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so sorry to hear that Steve but with that kinda damage, it's better to just move on
Just make sure you get a cheque for a comparable car and nothing less especially considering the prices have gone up
Geico would try to low ball you but you need to find cars with similar specs, mileage and condition for them to make you an offer.
For this very reason why i don't have a nice daily, can't help other ignorant drivers
Anyway, I think that's good news for you---happy hunting and try something different
Couldn't disagree with this more. It's hard to find a nice car, in great shape, that is refined and delivers amazing performance all at the same time! Besides, you've owned this one since new, so you know it's complete history, that alone can't be replaced, and makes this car worth fighting for.
Geico is totalling my car, I am so upset about this. It's irreplaceable in my eyes. A 1 of 1 in color... the only one made in this color in 2018. But in the end, it's just a car, I guess, to others at least. Just found out a minute ago. Thought I'd come back on this board to commiserate. I mean, what can I really buy with what they're going to give me? What would they give me? $60K? $65k? Ughhhh... My wife said to buy something fun next time... with $65k or $70K? I mean, what would that be? Another 2018 S63? A 2019 or 2020 S63? A S65? But I live in a snow zone so an S65 wouldn't be smart. Dang nabbit.
Keep tabs of the VIN, I'm sure you could buy it on copart and get it fixed if your heart truly desires. Sorry for the loss.
Geico is totalling my car, I am so upset about this. It's irreplaceable in my eyes. A 1 of 1 in color... the only one made in this color in 2018. But in the end, it's just a car, I guess, to others at least. Just found out a minute ago. Thought I'd come back on this board to commiserate. I mean, what can I really buy with what they're going to give me? What would they give me? $60K? $65k? Ughhhh... My wife said to buy something fun next time... with $65k or $70K? I mean, what would that be? Another 2018 S63? A 2019 or 2020 S63? A S65? But I live in a snow zone so an S65 wouldn't be smart. Dang nabbit.
Worst part about this is that you both have Geico. AND, I assume you don't have a relationship with your car insurance agent. That's why this is super tough for you. If you used a broker for insurance you'd have someone who could advocate for you, someone that the insurance company wants to keep happy. This is the primary reason I use a broker for insurance. We just had water damage at one of our rental properties. It's been a battle, and it's still going on. But I'm at a point where's I'm more than satisfied, just not "happy".
The cost to repair it is nowhere close to the 75% threshold in Maryland. This is really surprising!
You seem like a sharp guy and have resources. Call one of your buddies in the insurance business, or a business associate for some advice. Just because they offer something doesn't mean you have to take it. It's your car AND you've been the one making the premium payments. If this is NOT what you want, reach back out and request what you want. If nothing else, and you can't get what you want, be sure to see if they will sell it back to you for salvage value. You can then buy it and fix it yourself. It will have a salvage title, but some insurance companies will still insure a car with a slavage title, but I'm sure Geico won't. But keep in mind, you don't have to accept the amount they first offered. I don't car what the adjuster said, you have recourse. If you go back at them for more money they might change their mind about totalling it out. It's a headache, but it might be worth it. Keep in mind what you paid for it, plus the cost of that 10yr warranty you paid for it, coupled with how difficult it will be to replace it. To me, it's worth the fight. Good luck!
Last edited by carlosinseattle; Nov 15, 2024 at 07:51 PM.
Man - that is a bad story - I know you loved this car. Don’t let it go if you can help it. Sold mine and that was a mistake. Might buy another one. Not much out there that checks all the boxes. Good luck.
Buy it back and have someone fix it for you. Too nice to let it go that way. Just because that is what they are offering doesn’t mean they make all the decisions. Unique Color, Unique interior, you won’t find those again.
Buy it back and have someone fix it for you. Too nice to let it go that way. Just because that is what they are offering doesn’t mean they make all the decisions. Unique Color, Unique interior, you won’t find those again.
Agree, buy it back especially if OP love the car and it is a rare spec.
It is hard to find a good spec W222 AMG S 63 out there anymore and uncertain if the vehicles in the market had been through accident but not showing in carfax or if the vehicle was neglected.
At least buying this back knowing the history and knowing it was well taken car of by OP it will still likely be mechanically better than other vehicles out there.
Buy it back especially if keeping for a long long time.
Thanks to you all! We're so stressed. So we called GEICO today and the new cost to repair is $24k not $11600. I called my buddy at Euromotors Bethesda Mercedes and he said we should have brought it to them instead as they fix the cars at their Mercedes Body shop, instead of MileOne Mercedes in Silver Spring where I bought the car, as they send it to Heritage Auto Body in Baltimore where they repair like 30 brands of cars. Ughhh, we didn't know.
