Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-21-2014, 07:38 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Clarksburg MD
Posts: 174
totaled 1983 300D

So had an issue with my garage door that caused some hood and windscreen damage failed safety stops and screw drive spells disaster for Benz hood stops, hinges, cowl, hood and glass.

The INS Co's preferred body shop overestimated the repair costs because they said they did not want the work and over estimated everything. To many over estimations to list. I'm going to a know Benz friendly independant shop tomorrow weather permitting for a follow up estimate complements of another form member.

So based on the limits of my stated value policy the ins co is considering the car a total loss based on the policy value and not fair market value of $5050. They've demanded the title so they can have MD flag the title as salvage even though the damage is far less than 75% of fair market value.

A form member here has offered to sell me all the parts I need to fix her back up so I'm fighting that salvage status but may loose.

If I loose do I keep the car with the salvage title and fix it knowing that my resale options will be severely limited or part her out. I was planning on passing the car on in a year or two as I'm due for a relocation about then. This is a nice clean rust free southern car just abt everything is new. 211k chassis abt 190k+/- on swap in engine and 15-20k on trans.

Tips, suggestions and offers for assistance appreciated.

__________________
Mad_Matt's Current Stable:
Oil Burners:
09 Jetta TDI The highway queen @ 105k
83 300D. Sold
Gassers:
16 A4 sport line
10 Passat
83 Recaro Trans AM WS6 Bone Stock Survivor
11 Harley Ultra
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-21-2014, 07:56 PM
RLGDiesel's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 218
Can't you just cancel the claim, not take any of their money, and fix the car yourself?
__________________
1982 300D-T (sold)
1988 300E (sold)
1994 E320 Wagon (sold)
1995 E320
1998 E300D-T
1999 E3204M Wagon
2001 E320
2005 E320 CDI
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-21-2014, 08:19 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 7,534
I'd get a 2nd estimate and let the ins co know that their body shop purposely wrote a false estimate to total the car.

I'd be real tempted to fix the car out of pocket and call it a day.

The Car Fax is God crowd would run screaming from a reconstructed title, a real car person would have a look at what the actual damage was and decide from there. Car lots generally don't want to deal with recon titles as they don't have the time to deal with research.

In any event, document the damage / repairs to counter any future complaints.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-21-2014, 08:26 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,971
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mad_Matt View Post

So based on the limits of my stated value policy the ins co is considering the car a total loss based on the policy value and not fair market value of $5050.
Such are the perils of underinsuring.
__________________
When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-21-2014, 09:42 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Carson City, NV
Posts: 3,850
Quote:
Originally Posted by RLGDiesel View Post
Can't you just cancel the claim, not take any of their money, and fix the car yourself?
At this point that might be the best route.

We have old cars. It doesn't take much more than a door ding to total one as far as insurance companies are concerned. You either save your money and just carry liability, or you do an agreed value policy. I'm currently going with the former.
__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-21-2014, 09:59 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 180
No options making a claim on homeowners or to the responsible party causing the garage door malfunction (unless that was you)
__________________
1985 300D 172,110mi and goin' strong
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-21-2014, 11:33 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Carson City, NV
Posts: 3,850
How did you come up with $5050 for a market value? That seems high. I just checked CL for Mercedes diesels for sale around me and the only one asking $5000 is someone with unrealistic expectations trying to sell a vegged 300SD in Sacramento. Most are in the two to four thousand range, except for the real beaters.

BTW, someone in Grass Valley, CA is selling a wagon for $1600, but it's been vegged. Someone else in Grass Valley has a (apparently) non-vegged '81 wagon in what looks like good shape for three grand.
__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-21-2014, 11:46 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,971
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skippy View Post
How did you come up with $5050 for a market value? That seems high.
Market value is irrelevant if it exceeds stated value. Coverage is for actual cash value or stated value, whichever is less.
__________________
When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-21-2014, 11:57 PM
t walgamuth's Avatar
dieselarchitect
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Lafayette Indiana
Posts: 38,611
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mad_Matt View Post
So had an issue with my garage door that caused some hood and windscreen damage failed safety stops and screw drive spells disaster for Benz hood stops, hinges, cowl, hood and glass.

The INS Co's preferred body shop overestimated the repair costs because they said they did not want the work and over estimated everything. To many over estimations to list. I'm going to a know Benz friendly independant shop tomorrow weather permitting for a follow up estimate complements of another form member.

So based on the limits of my stated value policy the ins co is considering the car a total loss based on the policy value and not fair market value of $5050. They've demanded the title so they can have MD flag the title as salvage even though the damage is far less than 75% of fair market value.

A form member here has offered to sell me all the parts I need to fix her back up so I'm fighting that salvage status but may loose.

If I loose do I keep the car with the salvage title and fix it knowing that my resale options will be severely limited or part her out. I was planning on passing the car on in a year or two as I'm due for a relocation about then. This is a nice clean rust free southern car just abt everything is new. 211k chassis abt 190k+/- on swap in engine and 15-20k on trans.

Tips, suggestions and offers for assistance appreciated.
I don't see how they can force you to surrender the title if you want to fix it.
__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-22-2014, 08:05 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Clarksburg MD
Posts: 174
Well becasue the state says they can. I'm not sure I buy that and I'm going to be speaking with my agent today and trying to get the car to another BS for an extimate. At this point either way I think I'm going to fix the car.
__________________
Mad_Matt's Current Stable:
Oil Burners:
09 Jetta TDI The highway queen @ 105k
83 300D. Sold
Gassers:
16 A4 sport line
10 Passat
83 Recaro Trans AM WS6 Bone Stock Survivor
11 Harley Ultra
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-22-2014, 08:49 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Ooltewah, TN
Posts: 707
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mad_Matt View Post
So based on the limits of my stated value policy the ins co is considering the car a total loss based on the policy value and not fair market value
What's the stated value of your policy? Can you make the repairs for this amount? I don't see a salvage title being the same impact on an '80's model car vs a newer vehicle. These old MB's are fully depreciated. If you fix the car properly, a salvage title shouldn't hurt the resale that much?
__________________
You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-22-2014, 08:59 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,971
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkenvol View Post
I don't see a salvage title being the same impact on an '80's model car vs a newer vehicle.

...a salvage title shouldn't hurt the resale that much?
In Maryland, can a vehicle with a salvage title be operated?
__________________
When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-22-2014, 09:24 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Clarksburg MD
Posts: 174
Yes. It can be insured even with collision but I don't want that stigma on the title becasue of a mucked up hood and busted windshield becasue selling it will be tough.
__________________
Mad_Matt's Current Stable:
Oil Burners:
09 Jetta TDI The highway queen @ 105k
83 300D. Sold
Gassers:
16 A4 sport line
10 Passat
83 Recaro Trans AM WS6 Bone Stock Survivor
11 Harley Ultra
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-22-2014, 09:50 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: St. Thomas PA
Posts: 957
I would think you might have a case with the company that makes the GD operator. There is no way it should be able to develop enough force to damage a car.
__________________
'83 300D, 126K miles.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-22-2014, 11:09 AM
He/Him
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: DC Metro/Maryland
Posts: 13,237
The hood was apparently fully up and the garage door pulled it back on to the windshield.

I had it happen to my wife's E300, thankfully we caught it before it went too far. Had to replace the hood hinges though.

__________________
Onus probandi incumbit ei qui dicit, non ei qui negat

I recondition w123/w126/w124/w140/r107/r129/ steering boxes!


1984 300D "Elsa" odo reset 6/2011 147k
1983 300TD "Mitzi" ~268k OM603 powered
1995 E300 "Adelheid" 262k [Sold]
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:38 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page