W201 190E sedan rear end collision HELP!!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

davidmash · #1 12-09-2003, 11:12 PM

Hey all,

My baby got slapped and she is in pain. She is a 1987 190-16V, grey market kept in very good condition. I have spent a small fortune over the last thee years keeping her happy (somewhere around 10k or so). I have all receipts. I am scared I might loose her to the insurance companies. NADA says she is only worth $7700 and I do not want to give her up and I am thinking it might be hard to keep the damage cost under 70%. Does anyone know what price the insurance company uses? High retail is the answer I want to hear by the way. The car has been in my family since 1989.

State Farm is my insurance company and I live in Dallas / Fort Worth area. Any advise, ideas … can someone wake me up from this night mare. By the way, if one person asks me if I am going to part her out before she is officially pronounced dead, I will fly to your house and give you a wedgy that will need to be surgically removed. I mean that in the mot TLC kind of way lol.

Let the festivities begin and thanks in advance for your help guys/gals.

git0 · #2 12-10-2003, 12:13 AM

State Farm will usually total the vehicle of this vintage when the

repair estimate is between 60-70 %. An option is that if they do

you may be able to buy it bck from them at a discount as a

salvage vehicles and have the repair done. This depends on the

titling laws in your state.

Good luck!

haasman · #3 12-10-2003, 01:02 AM

Insurance companies don't want to loose your business. A friend recently got 10% more after contesting their insurance offer.

Since your car is (was) in excellent condition, you should push for an higher valuation. Numerous club for sale postings will substantiate this.

Also, you can accept their final repair amount offer and always add to it if you must or even work a deal with a body shop.

Haasman

william rogers · #4 12-10-2003, 01:28 AM

A few years back body shops thought nothing of repairing a nice car like that and if a good shop did the work you were hard pressed to tell that there was ever any damage. Nowdays insurance companies total cars newer than yours with less visible damage.

I would not give one inch with them, a lot of people act as if an insurance agent is an athority figure and on your side when in fact they are paid
well to pay out the least they can get away with in all situations.

By the looks of the photo the other vehicle had a high bumper? were you injured?

William Rogers............

haasman · #5 12-10-2003, 01:49 AM

The message here is: Fight It!

If you really need help, I have a friend who is a State Farm agent.

Haasman

davidmash · #6 12-10-2003, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by haasman
The message here is: Fight It!

If you really need help, I have a friend who is a State Farm agent.

Haasman

Heck yes. If he can help or give me advise I would love to talk to him.

Thanks

davidmash · #7 12-10-2003, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by william rogers
A few years back body shops thought nothing of repairing a nice car like that and if a good shop did the work you were hard pressed to tell that there was ever any damage. Nowdays insurance companies total cars newer than yours with less visible damage.

I would not give one inch with them, a lot of people act as if an insurance agent is an athority figure and on your side when in fact they are paid
well to pay out the least they can get away with in all situations.

By the looks of the photo the other vehicle had a high bumper? were you injured?

William Rogers............

Yes, I was hit by an Ford Explorer. I am sore but no gushing blood or anything. It kocked my head pretty good so I have a bit of a head ache. I went to the emergency room and they said I should live. Thanks for asking.

I plan on fighting to the death. Viva la 190 lol.

Q · #8 12-10-2003, 10:22 AM

You can take the insurance payout for totalling and buy the car back. I know you can do this in Texas for sure. My coworker just did the same thing.

Jim Anderson · #9 12-10-2003, 10:28 AM

Try and have the adjuster say the damage is what the car is worth, or 1 cent less. Money is one thing, getting it listed as "totaled" is another.

Zeus · #10 12-10-2003, 02:29 PM

David - I had a very similar experience with my 300E - similar damage, though not as bad. Given my car's age my insurance company's first course of action was to write it off as the repair estimate exceeded their estimation of the car's value. I argued with them and demanded that an appraiser meet me to view the car. I met the appraiser and showed him my service records and the condition of the car inside and out (excellent). He gave the green light to the company to have the car repaired. It was done over a year ago and still looks and drives fantastically. I got an entire new Mercedes exhaust system out of it to boot!

So fight 'em! There's a way to bend every rule if you are diligent and patient. Good luck.

davidmash · #11 12-10-2003, 04:14 PM

OK. I brought it to a body shop recomended by my friend who is shop manager at MB here in Dallas. We are looking at $5,600.00 for starters before he gets in the trunk (its stuck shut) and see what other damage my little driving impared friend sis to my car.

A few items I could use some help with.

First. The trunk lid. The 16v has a part number of 201 750 12 75 vs the 8 valve US with part number 201 750 02 75. What is the difference? Will the either trunk fit? Does one have holes for the spoiler and the other does not? Hinge points? Dimensions? If I can find a salvage trunk from a US 190 I would prefer to do that if possible.

Second. The trunk spoiler. The body shop seems to think it’s shot (from the looks of it I think he may be right) and if it cannot be repaired I will need a new one. The dealer wants $1,300.00 for a freaking spoiler. All I have to say is for that price it better do more than just sit there and look pretty. Does anybody out there have a 16V that they no of that’s being parted out? Salvage yard? Wholesaler? Dude named Vinny who can find me one (no offence to anyone of Italian descent).

Third. Since I will be getting a new rear end, I want smoked tail lights. Anyone know where I can find a set? My hard drive crashed 3 weeks ago and I lost all my URL links.

Again, thanks for all your support. I am planning on getting my baby back and with a little help from my friends (sniff sniff) I’m going to kick some insurance A$$ and come out OK.

Viva la 190

haasman · #12 12-10-2003, 05:05 PM

David

I do know a wrecking yard that has a 16v with a good rear end.

Haasman

davidmash · #13 12-11-2003, 06:49 AM

Haasman,

Yes please. If I can find a less expensive spoiler I should have no problem getting the cost under 70% of the car value.

Any one have any news on the trunk size?

haasman · #14 12-11-2003, 02:48 PM

David

Keep an eye out for secondary physical results from the accident. My daughter was recently in an accident, the car she was riding in got hit in the right-front door. She, after asking what is the safest seat (left-rear, generally speaking) always sat behind the driver of the carpool. Even though she was in the opposite side of impact, the crash was violent enough to hurt her neck.

Several weeks after the accident her neck started hurting. She now goes to therapy once a week.

Haasman

davidmash · #15 12-11-2003, 10:51 PM

Yea, the muscles in my neck are still tender and my elbows get a bit sore alsoI am taking it easy until I feel better or my Dr. says I am alright to go back to normal.

The appraiser supposedly saw the car today so I may find out some news tomorrow. Everyone cross your fingers.

Hassman, do you have the info on that wrecking yard?

Thanks all,

David