So, I was driving home today in the nasty weather and next thing i know, smoke starts pouring out of my dash. I quickly pull over and shut off the engine. Soon after, more and more smokes starts pouring out of the dash, the vents, the rear vents...i mean everywhere. I open all the windows and get out of the car. All of a sudden the smoke goes from a light gray to a dark nasty smoke and then....I see my windshield in a blaze. The top of the dash caught on fire. I call 911 and eventually the fire department and police show up. By now the electrical system is shot all the windows are open the interior is getting completely ruined by the weather, the top of the dash is all melted, the windshield is black and cracked not to mention the nasty smoke smell. I'm pissed. The fire department does some investigating and they tell me what they suspect, which i cant get into now. It seems that what they suspect is something that was recently replaced by my dealer two months ago. So, I want to see how it all plays out. I'm hoping they cover it rather than my insurance, but its highly unlikely (since we all know how these stealers operate). Just hope to get this taken care of ASAP and step into a new E55 (cause no matter what...I LOVE THIS CAR). Anyone looking to sell????

 

Damn that's crazy! I could never imagin seeing a car go up in flames. I guys it could be worst it's good to see your okay I hope everything gets resolved for you quickly. Keep us posted.

 

this is the 2nd story ive read of a 55 go up in flames in the past 2 months. wtf!

 

Not accusing the OP of this but it is becoming oddly frequent, some say it could be intentionally set AKA "Barn-Burners" the Ins Co. pay out is a lot greater than the current market value of these models


Hope everything works out for you...

 

wtf is right!! Would you mind posting a link if you read it somewhere online? I'd be interested to see what happened in that situation. Thanks.

 

No way would I do that to any car I own, E55 or otherwise. One, I have wayyyyy too much to lose to risk it for some quick cash. Two, I absolutely LOVE this car and I absolutely babied the beast. Three, it happened while I was driving on the road, kind of hard to drive and set the car on fire at the same time. I hope no one on this forum fall into the "Barn Burners" category, cause those guys do not deserve to drive this car.

 

As I said "Not accusing OP" just pointing out what's in the rumor-mill I've personally heard of (3) others in past (6) months I'd freak the phuc out if my baby burst into flames, I do carry a small Fire Ext/in the trunk...

 

Wonder if it is related to the fuel filter recall campaign or a dealership that does not perform it correctly.

Either way, it sucks man. Sorry to have it happen.

 

Sorry to hear about what happened, and I'm glad nobody got hurt and that you came out of it okay. Please keep us updated...

 

+1
I hope MB comes through for you. If not I'm sure the insurance company will. Please let us know how it plays out.

 

That sucks bro...Hope it all plays out well.

 

Did you take any pictures?? Sorry about your car.

 

Here is the link to a CL55 catching on fire in the garage...

https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-...re-garage.html


As far as setting my own car on fire, I love my car way to much to do anything to it. Not even sure if you would get more $ from the insurance. I had a 1996 E320 that I totaled (fell asleep at the wheel). They were giving me way below market value. My insurance company, and I am sure many others, dont just go on KBB. They find real examples on cars for sale and base much of their evaluation of that. So that would yield the market value and probably not a higher payout. Unless my insurance company sucks - which it does by the way but what else is new

 

on a side note, if the insurance low ***** you dont give up. You can get more out of them. I fought with them for 2 months and got my initial estimate of $6000 up to $9200 for my 1996 E320.

 

should i start parking my 55 outside and not in the garage. maybe even down the street from my house.

 

I too have been low-balled by the insurance company. I had a 2000 Subaru 2.5 RS (at the time the top model pre-WRX) that I got rear ended in while sitting at a stop light. KBB said it was worth between 9K and 12K. While other examples were going for about the same on-line when you could find them. The insurance company tried telling me my car was worth $2700. I asked to see their report They were usuing totally different cars as a comparision for value. And they also told me that the KBB price meant nothing. I was also told after telling them what I thought the car was worth "What were offering you is what we think it's worth and we're not going to pay you anything else".

After researching for cars for sale exactly like mine I found 12 for sale nationwide. Averaged the price for all of them and sent a counter offer for $10,500. The insurance company proptly rejected the counter offer saying that I did not provide similar cars for comparasion (wtf?). Then. . . I got an apprasier who looked @ what was left of my car (which had been garage kept and well taken care of) and he took pics and did some reasearch and made a report which I sent to the insurance company with yet another counter offer of $9700 which they then paid without argument. My lesson learned. . . The $100 for the apprasial was the best I've ever spent. Didn't mean to be long winded but I hope this helps.

 

That sucks

 

Blower motor relay?

 

I feel your pain rmshah1, tough on. Glad no one was hurt and surely you will provide updates...I am curious to see how this plays out.

 

omg, i think i can say we all could imagine how terrible a situation this is for you, i hope to see you back in a e55 in no time, i love this car tooo much.

 

Good luck with the claim. The good thing is that you nor any of your loved ones were injured. wow

 

Glas to see you bailed out of the car before she went up in flames. Such crappy timing too with the holidays around the corner.

 

sorry to hear that, hope everything goes well with you and your new car.

since your car burndown , your insurance should pick up the rest, do you have fire and theft?

 

Bummer about your car. Don't give up and cave to the insurance company.

I had a very similar thing happen to me back in 1985 or so while driving a BMW 630 in the middle of nowhere. Smoke stared coming out the A/C vents and got bad enough I pulled over and got out. Watched it burn to the ground in front of my eyes.

I had to take a lie detector test to get the insurance company to pay. They think every expensive car fire is a possible fraud. They'll pay up if you stick with it. Still, it's huge pain in the *** and a net $$ loss no matter what.

 

Bummer deal dude... big time..Hope everything turns out ok and either A the dealer covers it or B the insurance doesn't rip you..

But, if you're looking for another E55... My buddy's got his 05 K4 E55 for sale.. He is headed to Saudi for a couple of years and has decided to sale his car... black on black.. if you're interested let me know.