novae500

Debated taking the E55 to MIR today and decided not too. Wanted to wait to have headers/pulley installed before running it. But should have ran it with just a tune for base line. Looking back should have to the E55. Got a call from my wife around 1pm that it got rear ended at a red light. Lady in tahoe saw the left turn signal green and decided to step on the gas and go.

Results below. Bumper trashed and trunk lid is pushed in. Struggle to open the lid and see that where the lid locks/latches down , the whole black plastic that runs the length of the trunk is pushed in, so guessing frame damage underneath since its not straight. Compared the trunk to my e500 trunk and the same area is straight. Waiting for lady's adjuster to come out. Since frame damage is it a total loss? Or can straighten it out

BlkE55K

That should buff right out, I think.

I don't think that is a total loss by looking at the pics. A shop would have to tear it down to see what the damage underneath is.

CharlyE500

oh man..... sorry to see this happened. Its doesnt look that bad but take it to a professional body shop to estimate. Insurance should cover all the damage. GLuck !

emoving

Its gonna be pricey for a good fix, but deff not totaled.

BBBSS

From what I remember seeing when looking for signs of a previous accident when buying my E55 theres no actual frame back there. Just a couple frame horns that go back to the bumper impact beam and all the other random parts in the back. I can't see this not being repairable. Very strongly doubt this will be a total, even with the "benz tax". You'll get a bumper cover, rear bumper impact beam or whatever benz wants to call it, and they will be doing some sheetmetal work to straighten things back out. If the trunklid itself is pushed in you'll get a new one of those as well.

Biggest issue I would have is talking to my insurance about getting new as opposed to junkyard parts for the car. As old as it is even a good company is gonna wanna push used parts on it that will be repainted and installed. Question them about this carefully and try to push for new benz parts if you can.

BBBSS

How far did the part where the trunk latches to get pushed in? It doesn't look like a very bad accident at all. Was the vehicle that hit you an SUV or something sitting tall that slipped over the bumper and hit the trunklid?

emoving

He said a lady in a Tahoe.

RaceHorse

That sucks big time considering the fun you had to leave today. For starters do the rear quarters have any kinks, or waves? Check the gap at the back doors and if they still open and close properly without getting hung up. Also the obvious, her adjuster is going to make it out to be less, bring it to a body shop of "YOUR" choice. In the end you want your guy to do the proper repair and not cut corners to be in budget for her adjusters estimate. For example straighten or fix a damaged part as opposed to replacing it, the labor is more money for the shop to make then a swap, but may save her insurance company a few hundred dollars. In the end a replaced part is the better repair. Good Luck...

~Rich

novae500

SUV Chevy Tahoe. I'll be fighting the lady's adjuster if they try to get used parts since its an 05 w 62k on the clock. My wife didnt asked to get hit, so the car had OEM parts before the accident and should be replaced with OEM parts. Even though the insurance companies say "comparable "parts to manufacters. I did call the local stealer that i take my car in for warranty work on the 4matic. So i will be taking it there after the adjuster gives his estimates. It was dark when i got to see the car in the garage so will take a look at the suggestions (kinks, waves, doors opening shut easily).

emoving

If they start pulling punches, call an attorney! She will get 7 gs just for minor back ach!

pearlpower

Never rely on insurance adjusters, they are not there to spend money, take it to a few shops, get solid estimates. Best of luck.

BBBSS

Missed that sorry. Yeah your gonna get a bumper cover, trunk lid, and depending on how much the metal along the back flexed they may try to straighten it out as opposed to replacing it. Ton of labor time to replace the metal back there. I'd guess at the least 7 grand damage once all the lil stuff all gets added together. I could easily see it getting to more like 8-10 depending on severity of the metal damage. The numbers grow very quickly, but that will not be a total.

Get a check from your insurance company and pick your own body shop. Sometimes this helps keep it off your carfax record, also the companies the insurance recommends is under contract to slap it together as cheap and fast as possible to save the insurance company money. If more damage is discovered or more time is needed for repairs your shop of choice can call the insurance for a supplemental check to cover the extra costs. Ask to inspect some of the cars in the shop that are about to go out the door and back to customers. Look under the car and behind the repair areas. Some shops make it look great from the outside, but leave a mess behind things as most never look deeply.

Good luck man. Hate to see any car people in this situation cause I know how picky most of us are and it will never truly be 100% again.

GregMB

The insurance company should be a lot more concerned about your wife's neck and/or back injury claim......(hint, hint)

Seriously, the car is the cheap part of an accident like this. Medical bills can far outstrip the costs to repair the trunk.... And a smart insurance company will settle quickly to avoid a drawn-out battle over personal injury damages.

-G

novae500

The lady that hit my wife was drving her husbands company vehicle, contracting business he owns and insured under the business vs personal car insurance. So if they try to pull a fast one with me, thats not going to happen. My wife had her coworker in the car PS going to lunch so she is also a witness. Lady was in a rush to pick up her son at the airport was her excuse.

Place i plan on taking is where MB dealer recommended that also does Audi, Porsche in Tysons Corner VA. So i dont think they will take shortcuts. Well i hope they dont. Wife no pain so far, but coworker had to take 2 advils. I'm just glad my 2yo son wasnt in the back seat!

RedBullJnky

Sorry to hear bro! Hope all goes well, but like Emoving said call an attorney if you need to. GL!

BBBSS

I'd also bring up diminished value as its a bit of a specialty car and being that it was now involved in an accident resale value has dropped on it. Can add an extra $500-1000+ if you push the issue. I would.

moosejaw

I would go for Diminished Value esp since its a E55. They dont pay for that in florida but good luck getting that in VA. Does VA have limits on what you can sue for?

Strigoi

Be sure to get lots of pics of the damage as well. That way if it does show up on Carfax and you go to sell the car you can at least show a potential buyer that it wasn't a "bad" accident.

djrabbi

i had something similar in the front.......it was 8500 in damages

Ryououki

Depending on where you go, I'd say between $4k and $7k.

DuaneC63

As long as it didn't look like this you'll be at about $10K.

slownrusty

Dumb *****es driving SUVs.

WPOZZZ

This was @ $8k of damage. If the black tray in the trunk is no good, repair estimates will go up considerably. My bodyman told me the tray in my CLK was composite and was glued in. It would take a lot of time and labor to remove the old piece and set a new one in. Then there's the cost of the tray itself.

chawkins2001

Sorry to hear man. I think females and these cars don't mix well as far as driving goes. I let my wife drive my car twice in nearly two years, came home both times with a cracked CF lower lip.

komp55

Agree. Amazingly, my wife hasn't driven mine since I bought it back in '06. I bought her a ML550 to do battle in.

Also agree it's doubtful the car is totalled since the impact was at a high speed and was a bit higher up on the body. Bummer it happened, but a good shop can fix that so that you'd never know it happened. Here's to prompt and excellent repairs.