Accident Already
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
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From: Chicago
Mercedes
Accident Already
I've had my new ML for about 2 weeks now and already it's been hit. It was broadsided by this pickup at a bad intersection. I was making a left and so was the pickup on the perpendicular street. When I made the turn he was still very far away but he was speeding and it was raining out. His truck was a '91 Chevy S-10 his brakes locked and he slammed into me, damaging everything on the driver's side of my vehicle.
My car is pretty messed up, the front fender, front and rear door, rear fender and bumper are all damaged. The wheels are also misaligned now because in order to go straight the steering wheel has to be turned a little. Also, when the car is at a stop and I accelerate, it shudders.
Sh*tty part is that I had a stop sign and he didn't so it looks like it's my fault. But I was already 75% of the way through the intersection and he was speeding, but I have no way to prove that. I also have a slight suspicion he did it on purpose. What I think is that he sees a brand new Mercedes and he's in his sh*tty truck full of primer and thinks "hey if I total my car, I can get a new one paid by the insurance of that mercedes owner."
any thoughts on what I can do with this mess? Thanks in advance guys.
My car is pretty messed up, the front fender, front and rear door, rear fender and bumper are all damaged. The wheels are also misaligned now because in order to go straight the steering wheel has to be turned a little. Also, when the car is at a stop and I accelerate, it shudders.
Sh*tty part is that I had a stop sign and he didn't so it looks like it's my fault. But I was already 75% of the way through the intersection and he was speeding, but I have no way to prove that. I also have a slight suspicion he did it on purpose. What I think is that he sees a brand new Mercedes and he's in his sh*tty truck full of primer and thinks "hey if I total my car, I can get a new one paid by the insurance of that mercedes owner."
any thoughts on what I can do with this mess? Thanks in advance guys.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
WOW!! Sorry to hear about the ML.
I can't help with the legal action, but you may want to contact your insurance in advance to talk them into footing the bill for an investigation to generate data in your favor or you could hire a lawyer. Either way, I'd get protected.
I can't help with the legal action, but you may want to contact your insurance in advance to talk them into footing the bill for an investigation to generate data in your favor or you could hire a lawyer. Either way, I'd get protected.
Thread Starter
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From: Chicago
Mercedes
Originally Posted by S-Clusiv
This MAY or may not be the question to ask but...any pictures?
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 79
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From: Luxembourg, Europe
'07 Lexus RX400h
@Chi500:
If in any possible way you can: GET RID OF IT!!! I had similar damage (also at two weeks) to a JGC, and nothing but trouble since. The bodyshop may and may not be able to straighten the body, but most likely you'll wind up with wind noise, binding doors and other delights. Furthermore, as your car was probably moving when hit, the entire driveline will have suffered a shock - my JGC went through more wheel bearings, rear diffs, and gearboxes than I'd care to think of. Even if the insurance company may hit you, get rid of it and let someone else "enjoy" the rebuild.
Cheers,
Birger
PS: It's a little hard to see from the photos: Are your 19" wheels standard or chrome??
If in any possible way you can: GET RID OF IT!!! I had similar damage (also at two weeks) to a JGC, and nothing but trouble since. The bodyshop may and may not be able to straighten the body, but most likely you'll wind up with wind noise, binding doors and other delights. Furthermore, as your car was probably moving when hit, the entire driveline will have suffered a shock - my JGC went through more wheel bearings, rear diffs, and gearboxes than I'd care to think of. Even if the insurance company may hit you, get rid of it and let someone else "enjoy" the rebuild.
Cheers,
Birger
PS: It's a little hard to see from the photos: Are your 19" wheels standard or chrome??
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Originally Posted by Birger
@Chi500:
If in any possible way you can: GET RID OF IT!!! I had similar damage (also at two weeks) to a JGC, and nothing but trouble since. The bodyshop may and may not be able to straighten the body, but most likely you'll wind up with wind noise, binding doors and other delights. Furthermore, as your car was probably moving when hit, the entire driveline will have suffered a shock - my JGC went through more wheel bearings, rear diffs, and gearboxes than I'd care to think of. Even if the insurance company may hit you, get rid of it and let someone else "enjoy" the rebuild.
