New GLK 250 Owner Pissed !!
The car had 3900 miles when the accident occurred, so it is still very new. My question is should I ask for a new vehicle? The car does not really drive the same.I trade cars about every 3 yrs. so now it will have a wreck on the vehicle history.
I went to the Emergency room and nothing was broken on me, but I have the most severe headaches I think I have ever had. Started physical therapy this week and will probably have to go for another 6-7 weeks.
Thanks, Mike
The car had 3900 miles when the accident occurred, so it is still very new. My question is should I ask for a new vehicle? The car does not really drive the same.I trade cars about every 3 yrs. so now it will have a wreck on the vehicle history.
I went to the Emergency room and nothing was broken on me, but I have the most severe headaches I think I have ever had. Started physical therapy this week and will probably have to go for another 6-7 weeks.
Thanks, Mike
Since she rear-ended you, you should be covered 100% and you shouldn't have to pay a dime out of your pocket for the repairs. You would not be able to ask for a new vehicle whether you had 100 miles or 100,000 miles on it. The car is now yours.
You could try to go off-record in which she'll pay for your damages without reporting anything to the insurance company, but there needs to be a mutual trust.
The only way they will total the car is if you can demonstrate that the loss percentage and subsequent repairs make the car unsaleable as a used car as you cannot get the full value of it if you try to resell. The vehicle history report on Carfax will show the repairs if you take it to a shop.
BTW I would not use anyone who does not regularly work on Mercedes or who would try to use non OEM parts. Be very careful with your insurance company's policy on parts.
Last edited by LesF; Mar 8, 2014 at 08:25 AM.
In May 2013 my 2012 GLK was rear ended at 80 km/hr, it had only 33,000 km on it. At first insurance estimated damages at $30,000 CDN and still NOT a write off! I was hurt in the accident too with neck issues. However once it was discovered that the frame on the GLK was bent, vehicle was instantly written off and insurance issued me a cheque for a brand new one! I have since turned that into a 2014 CLA45 AMG so it worked out in the end

Long story short, it will take more than $2300 damage to get a new one.
In hindsight, I wish they didn't use it because the hard "fumed silica" is only in the top 20 microns and can be polished out if not careful. Unless the whole car is being clear coated you are stuck with it.
When I had a bumper repainted the shop said, "Don't worry, we offer a lifetime warranty on the clear coat." I explained that this wasn't the point. I need a car I can consistently polish and wax and since the rest of the car has Cerami Clear I need to stick with it.
I gave them a product sheet for PPG Deltron 8150 which meets California Low VOC requirements - if that's an issue for you. My shop ordered it and applied it though I had to insist. You might want to do the same.
I looked at the PPG website and they list 4 or 5 different Cerami Clear products. I can't tell which is for which. Maybe someone on the site is smart about this stuff and can educate us. I think this is a 2K hardness product.
The car had 3900 miles when the accident occurred, so it is still very new. My question is should I ask for a new vehicle? The car does not really drive the same.I trade cars about every 3 yrs. so now it will have a wreck on the vehicle history.
I went to the Emergency room and nothing was broken on me, but I have the most severe headaches I think I have ever had. Started physical therapy this week and will probably have to go for another 6-7 weeks.
Thanks, Mike
Check your policy. Some have Total Loss coverage. This provides 100% replacement during first 12 or 18 months. I have that with State Farm in Canada. But I don't know how badly damaged the car must be before that kicks in. I need to read the fine print!
On the OP's original question - a Mercedes Certified Collision Center is ALWAYS the best choice for collision repair work - and under the terms of Mercedes Roadside Assistance if your vehicle cannot be driven/safely then Roadisde will provide free towing to the nearest MBCCC even if 100's of miles away - and safety issues can include cracked headlight/tail light lenses.
Any insured/repaired accident will recuce future resale/trade-value - and recovery of that "dimished value" component is not required/mandated in most states - but should ALWAYS be ascertained and attempt to recover in every accident claim.
Keep the beat !
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Your problem is proving the damage will effect the future value. Unfortunately these days 5k is not a lot of damage. Unless you suffered major uni-body damage you are I think between a rock and a hard place in trying to recover the potential loss.
Good luck.
An update, the car was repaired at an authorized MB repair shop and they did a fantastic job. The ins. co (Geico) is fighting me on the Diminished value, they offered me $450 this AM. The accident occurred in Ga. which has a Diminished value law or something. I contacted a company which specializes in Diminished value. They are going to write up a report for me to give to the Ins co. No guarantee I will get more but I think it is worth a shot.
I have been going to physical therapy for the injury I sustained in the accident, we will see how everything comes out in a few weeks/months.
On the other hand, I love the GLK, so far on the hi way I am getting 40+ MPG. Thanks for all the replies/info. Mike
Last year Geico Insurance Co. donated $20,000,000 ( twenty million dollars ) to police departments in the form of new laser and radar guns. Other insurance companies donated large amounts as well.
From: http://tipmra.com/new_tipmra/insurance_scam.htm
and other sources.
An update, the car was repaired at an authorized MB repair shop and they did a fantastic job. The ins. co (Geico) is fighting me on the Diminished value, they offered me $450 this AM. The accident occurred in Ga. which has a Diminished value law or something. I contacted a company which specializes in Diminished value. They are going to write up a report for me to give to the Ins co. No guarantee I will get more but I think it is worth a shot.
I have been going to physical therapy for the injury I sustained in the accident, we will see how everything comes out in a few weeks/months.
On the other hand, I love the GLK, so far on the hi way I am getting 40+ MPG. Thanks for all the replies/info. Mike
I too am waiting to hear from Geico for a diminished value claim. I traded in my Audi for a new GLK250 and was given $3000 less for my trade due to an accident. A woman hit my parked car and put $6000 worth of damage to my car. The Carfax has it listed as an accident that happened without me being in the car. Luckily, NJ has laws to get back the diminished value amount if the accident wasn't your fault.
I was rear-ended on the interstate in my previous car (a Subaru). $10k in damage, independent appraiser came back with $4550 in diminished value. Insurance company countered with 1/3 that amount and I haven't heard from them since. We're headed to small claims court it would appear.




