New Wagon Damaged in Transit
03-01-2012, 02:55 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
New Wagon Damaged in Transit
My dealer just called me " Tarsands, the good news is the car has landed" (yes he really started with this ) "the bad news is your bumper is damaged and a new bumper won't arrive from Germany for 4 weeks .Do you want to drive it like this or wait ? ''
I'm going to go over and take a look. Taking delivery of a $ 100 k plus beater doesn't seem likely. However, I'll reserve judgement for now.
I'll post pics later. In the interim your comments and guidance are welcome.
I'm going to go over and take a look. Taking delivery of a $ 100 k plus beater doesn't seem likely. However, I'll reserve judgement for now.
I'll post pics later. In the interim your comments and guidance are welcome.
03-01-2012, 04:40 PM
#6
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Sorry to hear about that.
Personally, I would assess the damage and see if it is really that significant or something that can be easily sustained after a few of days of driving (ie parking lot dings or chips from stones). If it is the latter, I would attempt to negotiate a discount from the original agreed price. The discount should be no less than the cost of parts/labor for a new bumper should you choose to have that done in the future.
While it is quite upsetting for this to happen, just look at it this way: cars, esp AMG cars, are meant to be driven and not to be a museum piece. Sooner or later there is going to be a ding or the other. So might as well use it to your advantage if the damage is minor. Moreover, bumpers are usually designed to be easily replaced compared to a body panel. So for me, some dings/scratches/dents on the bumpers are no biggies unless they are CF.
Personally, I would assess the damage and see if it is really that significant or something that can be easily sustained after a few of days of driving (ie parking lot dings or chips from stones). If it is the latter, I would attempt to negotiate a discount from the original agreed price. The discount should be no less than the cost of parts/labor for a new bumper should you choose to have that done in the future.
While it is quite upsetting for this to happen, just look at it this way: cars, esp AMG cars, are meant to be driven and not to be a museum piece. Sooner or later there is going to be a ding or the other. So might as well use it to your advantage if the damage is minor. Moreover, bumpers are usually designed to be easily replaced compared to a body panel. So for me, some dings/scratches/dents on the bumpers are no biggies unless they are CF.
Last edited by otakki; 03-01-2012 at 04:57 PM. Reason: adding more infos
03-01-2012, 07:56 PM
#7
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2012 E63
Sorry to hear about that.
Personally, I would assess the damage and see if it is really that significant or something that can be easily sustained after a few of days of driving (ie parking lot dings or chips from stones). If it is the latter, I would attempt to negotiate a discount from the original agreed price. The discount should be no less than the cost of parts/labor for a new bumper should you choose to have that done in the future.
While it is quite upsetting for this to happen, just look at it this way: cars, esp AMG cars, are meant to be driven and not to be a museum piece. Sooner or later there is going to be a ding or the other. So might as well use it to your advantage if the damage is minor. Moreover, bumpers are usually designed to be easily replaced compared to a body panel. So for me, some dings/scratches/dents on the bumpers are no biggies unless they are CF.
Personally, I would assess the damage and see if it is really that significant or something that can be easily sustained after a few of days of driving (ie parking lot dings or chips from stones). If it is the latter, I would attempt to negotiate a discount from the original agreed price. The discount should be no less than the cost of parts/labor for a new bumper should you choose to have that done in the future.
While it is quite upsetting for this to happen, just look at it this way: cars, esp AMG cars, are meant to be driven and not to be a museum piece. Sooner or later there is going to be a ding or the other. So might as well use it to your advantage if the damage is minor. Moreover, bumpers are usually designed to be easily replaced compared to a body panel. So for me, some dings/scratches/dents on the bumpers are no biggies unless they are CF.
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03-01-2012, 09:41 PM
#8
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Thread Starter
Thanks for the feedback
I took some crappy photos in the dark. It looks like the car was driven into twin loading ramps enroute. The "air dam" has twin impact damage. I'm inclined to leave the car with the dealer until it is perfect. While I agree with the philosophy espoused by Otakki ,I think this damage crosses the line. I don't believe it goes beyond superficial. Your thoughts ? On a positive note I've never seen or heard an E63 wagon before today and I was not disappointed. 
Last edited by tarsands; 03-01-2012 at 10:12 PM.
03-02-2012, 02:27 AM
#10
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CURRENT: CLS550 SOLD: PANAMERA S SOLD: CL63 SOLD:PEWTIFUL E55 "NATASHA"
F that make them order a new one, wait it out. With only about 500 or so going to be made total production run you want pristine!
03-02-2012, 09:01 AM
#12
Senior Member
tough one. I think that you're probably in for a bit of tussle if you ask them to rebuild a new one...we're not talking about a civic here. On the positive side i guess, it doesn't look like the impact would have caused any major structural damage. Its cosmetic and it looks like the rest of the bumper remains aligned so the impact wasnt hard enough to do major damage to the the rest of the panel.
MY advice is that you raise a big stink, go down the route of making them re-order, then settle on having them replace the bumper and giving you a discount off the price. $5-$7Gs would make me happy and isn't unreasonable for either side.
Good luck, its a sweet looking ride.