Cheers,
Birger
PS: It's a little hard to see from the photos: Are your 19" wheels standard or chrome??
If in any possible way you can: GET RID OF IT!!! I had similar damage (also at two weeks) to a JGC, and nothing but trouble since. The bodyshop may and may not be able to straighten the body, but most likely you'll wind up with wind noise, binding doors and other delights. Furthermore, as your car was probably moving when hit, the entire driveline will have suffered a shock - my JGC went through more wheel bearings, rear diffs, and gearboxes than I'd care to think of. Even if the insurance company may hit you, get rid of it and let someone else "enjoy" the rebuild.
Cheers,
Birger
PS: It's a little hard to see from the photos: Are your 19" wheels standard or chrome??
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You may want to trade it in as is to a dealer with there own body shop. They can ussually fix it for cheaper then you paying someone else. i have done this in the past with zo6 vette and came out sweet on the deal. Got 40K on the trade and 12k from the insurance company made out to me and the GMAC and traded it in for a new truck. Drove the z06 for a year got back what I paid for it. Free ride for a year. A car that is hit pretty hard will never be the same no matter how good the body shop is. Cut your loses and trade. You will also find out that a car that has its air bags deployed takes a big hit at trade in even if the car was fixed. Sometimes as much as 4 to 5K. Ouch! I would look to get as much from the insurance company as possible and trade as is.
PS. It does not matter what the other driver did if you had the stop sign. Its your fault for not waiting or looking. You only hope was excessive speed and measuring the skid marks. Wet road equals no skid marks. Bent metal is never pretty.
Good luck.
PS. It does not matter what the other driver did if you had the stop sign. Its your fault for not waiting or looking. You only hope was excessive speed and measuring the skid marks. Wet road equals no skid marks. Bent metal is never pretty.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
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From: Chicago
Mercedes
Originally Posted by S-Clusiv
Is that your curtain airbag that deployed??
Red vette, thanks for the idea. I will probably do that, but the thing is my insurance company only gave me a check for the visual damage seen by the adjuster, for now. They said they would write a second or even third check as they find more damage along the way as it's being repaired.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Birger
@Chi500:
If in any possible way you can: GET RID OF IT!!! I had similar damage (also at two weeks) to a JGC, and nothing but trouble since. The bodyshop may and may not be able to straighten the body, but most likely you'll wind up with wind noise, binding doors and other delights. Furthermore, as your car was probably moving when hit, the entire driveline will have suffered a shock - my JGC went through more wheel bearings, rear diffs, and gearboxes than I'd care to think of. Even if the insurance company may hit you, get rid of it and let someone else "enjoy" the rebuild.
Cheers,
Birger
PS: It's a little hard to see from the photos: Are your 19" wheels standard or chrome??
If in any possible way you can: GET RID OF IT!!! I had similar damage (also at two weeks) to a JGC, and nothing but trouble since. The bodyshop may and may not be able to straighten the body, but most likely you'll wind up with wind noise, binding doors and other delights. Furthermore, as your car was probably moving when hit, the entire driveline will have suffered a shock - my JGC went through more wheel bearings, rear diffs, and gearboxes than I'd care to think of. Even if the insurance company may hit you, get rid of it and let someone else "enjoy" the rebuild.
Cheers,
Birger
PS: It's a little hard to see from the photos: Are your 19" wheels standard or chrome??
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: White Lake, MI
04 C320 Coupe MT
Originally Posted by Birger
@Chi500:
If in any possible way you can: GET RID OF IT!!! I had similar damage (also at two weeks) to a JGC, and nothing but trouble since. The bodyshop may and may not be able to straighten the body, but most likely you'll wind up with wind noise, binding doors and other delights. Furthermore, as your car was probably moving when hit, the entire driveline will have suffered a shock - my JGC went through more wheel bearings, rear diffs, and gearboxes than I'd care to think of. Even if the insurance company may hit you, get rid of it and let someone else "enjoy" the rebuild.
