Mar 28, 2016, 07:21 PM
Last edit by: IB Nolan
Table of Contents "S55's Endless Build Thread"
1. Car Forklifted Onto Delivery Truck Because Auction Had No Key
2. Finally Sees Car and Damage In Person on Delivery Truck
3. Videos of S-Class Forklifted Off Delivery Truck And Slid Into Garage
4. Additional Rear-End Damage Photos
5. Cost Breakdown For Vehicle and Parts as of 3/12/16
6. Key Arrives! First Start Up.
7. First Test Drive, Warning Lights Abound
8. Fixed Electrical Issues(?), Replaced Battery and Alternator
9. New Woodgrain Steering Wheel Installed
1. Car Forklifted Onto Delivery Truck Because Auction Had No Key
2. Finally Sees Car and Damage In Person on Delivery Truck
3. Videos of S-Class Forklifted Off Delivery Truck And Slid Into Garage
4. Additional Rear-End Damage Photos
5. Cost Breakdown For Vehicle and Parts as of 3/12/16
6. Key Arrives! First Start Up.
7. First Test Drive, Warning Lights Abound
8. Fixed Electrical Issues(?), Replaced Battery and Alternator
9. New Woodgrain Steering Wheel Installed
I finally bought it Fellas!
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 18
From: Connecticut
2018 E400 Coupe | 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge
I think it's a fun project, worst case, you can part it out. Or just drive it as is, that will make some heads explode...
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 32
Acura TL 2008 - Acura MDX 2012
Once he get's that key....and if it runs, I think he should attempt to drive it down to Vegas and visit the set of Pawn Stars to see what they'd offer for it. I heard that Chumlee might pay extra if it arrives uncleaned with used condoms, spoons, needles, and old blunts on the floor in the back.
I drove and flew to Vegas last year. I also bought $100 of weed from Pawnstar employees the second time. They even guided me into a private parking space! They used an orange come to reserve it, because the parking lot was full.
For the record I don't smoke weed anymore. Even though both Washington and Oregon have legalized it.
Last edited by mercedesbenzs55; Mar 11, 2016 at 07:34 PM.
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 18
From: Connecticut
2018 E400 Coupe | 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge
It lets you live- track the auction and shows the bids by location.
Pretty neat.
I see the car coming up in 16 minutes in lane B. Van nuys CA.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
Originally Posted by MrRat
Don't get discouraged. Mike is just pointing out the nuttiness in buying a salvaged S550 from across the country, sight unseen, by just looking at a few pictures and getting an impression that it's probably ok underneath.
I think it's a fun project, worst case, you can part it out. Or just drive it as is, that will make some heads explode...
I think it's a fun project, worst case, you can part it out. Or just drive it as is, that will make some heads explode...
But, judging from the forum, a lot of people actually could make that leap, which is understandable since most people don't have a lot of training or experience in collision work, and don't really pay much attention to how their trunk is put together.
I also think the inability to estimate the repair costs might have lead to overbidding on this particular car. For example, knowing there probably was at least $5k in obvious collision repairs, build in a contingency of another $2k for stuff you can't see, and maybe cap your bid at $8k. Take a pass on it if $12k shipped was the best you could do. Especially if money is tight. Every dollar not spent obtaining the salvage is a dollar available for repairs.
I think Benz55 is young and maybe a little impatient and impulsive, as we all were at that age. Also, he doesn't have a lot of resources, also a position most of us have been in at some point.
It reminds me of a joke. An old bull and a young bull were grazing on a hillside overlooking a valley. Far down below was a herd of beautiful cows. The young bull says "Hey! Let's run down there and f*** us one of those cows!"
The old bull says, "Let's WALK down and f*** 'em ALL."
Aging sucks, but accumulated wisdom almost makes it worth it.
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 18
From: Connecticut
2018 E400 Coupe | 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge
Definitely impulsive.
The plan to hit the dents out with a mallet is most excellent. Maybe he has hidden metalworking talent. If it's not perfect, no real matter, it's at an $8-10,000 discount.
I think your damage assessment is on point.
I would bet it's bent in several planes, basically a little twisted, it looks like an asymmetric hit and bent downwards, but the car will drive, and at some point the trunk will close. He can use it for the next few years like that. Or get bored with it and sell it.
In any case, I'm waiting for the video of starting it for the first time. My wild *** guess is it will start and run ok, but somethings up with the suspension. The forklift thing made me worry about underbody damage.
The plan to hit the dents out with a mallet is most excellent. Maybe he has hidden metalworking talent. If it's not perfect, no real matter, it's at an $8-10,000 discount.
