afaedC63

Stats: 2014 E63 Wagon (110K new), 3426 miles had it for about a year.

Short version: On 29 December I had to take my son to daycare, the night before was the first snow (real) of the season. It was below 35, the roads were clear. Came around a curve going 25 in a 30, kept going through the curve hit a curb and then a telephone pole (my guess is 20mph). Repair bill , salvage value 32, "worth" 89,919. In MA they add the repair cost and salvage value and if its greater than the "worth" its a total loss.

Long Version: I know it wasn't the smartest idea to drive my car since I still had the stock tires and it was below 35. With that in mind I was driving slower than normal and being as careful as possible. We had just got back from the holidays and were running way behind so I decided to take my son to daycare (we have 4 kids). The roads were clear and as I mentioned before I was coming around a fairly sharp curve. I didn't break but took my foot of the gas and next thing I knew I was looking at a telephone pole and said crap this is going to hurt. Both my steering wheel and knee bags deployed and I got some bruises (impact was driver's side). My son in the back right was scared (and white as a ghost) but fine.

Best I can tell is I hit black ice on the road or the manhole cover, crossed the oncoming lane of traffic. Then impacted the curb with the front wheel, which brought the back end around and jumped the curb. The passenger side rims then hit the curb and basically caused me to ride the curb straight into the telephone pole (basically the driver's side was on the grass/snow and the passenger side on the road). Turns out the was the best outcome I could have had. The other options were jumping the curb, running into a wooden guard rail that was only there to protect a house or missing the guard rail, running down an hill and into raised earth that a house was sitting on). Oh and lucky me, no oncoming traffic.

The funny part was the cop, the tow driver, the salvage yard.. well everyone asked the same question (and it was always the first). From Florida huh (I'm military with FL plates in MA).. my answer is yes but this is my fourth winter here. The second question was, how much is this car worth? My answer, a lot less now

The body shop wrote up the estimate of 58K and told me he was at 11K for just the rims/tires (All had to be replaced). I had him print out the estimate because I was just amazed. Some of the notable damage, steering rack (replace), entire front suspension (replace), rear driver side suspension (replace), all front panels, engine support (replace). And whew new a new steering wheel was 3500 bucks.. yikes. Turns out the impact pushed the driver's side back over 6 inches. I've attached pictures and I'm sure most will ask how that much damage was done based on the pictures.. my answer, ya got me. But when I destroy something I do it well.

Luckily USAA is a great company to work with and made the entire thing painless, well as possible. Although it was apparent they don't total 100K cars much. The appraiser had to send the estimate to his boss, who had to send it to his boss. The guy handling the total loss portion had to send it to his boss as well. So it took almost a month to get through the process.

So what's next for me? Well I just leased a Hyundai Sonata for 3 years because my plan was to have a wagon built with delivery in May/June and needed something cheap to help get everyone around. I had the order in in January and it was just cancelled.. figured that would happen but I had to try. I just loved that car.

My dealer did manage to find another e63 wagon and I'm working to buy that car. Its Diamond white, night styling, carbon fiber trim, black 10 spoke wheels, b&o speakers, acoustic glass, rear seat entertainment, heated rear seats, parking package and distronic. Its loaded for sure and more than what I ordered, but I want another wagon. While it doesn't matter what are everyone's thoughts on the b&o system and the acoustic glass? Those are both options I wouldn't normally get and don't know much about.

Thanks
Edward

afaedC63

Its hard to tell, but the front wheels are not pointing in the same direction, the back wheel is shifted to the back and angled out. And like I said doesn't look like much to me anyway.

Munich77

Yikes good thing you made it out alive - summer tires and snow are no good

afaedC63

Thanks and I Agree... Winter tires were next on the list. Just hoping it wouldn't bite me in the butt.

CliffJumper

Wow, I'm shocked that much damage totals a $100K car... Glad you and your son are alright.

afaedC63

I never thought it was going to be totaled until after I talked with the adjuster. His first comment to me was, how would you feel if the car was a total loss. While shocked that would come up, my honest answer is if you are asking me that, then the car will never be the same after its repaired.

Here is why the car was totaled. In Alabama (for example) if the damage exceeds 75% of the worth a car is totaled, however in MA (and FL) they use something called "Total Loss Formula" (TLF) which is Cost of Repair + Salvage Value > Actual Cash Value. In my case the repair cost was 58K, the salvage was 32K and the actual cash value was 89,919 so they totaled the car since repair and salvage was 90K. What I don't know is how future damages factored in and the estimate was the original. They never started to actually work on the car so there was more damage they hadn't found yet.

mcguirja

Also glad you and your son were fine. I'm also surprised at the appearance of the car, from your description I expected it to look much worse. This will get salvage title but I could see someone buying it to fix and resell. Glad carfax exists!

