Flood damage but reparable
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Flood damage but reparable
My 250d 4matic estate was caught in a flash Flood whilst parked Tuesday night. It was in freshwater no sewage but muddy run off from fields and probably stood in the water a couple of hours as it drained away.
The tide line seems to be around 60cm on the wall but about the height of the bottom of the main grill at the front with the rear being slightly less.
The carpets were wet and all sorts of error messages appeared the next morning when I went to examine it Inc do not change gear and take to workshop.
It was taken after 2 hrs of difficult work for the recovery driver who had to extract it with the brakes fixed on and at a 90deg angle to the tow truck.
My insurers have indicated it is repairable (it's value in my local market is around €32k). And my garage are instructed to proceed.
I have no idea as to the extent of repairs. What should I look to make sure is done. Do such repairs take a very long time? The car is due to be returned at the end of its lease on the 15th but my replacement e is delayed so I will probably be driving the repaired car for a few weeks but long-term it is not really my problem but I would not like any future owner to have issues.
The tide line seems to be around 60cm on the wall but about the height of the bottom of the main grill at the front with the rear being slightly less.
The carpets were wet and all sorts of error messages appeared the next morning when I went to examine it Inc do not change gear and take to workshop.
It was taken after 2 hrs of difficult work for the recovery driver who had to extract it with the brakes fixed on and at a 90deg angle to the tow truck.
My insurers have indicated it is repairable (it's value in my local market is around €32k). And my garage are instructed to proceed.
I have no idea as to the extent of repairs. What should I look to make sure is done. Do such repairs take a very long time? The car is due to be returned at the end of its lease on the 15th but my replacement e is delayed so I will probably be driving the repaired car for a few weeks but long-term it is not really my problem but I would not like any future owner to have issues.
#2
Out Of Control!!
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In our country the title would be amended to show the car was a flood car-----that alerts and suspecting schmuck that he has a major problem with the car---however I don't know what is done in a third world country.
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
As I say the cars market value is around 32000 euro. In my country we do have 2 categories of total loss vei and vgi which differentiate between those considered too severely damaged to be repaired safely and those where it is just a question of cost v value. Those too badly damaged cannot be legally sold and cannot subsequently be registered by a new owner as the records are marked accordingly.
taking a 70% figure as a likely value against salvage value gives about 23000 euro for possible cost of repairs. The water did not reach the seats so it is carpet and wiring and electric units on the floor only plus any exterior electrics like sensors and motors for the electric brakes . It was not running so hopefully no water in the engine or running gear. In some ways I am not surprised it is repairable.....but should they be replacing the brakes and wheel bearings? It has airmatic will any part of that system need attention?
does the fact a flood claim was made automatically get put on the vehicles title in the states even if the car is repaired and stays with the original owner?
we are a first world country I can assure you
the car is just 3 yrs old with 40000km on the clock.
taking a 70% figure as a likely value against salvage value gives about 23000 euro for possible cost of repairs. The water did not reach the seats so it is carpet and wiring and electric units on the floor only plus any exterior electrics like sensors and motors for the electric brakes . It was not running so hopefully no water in the engine or running gear. In some ways I am not surprised it is repairable.....but should they be replacing the brakes and wheel bearings? It has airmatic will any part of that system need attention?
does the fact a flood claim was made automatically get put on the vehicles title in the states even if the car is repaired and stays with the original owner?
we are a first world country I can assure you
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
the car is just 3 yrs old with 40000km on the clock.
#5
As I say the cars market value is around 32000 euro. In my country we do have 2 categories of total loss vei and vgi which differentiate between those considered too severely damaged to be repaired safely and those where it is just a question of cost v value. Those too badly damaged cannot be legally sold and cannot subsequently be registered by a new owner as the records are marked accordingly.
taking a 70% figure as a likely value against salvage value gives about 23000 euro for possible cost of repairs. The water did not reach the seats so it is carpet and wiring and electric units on the floor only plus any exterior electrics like sensors and motors for the electric brakes . It was not running so hopefully no water in the engine or running gear. In some ways I am not surprised it is repairable.....but should they be replacing the brakes and wheel bearings? It has airmatic will any part of that system need attention?
does the fact a flood claim was made automatically get put on the vehicles title in the states even if the car is repaired and stays with the original owner?
we are a first world country I can assure you![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
the car is just 3 yrs old with 40000km on the clock.
taking a 70% figure as a likely value against salvage value gives about 23000 euro for possible cost of repairs. The water did not reach the seats so it is carpet and wiring and electric units on the floor only plus any exterior electrics like sensors and motors for the electric brakes . It was not running so hopefully no water in the engine or running gear. In some ways I am not surprised it is repairable.....but should they be replacing the brakes and wheel bearings? It has airmatic will any part of that system need attention?
does the fact a flood claim was made automatically get put on the vehicles title in the states even if the car is repaired and stays with the original owner?
we are a first world country I can assure you
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
the car is just 3 yrs old with 40000km on the clock.
can you ask your insurer give you a check instead of repairing? if so, you can just sell the damaged car at somewhere, you may save some money.