I think your damage assessment is on point.
I would bet it's bent in several planes, basically a little twisted, it looks like an asymmetric hit and bent downwards, but the car will drive, and at some point the trunk will close. He can use it for the next few years like that. Or get bored with it and sell it.
In any case, I'm waiting for the video of starting it for the first time. My wild *** guess is it will start and run ok, but somethings up with the suspension. The forklift thing made me worry about underbody damage.
Last edited by MrRat; Mar 11, 2016 at 05:59 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
Yeah, he's hoping the suspension will come back up when the car starts. It might. If the car was tied down hard on the transport it may come back up. My car had to be flatbedded just a couple of miles once and it did the same thing.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 32
Acura TL 2008 - Acura MDX 2012
Another dealer only auction is called iaai.com. These are dealer only sales. Some people with a dealers license will bid on a car for you for a nominal fee.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 32
Acura TL 2008 - Acura MDX 2012
That's because the car was "on approval", like my S550 was. This means that even after you win the car, if the insurance company deems the winning price too low they will begin a negotiation.
I won the auction on my S550 Twice before state farm let it go to me.
I won it for 7.7k the first time, and S.F. wanted to let it go for 9.4k, I countered with 8.2k, and they didnt even reply. They just put it back on the auction like that S63.
I then won it a week later for 9.4k.. ..S.F. wanted 9.8k, so I agreed. After the Copart fees it was 10.4k.
I won the auction on my S550 Twice before state farm let it go to me.
I won it for 7.7k the first time, and S.F. wanted to let it go for 9.4k, I countered with 8.2k, and they didnt even reply. They just put it back on the auction like that S63.
I then won it a week later for 9.4k.. ..S.F. wanted 9.8k, so I agreed. After the Copart fees it was 10.4k.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 32
Acura TL 2008 - Acura MDX 2012
Lol! I'm devoted to this one.
Last edited by mercedesbenzs55; Mar 11, 2016 at 08:11 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 32
Acura TL 2008 - Acura MDX 2012
Title came in today! I'm going to pick it up at 8pm PST.
I fresh Reinforcement bar arrived aswell. I'm going to put it on the car right now and put a level on it.
I asked Mb of Portland today if they are open Saturday. So i'm ordering the key tomorrow!
Last edited by mercedesbenzs55; Mar 11, 2016 at 08:44 PM.
Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 82
Likes: 6
2011 C250
That's because the car was "on approval", like my S550 was. This means that even after you win the car, if the insurance company deems the winning price too low they will begin a negotiation.
I won the auction on my S550 Twice before state farm let it go to me.
I won it for 7.7k the first time, and S.F. wanted to let it go for 9.4k, I countered with 8.2k, and they didnt even reply. They just put it back on the auction like that S63.
I then won it a week later for 9.4k.. ..S.F. wanted 9.8k, so I agreed. After the Copart fees it was 10.4k.
I won the auction on my S550 Twice before state farm let it go to me.
I won it for 7.7k the first time, and S.F. wanted to let it go for 9.4k, I countered with 8.2k, and they didnt even reply. They just put it back on the auction like that S63.
I then won it a week later for 9.4k.. ..S.F. wanted 9.8k, so I agreed. After the Copart fees it was 10.4k.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
Originally Posted by mercedesbenzs55
Title came in today! I'm going to pick it up at 8pm PST.
I fresh Reinforcement bar arrived aswell. I'm going to put it on the car right now and put a level on it.
I asked Mb of Portland today if they are open Saturday. So i'm ordering the key tomorrow!
I fresh Reinforcement bar arrived aswell. I'm going to put it on the car right now and put a level on it.
I asked Mb of Portland today if they are open Saturday. So i'm ordering the key tomorrow!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 32
Acura TL 2008 - Acura MDX 2012
Don't mount the new bar. The shop doing the pull will need the old bar and absorbers in place so they can attach the chains to it. The pull will damage the bar, so you won't want the new bar on until the pull is done. You may want to put the taillights in as well so the car is drivable rather than having to tow it to the body shop.
Tonight, I'm getting a quote for the body work.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
As long as you didn't toss it! So is the guy coming to you to inspect the car? My guess is they're going to want to try the pull first and see how much of the rear panel and quarter panel damage comes out but maybe he can ballpark it for you at least.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 32
Acura TL 2008 - Acura MDX 2012
I noticed that my battery is an original Mercedes. This must be a good sign?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
Originally Posted by mercedesbenzs55
This was on Copart last week.
What purpose could whats left of this S550 serve? Parts car?
