Hey guys,
Dealer says a vehicle backed into a snow bank and rear bumper was repaired/painted.
And this was the only damage. (I haven't seen the car)

However, I'm looking at the Carfax and this description :

"Damage Report Accident reported
Involving rear impact
It hit another motor vehicle
Airbags did not deploy "

To me this means it hit another vehicle in the rear. What say all of you ?

 

I would interpret that to mean the car in question had an accident where the rear of the car being reported on was impacted. Not that it hit another car in the rear end.

It hit another vehicle... by backing into it.

Or a snowbank... except Carfax probably doesn't have that as an option!!

 

Thanks ! I definitely needed another set of eyes on this one.

And, you're probably right on the method of reporting...snow bank is probably not in their data base.

I'll know better when I see the car. If it's minor damage ,and a good repair, it won't bother me.

 

Get a repitable body shop you trust to inspect the car. Only way to know for sure. Make sure there was no frame damage.

 

+1

Always do a body shop inspection (with paint meter, etc.) along with a mechanics full ppi. Even on a CPO car. Cover all your bases, there's no reason not to do that. A few hundred $$ spent now can save potential headaches later.

btw, a bumper replacement or bumper respray doesn't "count" as damage to be concerned about. Bumpers are plastic and are resprayed often or replaced.

 

Thanks 220s....my concern would be if the impact was strong enough that it pushed the bumper cover into the rear quarters and/or damaged the frame.

Although, if backing up, I can't imagine the speed was fast enough to cause significant damage beyond the cover.
And, it just may have been the above mentioned snow bank.

 

fwiw, I'd have an auto body shop do an inspection on any car you're interested in buying even if there's no mention of an accident. You never now what might have been part of the car's history.

And even the dealer might not honestly know. At the very least, a body shop can take a paint meter to the car pretty easily.

Good luck and hope you find a good car. It seems like you've been looking for a while(?) I think I remember you asking about pricing, etc., a while ago.

 

Hey Starbrite.....

55K or 63 in your future? Sure sounds like it!

I fully expect to see you at one of our MIR rentals!

 

Yes, I've been looking since mid summer, but just havn't been able to find one without issues.

And then for while I kinda gave up/ lost interest and thought I'd just stick with the 320.

Then the "craving" came back, so looking again.

@Clayton....I'm hoping !!

 

Well, saw the car yesterday and the bumper repaint is perfect.

However, the dealer appears to be a real fly by night, part of a gas station.

He said the car was at another location because of the snow and where a friend of his needed some more cars on the line of his new dealership. It was only a few miles away, so I took a look. I have a feeling that the original dealer never had possession of the car.

Coincidentaly, today the car was off Autotrade and the dealer's web site. (original dealer)
Aaargh...

 

Keep looking.

Have patience. Look at the positive side: prices keep dropping the longer it takes to find the right car.

 

Oh, I'm in no hurry...it's not like I don't already have a car.

You have to be patient when looking for an '09 63. I live in a major metropolitan area, here in NY, and on Autotrader there are only 9 vehicles, private and dealer, within 200 miles and six of them are over $60k.
Across the country, only 18 for sale.

Time will tell

 

Where in L.I. are ya? Have you spoke to Rallye?

 

Dix Hills.
Rallye isn't one of my favorite dealers, and all they have in '09's are 2 E350's.

 

Why don't you like tham?

 

Personal experience with arrogant sales people.

Friends who have experienced the same, even after having purchased more than one vehicle from them.

 

In terms of frame damage, a body shop can put it on the laser frame alignment machine and get readings which will show whether the frame is within factory tolerances or not.

If the car was hit from behind (rather than just backing into a snow bank), the whiplash prevention headrests would have deployed if there was anything more than a very low impact. The Star diagnostic system should indicate whether they deployed.

 

Thanks Oggie, but that car is off my list now.....circumstances just a little too sketchy for my taste, per above posts.

 

According to MBUSA's AMG product managers, only 431 2009 E63s were sold in the US. They won't be as available as 2007s or E55s, that's for sure. Plus it's still a bit early for them to come off lease, etc..

I've ordered a new car (not another Benz) and I'm thinking about selling my E63 or keeping it. Haven't made up my mind yet. I'll let you know (if you're interested.) Flint Gray on Black. All options except Distronic and the p030 performance package. 20k on it. Maintained like a newborn baby. Motor's strong, no ticking, no noises, etc.. New Michelin PS2s. If I sell it, I'd consider going with what the dealer will give on trade. I'd rather have an enthusiast and MBWorld member end up with it than the dealer making profit and/or auctioning it off.