DangeRuss

I am considering parting out my 2003 SL 55 with 55,xxx mile on it. I was in the left lane and a kid talking on his phone traveling in the right lane made a left in front of me.
The airbags DID NOT POP. The car still runs and drives. I just replace the SBC module about 1000 miles ago, at the same time put after market front rotors and pads on it.

Do you guys think its worth fixing? Or should i just part the whole car out?? If anyone is interested in buying the whole car (clean title) please let me know.

Car is fully loaded, Pano Roof. GPS. You name it, its got it

Thanks!

CHADisBAD

does the car have any aftermarket items, or is it pretty much stock?

it looks like an easy fix to me, but i do have some moderate body work experience. so my definition of an easy fix, might be different than others.

DangeRuss

Car is stock other then K&N filters & the Aftermarket Rotors. As far as if it is a easy repair or not, My body guy it was a Straight forward repair, I'm no body guy so unsure what that means.

sgaar

As long as the frame is not damaged, you should be good. Unless your insurance company has totaled it, get it repaired. The car is barely broken in and has a lot of miles left it in.

DangeRuss

Frame is not damaged.

cnterline

I would fix that

rxzoco

interested in the pano roof let me know please

SGTzAMG

FIX HER!!!!

cal1

As much as I would like to take that new SBC module off your hands, I say fix it as well especially if the kid has insurance. By the way, do you recall what the new SBC module costs? I have the white "BRAKES visit workshop" display and am pretty sure when I pull codes I will see the dreaded "SBC unit beyond service life".

RoundTheBenz

Here's a question for you. How much do you think the car is worth now with the ding on car fax? I had an S550 that I got a much smaller ding on in about the same place from the same type of fender bender. About $750 dollars in damage that his insurance company paid. It cost me about $3000 in resale because as much as you try to explain it away, everyone is leary.

So work it out. Start off with the selling price after repair and work backwards. With the price of an 03 now, I would think that there may be some value in doing that. Just remember that either you or you have to pay someone to take all these parts out, pack for shipping etc.

Not only that but the money will come in bits and pieces so I would really think before you go down that route but it's definitely worth thinking about if you want to get out of it.

Just my 2 cents worth.

vtvette

So far as collisions go that one appears to be very routine. Most damage appears to be superficial (fender, hood, headlight, bumper cover, etc) maybe a bumper beam. One important question be sure to have the ABC suspension hoses and valve block inspected very carefully. They are in the front right corner where your car was hit right under the headlight area. IF any hoses/valve block were damages in the accident and certainly if the car lost ABC fluid when you were hit you may well be in need of a replacement ABC pump. That being said MUCH worse damage gets repaired (not saying it's right but it's true) every day.

What you decide depends on a few considerations:

If you like the car and plan to keep her for a while it may well be worth repairing. You know the car, it's repair history, it's nuances, etc. Better a R230 you know than starting all over again with one you know nothing about.

If you were thinking of selling her now is likely your chance to get out of it.

If you keep it be sure to take pictures of the car before and if possible during the repair. Have the car repaired by a MB certified shop. Keep all documents pertaining to the damage and repair so you can be prepared to present them if/when you go to sell her. Pay the few bucks and have a post-repair inspection performed by a separate MB certified body shop and have them print their findings verifying that the car was repaired to MB standards.

My 2005 SL55 was rear ended in a very minor collision at some point in it's past. I saw this on carfax and didn't bat an eye. The seller was up front and honest about it and had full documentation. The car is absolutely flawless the repair is unnoticeable and I've worked with many body shops in the past and have been painting (car restoration) for many years.

Like I said that's not a bad hit at all just depends on your plans for the car and how the numbers work out.

Hope this helps,