If you were REAR ENDED What Would You Do?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: SFV CA
2008 Black Out C350 Saks Edition / 87 VW GTI
If you were REAR ENDED What Would You Do?
It has been raining all day and I got rear ended
the only damaged is two little scratches that could be easily fixed with touch up paint I’m upset because I like to keep my cars neat, I could pursue and have the other driver’s insurance repaint my bumper but the paint will not be the same anymore and in the other hand I know if I rear end some one they will make me pay for what ever damaged I have caused. What would you do in this case?
the only damaged is two little scratches that could be easily fixed with touch up paint I’m upset because I like to keep my cars neat, I could pursue and have the other driver’s insurance repaint my bumper but the paint will not be the same anymore and in the other hand I know if I rear end some one they will make me pay for what ever damaged I have caused. What would you do in this case?
Last edited by tanktube67; Jan 24, 2008 at 10:36 PM.
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2008 R350 & 2008 C300
New bumper. By the way, have the shop you take it to get original MB parts, they come prepainted, or at least they did with my 00 ML. I had my shop use new parts, they called my dealer and ordered the parts they needed directly from the dealer and the parts came prepainted. Made for an easy install and even though the car was over 4 years old, the paint matched great. Not sure if this will be the case every time though.
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2008 C300 Sport, RWD, US
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From: New Jersey
I hope you have a police report. If you do take it to a good body shop and you wont your car will come out like the first day you picked it up. At the time when I had my Mercedes it was 6 weeks old when it was smashed by a driver that was reversign. Damage was about 9k worth but the car came out like new.
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
When I got rear-ended, I had them take the bumper apart and repaint it. They also replaced the damaged foam underneath. Yes there was a subtle "dent" in the bumper afterwards (guess the plastic stretched a bit from the impact) but decided it wasn't worth it to make the ins company pay $$$ for such a minor thing, especially since you had to know what you were looking for to see it.
Of course, it didn't matter, a few months later, some guy rear-ended my car on the street while it was parked, hit + run. *******s. That time I didn't even bother claiming it, the damage is still there today.
Depends what you want, really. imho the only what your car is going to stay immaculate is if you keep it garaged 24/7. Something like this is going to happen sooner or later. Can you actually notice the damage on the repainted bumper, or is it just in your head? (see if one of your friends can actually "spot" the damage without you telling him/her where to look on the bumper)
Also did you know that the bumpers show up at the assembly line already painted? (ie they are NOT painted at the same time/place as the car, and therefore are never a perfect match)
Of course, it didn't matter, a few months later, some guy rear-ended my car on the street while it was parked, hit + run. *******s. That time I didn't even bother claiming it, the damage is still there today.
Depends what you want, really. imho the only what your car is going to stay immaculate is if you keep it garaged 24/7. Something like this is going to happen sooner or later. Can you actually notice the damage on the repainted bumper, or is it just in your head? (see if one of your friends can actually "spot" the damage without you telling him/her where to look on the bumper)
Also did you know that the bumpers show up at the assembly line already painted? (ie they are NOT painted at the same time/place as the car, and therefore are never a perfect match)
Last edited by slammer111; Jan 25, 2008 at 11:34 AM.
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From: Northern NJ
C3004Matic Sport, Blk on Blk, Pano, P1, MMC, Ipod
live with it
You got rear ended but only two scratches? So it was a rear end, but rather got bumped. And no damage but two scratches?
I dunno, I can't really say for sure how I would feel until it happens to me with my new ride, but at least sitting here today I'd say that's what bumpers are for. And filing a claim, dropping it off at the autobody, etc., etc. is too much a hassle for scratches. Its a car, not a fabrege egg.
I dunno, I can't really say for sure how I would feel until it happens to me with my new ride, but at least sitting here today I'd say that's what bumpers are for. And filing a claim, dropping it off at the autobody, etc., etc. is too much a hassle for scratches. Its a car, not a fabrege egg.
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things with and without wheels
You got rear ended but only two scratches? So it was a rear end, but rather got bumped. And no damage but two scratches?
I dunno, I can't really say for sure how I would feel until it happens to me with my new ride, but at least sitting here today I'd say that's what bumpers are for. And filing a claim, dropping it off at the autobody, etc., etc. is too much a hassle for scratches. Its a car, not a fabrege egg.
I dunno, I can't really say for sure how I would feel until it happens to me with my new ride, but at least sitting here today I'd say that's what bumpers are for. And filing a claim, dropping it off at the autobody, etc., etc. is too much a hassle for scratches. Its a car, not a fabrege egg.
Do what would you do if someone banged your car in the parking lot, If you caught them doing it then settle this without getting the insurance involved, if the damage is little, then live with it .
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From: Toronto, ON
2011 E350 4Matic Wagon, 2013 C350 4Matic Sedan
Problem with getting a new bumper is that you loose the VIN# on it... so if you try to re-sell the car, people who know that "something" happened to your rear. I'd say file a claim and take it back to MB for repainting.
