FlintCDI

What do you guys think, will they total my car out? There ins't much if anything that didn't get jacked up.

SAguirre

If they don't total it I would ask for it to be totaled due to "hidden damage." It looks as if it went off the road into a field and hit a bunch of small shrubs and trees. It is terrible to see such a nice car in this condition, but it is nice to see that the people inside must have been fine.

As per Hidden Damage, I great friend of mine totaled the first C320 in that arrived in Boulder County. It was a very small accident, but the insurance did not want to deal with a never-ending list of errors and repairs. State Farm is pretty good about this stuff at least.

Tell us what they tell you,

Steve

TPAbnz

Did Tele-Aid find it?

marcos

What the hell happened man

jameson75

its totaled if there is frame damage. if there is no frame damage the insurance companies will use at its discretion and decided whether or not the damage will exceed the current market value of the car.

dacbiet

The ripples in both rear quarter panels are an ominous sign the body has been bent. There are plenty of people out there who say they have the equipment to make it "good as new", but if it is repaired, every noise, squeak, or rattle you hear in the future will make you wonder just how well the work was done.

Get rid of it and get a new one.

JimPurdy

I would press to have it totaled. I had a W202 with minor ($7000) damage compared to this and the trunk and rear passenger door never shut like before. There is also the issue of dimished value. Even though it may look good after the repair, it will be worth much less because of the accident. Diminished value can be a pain to claim but can be worth several thousand dollars.

FlintCDI

Dukes of hazard action. I have to say that this one was all me.

After I had my iPOD integrated it had not used the CD player in some time. I had placed a CD in the and went to switch from AUX to CD. I felt a small bump, looked up and say I a street sign clip off the passenger side mirror, a tree branch smack the windshield and then through a chainlink fence, down atop a culvert, bounced off the retaining wall, and launched up the other side, through the other side of the chainlink fence and landed on the half of the sidewalk and the downslope of the culvert. If I had gone over the culvert. I would have landed upside down in about 4 feet of water and 10 feet down.







A combination of poor visibility, distraction, wet grass and excess speed. about (42-45mph) approx. 10 over posted.

TPAbnz Did Tele-Aid find it?

No, The air bags did not deploy, thus Tele-Aid was not contacted. I did use the service to arrange a tow to the dealer. I had my seat belt on and am fine. Not a bump or bruise or even a stiff neck the day after. The car did what it was designed to do. Keep me safe. I knew these cars were safe. But after this I have a new appreciation for them. I will never put my family in anything but one of these cars. It was worth every penny spent and I don't think I could ever drive anything else. (except maybe a Volvo)

Other than the damage shown, the car has lost all of its coolant, and bled out most if not all of its oil. The car is in much worse shape in person that it appears in the photos. And the more I looked at it the more damage I found. One thing I found odd is the front passengers’ door will not open. Not due to passenger cabin deformation, but rather due to the front fender wedging back into it. if there was a passenger in the car they would have had to climb out my door.

I flat out will not keep the car even if it is repaired. As far as pressing them to total it, if they don't, and they want to repair it, how much can I expect of them. Can I demand that it be restored in such a fashion to be indistinguishable from a new car without looking at the odometer? I.e., if it doesn’t ride as it did, the paint isn't the same texture, the door gaps are perfect, It rattles/vibrates/whistles/squeaks. If the motors has a strange sound or the tranny shifts different, if fuel mileage is affected? Can I say that if it's not repaired to my satisfaction that I will not accept it? I know what my car sounds like when it cold, when its been run hard, when its been driven like a grandma. when it is at temp. And I'm one of the most critical critics of other peoples’ work. I wouldn't even want them to try.

TPAbnz

So what happened to the NAV unit in the trunk?

BTW, do I hear someone saying "rate increase?"!

FlintCDI

Yeah, Yeah, I know. Trust me I've learned the lesson.

As for the NAV, my car wasn't equipped with it. I believe the panel came loose in the collision.

xraymd

Wow, what a beating! Glad you didn't go over into the water. Even in a car as safe as the E, you don't want to try that.

Nevada Jack

I feel for you FlintCDI...your comment above is so pertinent. Just taking your eyes off the road for a second caused a major accident and could have been worse if you had gone into the water. It will make me be a lot more aware of my driving habits.

It looks to me that they have to total that car...if they don't they will have to build a new car over the existing frame. Parts will be unbelievable and the labor I would not even want to think about. Good luck.

pasto27774

Totaled is based on greater than 85% (give or take) of the value of the car in damages. It's hard to tell from the photos (i.e., hidden damage). Do the math based on the value of the car and the damage total needed to total it.

stickygreen

There is no way that they would attempt to fix the car, because the unibody frame is bent in several places. Add that to the fact that the motor is toast, and you've definitely got a total on your hands.

I've seen plenty of newer Porsches, BMW's, and Benzes with less chassis damage that were total losses. Just make sure you take it to a good, reputable, & expensive shop for the estimate.

Guess we can see why the w211 E-class has the lowest "death rate" of any car in the US.

Now hurry up and order a new CDI before they throw a v6 in it!

Raj
'97 e320
'05 e320 cdi
'85 535i

mleskovar

....is up to the descretion of the insurance company. Period. They have internal guidelines but they are just that....guidelines. It sure looks like it should be totalled though. However...you can argue for or against their findings if you don't like their answer. They are betting you need the money NOW to get another car and will low ball you...unless you have replacement guarantee. Glad I wasn't in front of you when you went to play with the toys in your car while driving. Glad you weren't hurt.

Dvinn

Glad you are ok. This is the exact reason I am willing to pay $15k more for a Benz than to be driving some other brand.

CE750

OMFG!

I can't believe that poor CDI! Glad your ok man... are you gonna replace it? I'm sure it's a total loss... parts car now.

MB Fanatic

I think a new E320 CDI is called for with all options and packages.

I doubt a Toyota/Lexus or Honda/Acura or some other brand other than BMW or Volvo would survive such a crash. Glad to hear that you are OK.

CE750

He's right, if your going to keep the CDI (and I would ) get the '06, cause that V6 is gonna be crap IMHO.

velvet fog

Damn, glad u r ok. Definitely looks bent, u should hope its a total. In my experience it usually takes more than sheetmetal to get a total with a car that costs as much as an E class. Hope for frame and other mechanical damage, much more expensive to fix.

Good luck,

-tokz-

glad that you're ok.

the car showed that it covered you from alot injuries.

FlintCDI

Guys,

Thanks for the kind words and the well deserved speeches about not paying attention . I'll find out this morning what the verdict is. One way or anther I'll soon be driving a 06' CDI. I guess I need to start reading the "MUST HAVE ON MY NEW CDI" thread

If they don't decide to total it how much can I expect to repair the car? Am I correct in assuming that it should or MUST be repaired to its previous condition? And if problems arise after the "repairs" have been completed that they have to address them as well? I've never had to make claim and don't know anyone who has made one of this nature. I know it will never be as it was before. Just looking for some ammunition if the worst-case scenario comes into play.


Thanks again,

TPAbnz

Check you PM.

dacbiet

I'd be careful not to publicly say that you're not hurt until you find out what your insurance company will do for you.

It may not be a bad idea to get yourself checked out by a doctor.

In all probability your insurance company will do the right thing, but until they do you need to keep the personal injury card in your hand in the event your insurance tries to jerk you around.

I know this approach is not popular and I'm not suggesting you immediately go and retain an attorney. However, you should just keep this option viable "just in case".

konigstiger

Exactly! Don’t ever think they have your best interest in mind.