When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Yesterday in another thread I wrote "My car looks great from the outside, but the insides belong in a Honda Civic...", well, the MB-gods apparently didn't like that I mean-mouthed my car. At about 1:30 PM yesterday when I was driving back home from a lunch appointment, a kid fell asleep on I-285, crossed five lanes of traffic and plowed into the driver side rear quarter panel, rear door and bumper of my car. It's pretty messed up, including the rear-axle steering. I'll be without a car for a month or so while it gets repaired. The kid walked away from his totaled Toyota Camry which in and of itself is amazing since after he hit me, he then crossed back over five lanes of traffic and plowed into the center highway retaining wall. He was driving at about 80 MPH when he hit me. I was going about 65.
Has anyone been in an accident where the rear axle steering got messed up? Are reputable body shops able to repair back to new?
Last edited by Mem30306; May 14, 2025 at 09:21 AM.
I'd have MB dealership fix it rather than third party shop.
I wouldn't fix the quarter panel at a MB dealership body shop., but probably yes for the rear wheel steering although that would benefit from an experiences body-shop tech to straighten things first. If the damage is that deep, perhaps insurance will total the car as W223 pre-owned prices have dropped significantly? Most MB dealerships don't have their own shop, but rather rely on a local business around them. In all cases, I would take it myself to the best auto body shop around.
If you and the insurance decide to repair the car, I would ONLY go to a certified MB repair facility and let them do everything, they also work with the insurance, Amica in my case, one of my previous LS 460 had to go there, the repair was absolutely phenomenal !
Good luck !
Thanks guys. My two local dealerships don't do body work, but they have recommended a Mercedes-certified body shop near my home. Classic Collision of Buckhead. A friend took his GLE there a couple years back and had a good experience. My bigger concern, and perhaps unwarranted, is the rear-axle steering. Since this is a newer technology on the S, I was concerned some body shops may not have much experience repairing them. But again, maybe an unwarranted concern.
Last edited by Mem30306; May 14, 2025 at 11:29 AM.
Thanks guys. My two local dealerships don't do body work, but they have recommended a Mercedes-certified body shop near my home. Classic Collision of Buckhead. A friend took his GLE there a couple years back and had a good experience. My bigger concern, and perhaps unwarranted, is the rear-axle steering. Since this is a newer technology on the S, I was concerned some body shops may not have much experience repairing them. But again, maybe an unwarranted concern.
Rear-axle steering is NOT a new technology : ). It’s just new for Mbenz (as usual, couple years behind tech wise).
RWS first appeared in 1985… then back to reality and when it has become truly widely available: BMW have had it on many of their cars since 2012, first in the 5-series. Majority of 7-series also had it since 2015. Almost every single X7 with the V8 had it since they hit the roads in 2018 for the 2019 MY.
A good auto body shop must have seen and already repaired dozens and dozens of these.
I wouldn’t strictly go for a Mbenz certified shop. I’d rather go to an excellent auto-shop and if they are Mbenz certified, then that’s even better… But my priority would be to take it to a premium excellent auto body shop. Some Mbenz certified auto shop can be one of the worst local shops around.
Parts availability isn't what it was pre-COVID; I would be prepared for the possibility of some items needing to cross the pond before the repair can be completed. Not a certainty there, but my car was almost exactly 90 days, and based on your pictures, needed fewer parts.
Yesterday in another thread I wrote "My car looks great from the outside, but the insides belong in a Honda Civic...", well, the MB-gods apparently didn't like that I mean-mouthed my car. At about 1:30 PM yesterday when I was driving back home from a lunch appointment, a kid fell asleep on I-285, crossed five lanes of traffic and plowed into the driver side rear quarter panel, rear door and bumper of my car. It's pretty messed up, including the rear-axle steering. I'll be without a car for a month or so while it gets repaired. The kid walked away from his totaled Toyota Camry which in and of itself is amazing since after he hit me, he then crossed back over five lanes of traffic and plowed into the center highway retaining wall. He was driving at about 80 MPH when he hit me. I was going about 65.