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
This is rather OT but I don't know of anyone checking the bumpers for a VIN before buying a car. None.
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From: Jersey
2023 GLC 300 SUV, 2006 BMW Z4M Roadster, 2006 Lexus RX400h
Had something similar happen to a previous car I owned. Only left a small scratch so decided not to do anything. When I turned my car in after the lease and they didn't even notice.
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From: San Antonio
2008 C350
Get a quote to replace the bumper then call the guy that hit you and ask them how they want to handle it. If it were me I would appreciate the opportunity to not have a relatively small claim on my policy and would make arraingements to pay cash.
The VIN # thing is simply that the insurance co. will require the auto repair shop to register the car before it pays the claim, which they do by using the VIN number. So, everytime someone ran a CarFax or similar report it would show that the car was in an accident and the bumper was replaced.
If you pay cash the repair shop probably won't register the repair.
The VIN # thing is simply that the insurance co. will require the auto repair shop to register the car before it pays the claim, which they do by using the VIN number. So, everytime someone ran a CarFax or similar report it would show that the car was in an accident and the bumper was replaced.
If you pay cash the repair shop probably won't register the repair.
Out Of Control!!
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From: West Michigan
2007 E63
There's some sort of stamp of sticker somewhere with the VIN on it. If you're worried when it comes time to sell it, then take pictures of whatever damage there is now and show just the scratches.
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From: Brooklyn, NY
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From: Kirkland, WA
c300
If after touch up paint, it passed the 5' rule then I'd let it go.
But only if the person who rear ended me was cool about it at the time. If they were being a jackass I'd go for full replacement. Yeah, I'm petty like that.
But only if the person who rear ended me was cool about it at the time. If they were being a jackass I'd go for full replacement. Yeah, I'm petty like that.
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From: Ohio
X3 and 2012 C coming soon
Stay in the car until the ambulance arrives. 
J/K
I would file a claim. The car is new enough that the paint should match without issue. Doesn't the paint on the C have some ceramic particles in it or something? I would definitely take it to the dealership to get the work done. Are you sure there was no structural damage?
J/KI would file a claim. The car is new enough that the paint should match without issue. Doesn't the paint on the C have some ceramic particles in it or something? I would definitely take it to the dealership to get the work done. Are you sure there was no structural damage?
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From: Long Island, NY
08' BMW E92 Coupe
it depends on what it looks like. Insurance companies try and be reasonable and payout the least amount of money possible. If it's only 2 small scratches close to eachother, they will probably spot paint the small section and fade in the rest to match just in case. New bumper won't happen unless it is noticeably damaged. If the scratches are far apart, the whole bumper might be painted.
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Crash damage
<<It has been raining all day and I got rear ended the only damaged is two little scratches that could be easily fixed with touch up paint...... >>
Look....
You have a new and expensive car.
Another party has damaged it and is liable.
They are insured.
Your insurance company is not and should not be involved.
You are not required to make a half-assed repair with touch up paint.
You are entitled to be made whole again.
That means restored to the condition the car was in before the car was hit.
You say the only damage is a few scratches and I am skeptical.
There are foam impact blocks behind the bumper cover that may be crushed.
They must be replaced.
The bumper must be professionally refinished.
Anything else is unacceptable.
You are entitled to alternate transportation when your car is being repaired.
Believe me, when it comes time to sell this car, the buyer is going to be a lot more concerned about you failing to make a proper repair after a minor accident and will wonder what else you may have cut corners on. Secondly, a dealer's used car appraiser is going to see it in a second. Both of these scenarios will cost you money.
Go to your dealer and ask for some body shop recommendations. Get estimates from several. Don't let the other driver's insurance company's adjuster push you into anything, and they will try to.
Take the time to do it right and you will have no regrets later.
the only damaged is two little scratches that could be easily fixed with touch up paint...... >>Look....
You have a new and expensive car.
Another party has damaged it and is liable.
They are insured.
Your insurance company is not and should not be involved.
You are not required to make a half-assed repair with touch up paint.
You are entitled to be made whole again.
That means restored to the condition the car was in before the car was hit.
You say the only damage is a few scratches and I am skeptical.
There are foam impact blocks behind the bumper cover that may be crushed.
They must be replaced.
The bumper must be professionally refinished.
Anything else is unacceptable.
You are entitled to alternate transportation when your car is being repaired.
Believe me, when it comes time to sell this car, the buyer is going to be a lot more concerned about you failing to make a proper repair after a minor accident and will wonder what else you may have cut corners on. Secondly, a dealer's used car appraiser is going to see it in a second. Both of these scenarios will cost you money.
Go to your dealer and ask for some body shop recommendations. Get estimates from several. Don't let the other driver's insurance company's adjuster push you into anything, and they will try to.
Take the time to do it right and you will have no regrets later.
