Crashed E500 with only 7500 miles!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 44
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2008 C300 Sport 4matic
Crashed E500 with only 7500 miles!
I had a bad Saturday night. 
! A guy in a Hyundai made a left in front of me while I was going about 45MPH. I barely had time to panic brake before the impact. All safety systems performed as designed. Both front air bags and all four seatbelt pretensioners fired. Telaid called in what seemed like seconds, and the hazard flashers went on. I was amazed at how much smoke the air bags made.
Both driver and passenger were taken to the ER for exam. No apparent injuries. I feel fine today, but my girlfriend is quite sore.
I can only guess at the damage estimate. I kind of wish it was totaled so I could just get a new E500.
I have heard of Mercedes certified shops. How do I find one?
At least we are both OK!
! A guy in a Hyundai made a left in front of me while I was going about 45MPH. I barely had time to panic brake before the impact. All safety systems performed as designed. Both front air bags and all four seatbelt pretensioners fired. Telaid called in what seemed like seconds, and the hazard flashers went on. I was amazed at how much smoke the air bags made.Both driver and passenger were taken to the ER for exam. No apparent injuries. I feel fine today, but my girlfriend is quite sore.
I can only guess at the damage estimate. I kind of wish it was totaled so I could just get a new E500.
I have heard of Mercedes certified shops. How do I find one?
At least we are both OK!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,574
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From: Sugar Land, TX
BMW E39
Glad to hear you guys made it out fine.
As for the car, looks perfectly fixable, but the chassis and rear body panels may be permanately bent/distorted/out of alignment or something.
As for the car, looks perfectly fixable, but the chassis and rear body panels may be permanately bent/distorted/out of alignment or something.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,905
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From: Atlanta
03 C32 AMG
yeh if your chassis is bent, you should really push for a new car cuz it will never bet the same car (i dont know if you insurance will count it as totaled, but i would try). I would also pound the living daylights out of that hyundai driver, if the benz didnt do so already. Ill never forget the wreck i was in. 2000 Chevy Suburban (with me in it) vs. some tiny hyundai. Guess who won that one?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
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2008 C300 Sport 4matic
crash update
The car is now at Mid Island Collision Center in Rockville Centre, NY, a 50 bay facility. They are a Mercedes and Maybach certified repair facility. I went there today and came away VERY impressed. The manager pointed out how the front end is designed to break away (image #3) and minimize frame damage & impact to the passenger compartment. Repair is estimated at about $23,000 and will take a month.
Last edited by SCHUTZEE; Nov 2, 2005 at 11:05 PM.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 44
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2008 C300 Sport 4matic
I have no choice but to repair the car. It is a MBCC lease. The shop was incredible. 50 bays, very organized, and the work they do looks flawless. If Mercedes certified them for Maybach, I guess they can handle my lowly E class. 
The other driver was 100% at fault (IMHO) as he made a left turn in front of me and failed to yield the right of way. New York is a comparative negligence state, which means each driver can be assessed a portion of the fault. I have been an insurance agent for 27 years and know that in this type of accident it will probably go 80% his fault, 20% my fault. It will be a non-chargeable accident for me. I hope his rates go way up!
The other driver was 100% at fault (IMHO) as he made a left turn in front of me and failed to yield the right of way. New York is a comparative negligence state, which means each driver can be assessed a portion of the fault. I have been an insurance agent for 27 years and know that in this type of accident it will probably go 80% his fault, 20% my fault. It will be a non-chargeable accident for me. I hope his rates go way up!
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: The Earth
Mercedes all the way!
glad to c u're ok too! considering he hit at around 45mph this damage is almost nothing. happy to see the car perform as it should - although i'm sad for you you can't get a new one, i'm kinda happy for the car that it can continue to serve for a long time to come 
Thread Starter
Junior Member
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2008 C300 Sport 4matic
Six weeks and $27,000 later, my car looks like new! I am impressed with the work Mid Island did. Car had fresh detail and a full tank of gas when I picked it up. I had forgotten just how much fun the E500 is to drive. It sure beats the Ford rental I had from Enteprise.
