All 4 Wheels Stolen !
09-23-2008, 12:44 PM
#26
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Oh, in terms of your insurance claim, the way it works is they have to reimburse you for the cost of restoring your car to the way it was. That means new identical MB wheels and tires.
However, they can deduct for "betterment." That means they can deduct for the wear that you had on your original tires. In other words, if you had 20,000 miles on your original tires, and their life expectancy is 40,000 miles, then you get reimbursed 1/2 the cost of new tires, because now your tires have a remaining life of 40,000 miles vs. 20,000 miles on your old tires.
It's hard for them to argue betterment in the case of the wheels unless they can prove your wheels had prior damage. Since you're making a claim with your own insurer, they're not likely to argue the point much since you're their customer. If they do, then I would point out to the adjuster that the burden is on him to show that your car is now worth more as a result of having new wheels vs. your original wheels in perfect condition. Don't be too quick to accept a settlement that you think is unfair. The adjuster will be in a big hurry to close out a claim that is (in relative terms, for an insurance company) a small one, so the longer you hold out, the better a settlement you'll get.
Good luck.
However, they can deduct for "betterment." That means they can deduct for the wear that you had on your original tires. In other words, if you had 20,000 miles on your original tires, and their life expectancy is 40,000 miles, then you get reimbursed 1/2 the cost of new tires, because now your tires have a remaining life of 40,000 miles vs. 20,000 miles on your old tires.
It's hard for them to argue betterment in the case of the wheels unless they can prove your wheels had prior damage. Since you're making a claim with your own insurer, they're not likely to argue the point much since you're their customer. If they do, then I would point out to the adjuster that the burden is on him to show that your car is now worth more as a result of having new wheels vs. your original wheels in perfect condition. Don't be too quick to accept a settlement that you think is unfair. The adjuster will be in a big hurry to close out a claim that is (in relative terms, for an insurance company) a small one, so the longer you hold out, the better a settlement you'll get.
Good luck.
09-23-2008, 12:57 PM
#27
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I can understand deducting for having used the tires for 17,000 miles, or treadwear, as long as they don't try to saddle me with used painted road rashed wheels with Conti's on them off a wreck. I want perfect polished wheels with lightly used Michelins on them... just like mine were.
My bet is that they'll try to locate a used set off a wreck & tow the car to a body shop where the wheels would be sent. I want the balanced wheels sent to my house & put on the car there... I'm also debating asking for a check & adding money & buying what I want new... maybe even AMG wheels... but who knows. First I'll have to meet with the adjuster tomorrow.
My bet is that they'll try to locate a used set off a wreck & tow the car to a body shop where the wheels would be sent. I want the balanced wheels sent to my house & put on the car there... I'm also debating asking for a check & adding money & buying what I want new... maybe even AMG wheels... but who knows. First I'll have to meet with the adjuster tomorrow.
Last edited by Barry45RPM; 09-23-2008 at 01:16 PM.
09-23-2008, 01:10 PM
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'12 Mustang 5.0, '89 Supra Turbo, C55,
REal sorry to hear this. Good luck and I hope everything works out to your liking. Can't bel. they did this in a driveway, and looking at your pics, the car is right off a road....
09-23-2008, 01:19 PM
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Thanks all! I'll be fine. After all, there are no lasting ill effects from the episode... and the car is still in perfect condition. Nothing scratched, nothing broken. Just the hassle of not being able to use the car, and Police reports & adjusters. 
Last edited by Barry45RPM; 09-23-2008 at 02:27 PM.
09-23-2008, 02:08 PM
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Velvet Fleetwood
sorry to hear about the loss. did the police give you a hard time at all, how logn did police report take? are your side skirts scratched? can't tell from the pic. maybe you can press the adjuster to re-paint them as well. 
09-23-2008, 02:26 PM
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Report took 1/2 hr
Had to go to the station this mng to pick up a summary w/case number & Detective's name, as the case has been given to a Detective. (I don't know why... the wheels are probably on eBay right now.)
Police knocked on doors & asked a couple of neighbors "Did you see anything?"
No damage to Skirts is apparent at this time, will have the dealer put the car on the lift to make sure it was jacked up with no damage when I have wheels.
...and yeah, It is nice that they left it on retaining wall bricks & kept it off the brakes.
Also its a good thing I have the Build Data Card which proves to the Adjuster that the car was built & shipped with the "R68 Polished Titanium Wheels" and not the painted version of the wheels.
Last edited by Barry45RPM; 09-23-2008 at 02:48 PM.
09-23-2008, 03:27 PM
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2011 E550 (RIP), 2014 CLS 550C4
Serious bummer Barry.
They knew what they were doing to over come the tilt/tow sensor. Low profile floor jack under the suspension control arms. Jack it slowly and only enough to get the tire off the ground and the block under the jack point on the body. With low profile tires they probably only needed to raise each corner by an inch. If they had jacked it under the body jack points the sensor probably would have tripped.
Not much you could have done. Wheel locks are definately worth the trouble though. They are reccessed pretty deeply into the wheel so it makes it tough to get any type of tool on the locks. Most common thieves will generally move on to an easier target if they see locks.
Dan
They knew what they were doing to over come the tilt/tow sensor. Low profile floor jack under the suspension control arms. Jack it slowly and only enough to get the tire off the ground and the block under the jack point on the body. With low profile tires they probably only needed to raise each corner by an inch. If they had jacked it under the body jack points the sensor probably would have tripped.