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
It’s terrible that in 3rd world countries like yours they don’t cover flood damage.. you guys should hold the government responsible and overthrow the dictatorship.. I can’t believe they starve there own people.. try and get a visa to move to another country!
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RobbMeeX (06-04-2018)
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Am glad to say it is actually on lease and was being returned 18th June but sadly it seems my replacement new car is delayed. I was hoping to keep it until my new e class arrived......
Am seeing the garage tomorrow so will try to get an idea of the extent of repairs and how long they think they will take.
I will very possibly be using it for a period so am anxious it comes back a1 plus I would hate someone else to sink hard earned money into a poorly repaired car.
i am getting the feeling many think a flooded car is never repairable....
Am seeing the garage tomorrow so will try to get an idea of the extent of repairs and how long they think they will take.
I will very possibly be using it for a period so am anxious it comes back a1 plus I would hate someone else to sink hard earned money into a poorly repaired car.
i am getting the feeling many think a flooded car is never repairable....
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#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#9
Am glad to say it is actually on lease and was being returned 18th June but sadly it seems my replacement new car is delayed. I was hoping to keep it until my new e class arrived......
Am seeing the garage tomorrow so will try to get an idea of the extent of repairs and how long they think they will take.
I will very possibly be using it for a period so am anxious it comes back a1 plus I would hate someone else to sink hard earned money into a poorly repaired car.
i am getting the feeling many think a flooded car is never repairable....
Am seeing the garage tomorrow so will try to get an idea of the extent of repairs and how long they think they will take.
I will very possibly be using it for a period so am anxious it comes back a1 plus I would hate someone else to sink hard earned money into a poorly repaired car.
i am getting the feeling many think a flooded car is never repairable....
#10
Am glad to say it is actually on lease and was being returned 18th June but sadly it seems my replacement new car is delayed. I was hoping to keep it until my new e class arrived......
Am seeing the garage tomorrow so will try to get an idea of the extent of repairs and how long they think they will take.
I will very possibly be using it for a period so am anxious it comes back a1 plus I would hate someone else to sink hard earned money into a poorly repaired car.
i am getting the feeling many think a flooded car is never repairable....
Am seeing the garage tomorrow so will try to get an idea of the extent of repairs and how long they think they will take.
I will very possibly be using it for a period so am anxious it comes back a1 plus I would hate someone else to sink hard earned money into a poorly repaired car.
i am getting the feeling many think a flooded car is never repairable....
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
ha ha I had one but my country is taking it away from me. I am a Brit living in la belle france thanks to my eu citizenship.....about to be stripped from me thanks to a bunch of ......I'll leave it there it's a car forum where I come to get away from the brexit crises.
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: SoCal, Cannes France
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1986 Light Ivory R107 560SL, 2020 Lunar Blue W205 C300 AMG-line
Hey man that was uncalled for, this is a car forum and not a racist let’s-hate-on-the-french forum, cuz we could do the same to your country. If you don’t stop disrespecting the country that some may pride, you will be reported to the administration.
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Sorry no offense intended it was a joke. I am a brit who has chosen to live in France and meant no offense to my chosen country just responding humerously to the suggestion I was in a third world country.
#14
Super Member
To get back on topic, parkwood's car is owned by the leasing company/ MB. If they are okay with taking back a flood damaged repaired car, there's nothing parkwood can do about it. Regarding the delay between turn in and the new car arriving, see if the dealership wouldn't let you drive it or give you a replacement. Else it looks like you're gonna have to find a stop gap vehicle. I'd suggest a 2CV or Renault 4. Those seem to be holding their value if you could find one in good nick.
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Ok visited the garage today and emptied the car excluding the stuff in the boot (trunk) as the battery was disconnected and the tailgate cannot be opened.
The car smells a lot and was very damp internally it may have flooded more than I realised. No drying out has been done.
