eyedol911

I had an accident today (long story short, A dumb guy with Chev S-10 ran a red light and destroyed mine) and I am trying to find the best way to fix this. Fronts are completely smashed, both quarter panels are messed up, driver side door is bent, and possibly some of front-end parts need to be replaced. Of course, the hood is crumbled also. I have not inspected under the hood yet, but who knows. I can barely drive, because the crushed parts are rubbing the tires and the front wheels are not exactly aligned.

I live in Cary, NC and I am trying to find out what would be the best way to fix this. Should I take my car to MB dealer shop and have them fix it? Or, do you have any recommendation for the repair works? The other guy’s GEICO called me already, but I am going to fix it right. BTW, CD changer is not working either. I guess it was a shock.

Any advice would be appreciated.

This is the first accident I have with this car.

Howellja

sorry to hear about your ride! I dont know how it works in NC, but in NY you can take your car to ANY autobody shop. You have the legal right to take it where you want to take it and the insurance company has to deal with whatever shop you choose. A MB dealer would use all OEM parts but they might not be the best autobody shop in town! Many times MB dealers contract out their autobody work. I would just find out real quick who does the best work in your area and take your car there immediately.
Good luck!

FrankC0402

Sorry to hear about your car.

I live in Raleigh and would recommend Paragon Autobody (1 mile North of the beltline on Capital Blvd, behind the Guitar Center). There are a few others in town I would trust, but I would start there.

eyedol911

Thank you for your recommendation. I will speak to Paragon tomorrow and start to look for the best body shop around here first. I know this could take some time, but I would like to fix it right. So far, I had a few small troubles, but it served us well and I am planning to keep it.

I try to open the hood this morning, but it is jammed and it would not open. Nothing is leaking yet, but who knows.

Funny, the other guy’s insurance agent called today and wants to take statement and record it. I told them I am not interested until I know what to do, and I wanted to speak to my insurance agent first.

Just for your view, I have attached a picture of the front. So sad…

Tweel

man that damage is sick!

that truck must have been goin at a fast speed to do that...our W210's are like a rock..unlike chevy's...which u always see in the shop getting something done

I remember i got rear ended by a guy who just got his new pontiac solstice...his fault...didnt see me..and braked too late...nothing happened to the car...just a little scuff that came off with a little towel work

good luck man...as the guy said...go to a good body shop and let insurance do the rest...!

eyedol911

You should have seen the skid mark he left, about 50 yards. Obviously, the guys was doing something, he told me that he didn't see the traffice light.

I was doing barely 10 mph, and he was coming at about 50 mph and took my w210 front.

I have to tell you that his S-10 front wheel was bent pretty bad.

I just had a BIG emotional scar

Z06EATER

shucks it's a heart breaking time when ur baby gts hit, it really is. just take it to the shop, and let them do the best they can. i hope the engine wasn't damaged to badly.

OldNate

I'm glad to see that you are okay. In my opinion, the best thing to do would be to get another car. That car could have frame damage and have lasting damage for a long while. Also, the car will most likely be considered salavaged and when you sell it, you won't get much for it. You should just take advantage of the insurance right now and get another car :$?

^^that is judging without knowing your insurance policy.

eyedol911

Believe it or not, it is totalled..

After took off all the damages in the front, the bodyshop determined (Forster's in Raleigh, NC) that the front frame is bent about 15-20 degress to the driverside and they have to cut out everything from the firewall and replace it. Of course, that means they have take everything out first and cut out the front and replace it. It will never be the same car.

All in all, it is about 14K job for bodyworks only. And the COMAND is messed up as well as the CD changer. I guess the impact was much greater than I thought, now I am glad that I am still alive.

My E320 (2000 with 53K ODO) didn't have any scratch until this and it is totalled.

I am pissed so bad, but the GEICO man wants to pay me less than 19K. I am mad like hell.

What should I do?

I know the bluebook value, but I wasn't going to buy another car, oh well, life is not fair.

venezzia

I'm really sorry to hear about your accident and that the car is now totalled. It is such a shame. I am interested to hear about the outcome...

Several years ago, I was hit on my front end in my former el camino and it was much less damage than your car, but long story short, I was screwed by their insurance company. I need to know how to handle these type of situations. I hope somebody can give some good advice here.

Are you going to buy another W210?

eyedol911

I am trying to settle this insurance first, but it seems to be I am at losing. There isn't any true value justification for the property here. It is almost become number games. Without the accident, I feel very strong that I could have driven the beast another 15 years and that is way more than 19K in my opinion.

Other than some of annoying electrical problems, I was very satisfied with my E320. Engine purrs always nicely and the smooth transmission was no complaint. Size was perfect and everything was going well until this misfortune!

I am still open to anyone's bright idea how to deal with this GEICO man. I wish there is a law protecting us from this involuntary salvage situation for recovering true ownership values instead of the Kelly blue book values.

Once I settle this with GEICO, I am thinking about getting another W210 or W211. I know how much it cost me when I bought mine and it is about the same for a new. I am willing to spent time and find a good valued MB this time.

I am SICK now.

Tommy_s4

get a carbon fiber hood. theres 600 dollers ::cheaper then oem part:: and their much lighter

Hirnbeiss

15-20 degrees is huge, and you can't see that at all from the picture. I would have them show you to convince you, or I recommend a second opinion.

Otherwise, take the insurance money and move on - it sounds like a fair offer.

sosh

Actually the number sounds quite reasonable and if it is blue book retail you should be able to replace it and maybe put a few bucks in your pocket. Also check the number with all other sources like dealer auction sheets, dealers, etc.

eyedol911

If you can see the picture, there is the front frame bent. Frame is shift to the driver side and it looks pretty odd.

Oh, well. My trusted w210 saved me and it is time to move on. The electrical systems are messed up pretty bad also.

I am thinking about getting a good used e320 (2004-2005) or perhaps try a CLK. I would use it for daily driving and I don't have any kids.

Any recommendation would be appreciated.

Thank you for everyone's thoughts and help!