Damage Assessment
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Chandler, AZ
2001 E55 Silver with Charcoal/Ruby
Damage Assessment
Somebody backed into me last night. See below for pictures of the damage. I'm wondering if anyone on here has experience in assessing the extent of damage in a situation like this. I have had the car towed to the local Mercedes dealership and they will be assessing the damage tomorrow.
My assessment is that they will need to replace the bumper, bumper insets, headlamp washer assembly, front-left fender and driver-side headlight assembly.
Specifically, I have the following questions:
***Are they going to try to repair the hood, or is this type of damage not repairable and the hood will need to be replaced?
***Are they going to replace both headlight assemblies, or will they just do the one that is damaged?
***Are they going to repaint the whole front end or just blend in the paint on the repaired/replaced parts?
***Has anyone had any experience with things that might get "missed" in the initial assessment but will turn out to be a problem in the long run?
I will have more info from the dealer/body shop tomorrow and I want to be prepared with follow-up questions to ask. Any help is appreciated.
My assessment is that they will need to replace the bumper, bumper insets, headlamp washer assembly, front-left fender and driver-side headlight assembly.
Specifically, I have the following questions:
***Are they going to try to repair the hood, or is this type of damage not repairable and the hood will need to be replaced?
***Are they going to replace both headlight assemblies, or will they just do the one that is damaged?
***Are they going to repaint the whole front end or just blend in the paint on the repaired/replaced parts?
***Has anyone had any experience with things that might get "missed" in the initial assessment but will turn out to be a problem in the long run?
I will have more info from the dealer/body shop tomorrow and I want to be prepared with follow-up questions to ask. Any help is appreciated.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
did you
catch who did it?If so take it to the best shop you can find and have them wait until the guys estimator shows.
They will blend the paint.
if someone is at fault and you are having their insurance pay,make sure you tell them(demand)You want $2500 on top of the repairs for the diminished value the car will have in the future when you sell it.
Dealer shop and insurance claim will surely get posted to carfax and you will need to disclose it,or some smart potential buyer will sniff it out.
Can't tell from the pics if the hood is creased beyond repair,looks like the fender can be pulled out and the bumper will get a new cover.
good luck,
ohlord
They will blend the paint.
if someone is at fault and you are having their insurance pay,make sure you tell them(demand)You want $2500 on top of the repairs for the diminished value the car will have in the future when you sell it.
Dealer shop and insurance claim will surely get posted to carfax and you will need to disclose it,or some smart potential buyer will sniff it out.
Can't tell from the pics if the hood is creased beyond repair,looks like the fender can be pulled out and the bumper will get a new cover.
good luck,
ohlord
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 355
Likes: 3
2007 S-550, 2001 E-430 & 1997 E-420
It is minimum $8000. Don't take it to MB
Look like it is $8000. Pleaes don't take it to stealer.
You can tow the car to your home and let estimater to come to your house to inspect it.
If you don't owe any $$ on your car loan, then let insurance to write you check for $8000 and then you can go around and find the good shop who can work with you.
You might even left over with $$ if you do your own shop.
You have right under insurance law to take it to any shop you like. If you know some one who own the shop or garage, take it to them, he can save you lots of $$$.
Never ever go to MB stealer for body, MB will contract out work to local body shop and mark up $$$ on invoice. Insurance end up paying more just because you take it to MB, top of it, it is ***** to work with MB.
You can tow the car to your home and let estimater to come to your house to inspect it.
If you don't owe any $$ on your car loan, then let insurance to write you check for $8000 and then you can go around and find the good shop who can work with you.
You might even left over with $$ if you do your own shop.
You have right under insurance law to take it to any shop you like. If you know some one who own the shop or garage, take it to them, he can save you lots of $$$.
Never ever go to MB stealer for body, MB will contract out work to local body shop and mark up $$$ on invoice. Insurance end up paying more just because you take it to MB, top of it, it is ***** to work with MB.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu
2010 S550
I had similar damage from a retread strike (hood had small dent, left headlamp broken, no fender or bumper damage); had it repaired at a Mercedes associated body shop (only one place on Oahu to get good Mercedes body work done). Xenon was $1,100 - they only replaced the broken one...and they replace the hood (suprisingly inexpensive) and painted. Total was $3500. Hope that helps. My insurance guy was very thourough inspecting the area for damage and taking pics....
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Chandler, AZ
2001 E55 Silver with Charcoal/Ruby
thanks for the input
Yes, I know who did it...we we're driving in the parking lot, so he hit us with me and my wife in the car (nobody hurt). I made him wait until the police showed up. They said they wouldn't normally come out but I told them there was >$5k damage and they sent an officer. His insurance company "accepted liability" yesterday, so I will be dealing with them instead of my insurance. 
I had it towed to the dealer (since that's what my tow insurance covered) but I knew that they farm out the body work to another company. It's at that body shop now and I'm awaiting their damage assessment.
I'm hopeful that everyone will agree (body shop and insurance adjuster) to replace the bumper cover, fender, and hood. I'm not convinced that they can bang the fender back to original shape and I think the sheetmetal of the hood would be significantly weakened at the crease point.
ohlord, I'll try researching the Arizona state laws about "diminished re-sale value" before I talk with the insurance adjuster.
I had it towed to the dealer (since that's what my tow insurance covered) but I knew that they farm out the body work to another company. It's at that body shop now and I'm awaiting their damage assessment.
I'm hopeful that everyone will agree (body shop and insurance adjuster) to replace the bumper cover, fender, and hood. I'm not convinced that they can bang the fender back to original shape and I think the sheetmetal of the hood would be significantly weakened at the crease point.
ohlord, I'll try researching the Arizona state laws about "diminished re-sale value" before I talk with the insurance adjuster.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
No need
to research it.Just write up a demand letter,stating the facts.Diminished value,your aggravation,etc.You should not be made,on sale day to take the hit for their clients negligence.If you had been shaken up,they would pay you several tho on demand just to keep you away from a lawyer,so why not make them pay for your loss of value?
