Help! Got Rear Ended?!? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

300TDT 1987 · #1 11-27-2006, 11:23 AM

After a great thanksgiving dinner with the family I was driving home and got hit from behind while stoped at a red light. The guy was probably going about 20 mph and totaled his car. Forced me into the car in front of me but that car had very little damage on it's bumper. Luckily no one was hurt and the guy took total responsibility.

My 300 tdt drives fine, had it on the highway and am not noticing any problems. The tailgate actually opens and closes with no problems.

I am worred about the frame a little because the drivers side passanger door does not sit flush anymore, it seems to be a little lower than before and juts out a little.

I know that I will need a new tailgate, tailgate struts, bumper, possibly some back struts anything else I'm forgetting?

Any idea's of what I should get checked before his insurance agent comes out to check out the car?

Thanks for the help.

DeliveryValve · #2 11-27-2006, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300TDT 1987

Any idea's of what I should get checked before his insurance agent comes out to check out the car?

Thanks for the help.

If your saying the rear door is not flush with the body, then there is a good chance you have some uni-body damage. I would go to a couple of reputable bodyshops what work on MBs to get an estimate of what needs to be done and how much it would cost so you have the piece of mind before the adjuster come out. The body shops would usually give free estimates.

babymog · #3 11-27-2006, 01:42 PM

Also find some for sale / sold '87 300TDs to indicate the car's value, otherwise the adjuster might try to total it (few adjusters really understand how much a decent '87 300TD is worth). Here are some (admittedly high) examples:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=220048600495&rd=1,1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=002&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=120048984202&rd=1,1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=010&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=200041433469&rd=1,1

Veloce300DT · #4 11-27-2006, 02:36 PM

Yes, find as many ads of cars similar to yours to prove its true market worth and get as many estimates as you can from COMPETENT local body shops that know how to work on MB cars before the adjuster comes to see the car. ALSO, it WILL help to wash and detail the car before the adjuster sees it.... just as when you sell a car, a good wax and detail (polish, wax, windows, tires, trim etc) can boost the value by $500-$1000 easily... and an adjuster will notice that, make sure he/she DOES.. you want to make sure they value your car in above average condition! A dirty car does nothing for you when the value of the car is being asessed (yours doesnt look bad at all though

)

Sorry to hear about your accident, your car is gorgeous and rare and surely worth fighting for!!! Keep us posted!

BTW, where are you located? I might be able to reccomend some good body shops in your area.

300TDT 1987 · #5 11-27-2006, 03:08 PM

Thanks for your help everyone.

Good idea's and I will certainly have my car in top form for the adjuster and I will make sure that I have some examples of what this car is currently worth. I hope that I can get a decent amount of money from the adjuster so that I don't have to skimp on fixing anything.

I'm Located in Hoboken NJ. I know of a couple of places to go and get an estimate. But if you know of anyone who works with MB's a lot out here please let me know and I'll take it to them.

Cheers,
York

300TDT 1987 · #6 11-29-2006, 02:33 PM

Well, I went to the claims adjuster and he said the car was not totaled and said the damages come out to $2700. The check is in the mail.

There is no way I can actually get this fixed for that much. Firstly all the parts that they quoted are off different cars than mine. The tailgate they say will cost $218 from a quality parts dealer from a 126 model!?!

So I guess the best course of action is to go to my mercedes benz indi and get him to give me an estimate and then work from there. I believe that once Geico receives they're estimate they will total the car. But I did find out that any car older than 8 years will never be totaled they will just give you the money and let you do what you want with the car.

It's hysterical that they actual include body labor at $43/hour and paint labor at $21/hour. You are not getting those prices around here.

I'll let you all know what happens down the road.

Mismost · #7 11-29-2006, 05:46 PM

Man...don't cash that check! If you do, it's all over but the crying.

I know it might be a temptation with Christmas so close. But if you do, that is just like saying "I accept your fair offer".

Did you tell the adjuster just HOW REALLY BAD YOUR NECK STILL HURTS!

Veloce300DT · #8 11-29-2006, 06:12 PM

And the fight begins! Give em a good throw in the head!

I love how we pay companies to "protect" our investments and end up fighting to get whats fair.

Good luck!

d.delano · #9 11-29-2006, 06:20 PM

Man I've been hearing a lot lately about people getting rear-ended in their cars
If that happens to me, I will definitely get the ambulance chaser on-line, ethics or what have you be damned
it's you or it's them

I once was in a car accident, back in '96 on New Year's Eve, got rear-ended by a SEMI in a surprise white-out
Folded my buddy's brand new got-it-for-Christmas BMW 318ti up like a suitcase, I was out for about 30 seconds or so
I could have sued, my back gives me a bit of complaint to this day
If it ever happens again the insurance company will not get away from paying out

300TDT 1987 · #10 11-29-2006, 06:33 PM

Thanks for the support!

Went to my Indi mb mechanic this afternoon. I should state that this is more than an Indi, in fact it is soley a mbs place but it is big and the guy I dealt with there was no better than the claims adjuster. Wanted to order the parts immediatly and set up an appointment.

Some interesting tid bits:

The quoted $43/hour body labor and $43/hour paint labor is state driven and any auto repair business has to accept those rates by law. However, the labor estimate seem excessive. How long would it take to put a new tailgate on a wagon? They quote that as 6.5 hours!!! I think I could do that job within an hour if I had a friend to help. The rear bumper is quoted as a 2.5 hour job. Again, I think I can do better but then again everything takes longer than expected.

The indi garage takes the actual claim adjusters quote and following it's guidlelines so that it can make as much as it can from the "Estimate of Record".

The indi did say that the frame was most likely fine that the door probably got knocked at of whack and that a hing adjustment was needed.

I'm thinking of getting the parts re-evaluted by the claims adjuster and doing the tailgate, bumper and lights myself. Already have quotes and the parts come to $300 for a perfect Tailgate, $40 for the bumper impact strip and $50 for the lower molding. Add in the paint job on the tailgate and I'll still have plenty of money to fix everything else that got messed up.

But first I'm going to find someone to check the frame.

I'll let y'all know the outcome and hopefully will have an after picture.

Pete Geither · #11 11-29-2006, 06:53 PM

Don't forget the left tail light. And 6.5 hours for overhaul on the tail gate is very reasonable. Remember that everything should be taken off the gate so it can be painted and reinstalled,,, including the glass.

300TDT 1987 · #12 11-29-2006, 07:18 PM

I've got both taillights on the list, but thanks for reminding me.

The 6.5 is the body labor and then there is 4.5 hours on paint labor and another $113 for paint supplies.

I'm think I can buy the used tailgate, go to a prof. paint shop have them match up the paint with existing body and tailgate and come back to pick it up when it's done. Then I can swap out the tailgate and all the tailgate parts that still work on mine (which is all of them except the lower molding).

A friend is coming over to check out the damage and give me an estimate on trying to fix the existing tailgate. Anybody know if you can fix a big dent like that? The tailgate opens, closes and locks just fine, it may be worth it to have someone try and fix the existing one.

Thanks again.