Not much you could have done. Wheel locks are definately worth the trouble though. They are reccessed pretty deeply into the wheel so it makes it tough to get any type of tool on the locks. Most common thieves will generally move on to an easier target if they see locks.
Dan
09-23-2008, 04:07 PM
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2011 E350 Sport 4Matic - P2 & Drivers Assist / 2010 C300 Sport 4Matic - P2 / 2013 Porsche Cayenne S
So sorry for your loss Barry ! At least they didn't damage your car. If there is anything we can do for you let us know.
09-23-2008, 04:26 PM
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2005 E500 with 'some' BRABUS upgrades
. Hope everything gets replaced. Did anything else on the car get screwed up from the idiots leaving on the bricks?If I were you I would run TWO different sets of wheel locks on the car. Meaning you will have only 3 regular lugs and 2 locks on each wheel. MUCH MUCH harder for these stupid *******s to take your wheels. They be able to break off one but when they come across the 2nd lock they'll just split.
I run 2 different sets/brands of wheels locks cause you never know
Last edited by BRABUS_E500; 09-23-2008 at 04:28 PM.
09-23-2008, 05:26 PM
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09-23-2008, 11:31 PM
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2005 E500 Sport
Another good case for wiring C4 to a motion sensor connected to the alarm system...
Go ahead.. make my insurance claim (and send the fire dept. over to pick this bxxxxxxs pieces outta the trees!
Go ahead.. make my insurance claim (and send the fire dept. over to pick this bxxxxxxs pieces outta the trees!
09-24-2008, 12:07 PM
#43
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My condolences,B. Kinda reminds of my 2 Acuras. Maybe not an identical theft,but the feeling is still the same.The one before the one I posted below I only had for 6 months before the car was totaled by some young asswipe joyriding from Jersey City. And the one below was broken into 4 times before I just got fed up,and got my first Mercedes. Good Luck with whatever shoes you get....
Last edited by ruffrob; 09-24-2008 at 12:21 PM.
09-24-2008, 02:48 PM
#45
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Actually I'm just going to go with the Sport Pkg Polished (not painted) Staggered 18s with Michelin MXM's just as the car was was delivered to me brand new. I loved the wheels & the tires served me well.
Adjuster was here this AM & said he'd like to find a set of "Take-Offs" for me but he can see that he's not going to find a set in as good a condition as the rest of the car is. (My wheels were flawless.)
At any rate, I ordered the wheels,caps valves & LOCKS a few minutes ago from the MB Massapequa. They say they'll have them all tomorrow, balance them & drive them over to my house to install.
So basically, I guess I'm on the hook for whatever the Insurance Company pays me minus what I spent (Less my $50.00 deductible on Comprehensive). At any rate, If I'm not beat up too bad, I'll end up happy.
Will keep you "posted".
Adjuster was here this AM & said he'd like to find a set of "Take-Offs" for me but he can see that he's not going to find a set in as good a condition as the rest of the car is. (My wheels were flawless.)
At any rate, I ordered the wheels,caps valves & LOCKS a few minutes ago from the MB Massapequa. They say they'll have them all tomorrow, balance them & drive them over to my house to install.
So basically, I guess I'm on the hook for whatever the Insurance Company pays me minus what I spent (Less my $50.00 deductible on Comprehensive). At any rate, If I'm not beat up too bad, I'll end up happy.
Will keep you "posted".
09-24-2008, 03:27 PM
#46
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I'm not sure why he's even babbling about take-off wheels. When your bodywork is damaged, you're entitled to new replacement body parts -- not repainted used parts from a junk yard. You did the right thing by going ahead and ordering the new wheels. It makes it harder for the insurance company to stick you with used wheels if you've already bought and paid for the replacements. Plus, you've lost use of your car until the wheels are replaced, so you have every incentive to move ahead quickly.
09-24-2008, 05:34 PM
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I'm not sure why he's even babbling about take-off wheels. When your bodywork is damaged, you're entitled to new replacement body parts -- not repainted used parts from a junk yard. You did the right thing by going ahead and ordering the new wheels. It makes it harder for the insurance company to stick you with used wheels if you've already bought and paid for the replacements. Plus, you've lost use of your car until the wheels are replaced, so you have every incentive to move ahead quickly.
Body shops generally hate aftermarket sheet metal because they have to finesse it into place to get it to fit properly, which costs them time & materials which the insurance company is not paying them for. They're paying the body shop the same dough as if they were using OEM perfect fitting fenders. (which sometimes require finessing too.)
If you get hit on the side, you know you don't get a brand new door, don't you? You get one from the junk yard painted to match your car. Car manufacturers don't even stock "Whole Doors" anyway... they stock outer skins, inner doors, window glass, handles, risers, inner door trim panels, power window buttons, ash trays, etc... the body shop would have to assemble it, so they prefer a perfect whole used door that only needs sanding, painting & polishing. Or if they're lucky only an outer skin.
Our cars are relatively low volume cars so OEM is usually the only source. Thats why the insurance (and parts) costs more than a high volume car.
If the wheels are perfect on a car that was hit on the nose & "totaled", those wheels are acceptable to any insurance company... but they'd have to be absolutely perfect for me to accept them. ...anyway, the adjuster told me to go order my wheels. Guess he recognized an **** car nut perfectionist... and if perfect wheels of this type were easilly found used, I guess mine wouldn't have been stolen to order.
Ahhh... a very busy week so far... but making progress. Anybody need 4 retaining wall bricks?
Last edited by Barry45RPM; 09-24-2008 at 05:47 PM.