Cheers,
Birger
PS: It's a little hard to see from the photos: Are your 19" wheels standard or chrome??
If in any possible way you can: GET RID OF IT!!! I had similar damage (also at two weeks) to a JGC, and nothing but trouble since. The bodyshop may and may not be able to straighten the body, but most likely you'll wind up with wind noise, binding doors and other delights. Furthermore, as your car was probably moving when hit, the entire driveline will have suffered a shock - my JGC went through more wheel bearings, rear diffs, and gearboxes than I'd care to think of. Even if the insurance company may hit you, get rid of it and let someone else "enjoy" the rebuild.
Cheers,
Birger
PS: It's a little hard to see from the photos: Are your 19" wheels standard or chrome??
Based on the pictures, that is a very light hit - no big deal to repair 100%. We are not yet to the point of throwing cars away, as so many people seem to think. If every car that was damaged the same way as that ML was, no one would be able to afford car insurance!
The key to getting your vehicle repaired correctly is to find a shop that is operating at a high level, a professional, a place that knows MB vehicles inside and out. MBUSA started a program to certify body shops (whether dealer owned or independant) based on thier qualifications, facilities, equipment, training, and on and on to insure that MB owners can have collision repairs handled in a proper way. One of the main elements of a good repair is the use of a dedicated fixture bench to insure that the vehicle's structure is 100% correct before rebuilding the parts. You may hear people refer to this as the Celette bench, however that is only one brand that is approved for use on MB vehicles. The other is Car Bench. If you choose a repair facility that is approved, they will be using this equipment - and that is a huge thing. Really, it's the foundation of a good repair.
Here is the link from MBUSA.com to help locate a certified center:
http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container...d.jsp&menu=3_0
Really, don't worry. Your car is completley repairable, and even more than that, it's not a big deal at all for a proper faclility to repair.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 79
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From: Luxembourg, Europe
'07 Lexus RX400h
@ Cozz, Mbodytech
YOU may have a choice - look at my signature (I'm in Luxembourg, Europe), and generally, and particularly with "exotic" brands like Jeep, the choice is zero, here. This is not only true for body damage, but also in case of other major repairs - unfortunately. And most of the time, insurance will refuse to have your wreck taken to an experienced repair shop - out of state/country - because they hae certain "agreements".........
And even if I have a lot of confidence in the local MB dealer, in view of that damage, I'd try to get the insurance have it declared a total loss. Let them bother with reselling it - probably someone located 250+ miles east of here will be able to "fix" it to the delight of one of the local hoods.
Cheers,
Birger
YOU may have a choice - look at my signature (I'm in Luxembourg, Europe), and generally, and particularly with "exotic" brands like Jeep, the choice is zero, here. This is not only true for body damage, but also in case of other major repairs - unfortunately. And most of the time, insurance will refuse to have your wreck taken to an experienced repair shop - out of state/country - because they hae certain "agreements".........
And even if I have a lot of confidence in the local MB dealer, in view of that damage, I'd try to get the insurance have it declared a total loss. Let them bother with reselling it - probably someone located 250+ miles east of here will be able to "fix" it to the delight of one of the local hoods.
Cheers,
Birger
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Birger
@ Cozz, Mbodytech
YOU may have a choice - look at my signature (I'm in Luxembourg, Europe), and generally, and particularly with "exotic" brands like Jeep, the choice is zero, here. This is not only true for body damage, but also in case of other major repairs - unfortunately. And most of the time, insurance will refuse to have your wreck taken to an experienced repair shop - out of state/country - because they hae certain "agreements".........
And even if I have a lot of confidence in the local MB dealer, in view of that damage, I'd try to get the insurance have it declared a total loss. Let them bother with reselling it - probably someone located 250+ miles east of here will be able to "fix" it to the delight of one of the local hoods.