In any case, we are going to try to push Geico into letting us get a second opinion on this and to bring it to Bethesda Euromotors. If they can fix the car, we'd prefer to keep it as it would be A LOT cheaper and better in a way then spending a ton of money over what we're going to get for the car (they estimated $65-$70k but didn't have the # yet, my adjuster is out till Monday).... to get a similar 2018 S63.
After thinking about what new car we'd get or what other used car, the only car we could come up with is another S63, maybe a 1, 2 or 3 year newer car than what we have. We really don't like... any other cars to replace this car.
Ahhh the joys of dealing with insurance. I hope this isn’t the end of what was supposed to be a long term relationship with your grown up’s sports car.
If it is the end of this car..... do you have a lot of hills in your area that end up covered in snow and ice? I ask as my 221 S-65 only ever ‘let me down’ in the snow while using Continental DWS 06 (not even a ‘real’ snow tire) when I high centered it in the driveway as I tried to push through a snow drift that threw snow over the hood. In short... It did much better in snow with rear drive than expected. The 222 S-65 is a truly amazing car.
2020 s63 amg............2018 e63s amg w213............2017 C63s Coupe W205
Good Afternoon
Sorry to see that this has happened to you. I manage a large mercedes certified collision center in MA and also worked several years on the insurance side. Buying a totaled vehicle back is never a good financial decision, regardless of how much you loved the vehicle and spec. You would be much better off spending your effort in getting every penny you can for it. If you decide to owner retain the vehicle, they will deduct the amount they received for salvage, along with the sales tax and any deductible if it applies. This almost always leaves you very upside down on the cost to fix it. On top of that, a salvage title and additional inspections need to take place. Thats on top of the vehicle being borderline unsellable with a reconstructed title. The insurance company is legally required to put you in that exact car, but there's a lot of tricks and things they dont tell you that cost you money youre entitled to.
If I was writing this at my shop, I could easily write a repair cost exceeding $40k if replacing/sectioning the quarter panel, which appears to be necessary. The fact that the wheel and suspension are damaged would be the deciding factor in having the vehicle totaled. Any time that many parts that affect how the car runs/drives are in need of replacement, would be smart to let it go. There's a lot of misinformation in these comments. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a DM or contact me at the collision center 508-881-8080.
Sorry to see that this has happened to you. I manage a large mercedes certified collision center in MA and also worked several years on the insurance side. Buying a totaled vehicle back is never a good financial decision, regardless of how much you loved the vehicle and spec. You would be much better off spending your effort in getting every penny you can for it. If you decide to owner retain the vehicle, they will deduct the amount they received for salvage, along with the sales tax and any deductible if it applies. This almost always leaves you very upside down on the cost to fix it. On top of that, a salvage title and additional inspections need to take place. Thats on top of the vehicle being borderline unsellable with a reconstructed title. The insurance company is legally required to put you in that exact car, but there's a lot of tricks and things they dont tell you that cost you money youre entitled to.
If I was writing this at my shop, I could easily write a repair cost exceeding $40k if replacing/sectioning the quarter panel, which appears to be necessary. The fact that the wheel and suspension are damaged would be the deciding factor in having the vehicle totaled. Any time that many parts that affect how the car runs/drives are in need of replacement, would be smart to let it go. There's a lot of misinformation in these comments. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a DM or contact me at the collision center 508-881-8080.
Thank you! You are very smart. So I talked with the adjustor that looked at the car last friday and he said in the end, it will easily have more than $35k of damage and he recommended we just let this go and get as much as we can for it. He thought Geico would offer us $74643 so he said to send him all the latest repair receipts we had on the car, and taking into account the $10k customer color, etc... high MSRP, etc... they may offer us a bit more but maybe not. We'll see...
I obsessed on the Mercedes configurator to buy a new S63 for hours the other night, saw hours of video reviews on the new S63 but I'm not sure we want to go this route due to the crazy large ugly screen (to me) in the center column area, the extra tech we don't need, the rear end that looks like a Honda Accord, and the incredibly high cost for a car that will mostly sit in a dirty, dusty, filthy parking garage 15 min walk from our house. Otherwise we'd have to keep it outside. We don't have a 3 car garage so in this case, trying to find a 2019, or 2020 MB S63 seems like the best option. Once we get the check from Geico, we'll seriously start our search. Fortunately I have a 2nd car to drive till then, as long as it doesn't snow.