Snow tires are obviously better than not, but having grown up in eastern Ontario, black ice will get you regardless of the tires on your vehicle.

Johnny Rad

Consider posting the vin for future searches by potential buyers. Your description of the facts surrounding the crash and insurance situation may help them better decide...

Glad your kiddo was ok!

afaedC63

Thanks. I was surprised as well, but the Merc did its job. There was a decent amount of hidden damage (sub frame, minor frame) and it just added up. I know it got a salvage title and if someone knows what they are getting it could be a great deal.. especially if the want the motor which appeared fine. I mean for a parts car its a gold mine.

afaedC63

Good idea.. I know I would want to know. VIN: WDDHH7GB7EB059415.

Patric

While acoustic glass was not yet an option on my early ordered 2014 wagon I did pop for the optional B&O system. It's a nice system to be sure but at $5,500 at the time I would not order it again.

Sorry about your loss.

PeterUbers

F---- the car

Your son and you are FINE and I'm so happy for you on that!!

First world problems now

Snow tires next time ... A good lesson for me too!

Davidkuo0330

Cars can be replaced, lives can not. Glad you all are okay.

afaedC63

Thanks both of you. And I agree, the best thing is we walked away. Surprised though at how hard it is to find another wagon. Truly is a First world problem, things could be sooo much worse.

PeterUbers

Like many of us, my friend here David as well, we carry precious cargo ... I have three car seats in the back of my '63S.... 5,4, and 2 year old

Davidkuo0330

Honestly Peter. I find me asking myself. Why the F... do I need to drive a fast car. You got 3 and I only have one ( baby ).

OP. Here is a really world problem. What are you getting to replace the wagon?

afaedC63

David, Pete.. I've asked the same question. And I could do without an amg... but then my two oldest ask "can we go in your race car today?" and my son wants to hit the button and giggles when the car starts. I've actually have 4 kids: 4 1/2, 3, 2, 6 months and our main family hauler is a GL550 but I normally have two seats in my car. We tried a minivan but couldn't get over the fit and finish (or lack of) and we back to a MB. And as I just learned first hand MB's are safe cars.

I've already got my replacement... a Hyundai Sonata Figure I can't get into too much trouble... 577hp to 184. I needed something quick and its a good car and was inexpensive. Initially my dealer told me they might be able to get a e63 wagon in June and I had an order in since mid Jan but it got cancelled. He is looking and found a Diamond White wagon but I'm holding my breath until its in route. My salesman is the inventory manager that I've worked with for years (and know well) so I'm not worried about getting yanked around by him, just the other dealer.

hyperion667

that sux OP, how did the knee bags perform?


at least you can have the excitement of picking a new car

BrianF@Isringhausen

Sorry about the loss!

Link to this vehicle:

http://www.isringhausen.com/Inventor...ehicleID/13869

otakki

The car performed its duty and it's good to know everyone is okay. Indeed, USAA is well known to be the best.

donger

Glad you're ok.
What a bummer. It stings even more looking at the picture as a fellow wagon driver.
Hope the insurance process doesn't slow you down.

afaedC63

I honestly don't remember. I know I didn't hit the steering wheel air bag, but there was no way I didn't hit the knee bag. And if it means anything I didn't bruise and my knees were not all that sore... so I would say it worked well.

afaedC63

Yes, USAA is good and it was fairly painless. The biggest problem is they don't total a lot of 100K cars so it went through more scrutiny and levels of approval. I don't mind that soo much since it protects them from fraud which keeps my rates lower.

PeterUbers

Is this steel gray?? This is gorgeous

afaedC63

Looks like I found one....

Diamond White
Black Interior
Carbon Fiber Trim
AMG Exterior Night Styling
19 inch AMG 10 Spoke - Black
B&O Audio
Laminated Acoustic Glass
Rear Seat Entertainment
Heated Rear Seats
AMG Parking Assistance Package (Surround View)
Driver's Assistance Package
Total: $121,955

I can't have a car without Distronic anymore. I've heard mixed views on the B&O system (I don't think I would build one with the system based on cost)and never seen a car with the acoustic glass. I'm working with my dealer to see what I can get the car for, so we shall see.

But I think the white car with Night Styling and Black wheels should look cool. Thoughts on the build?