Cheers,
Birger
YOU may have a choice - look at my signature (I'm in Luxembourg, Europe), and generally, and particularly with "exotic" brands like Jeep, the choice is zero, here. This is not only true for body damage, but also in case of other major repairs - unfortunately. And most of the time, insurance will refuse to have your wreck taken to an experienced repair shop - out of state/country - because they hae certain "agreements".........
And even if I have a lot of confidence in the local MB dealer, in view of that damage, I'd try to get the insurance have it declared a total loss. Let them bother with reselling it - probably someone located 250+ miles east of here will be able to "fix" it to the delight of one of the local hoods.
Cheers,
Birger
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 4
From: Tallahassee, Florida
2006 SL600, 2001 S500, 1996 SL320
Bodyshop
I had what most would say was a small hit in my rear bumper on my 05 SL600, looked minor turned out to be far from that. The bodyshop supposedly only works on mercedes, porchse and BMW's and are right next to the large Mercedes dealer. THEIR WORK SUCKED, they said they did very good work, and I am the one who wears glasses, I pointed out there mistakes, but straigtening out the body, no way. They will get close, but it will NEVER be the same. Suck it up, get rid of it and get yourself a new one. That's what I did. Just my personal opinion.
Thread Starter
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From: Chicago
Mercedes
I still don't know what to do. I haven't taken it to a shop yet. I have two options trade it in as is or have it repaired. I'm trying to take the route where I will lose less money. If I decide to trade it in as is, I still need to take it to a shop so they can take it apart so the insurance adjuster can hand me another check. But I can't decide on which shop, there are two dealers near me, one has its own shop, another refers bodywork to an independent one. I had work done at the independent one when a tree branch fell on my old ML and destroyed the roof and windshield. The repair wasn't perfect, and it had a leak. The dealer's shop i've never been to, but I want to stay away because if I have it done there and I want to keep the car, it will be in their service records that there was a major accident and might hurt me if I decide to trade it in at a later time.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 4
From: Tallahassee, Florida
2006 SL600, 2001 S500, 1996 SL320
Wouldn't
Originally Posted by Chi500
I still don't know what to do. I haven't taken it to a shop yet. I have two options trade it in as is or have it repaired. I'm trying to take the route where I will lose less money. If I decide to trade it in as is, I still need to take it to a shop so they can take it apart so the insurance adjuster can hand me another check. But I can't decide on which shop, there are two dealers near me, one has its own shop, another refers bodywork to an independent one. I had work done at the independent one when a tree branch fell on my old ML and destroyed the roof and windshield. The repair wasn't perfect, and it had a leak. The dealer's shop i've never been to, but I want to stay away because if I have it done there and I want to keep the car, it will be in their service records that there was a major accident and might hurt me if I decide to trade it in at a later time.
I would look at the active work a body is doing on cars and see what their finished quality looks like. From what I have seen, a lot of body shops assign cars to certain people in their shop and they see the work thru completion. I would see how they do it and then select the one who does the best looking work. Get it fixed, try to sell it or trade it. Ask a local attorney in your area, what disclosure is necessary for the amount of vehicle damage thaat you have.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,784
Likes: 1,276
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Collision repair
Originally Posted by mbbodytech
The key to getting your vehicle repaired correctly is to find a shop that is operating at a high level, a professional, a place that knows MB vehicles inside and out. MBUSA started a program to certify body shops (whether dealer owned or independant) based on thier qualifications, facilities, equipment, training, and on and on to insure that MB owners can have collision repairs handled in a proper way. One of the main elements of a good repair is the use of a dedicated fixture bench to insure that the vehicle's structure is 100% correct before rebuilding the parts. You may hear people refer to this as the Celette bench, however that is only one brand that is approved for use on MB vehicles. The other is Car Bench. If you choose a repair facility that is approved, they will be using this equipment - and that is a huge thing. Really, it's the foundation of a good repair.
Here is the link from MBUSA.com to help locate a certified center:
http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container...d.jsp&menu=3_0
Really, don't worry. Your car is completley repairable, and even more than that, it's not a big deal at all for a proper faclility to repair.
