Dent on my C300 - Paying out of pocket vs using insurance to fix it.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2008
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camry
Dent on my C300 - Paying out of pocket vs using insurance to fix it.
Hi all,
I have a dent on my C300 at the back. This is my first Benz and I don't know how much it may cost to fix it. I used to drive Toyotas earlier and based on my previous experiences a dent of this kind may cost 1000 bucks or so to fix it on Camry's. I don't know how much it may cost on the C300. I always hear that the German cars are expensive to fix.
My question is
1. Do such small dents affect the resale value of a benz?
2. Is it better to fix it myself coz if I claim insurance, my car fax history report may show it and it may effect resale value.
I don't want to hide it from a future buyer, but it is such a small dent which doesn't effect the drivability of the car and the dent is hardly visible unless you look closely and I don't want to have such a small dent to affect the resale value.
I have a deductible of 250, and if it costs around 1000 for the c300, I will have to pay 750 or so out of my pocket.
Please suggest the best thing to do in such a case. If the resale will get affected, I may fix it all by myself if it does not cost too much.
Thank You.
I have a dent on my C300 at the back. This is my first Benz and I don't know how much it may cost to fix it. I used to drive Toyotas earlier and based on my previous experiences a dent of this kind may cost 1000 bucks or so to fix it on Camry's. I don't know how much it may cost on the C300. I always hear that the German cars are expensive to fix.
My question is
1. Do such small dents affect the resale value of a benz?
2. Is it better to fix it myself coz if I claim insurance, my car fax history report may show it and it may effect resale value.
I don't want to hide it from a future buyer, but it is such a small dent which doesn't effect the drivability of the car and the dent is hardly visible unless you look closely and I don't want to have such a small dent to affect the resale value.
I have a deductible of 250, and if it costs around 1000 for the c300, I will have to pay 750 or so out of my pocket.
Please suggest the best thing to do in such a case. If the resale will get affected, I may fix it all by myself if it does not cost too much.
Thank You.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Seattle
C-300, XC70, Wrangler
Senior Member
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From: Boston, MA
C350
Why don't you get a quote from your dealer first before making assumptions. My dealer subcontracts a service called Ding Wizard, but I dont know how much it costs.
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From: East Bay, CA
MB w204 C300 Sport, Audi B7 A4 2.0TQ, Porsche Cayman 981
paintless dent removal should run under $100 if its on the sheet metal, smaller than the size of a quarter, and away from any seam or edge.
if it's on the bumper, plan on a full bumper replacement and paint...which could easily hit $1000.
if it's on the bumper, plan on a full bumper replacement and paint...which could easily hit $1000.
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Joined: May 2008
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W212 E350
I had a dent removed the size of a golf ball and it cost me $45. If the dent is on a body line they might charge you more but for one dent it may run anywhere from $30-150 depending on where you take it. Do some shopping around before you get the insurance involved!
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From: United States
2008 R350 & 2008 C300
I have a door ding on my C..estimate to remove it was $100 from the dealership. They end up calling in the Dent Wizard guys, so I imagine I could get it done even cheaper if I took it there myself. Just been too lazy to get it fixed, its annoying to look at, but seems like I'm the only one that notices it. I will be getting it fixed before I go to trade it in though, they frown at dents and dings because they know they will have to get them fixed before reselling the car and subtract that amount from your trade in price.
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Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Hollywood
push pedal bicycle & '08 C 350
damn $1000!!! thats damn near a panel replacement. is it really that minor? a minor repair would be one that uses paintless dent repair which should be around $100. i'd say anything more than that would be more of a moderate dent.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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camry
Posting Pictures
Thank you all for all the suggestions.
Here I am posting the pictures for a better idea of the damage.
Some one hit it on the rear bumper when I had my car parked in the parking lot. It resulted in the bumper come out of the groove on the left side of the car. You can see the point of collision at the back.
Here I am posting the pictures for a better idea of the damage.
Some one hit it on the rear bumper when I had my car parked in the parking lot. It resulted in the bumper come out of the groove on the left side of the car. You can see the point of collision at the back.
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C300 Sport/Palladium Silver on Black/P2
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'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Not a dent
Thank you all for all the suggestions.
Here I am posting the pictures for a better idea of the damage.