I have misinterpreted the insurers messaging on their website claim tracking facility. It is only that my garage is the appointed repairer not that they are instructed to repair. The insurers engineer visited this morning and is now looking at the repair costs but it is probably a total loss. I was told if cars flood to seat level here in france it is a legal requirement they are totalled. Mine is apparently borderline in that the seats are dry but my garage think it is too expensive and also undesirable to repair in any event. It has sunk heavily on the airmatic suspension especially on the front so that is probably damaged.
MB finance have also been in contact chasing the cars pre return inspection and said its lease could not be extended seemingly unaware of the damage despite the car being at their agents in a severely damaged stage since Wednesday....
new e as yet not built......despite the delivery date being 15th June from a Feb 21st order so a long wait ahead. Have a separate post on that.
will confirm if it is a total or not when known but my garage had no appetite to repair.
The car smells a lot and was very damp internally it may have flooded more than I realised. No drying out has been done.
I have misinterpreted the insurers messaging on their website claim tracking facility. It is only that my garage is the appointed repairer not that they are instructed to repair. The insurers engineer visited this morning and is now looking at the repair costs but it is probably a total loss. I was told if cars flood to seat level here in france it is a legal requirement they are totalled. Mine is apparently borderline in that the seats are dry but my garage think it is too expensive and also undesirable to repair in any event. It has sunk heavily on the airmatic suspension especially on the front so that is probably damaged.
MB finance have also been in contact chasing the cars pre return inspection and said its lease could not be extended seemingly unaware of the damage despite the car being at their agents in a severely damaged stage since Wednesday....
new e as yet not built......despite the delivery date being 15th June from a Feb 21st order so a long wait ahead. Have a separate post on that.
will confirm if it is a total or not when known but my garage had no appetite to repair.
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
To get back on topic, parkwood's car is owned by the leasing company/ MB. If they are okay with taking back a flood damaged repaired car, there's nothing parkwood can do about it. Regarding the delay between turn in and the new car arriving, see if the dealership wouldn't let you drive it or give you a replacement. Else it looks like you're gonna have to find a stop gap vehicle. I'd suggest a 2CV or Renault 4. Those seem to be holding their value if you could find one in good nick.
but there are loads of deuch as they are known cost is high for what they are 8 to 10000 euro for a good runner. Friend was trying to get me to buy one he was doing up 4000 just for wreck then all the parts needed but great to see how they come apart. Bit of floodwater would not kill one of those!
#17
MBWorld Fanatic!
I had a flooded car once.. I drove it into a swing pool when I was younger.. it dried out and never ran right afterwards..the best bart about it was I met some big titted hot girls in bikinis that were there... was the best thing I’ve ever done!!
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Just to close this thread. The car was declared a total loss repairs costing more the 80% of the cars value.
It was going to be sold to salvage buyers by auction. I anticipate it will be broken up for parts rather than repair. All the body panels were a1 and the engine was undamaged. Internals had been tainted by several weeks sitting in the sun steaming away as no drying out had been completed. Some might be salvageable. At least no one is going to buy it via mercedes or other higher value dealer thinking it was a good car unaware it had been flood damaged and repaired. The history of ownership will record my insurers details putting a buyer on alert.
I am still waiting on my e class but have a 220d amg saloon on loan from the dealer.
It was going to be sold to salvage buyers by auction. I anticipate it will be broken up for parts rather than repair. All the body panels were a1 and the engine was undamaged. Internals had been tainted by several weeks sitting in the sun steaming away as no drying out had been completed. Some might be salvageable. At least no one is going to buy it via mercedes or other higher value dealer thinking it was a good car unaware it had been flood damaged and repaired. The history of ownership will record my insurers details putting a buyer on alert.
I am still waiting on my e class but have a 220d amg saloon on loan from the dealer.
#19
MBWorld Fanatic!
Am glad to say it is actually on lease and was being returned 18th June but sadly it seems my replacement new car is delayed. I was hoping to keep it until my new e class arrived......
Am seeing the garage tomorrow so will try to get an idea of the extent of repairs and how long they think they will take.
I will very possibly be using it for a period so am anxious it comes back a1 plus I would hate someone else to sink hard earned money into a poorly repaired car.
i am getting the feeling many think a flooded car is never repairable....
Am seeing the garage tomorrow so will try to get an idea of the extent of repairs and how long they think they will take.
I will very possibly be using it for a period so am anxious it comes back a1 plus I would hate someone else to sink hard earned money into a poorly repaired car.
i am getting the feeling many think a flooded car is never repairable....
A flooded car will have all sorts of gremlins (diablotin) that you will never get rid of. It's good this was a lease. At least you won't have to fight it out with the insurance adjusters.