MY advice is that you raise a big stink, go down the route of making them re-order, then settle on having them replace the bumper and giving you a discount off the price. $5-$7Gs would make me happy and isn't unreasonable for either side.
Good luck, its a sweet looking ride.
03-02-2012, 12:03 PM
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Tough call. Cars are damaged in transit ALL the time and more often then not it is covered up by the dealer and sold to unsuspecting buyers. Since the damage is not in the sheet metal I'd def be open to them sweetening the deal for you. Bumpers are replaced all the time. Congrats regardless on your purchase, I feel my estate will never come! 
03-02-2012, 12:31 PM
#16
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2012 CLS63
wow, that sux.......I'd try to squeeze all I could out of that one......
it's also ironic because just last night I was thinking "what if my car gets smashed on the way over?"
weird.....
sorry it happened cousin
it's also ironic because just last night I was thinking "what if my car gets smashed on the way over?"
weird.....
sorry it happened cousin
03-02-2012, 03:46 PM
#18
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Ouch! Definitely highly visible damage. The location and extent of the damage likely preclude any major structural damage. The bottom of the chin flapping out on both sides look almost like hitting those parking stop block with metal rods sticking out--causing the bottom of the chin to be ripped out when the driver backs out the car after the collision.
Definitely agree with E-Ridium and Derek above. I would also take into account the additional depreciation on the vehicle as a result of the damage/repair and really get a good chunk of discount before leaving the dealer.
Definitely agree with E-Ridium and Derek above. I would also take into account the additional depreciation on the vehicle as a result of the damage/repair and really get a good chunk of discount before leaving the dealer.
03-02-2012, 07:51 PM
#20
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Dealer Plays Hardball
The Dealer has rejected my proposal to offer me a loaner or further discount for the month it will take to get this repaired.
I told the rep to tell his manager to reconsider or refund my deposit.
Based on all of your comments I believe I've asked for the bare minimum of consideration here. We'll see if I get an E63 or a refund.
I told the rep to tell his manager to reconsider or refund my deposit.
Based on all of your comments I believe I've asked for the bare minimum of consideration here. We'll see if I get an E63 or a refund.
03-03-2012, 09:11 AM
#22
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2007 E63 w/P30 and Eurotech CF Diffuser
With the introduction of Scratch Resistant Clearcoat (SRC) starting in the 2002 C-Class, and in the entire model line-up since model year 2008, your Mercedes-Benz was manufactured with one of the most advanced paint finishes in the automotive industry. Scratch Resistant Clearcoat (SRC) uses "nano-paint technology" comprised of microscopic ceramic particles that make it extremely durable and remarkably protective of the color coat beneath.
EDIT: May be incorrect about applying this clear coat at a body shop. PPG CeramiClear may be the same thing.
Last edited by Jon2007E63P30; 03-03-2012 at 09:21 AM.
03-03-2012, 01:21 PM
#23
The bad part is that it's damaged but like MAC said, cars are damaged all the time with buyers not knowing.....
Being if it's only the bumpers and not the sheet metal, being painged perfect (maybe take it to MAC) nobody will ever tell and i believe bumpers can't be measured for paint thickness like they measure the sheetmetal. If you decide to go for it, at least hit them up for a nice discount. 5k off more i'd go for it.
Being if it's only the bumpers and not the sheet metal, being painged perfect (maybe take it to MAC) nobody will ever tell and i believe bumpers can't be measured for paint thickness like they measure the sheetmetal. If you decide to go for it, at least hit them up for a nice discount. 5k off more i'd go for it.
03-03-2012, 09:27 PM
#24
Senior Member
My issue would be that if the damage gets reported and shows up on a CarFax. If it shows up on something like that then when you go to sell the car then you will get dinged on the value of the car. Years back I almost bought a GT500 that was a good $5k off and this was back when they were all fetching over MSRP. The reason it was below MSRP was because one of the bumper covers got damaged when being delivered, they replaced it at the dealer but it was on the history of the car. Heck I'd imagine if not on Carfax it would show up in the Mercedes system.
I'd make them repair it before I took it and I'd make them take off money from the purchase price.
I'd make them repair it before I took it and I'd make them take off money from the purchase price.
03-04-2012, 04:00 AM
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1M, F550M, F550B, F40, S600, 365GTC, DBSx2, etc.
Completely agree. As previously mentioned, cars are damaged in transit all the time. If this is a reportable incident ( like snipe says, car fax, etc) then you should demand a sugnificant loss of value comp from mbusa. If it, then try to get a small concession from the dealer.
My issue would be that if the damage gets reported and shows up on a CarFax. If it shows up on something like that then when you go to sell the car then you will get dinged on the value of the car. Years back I almost bought a GT500 that was a good $5k off and this was back when they were all fetching over MSRP. The reason it was below MSRP was because one of the bumper covers got damaged when being delivered, they replaced it at the dealer but it was on the history of the car. Heck I'd imagine if not on Carfax it would show up in the Mercedes system.
I'd make them repair it before I took it and I'd make them take off money from the purchase price.
I'd make them repair it before I took it and I'd make them take off money from the purchase price.