Has anyone been in an accident where the rear axle steering got messed up? Are reputable body shops able to repair back to new?
Sorry to hear that OP, glad you came out unscathed, I second the suggestion of diminished value claim. Why did you say the interior look like a Honda? I mean Honda has buttons, the MB is full of screens and ambient lights, looks very different to me.
I wouldn't fix the quarter panel at a MB dealership body shop., but probably yes for the rear wheel steering although that would benefit from an experiences body-shop tech to straighten things first. If the damage is that deep, perhaps insurance will total the car as W223 pre-owned prices have dropped significantly? Most MB dealerships don't have their own shop, but rather rely on a local business around them. In all cases, I would take it myself to the best auto body shop around.
Here in Germany, most MB dealership have their own body shop. If that's not the case in the US then disregard my post.
Sorry to hear that OP, glad you came out unscathed, I second the suggestion of diminished value claim. Why did you say the interior look like a Honda? I mean Honda has buttons, the MB is full of screens and ambient lights, looks very different to me.
I was making the comparison between our cars with Exclusive Nappa Leather versus a base Honda Civic with Naugahyde. Since my car had the Nappa Leather deleted when it was built, I got the base, plain, cheap, Naugahyde-inspired faux-leather.
I was making the comparison between our cars with Exclusive Nappa Leather versus a base Honda Civic with Naugahyde. Since my car had the Nappa Leather deleted when it was built, I got the base, plain, cheap, Naugahyde-inspired faux-leather.
Oh yes that is what you mean, I see I understand. MB and like other German makes like to nickel and dime customers, for example on a honda, isn't AAC standard? MB charges it and bundles in a very expensive DISTRONIC suite, this is true for even S-Class if I remembered correctly, not standard.
I was making the comparison between our cars with Exclusive Nappa Leather versus a base Honda Civic with Naugahyde. Since my car had the Nappa Leather deleted when it was built, I got the base, plain, cheap, Naugahyde-inspired faux-leather.
Its actually leather, but it does feel like vinyl.
Sorry this happened to you. The other driver was indeed fortunate. Given your description I’m surprised someone wasn’t severely injured or killed. I’m relatively sure you’re insured but even if the other driver was insured he probably won’t be in the future. Forgive my rant about insurance but I live in an area where there is a high percentage of uninsured drivers. Seems like you shouldn’t be able to license your vehicle without insurance. Unfortunately, unless full payment is required for a specific term most will agree to monthly payments and promptly default on the balance.
Dropped off my car at the body shop. They are estimating the body work will be done is 8 days, but the rear axle steering/suspension work will take a month due to ordering parts from Germany. Got a Subaru as a loaner from Enterprise.
Dropped off my car at the body shop. They are estimating the body work will be done is 8 days, but the rear axle steering/suspension work will take a month due to ordering parts from Germany. Got a Subaru as a loaner from Enterprise.
At least you get to try a boxer engine (ok that was not meant to be funny)
Hopefully they get it fixed sooner rather than later.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Mem30306
Dropped off my car at the body shop. They are estimating the body work will be done is 8 days, but the rear axle steering/suspension work will take a month due to ordering parts from Germany. Got a Subaru as a loaner from Enterprise.
A few years ago, a pickup owned by a business, backed into my wife’s E350 sedan in a parking lot. My wife was stopped at the time. Took out the grill, headlights, hood & fenders, but the car was still drivable. They tried to give her a Toyota loaner.
I made the case to the truck owner’s insurance company that my wife should not be forced to drive a loaner, from a brand she was not familiar with, that was a lesser vehicle. They approved the rental of an E Class sedan, through GORENTALS. She had the loaner for like 8 weeks, if I recall correctly. I was very impressed with GORENTALS, as they did not have an E Class immediately available, so they bought a brand new one from local dealer stock and got it to us the same day, just to handle our needs. It had like 30 miles on it when we got it. GORENTALS is VERY high priced, but it was all paid for by the offender’s insurance company.
