03-28-2016, 07:21 PM
Last edit by: IB Nolan
Table of Contents "S55's Endless Build Thread"
1. Car Forklifted Onto Delivery Truck Because Auction Had No Key
2. Finally Sees Car and Damage In Person on Delivery Truck
3. Videos of S-Class Forklifted Off Delivery Truck And Slid Into Garage
4. Additional Rear-End Damage Photos
5. Cost Breakdown For Vehicle and Parts as of 3/12/16
6. Key Arrives! First Start Up.
7. First Test Drive, Warning Lights Abound
8. Fixed Electrical Issues(?), Replaced Battery and Alternator
9. New Woodgrain Steering Wheel Installed
1. Car Forklifted Onto Delivery Truck Because Auction Had No Key
2. Finally Sees Car and Damage In Person on Delivery Truck
3. Videos of S-Class Forklifted Off Delivery Truck And Slid Into Garage
4. Additional Rear-End Damage Photos
5. Cost Breakdown For Vehicle and Parts as of 3/12/16
6. Key Arrives! First Start Up.
7. First Test Drive, Warning Lights Abound
8. Fixed Electrical Issues(?), Replaced Battery and Alternator
9. New Woodgrain Steering Wheel Installed
I finally bought it Fellas!
02-22-2016, 03:48 PM
#26
MBWorld Fanatic!
probably because the other guy bidding figured there would be at least $9k in parts there. or maybe he had another w221 with a good back end sitting around
02-22-2016, 03:54 PM
#28
MBWorld Fanatic!
Originally Posted by xpl0sive
probably because the other guy bidding figured there would be at least $9k in parts there. or maybe he had another w221 with a good back end sitting around
02-22-2016, 05:39 PM
#32
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Join Date: Nov 2014
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2015 S550
I don't think it's going to be much of a surprise to Mike, Xplosive, Quad, and 1Bad540. I hope Mike has prepped you well enough on what to expect so it won't come as a total surprise to you.
You might want to start calling around to some wreckers and see if you can find somebody who'd take the car off your hands for as little loss as possible.
You might want to start calling around to some wreckers and see if you can find somebody who'd take the car off your hands for as little loss as possible.
02-22-2016, 06:00 PM
#34
Senior Member
I don't think it's going to be much of a surprise to Mike, Xplosive, Quad, and 1Bad540. I hope Mike has prepped you well enough on what to expect so it won't come as a total surprise to you.
You might want to start calling around to some wreckers and see if you can find somebody who'd take the car off your hands for as little loss as possible.
You might want to start calling around to some wreckers and see if you can find somebody who'd take the car off your hands for as little loss as possible.
02-22-2016, 06:17 PM
#37
Member
I'm guessing the point of buying this car is to keep things as cheap as possible.
I'm thinking that we're talking about pulling the rear unit body frame rails crumple zone structure with some added heat ( which will heat treat the metal and impact the structure and future crash performance) and get as close as possible to spec, without welding in new structure.
Once the trunk is functional ( likely some gap inconsistencies) they'll just straighten the floor a bit and the rest will be bondo and a base coat /clear coat of a generic catalyzed enamel. I'll wild *** guess $2,000 for the frame and trunk floor, and another $2,000 if you want it finished. My assumption would include some orange peel, sanding scratches, runs, overspray and dirt in the paint. A casual observer would likely not notice. That's assuming you have a shop that is willing to do that sort of repair.
I don't know what sort of inspection is necessary to make it acceptable as roadworthy, but it would be useful to determine this
so you are able to title and register the car.
On the other hand, if it can pass an inspection as is, just see if the trunk can be adjusted to close and drive it as is.
I'm thinking that we're talking about pulling the rear unit body frame rails crumple zone structure with some added heat ( which will heat treat the metal and impact the structure and future crash performance) and get as close as possible to spec, without welding in new structure.
Once the trunk is functional ( likely some gap inconsistencies) they'll just straighten the floor a bit and the rest will be bondo and a base coat /clear coat of a generic catalyzed enamel. I'll wild *** guess $2,000 for the frame and trunk floor, and another $2,000 if you want it finished. My assumption would include some orange peel, sanding scratches, runs, overspray and dirt in the paint. A casual observer would likely not notice. That's assuming you have a shop that is willing to do that sort of repair.
I don't know what sort of inspection is necessary to make it acceptable as roadworthy, but it would be useful to determine this
so you are able to title and register the car.
On the other hand, if it can pass an inspection as is, just see if the trunk can be adjusted to close and drive it as is.
Last edited by MrRat; 02-22-2016 at 06:23 PM.
02-22-2016, 06:28 PM
#38
MBWorld Fanatic!
You could pull the rails reasonably straight and pull the trunk floor in the process, then bondo the crap out of the floor and paint over it. It's under the liner after all. The car absolutely will not be crash worthy in another rear end impact after that. Not sure how to handle those quarters, with the dent deep and straight through the rear wheel flares.
A buddy of mine owns the local Mercedes Authorized collision center in town. We used to pretty much see eye to eye on damage appraisals back when I was an adjuster. Maybe I'll have him take a look and see what he thinks.
A buddy of mine owns the local Mercedes Authorized collision center in town. We used to pretty much see eye to eye on damage appraisals back when I was an adjuster. Maybe I'll have him take a look and see what he thinks.
02-22-2016, 06:39 PM
#39
Senior Member
02-22-2016, 07:37 PM
#40
MBWorld Fanatic!
02-22-2016, 08:02 PM
#43
MBWorld Fanatic!
02-22-2016, 08:11 PM
#45
MBWorld Fanatic!
I hope the damage is not as bad as it would appear from the pictures. If it is though, I REALLY hope you do not try and fix this by just yanking on it with a rack until it is close enough and then slapping on mud and paint and calling it good. You would be opening yourself up to a major liability if the car is ever involved in another accident either by you or a subsequent owner. If in fact the crumple zones have been compromised, they need to be properly fixed so you can enjoy the car and feel confident in the integrity of the car with passengers in the back seat. Sorry if anyone is posting stuff that is freaking you out before you even get the car but I think the underlying message is to be careful with the fix.
02-22-2016, 10:04 PM
#48
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Lol, I don't like to rice nor schnitzel my cars. Clean, stock look only. Ill go as far as getting the amg package and postfacelift headlights.
yidney- It was Ukrainian
yidney- It was Ukrainian
Last edited by mercedesbenzs55; 02-22-2016 at 10:31 PM.
02-22-2016, 11:11 PM
#50
Senior Member
Been thinking about your purchase. You paid $12K for car and shipping. You'll spend another $1K rehabbing it. Why didn't you just buy the 2008 S550 from that guy in Canada for $14K? Yeah, it's got something like 140K miles, but at least you don't have any body damage.