On the 26th I leave for a week of skiing in Canada with my two daughters. I hope we have a trouble free trip. I would have prefered to have a few weeks to sort out any potential glitches before leaving.
For anyone in the NY Metro area, I highly reccomend Mid Island. Ask for Brian. http://www.midislandcollision.com/ph...t.php?linkid=2
On the 26th I leave for a week of skiing in Canada with my two daughters. I hope we have a trouble free trip. I would have prefered to have a few weeks to sort out any potential glitches before leaving.
For anyone in the NY Metro area, I highly reccomend Mid Island. Ask for Brian. http://www.midislandcollision.com/ph...t.php?linkid=2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,143
Likes: 1
From: South Orange County, CA
4 wheels
Originally Posted by SCHUTZEE
Six weeks and $27,000 later, my car looks like new! I am impressed with the work Mid Island did. Car had fresh detail and a full tank of gas when I picked it up. I had forgotten just how much fun the E500 is to drive. It sure beats the Ford rental I had from Enteprise.
On the 26th I leave for a week of skiing in Canada with my two daughters. I hope we have a trouble free trip. I would have prefered to have a few weeks to sort out any potential glitches before leaving.
For anyone in the NY Metro area, I highly reccomend Mid Island. Ask for Brian. http://www.midislandcollision.com/ph...t.php?linkid=2
On the 26th I leave for a week of skiing in Canada with my two daughters. I hope we have a trouble free trip. I would have prefered to have a few weeks to sort out any potential glitches before leaving.
For anyone in the NY Metro area, I highly reccomend Mid Island. Ask for Brian. http://www.midislandcollision.com/ph...t.php?linkid=2
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 551
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From: Virginia
2005 Carlsson CD32 E320 CDI Inline-6
Keep us posted...about workmanship of shop...
Here in my small town in Va, I would rather tow my car all the way to New York if that's what it would take to get a quality repair.
Nothing but a bunch of back-woods Chevy hack shops around here.
Nothing but a bunch of back-woods Chevy hack shops around here.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
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2008 C300 Sport 4matic
The car is running great at 10,500 miles. The only minor problem, the AC not working, was quickly repaired by the shop.
I had originally planned to buy the car out of the MBCC lease in July 2008. I may opt to lease a new diesel wagon at that time. Although I love the power of the E500, the mileage of the diesel is a big advantage. I have lots of time to make my decision. I doubt MBCC will take diminished value into account when pricing the car at lease end. My experience is that they will not deviate from the residual in the lease even if it is not realistic.
I had originally planned to buy the car out of the MBCC lease in July 2008. I may opt to lease a new diesel wagon at that time. Although I love the power of the E500, the mileage of the diesel is a big advantage. I have lots of time to make my decision. I doubt MBCC will take diminished value into account when pricing the car at lease end. My experience is that they will not deviate from the residual in the lease even if it is not realistic.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: New Jersey
SLS AMG | S65 AMG | GL550
I would certainly suggest you walking away from a major accident like this...it will show up on carfax (eventually) and it will be tough to sell when you want to. Your idea is right, re-lease and if you like that one, buy it out.
I'm really surprised at the estimate for repair, but it's an MB Auth. shop so they raise the prices a bit.
Erik
I'm really surprised at the estimate for repair, but it's an MB Auth. shop so they raise the prices a bit.
Erik
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
2014 Sport White on black
Here in California once the airbags deploy the car is considered a salvaged title/vehicle. Which means that you just lost 1/2 if/when you decide to sell your car as well as the the warranty is null and void. I guess the damage did not affect your warranty nor your insurance rating. If I were you I would take a close look at your tires (the side of the accident) to evaluate any uneven wear (after a few hundred miles) which indicates structural integrity damage.