In addition, I was able to make the case that the loaded 2016 E350 Luxury Trim sedan, which we special ordered, was a very unusual car, in pristine condition, that the model was no longer available to order new, etc.. I asked for $5K, but settled for and received $3,700.00 in diminished value.
The car was repaired nicely, but we sold it shortly after it was fixed when we found our lovely E450 Wagon, which my wife immediately laid claim to after one drive around the block, after ranting about how she would “never drive a station wagon.” She still drives it.
Here’s a photo of the Nappa interior in our E350 and the Designo interior in our wagon, both of which are great examples of how MB USED to offer elegant interiors. Too bad those days are over.
Best of luck to the OP, but I would go for getting your car totaled.
Last edited by Streamliner; May 17, 2025 at 10:59 AM.
A few years ago, a pickup owned by a business, backed into my wife’s E350 sedan in a parking lot. My wife was stopped at the time. Took out the grill, headlights, hood & fenders, but the car was still drivable. They tried to give her a Toyota loaner.
I made the case to the truck owner’s insurance company that my wife should not be forced to drive a loaner, from a brand she was not familiar with, that was a lesser vehicle. They approved the rental of an E Class sedan, through GORENTALS. She had the loaner for like 8 weeks, if I recall correctly. I was very impressed with GORENTALS, as they did not have an E Class immediately available, so they bought a brand new one from local dealer stock and got it to us the same day, just to handle our needs. It had like 30 miles on it when we got it. GORENTALS is VERY high priced, but it was all paid for by the offender’s insurance company.
In addition, I was able to make the case that the loaded 2016 E350 Luxury Trim sedan, which we special ordered, was a very unusual car, in pristine condition, that the model was no longer available to order new, etc.. I asked for $5K, but settled for and received $3,700.00 in diminished value.
The car was repaired nicely, but we sold it shortly after it was fixed when we found our lovely E450 Wagon, which my wife immediately laid claim to after one drive around the block, after ranting about how she would “never drive a station wagon.” She still drives it.
Here’s a photo of the Nappa interior in our E350 and the Designo interior in our wagon, both of which are great examples of how MB USED to offer elegant interiors. Too bad those days are over.
Best of luck to the OP, but I would go for getting your car totaled.
A few years ago, a pickup owned by a business, backed into my wife’s E350 sedan in a parking lot. My wife was stopped at the time. Took out the grill, headlights, hood & fenders, but the car was still drivable. They tried to give her a Toyota loaner.
I made the case to the truck owner’s insurance company that my wife should not be forced to drive a loaner, from a brand she was not familiar with, that was a lesser vehicle. They approved the rental of an E Class sedan, through GORENTALS. She had the loaner for like 8 weeks, if I recall correctly. I was very impressed with GORENTALS, as they did not have an E Class immediately available, so they bought a brand new one from local dealer stock and got it to us the same day, just to handle our needs. It had like 30 miles on it when we got it. GORENTALS is VERY high priced, but it was all paid for by the offender’s insurance company.
In addition, I was able to make the case that the loaded 2016 E350 Luxury Trim sedan, which we special ordered, was a very unusual car, in pristine condition, that the model was no longer available to order new, etc.. I asked for $5K, but settled for and received $3,700.00 in diminished value.
The car was repaired nicely, but we sold it shortly after it was fixed when we found our lovely E450 Wagon, which my wife immediately laid claim to after one drive around the block, after ranting about how she would “never drive a station wagon.” She still drives it.
Here’s a photo of the Nappa interior in our E350 and the Designo interior in our wagon, both of which are great examples of how MB USED to offer elegant interiors. Too bad those days are over.
Best of luck to the OP, but I would go for getting your car totaled.
Love the 2nd one… Great interior. Screens are going to kill the automotive industry. I mean, just look at Porsche’s interiors in the past, and the current 3-screen setups in the Taycan. Mostly very similar but the excessive use of screens is taking away from it’s elegance. Same for the new S-class. The trend of excess use of screens, large screens specifically (or all-screen dashboard style) and removal of physical buttons is a complete disappointment.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