Here is the link from MBUSA.com to help locate a certified center:
http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container...d.jsp&menu=3_0
Really, don't worry. Your car is completley repairable, and even more than that, it's not a big deal at all for a proper faclility to repair.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,357
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From: Chicago
Mercedes
Originally Posted by FlintCDI
I'm in the same boat you are. And am looking for some insite.
Best regards.
Jeff
Best regards.
Jeff
Originally Posted by StephenK
Wouldn't that information about the accident appear on a carfax report??
I would look at the active work a body is doing on cars and see what their finished quality looks like. From what I have seen, a lot of body shops assign cars to certain people in their shop and they see the work thru completion. I would see how they do it and then select the one who does the best looking work. Get it fixed, try to sell it or trade it. Ask a local attorney in your area, what disclosure is necessary for the amount of vehicle damage thaat you have.
I would look at the active work a body is doing on cars and see what their finished quality looks like. From what I have seen, a lot of body shops assign cars to certain people in their shop and they see the work thru completion. I would see how they do it and then select the one who does the best looking work. Get it fixed, try to sell it or trade it. Ask a local attorney in your area, what disclosure is necessary for the amount of vehicle damage thaat you have.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 1
'06 CLK500
My c320 just had an accident two nights ago... a reckless driver missed a stop sign and bumped into my passenger side bumper...
The bodyshop will replace my front bumper, passenger side fender and headlight... I insist that my hood should be replaced as it is dent and scratched but the bodyshop says that it is repairable...
The estimate mounts to around $4,500.. Am I entitled for the diminished value in Illinois??... Should I just trade my car in (as is) and take the cash..
or should I repair it first then sell it??
I am afraid that if I keep my car, it will not be the same as before. Please give me some advices. Thanks.
Best regards.
The bodyshop will replace my front bumper, passenger side fender and headlight... I insist that my hood should be replaced as it is dent and scratched but the bodyshop says that it is repairable...
The estimate mounts to around $4,500.. Am I entitled for the diminished value in Illinois??... Should I just trade my car in (as is) and take the cash..
or should I repair it first then sell it??
I am afraid that if I keep my car, it will not be the same as before. Please give me some advices. Thanks.
Best regards.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 11
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
Originally Posted by Chi500
I've had my new ML for about 2 weeks now and already it's been hit. It was broadsided by this pickup at a bad intersection. I was making a left and so was the pickup on the perpendicular street. When I made the turn he was still very far away but he was speeding and it was raining out. His truck was a '91 Chevy S-10 his brakes locked and he slammed into me, damaging everything on the driver's side of my vehicle.
My car is pretty messed up, the front fender, front and rear door, rear fender and bumper are all damaged. The wheels are also misaligned now because in order to go straight the steering wheel has to be turned a little. Also, when the car is at a stop and I accelerate, it shudders.
Sh*tty part is that I had a stop sign and he didn't so it looks like it's my fault. But I was already 75% of the way through the intersection and he was speeding, but I have no way to prove that. I also have a slight suspicion he did it on purpose. What I think is that he sees a brand new Mercedes and he's in his sh*tty truck full of primer and thinks "hey if I total my car, I can get a new one paid by the insurance of that mercedes owner."
any thoughts on what I can do with this mess? Thanks in advance guys.
My car is pretty messed up, the front fender, front and rear door, rear fender and bumper are all damaged. The wheels are also misaligned now because in order to go straight the steering wheel has to be turned a little. Also, when the car is at a stop and I accelerate, it shudders.
Sh*tty part is that I had a stop sign and he didn't so it looks like it's my fault. But I was already 75% of the way through the intersection and he was speeding, but I have no way to prove that. I also have a slight suspicion he did it on purpose. What I think is that he sees a brand new Mercedes and he's in his sh*tty truck full of primer and thinks "hey if I total my car, I can get a new one paid by the insurance of that mercedes owner."
any thoughts on what I can do with this mess? Thanks in advance guys.
