluated before any body repairs were conducted, it would surely have been written off. I now have to wait until the adjustor speaks with his supervisor as to what direction they will take. Very frustrating as I have put endless hours of labor into my C43 but, that is not what saddens me. I just hate to see a classic destroyed over such a petty cost.

Tony_AMG

Tell them you are going to seek a lawyer..

Sulaco

Also, ask the friend what his shop charges for the frame pulling. My father in law runs a body shop and says it's surprisingly cheap. It's not some space age technology. They use chains hooks and pulleys and yank on things until it's right. I was in a worse accident in mine in the exact same area, with more damage and it was $4800USD out the door. However, that was with a really bad aftermarket bumper and they overpaid on several parts ($230 for a used fender????)