bollar

Hi all,

This is old news, but I figured some of you would be interested to see pictures of my SL 500 that was flooded in Hurricane Katrina. She was a write-off, of course, and the insurance company (USAA) paid me what I paid for it. I only just replaced her with a 2004 CL 55 AMG, so I'm only now better able to talk about it.



About 15K miles on her. If you think you can stand a full-size picture, try this one: http://www.bollar.org/images/katrina...7@13-02-56.jpg

vraa

Behold - the power of nature.

Sorry for your loss, but glad to know that you've been compensated for

How do you like your CL compared to the SL?
Why not go back to an SL?

bollar

The CL is a little more practical these days, as Mrs. Bollar also likes to ride sometimes.



The cars drive similarly, but the CL has more leg and shoulder room and a little less headroom -- I'm 6'2", so I like the leg room. This is my first AMG, so I'm loving the extra power and the "real" manual shift program.

lorinserbenz

Awww man thats an easy fix.. A little bit of Windex and it will be as good as new! JK.. Most imortant thing is you and your family are ok, cars are easy to replace. Congrats on the new CL!

LovinMercedes

Well said. Good luck with your CL.

mjr24

Wow .

Did you ever contemplate trying to get the SL out someway before the storm or was it pretty much impossible?

bollar

We were out of town when the storm suddenly swung west to NOLA, so it wasn't possible to get into town and back out in the time available. Our E320 sat at the airport for 35 days (in daily parking ) while we waited to be allowed back into the city.

USAA, bless their hearts, totaled the car 4 days after the storm, sight unseen.

bollar

Absolutely!

The hurricane was a great opportunity for us to "simplify" and for the first time since college, I was able to move myself without help!

NVR_L8

O the inside looks bad, at least you got a new AMG and are all living safe.

bollar

I guess this proves once and for all that silver hides dirt best!

Germancar1

What happens to the SL500 now? Will it wind up on a used car lot somewhere waiting to terrify some poor buyer? Was there any life left? One of those British mags pretty much tried to destroy a W124 E and really had a hard time doing so. Glad you've gotten another Benz to replace it and you weren't there during.

M

bollar

The car was submerged for two plus weeks -- I assume the chassis is okay, but all of the electronics and interior would have to be replaced and the engine and transmission would need a teardown.

I have no idea what happened after they DRAGGED it off our yard -- yes, dragged it -- with an old-style tow truck and the rear wheels locked and skidding down the road. I had assumed it was going to be parted out.

SL600 V12

That car's going to be on ebay one day as "great clean car with only one owner, freshly detailed!", if it hasn't been already.