Some one hit it on the rear bumper when I had my car parked in the parking lot. It resulted in the bumper come out of the groove on the left side of the car. You can see the point of collision at the back.
Here I am posting the pictures for a better idea of the damage.
Some one hit it on the rear bumper when I had my car parked in the parking lot. It resulted in the bumper come out of the groove on the left side of the car. You can see the point of collision at the back.
You cannot fix this yourself.
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From: Long Island, New York
2019 GLA 250 - I am in purgatory right now...
If you only have a 250 dollar deductable then it seems to me you already paid for the fix with a higher premimum.
I believe if you really thought you would not want insurance to pay for any small fixes then you should have increased your deductable to the max to lower your premium (this is what I did).
I'd just let insurance pay for it if I were you. Car fax will list the details of the accident right? Most people are not concerned with parking lot dings so I don't think it will be a big deal.
RP
I believe if you really thought you would not want insurance to pay for any small fixes then you should have increased your deductable to the max to lower your premium (this is what I did).
I'd just let insurance pay for it if I were you. Car fax will list the details of the accident right? Most people are not concerned with parking lot dings so I don't think it will be a big deal.
RP
Last edited by RickP330; Sep 24, 2008 at 08:13 AM. Reason: to clarify myself ;)
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Chicago, Illinois
2008 C300 Manual Sport. 2017 E400 Wagon
bumper blemish
I have been down your road with an Audi rear bumper. Are you near a major populated city? If so, find the largest selling volume and large used car lot Mercedes Benz dealer for your city. Talk to the Used Car or Manager in charge of getting the dealers trade in cars detailed for sale and ask of who he recommends for mobile dent, body and paint repair shop to fix in his area. His word is his reputation of the store, so generally a very true answer. He might recommend a body shop as well. But here in LA the mobile outfit I use guarantees the work, normally 1/4 the price of a body shop and is experienced in highline cars including rebuilding rubber if necessary but does not happen often. Most of this can be done by phone and digital pictures. The worst case scenario here is an educated quote before you take any insurance claims and you may be better paying cash. Just my 2 cents
sj
sj
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Deductible
Hi all,
I have a dent on my C300 at the back. This is my first Benz and I don't know how much it may cost to fix it. I used to drive Toyotas earlier and based on my previous experiences a dent of this kind may cost 1000 bucks or so to fix it on Camry's. I don't know how much it may cost on the C300. I always hear that the German cars are expensive to fix.
My question is
1. Do such small dents affect the resale value of a benz?
2. Is it better to fix it myself coz if I claim insurance, my car fax history report may show it and it may effect resale value.
I don't want to hide it from a future buyer, but it is such a small dent which doesn't effect the drivability of the car and the dent is hardly visible unless you look closely and I don't want to have such a small dent to affect the resale value.
I have a deductible of 250, and if it costs around 1000 for the c300, I will have to pay 750 or so out of my pocket.
Please suggest the best thing to do in such a case. If the resale will get affected, I may fix it all by myself if it does not cost too much.
Thank You.
I have a dent on my C300 at the back. This is my first Benz and I don't know how much it may cost to fix it. I used to drive Toyotas earlier and based on my previous experiences a dent of this kind may cost 1000 bucks or so to fix it on Camry's. I don't know how much it may cost on the C300. I always hear that the German cars are expensive to fix.
My question is
1. Do such small dents affect the resale value of a benz?
2. Is it better to fix it myself coz if I claim insurance, my car fax history report may show it and it may effect resale value.
I don't want to hide it from a future buyer, but it is such a small dent which doesn't effect the drivability of the car and the dent is hardly visible unless you look closely and I don't want to have such a small dent to affect the resale value.
I have a deductible of 250, and if it costs around 1000 for the c300, I will have to pay 750 or so out of my pocket.
Please suggest the best thing to do in such a case. If the resale will get affected, I may fix it all by myself if it does not cost too much.
Thank You.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
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From: Richmond, BC, Canada
2010 Prius & Miata MX5 PRHT, 2010 Toyota Venza AWD, 05 C55 AMG, Yamaha 1100 Custom, Honda 250 Reflex
Definitely would take it to an authorized MB bodyshop for repairs. Don't sweat over it, just claim it against insurance and your car will be repaired like nothing happened.
Peace of mind is worth $250!
Peace of mind is worth $250!
