What a Major Accident costs
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Chicago Suburbs, USA
2014 E350 4Matic, 2012 Kia Soul+
What a Major Accident costs
My 2006 just got back from being smashed in the front. They replaced one fender, the hood, the radiator, the bumber, the lights. It cost $15,000 when all was done. I don't love it anymore and ordered a replacement before it even came back from the body shop. Want to buy it? I didn't think so. I went to Carmax to sell it for wholesale. Wholesale is generally about 24, but they offered me only 20 because they said it has evidence frame repair. You know what? I think I'm going to take it. Even though the car looks and drives perfectly, I don't think I can get more much more for it. I posted an description with 18 pictures in the buy forum. I got 2-3 interested people, but they ran when I explained the accident. (And they say honesty pays!)
In the end, this accident that wasn't may fault will cost me about $5,000. Had I leased, it would not have been a problem as body repairs are accepted so long as they are done by an approved body shop. My repair was done by a great body shop.
My next car is a lease.
Want to know the worse part? I decided on a 528xi. I timed the lease to be able to get a second year W212. But for a couple of years I thought I'd try something different.
In the end, this accident that wasn't may fault will cost me about $5,000. Had I leased, it would not have been a problem as body repairs are accepted so long as they are done by an approved body shop. My repair was done by a great body shop.
My next car is a lease.
Want to know the worse part? I decided on a 528xi. I timed the lease to be able to get a second year W212. But for a couple of years I thought I'd try something different.
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Damage history particularly frame damage devalues the car big time. This is true even with a perfect by the book repair. Even at a dealer auction the cars must go thru on a "red light" and bring lots less money. Have you tried to sue, assuming the accident was not your fault, for diminished value. This may be possible in your state as it is here. Consultantants are available to assist you with the process.
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Chicago Suburbs, USA
2014 E350 4Matic, 2012 Kia Soul+
Failed to Yield
I did look into that, but learned the Illinois supreme court seems to side with the insurance company in cases of diminished value. There is no point in suing the party at fault since they had no insurance and no apparent assets. The other party was arrested on the scene for driving on a suspended license. That was one ticket. He also got one for driving without insurance and failed to yield. Failed to yield is code for turning blindly into oncoming traffic.
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
In wa state
we have what they call uim coverage,that means not only uninsured motorist coverage but under insured coverage,see if your insurance covers that and have a lawyer go over the issue with you.You can make a claim against your own insurance company and they need to pay off the diminished value.Worth the time and money to have a lawyer look it over.
ohlord
ohlord
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Chicago Suburbs, USA
2014 E350 4Matic, 2012 Kia Soul+
uim
In Illinois UIM has nothing to do with collision. It comes into play if you are hurt and the other driver's medical liability is absent or insufficient to fix you up. In Illinois your insurance always gets your car fixed and if it's not your fault they sue and otherwise collect from the other insurance company on your behalf.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
In Illinois UIM has nothing to do with collision. It comes into play if you are hurt and the other driver's medical liability is absent or insufficient to fix you up. In Illinois your insurance always gets your car fixed and if it's not your fault they sue and otherwise collect from the other insurance company on your behalf.
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From: Raleigh NC
2007 E63, 2006 C55
RE: Diminished Value
Sorry to hear about your situation, but if your E350 looks and drives perfectly, why not just keep it until the W212 comes out? Whatever value has diminished is already done, it won't get worse, and you won't be banished to IDrive and Bangle bungle styling.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Chicago Suburbs, USA
2014 E350 4Matic, 2012 Kia Soul+
Fiscal Responsibility
Just keep it till w212 comes out? Well that would be the most fiscally responsible thing to do. Bottom line is I'd always be aware of the hidden damage and wonder if a problem might manifest itself down the line. Even though the Body shop will fix anything for as long as I own the car, it would really bug me if anything happened. But I admit there isn't any rational reason to slip into BMWville.
I don't have a problem with iDrive. I found it intuitive and powerful. And like in the Benz, you can enter a navigation address while moving. And it doesn't take me any longer. I don't mind the 5 Series styling, but nothing beats the beauty of the E inside and out. I never tired of staring at the W211.
I sure hope they keep the elegant styling in the W212. I'm pretty sure they will.
I don't have a problem with iDrive. I found it intuitive and powerful. And like in the Benz, you can enter a navigation address while moving. And it doesn't take me any longer. I don't mind the 5 Series styling, but nothing beats the beauty of the E inside and out. I never tired of staring at the W211.
I sure hope they keep the elegant styling in the W212. I'm pretty sure they will.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Dallas, TX
sold - w211 e320, f250, rx7 race car
I sued for diminished value without an attorney, I won, and I got paid. Of course there was an insurance company involved so they defended their insured. I got about 5 times what they had wanted to pay me for diminished value. It's easy to do - find a diminished value appraiser, get the report (about $300), file suit in small claims court against the motorist at fault (make sure you don't sue for more than small claims max limit), get a judgment. If they don't pay, get the Sheriff to seize property. You can do this all without an attorney.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Maryland
03 Eclass, 03 BMW 06 Porsche Cayman S, 03 Harley Davidson "bored & stroked"
Damage history particularly frame damage devalues the car big time. This is true even with a perfect by the book repair. Even at a dealer auction the cars must go thru on a "red light" and bring lots less money. Have you tried to sue, assuming the accident was not your fault, for diminished value. This may be possible in your state as it is here. Consultantants are available to assist you with the process.
w211 has a frame that bolts on to the unibody in the front of the vehicle, and is designed to be easily replaced and less costly to repair then damage to the unibody. The first 2 feet or so of the car is the bolt on frame, so they should have just replaced it with a new frame.
