Their opening shot is always low and unprofessional. Counter with.
1. Totally loaded, special order to the max E-Class model of your dreams.
2. Pain and suffering.
3. Emotional distress.
4. An E-Class rental while your new car is built because you won't feel safe in anything else.
5. Further emotional distress for treating you like an idiot.
That should be worth high 6 figures. Be prepaired to settle for #1 and #4 above.

Wayne

She did a good job by making you sell all the bikes , they are dangerous but what makes them even more perilous is other reckless drivers

so your wife MADE you do something.....

my wife and I talk things through......nobody MAKES anyone do anything.....

I have no resepct for those MAKING us do things........

Sometimes my Girlfriend MAKES me have sex with her.

Fortunately for her, even in my most not convenient to engage in such activities moments, it isn't always so difficult to do.

Might be time to talk to one of those car accident lawyers.

Assuming the worst, and they insist on repairing the vehicle...
Before signing anything, DEMAND that the car be repaired to factory original condition. Like the day it rolled off the assembly line a few months ago. This includes the factory clear coat at about $1,000/gallon plus expert application. That might make them reconsider and do the right thing.
Looking at this from their point of view, their job is to get off cheap. Looking at from your point of view, you want a new vehicle.
Hopefully reason and common sense will prevail.

BTW, which insurance company represents the offending driver?

Wayne

Sorry about your car. Its unfortunate that the repairs are far less than what the care is worth so they refuse to total it. I'd contact your local insurance comissioner and file a complaint. Reality is that it will be report to carfax, you will get thousands less for a trade-in because of the frame damage. I hope you didn't take it to a 3rd party repair shop. Tell your agency you want MB to repair it.

Just FYI:
Be careful on the MB repair. I found that most MB dealers in my area use local shops or a all-one shop that repairs chevys/MB's and kia's. I asked around at the local Porsche and MB meets to get body shop recommendations.

I was *very* disappointed that MB didn't perform their own body work.

Broken record

You need a lawyer, you need a lawyer, you need a lawyer, lawyer, lawyer...

What does your insurance company say? Talk to your insurer about getting a claims adjuster to inspect the vehicle. If it isn't at a shop and is just in a tow yard, it is going to be difficult to get an accurate estimate until they start to pull panels off.
Not sure what CA law is, but here in WA, you are entitled to have it worked on at the body shop of your choice. I would have it towed to an MB approved shop (list is on the mbusa website) and have them inspect it and write up a quote. In particular, they will look for frame damage.
I think the case you need to make is that a proper repair plus the diminished value claim that you make (this is financial compensation for the fact that the repaired vehicle will never be worth as much a vehicle that had not been in a collision) will bring the total insurance claim up to a level where it will be better for the insurer to declare it a total loss.
It is definitely worth consulting with a reputable lawyer (they must be out there) in order to maximize your settlement. Be smart about it and don't abuse the system since it just puts the rates up for everyone (I say this having been the victim of someone who did abuse the system).
Goes without saying that I Am Not A Lawyer.

This wouldn't be abuse of system. He needs legal advice to protect his rights and his wallet.

I just said "be smart about it and don't abuse the system." Obviously he should go for what he thinks is reasonable and fair. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the norm in this country because so many people want a free ride and see insurance claims as a way to do so.