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Should I go for this 2012 E550 (with a minor claim)?
Hi guys,
I saw a very good deal on a 2012 E550, but it has a $5000 claim on its rear right side (attached carproof). I'm wondering if it's a big problem? $5000 seems just some cosmetic damage?
If i was looking at a car that may or did have an accident i would want to know the shop that fixed it as well as inspect the area that was hit very thoroughly to understand how bad the damage was and how it was fixed.
I would also expect to pay much less than market and want to get a warranty of some time for at least 6 months to make sure it doesn't have issues.
Since it was right rear get a hose and hose down the back side of the car including the doors at every angle you can to see if you can find any water leaks.
Last thing is that if I was going to buy one I would plan to drive it until the wheel fell off or the value was so low the fact it was wrecked wouldn't matter anymore.
If i was looking at a car that may or did have an accident i would want to know the shop that fixed it as well as inspect the area that was hit very thoroughly to understand how bad the damage was and how it was fixed.
I would also expect to pay much less than market and want to get a warranty of some time for at least 6 months to make sure it doesn't have issues.
Since it was right rear get a hose and hose down the back side of the car including the doors at every angle you can to see if you can find any water leaks.
Last thing is that if I was going to buy one I would plan to drive it until the wheel fell off or the value was so low the fact it was wrecked wouldn't matter anymore.
Thanks, appreciate your input.
I'm planning to get it checked at an independent mechanic, if I were to get the deal... I just feel the deal it's too good to be true, maybe I should get a clean E350 with peace of mind
And I had my accident in my 2014 E5 50, it was all cosmetic and the bill was $4000. Some of the costs that made this very expensive where the parking sensors and electronics associated with the bumper.
ditto on a 5k cosmetic bill I had in my E550......no frame damage or anything like that, just scratched door and missing mirror.....I'll never forget that day lol
Would you care to share the "sweet deal" that you are getting (of course after you buy it). If the outside panel fit lines look like from factory, then you should be golden. Don't worry too much about minor cosmetic damage (you might get one next time you visit a crowded place anyway). Good luck.
I vote to "keep shopping."
You can and will find another.
Don't buy someone else's trouble.
On the otherhand, the "incident" occurred in mid 2012 - many, many moons ago. Assuming it's the same owner then as now, they appear to have lived with the "fix / repair" for enough time to make me think it may not be the reason for selling it today.
Last edited by Johnny Rad; 07-20-2015 at 02:49 PM.
Except our friends to the north can still get it. Must be the U.S. CAFE standards that killed it.
The reason I read as given by a MBUSA spokesperson was the low take rate of the 550 in the US. Customers who were shopping the 550 went for the E63 instead. They kept the 550 in markets that had higher sales rates.
Having had both the e550 and e63, 2014, they are both awesome cars and have their own brilliant pluses ... The e550 is whisper smooth and quick as a whip and a beast in a tux
The e63 is a 'roided beast with some tattered tuxedo remnants still hanging on... Like the hulk
$5500 will cover the visible damages prior to opening up the can.
I'm going through it now. That was the first estimate, we now closing in on $13K once you include the suspension damages.
run away.