HELP - Need advice
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 94
From: MD
w210 AMG or S213
HELP - Need advice
Here's my story. Saturday I was 
driving around in DC and this guy pulls up beside me and says "I can fix that damage on your front fender, Do you want a price?" This was strange for 2 reasons. 1. Autobody shops dont usually have workers in the streets giving out free estimates. 2. The last time I looked at my car there was no damage on the front fender. So I told the guy No. When I got home I went to the passenger side of the car and my fender had aseverl large dents and several scratches. 
I have no idea when the damage occured or who did it. I never go to the passenger side of the car and since I ride the train to work the car is parked at my apartment most of the time.
So today I took the car to 4 shops to get an estimate to fix it.
shop 1 - ~$1500-1800 would replace fender
shop 2 - $980 would replace fender
shop 3 - $375 would repair fender and repaint to match
shop 4 - $475 would repair fender and repaint to match
I have insurance with a $500 deductable.
Pictures are below
Here are my questions
How much is a good price to get this fixed?
Does the fender have to be replaced?
If I go through insurance how my can I expect my rate to change?
Any recommendations on good shops in the MD, DC, VA area?
driving around in DC and this guy pulls up beside me and says "I can fix that damage on your front fender, Do you want a price?" This was strange for 2 reasons. 1. Autobody shops dont usually have workers in the streets giving out free estimates. 2. The last time I looked at my car there was no damage on the front fender. So I told the guy No. When I got home I went to the passenger side of the car and my fender had aseverl large dents and several scratches. I have no idea when the damage occured or who did it. I never go to the passenger side of the car and since I ride the train to work the car is parked at my apartment most of the time.
So today I took the car to 4 shops to get an estimate to fix it.
shop 1 - ~$1500-1800 would replace fender
shop 2 - $980 would replace fender
shop 3 - $375 would repair fender and repaint to match
shop 4 - $475 would repair fender and repaint to match
I have insurance with a $500 deductable.
Pictures are below
Here are my questions
How much is a good price to get this fixed?
Does the fender have to be replaced?
If I go through insurance how my can I expect my rate to change?
Any recommendations on good shops in the MD, DC, VA area?
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Bronx, NY
year 2000 model E-320 210 chassis
I had a minor dent/scratch on my fender from a parking attendant and it cost $900, then I hit a 2 racoons going about 70mph they exploded like water balloons 
, the front left bumper was damaged and fog light and the under carraige that shields the engine, radiator pushed back a couple inches. total cost $2500-$3000, If I didn't tell you I damaged the front end, you would hardly notice= I took my car to a Benz dealer in westchester NY, they sent it out for repairs. But the results where fab!!! So if I need any body work done and I'm using insurance, I would rather have the dealer to do it, or take it to a shop that they recommend.
As far as your insurance going up.........mine did by about $30 per month for those damn racoons
The first one with the parking attendant didn't because they just cut me a check.
, the front left bumper was damaged and fog light and the under carraige that shields the engine, radiator pushed back a couple inches. total cost $2500-$3000, If I didn't tell you I damaged the front end, you would hardly notice= I took my car to a Benz dealer in westchester NY, they sent it out for repairs. But the results where fab!!! So if I need any body work done and I'm using insurance, I would rather have the dealer to do it, or take it to a shop that they recommend.As far as your insurance going up.........mine did by about $30 per month for those damn racoons
The first one with the parking attendant didn't because they just cut me a check.Here's my story. Saturday I was driving around in DC and this guy pulls up beside me and says "I can fix that damage on your front fender, Do you want a price?" This was strange for 2 reasons. 1. Autobody shops dont usually have workers in the streets giving out free estimates. 2. The last time I looked at my car there was no damage on the front fender. So I told the guy No. When I got home I went to the passenger side of the car and my fender had aseverl large dents and several scratches.
I have no idea when the damage occured or who did it. I never go to the passenger side of the car and since I ride the train to work the car is parked at my apartment most of the time.
So today I took the car to 4 shops to get an estimate to fix it.
shop 1 - ~$1500-1800 would replace fender
shop 2 - $980 would replace fender
shop 3 - $375 would repair fender and repaint to match
shop 4 - $475 would repair fender and repaint to match
I have insurance with a $500 deductable.
Pictures are below
Here are my questions
How much is a good price to get this fixed?
Does the fender have to be replaced?
If I go through insurance how my can I expect my rate to change?
Any recommendations on good shops in the MD, DC, VA area?
driving around in DC and this guy pulls up beside me and says "I can fix that damage on your front fender, Do you want a price?" This was strange for 2 reasons. 1. Autobody shops dont usually have workers in the streets giving out free estimates. 2. The last time I looked at my car there was no damage on the front fender. So I told the guy No. When I got home I went to the passenger side of the car and my fender had aseverl large dents and several scratches. I have no idea when the damage occured or who did it. I never go to the passenger side of the car and since I ride the train to work the car is parked at my apartment most of the time.
So today I took the car to 4 shops to get an estimate to fix it.
shop 1 - ~$1500-1800 would replace fender
shop 2 - $980 would replace fender
shop 3 - $375 would repair fender and repaint to match
shop 4 - $475 would repair fender and repaint to match
I have insurance with a $500 deductable.
Pictures are below
Here are my questions
How much is a good price to get this fixed?
Does the fender have to be replaced?
If I go through insurance how my can I expect my rate to change?
Any recommendations on good shops in the MD, DC, VA area?
Last edited by KADE; Apr 3, 2007 at 02:51 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 94
From: MD
w210 AMG or S213
Well I got the damage fixed. I went through insurance because I noticed the wheel on that side of the car was leaning in instead of sitting up straight. In the end I paid $500 and Geico paid $2500. they ended up replacing the fender ($300), upper control arm ($180), the hub ($190) and the steering knuckle ($770)
will post pics soon, I also got some new wheels
will post pics soon, I also got some new wheels