We don't want a black or white car, seems like most of the used ones in this age range are black and white. Crazy.
Steve
Last edited by stever500; Nov 19, 2024 at 08:20 AM.
2020 s63 amg............2018 e63s amg w213............2017 C63s Coupe W205
Originally Posted by stever500
Thank you! You are very smart. So I talked with the adjustor that looked at the car last friday and he said in the end, it will easily have more than $35k of damage and he recommended we just let this go and get as much as we can for it. He thought Geico would offer us $74643 so he said to send him all the latest repair receipts we had on the car, and taking into account the $10k customer color, etc... high MSRP, etc... they may offer us a bit more but maybe not. We'll see...
I obsessed on the Mercedes configurator to buy a new S63 for hours the other night, saw hours of video reviews on the new S63 but I'm not sure we want to go this route due to the crazy large ugly screen (to me) in the center column area, the extra tech we don't need, the rear end that looks like a Honda Accord, and the incredibly high cost for a car that will mostly sit in a dirty, dusty, filthy parking garage 15 min walk from our house. Otherwise we'd have to keep it outside. We don't have a 3 car garage so in this case, trying to find a 2019, or 2020 MB S63 seems like the best option. Once we get the check from Geico, we'll seriously start our search. Fortunately I have a 2nd car to drive till then, as long as it doesn't snow.
We don't want a black or white car, seems like most of the used ones in this age range are black and white. Crazy.
Steve
Totally understand. I would ask for all of the materials they used to determine the value of your vehicle. This is usually a 20-30 page report that their estimating software CCCONE generates. Everything on this report needs to be scrutinized, and everything is negotiable. There are 3 main things that you need to pay attention to.
First is all of the options and packages your vehicle came with. The list in the report often is missing numerous options your vehicle actually has, and any option missed could impact the value.
Second are the condition ratings. They break your vehicle down in numerous sections: body, engine, glass, carpets, headliner etc. Those parts are given condition ratings ranging from dealer retail (immaculate) to poor. These are all also negotiable and getting some of these bumped up will also increase your value.
Third are the comparable vehicles they use to usually drive down the value. First of all they can only select vehicles within 100 miles, unless you grant them permission to broaden the radius. If you look these up and/or call the dealers theyre being sold at, youll often find that these vehicles dont exist, or arent comparable to yours at all. Eliminating the lower priced outliers which are driving down the price, will also increase the amount of your vehicle.
The build sheet would help if you have it and finding a couple of comparable vehicles to yours being sold anywhere in the country would also help.
Thank you! You are very smart. So I talked with the adjustor that looked at the car last friday and he said in the end, it will easily have more than $35k of damage and he recommended we just let this go and get as much as we can for it. He thought Geico would offer us $74643 so he said to send him all the latest repair receipts we had on the car, and taking into account the $10k customer color, etc... high MSRP, etc... they may offer us a bit more but maybe not. We'll see...
................
Steve
Remember, the adjuster works for the insurance company. I had a great adjuster on my home situation, he was wonderful to deal with. But in the end, they are paid by the insurance company, not you. All offers are just that, offers. You have recourse and can eb strategic in negotiating. I'm curious to see what your friend's repair estimate will say versus the adjuster's estimate and the one the dealer sent your car to.
I had a W223 loaner for around 2 months back in early 2023. Like you, I hated the look of the big screen. My feeling totally changed after driving the car for a couple weeks. The big screen didn't bother me one bit, I actually liked it, a lot! The problem with touch screens as opposed to buttons is that you have to look at the screen to make things happen. What I wound up doing was using "Hey Mercedes" for almost every function that I would have previously used buttons for. I found it to be a better solution and super easy. The only time it's a problem is when talking on the phone or when using navigation, and occasionally with passengers in the car. But otherwise it was wonderful. I guess what I'm saying is don't let the big screen put you off. What I did find annoying was the reflection of the air vents on the windshield, that was terrible! It truly is a safety hazard to not be able to see through the windshield.
Just my $.02 cents.
Last edited by carlosinseattle; Nov 19, 2024 at 12:04 PM.
Great stuff guys! Never thought the big screen would be a good thing. Will have to see it in person then. On the other hand, I found this car today, not an S63 but... nice nonetheless. Original MSRP was $232k plus $25k in options, = $257k. They are asking $116k and will deliver it to Maryland where I live. 3 owners, last one was in ... Maryland! Too funny. I decided if I get a used S63 I have to have carbon ceramic brakes, and there are none for sale now with them. Also, almost every single one is white or black we don't want that. The one below is an almost identical duplicate to our S63 but someone is trying to buy it and get a loan on it RIGHT now so we'll probably lose it. Would you want this one?
