Znwiefel

Hey everyone.
​​​I hate to post this here but my poor GLK was in an accident. A guy in an F250 decided he was going to do a turn across the turn lane I was in and smashed up the passenger front corner of my car.

​my insurance company which has a Lizard as its mascot said that it is a total loss. And the damage was estimated at roughly $10k and the car was only worth $13k.

​​​it has been in my possession 364 days before this incident with 82k on the odometer.

​​​i requested it goes to my guy to get a real estimate but the Lizard people are already chomping at the bit to haul my car away and harvest it for parts.

E55Greasemonkey

That damage is well into the front unibody and frame rails. It's a total loss. Take the payoff and go find another one, or move up to a 2012-2018 166 GLE/ML 350, it's a much better car.

habbyguy

I'd walk away as well. I know there's a sentimental attachment but that car is never really going to be the same again (thanks to the idjit who thought he shouldn't have to wait in line in the turn lane). Not long ago, I had a 2006 Audi A3 (wagon) in great shape totaled by a big (!) dog running into me (yes, he hit the side of my car chasing a cat). The dog lived, the car was totaled. ;-)

John CC

That sounds a little low to me. I'd ask them to find you some comparable cars for that price before accepting it. (I have to agree, though, that you probably don't want to keep it.)

So, do I understand you, that he turned left from the right hand lane and clipped you? Gotta love those Massachusetts drivers!

Odd Piggy

Good advice from habby, E55, and John.

1-Don't accept the lizard’s first offer. I got more for a totaled GLK with 155k miles.
2-Off center collisions are very bad for integral body/frame vehicles (aka unit bodies). The entire structure is pulled out of square. It cannot be straightened, even on a frame jack.
3-I’ve done it once and will never do it again. The car must be stripped down to the body frame unit — everything must be removed, engine & transmission, entire interior down to the sheet metal, fenders, doors, windows. Then it has to be put on the frame jack and pulled a bit past square. Welds will break and metal will tear. Repair will require replacing crumpled metal and straightening, reinforcing, and welding or brazing these points while the car is on the jack. Then releasing it and checking for square, re-jacking and repairing if needed. Labor, labor, labor if you find a shop willing to try. No one will guarantee success.

Mmr1

A second bid is a good idea even if it’s probably gone. Then you know for sure

Znwiefel

Yes, I was in the left turn lane, roughly 300ft from the controlled intersection and he was in the straight-ahead left lane going westbound, and without a signal or any indication he abruptly turned across the turn lane to go east.

John CC

A "U-ey"? Even better!

Znwiefel

Growing up in the Midwest I referred to it as "Whippin a ****ty".

habbyguy

FWIW, I have bought a car back from the insurance company (and always for a lot less than you'd pay on Copart or similar marketplace). If this one is in really great shape, it MIGHT make sense to find one "in need of some love" and cannibalize the wrecked GLK to bring the other one up to snuff. Could be a lot of work, but could also be a way to get a really nice vehicle for chump change (not to mention there are a ton - maybe literally - of part on the vehicle that can be sold on eBay or craigslist, etc. Again, a lot of work, and requires space to store and dismantle, but an interesting option if the stars align.

John CC

"Bangin' a U-ey", or "bang a U-ey here."

Can't blame the guy; he needed at least 3 lanes to turn that monster around.

Looks like a company truck. Maybe they would cover any loss on your part after the insurance settles.

tbirdvet

Carvana only gave me 15K for my 2013 GLK350 with only 50K miles so the 13K sounds good.

Odd Piggy

But that would be trade in value. Insurance should pay private party sale value ~10%-15% higher.

calder-cay

I was about to reply the same. Carvana is always gonna pay trade-in, cause they have to mark it up to make some profit.

NYCGLK

Can you take the 13k (maybe a bit more) and buy it back from the insurance company for 2-3k?

But like others said, I don't see the point unless you have some expensive parts on it or it was a really good/clean car.