Great stuff guys! Never thought the big screen would be a good thing. Will have to see it in person then. On the other hand, I found this car today, not an S63 but... nice nonetheless. Original MSRP was $232k plus $25k in options, = $257k. They are asking $116k and will deliver it to Maryland where I live. 3 owners, last one was in ... Maryland! Too funny. I decided if I get a used S63 I have to have carbon ceramic brakes, and there are none for sale now with them. Also, almost every single one is white or black we don't want that. The one below is an almost identical duplicate to our S63 but someone is trying to buy it and get a loan on it RIGHT now so we'll probably lose it. Would you want this one?
Can't see any reason why you wouldn't want that car. It looks amazing! That Selenite Grey is my favorite MB color, I had a S550 in Selenite Grey, wish I had found my S63 in that color. That S65 you're lookinf at has all the options, clean service and owner history, and seems to be priced fairly nicely. Personally, I'd never buy an S65, but that's because AWD is so much better for the rainy Seattle climate. If I were interested in an S65, I'd probably go for this one, even though it's white, I just like a lighter interior: https://www.perfectautocollection.co...65-amg-c-3427/
Both are fantastic choices!! So keep the white one in your back pocket if the other one gets sold.
Great stuff guys! Never thought the big screen would be a good thing. Will have to see it in person then. On the other hand, I found this car today, not an S63 but... nice nonetheless. Original MSRP was $232k plus $25k in options, = $257k. They are asking $116k and will deliver it to Maryland where I live. 3 owners, last one was in ... Maryland! Too funny. I decided if I get a used S63 I have to have carbon ceramic brakes, and there are none for sale now with them. Also, almost every single one is white or black we don't want that. The one below is an almost identical duplicate to our S63 but someone is trying to buy it and get a loan on it RIGHT now so we'll probably lose it. Would you want this one?
I hope you sued/will sue the other guy/insurance company. I would. People like that shouldn't on the road.
I'm in Maryland too and the drivers around here and DC metro are amongst the worst in the world- I'd wager on it.
Sorry about your car.
The problem with a good driver being around a lot of bad drivers is, you can’t use your driving skill to stand out in the crowd. Sooner or later, they will drag you down. It’s like wrestling with a pig. You might be a better wrestler, but you are in his mud, and he loves it there. Eventually his sheer love of the game will wear you out.
For those who think I have anything against sows, just replace him with her. And she with he. You know, pronoun roulette.
Well, your comments have helped me immensely. Looks like they are going to offer me $74518 for my 41k mi, $188385 MSRP car. Even if I fight them on this #, it probably won't end up being more than $75k or $76k so that is that. I've looked at all cars to replace it with, that 2019 S65 in Chicago was a smoker's car we found out, and someone else was working a deal on it we found out, before me, and it's $116k for a soon to be 6 year car, so .... we decided to get... a new car on the configurator, a 2025 S63. All the used ones, 1 year old are a bit less expensive than new but none have carbon ceramic brakes and I want them. It's so expensive but we are 63 (she's 61) and life is short. We set our temperature in our house when we sleep to 63 so it must be a sign we get another, a new one, again.
I was thinking about an SUV ... a GLS 63 but that's not my style.
I'd have to keep the car in a dirty 4 story garage (dusty and rain comes in somehow, sometimes) but it's covered at least and it's free, a 15 minute walk from our house to get the car and then return it. Unless... I sell my 2022 911 Turbo S, then we'd have a free garage spot in our house for the S63. I can't imagine doing that so ....yeah. I love that little car and bought it in the middle of Covid.
So, I think we may go with the graphite grey metallic and 21" amg forged multispoke wheels, carbon ceramic gold colored brakes, and then... no more cars ever again due to the high cost of the new car, unless, this car gets totaled.
Well, we looked at the Graphite Grey color today at the dealer (and they had a black one), we hated these 2 colors, both are basically black. My wife saw this matte white one there on the showroom floor and fell in love with it. They said we should order a white one, free color, and put a satin wrap on it and it would be the same effect as the matte white and if the paint got messed up, it could be easily fixed vs an actual matte paint. We are 90% sure we're getting one but will still look around. Haven't seen the top of the line Lexus yet, I think that's the only car left on our list. Pics from today.... we would add the carbon ceramic gold brakes and Burmeister to our build. Also, they wanted $20k over just to order the car. Then they said they could maybe due $10k over. Then after we said no, they said maybe we could get it for MSRP. Maybe.
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.
