Hey Guys !,
I thought you might find this interesting ( as well as some sympathy). In the last 3 weeks my 92 500E, has gone from perfect condition without a scratch, to the body shop for 3 weeks.
About 3 weeks ago I was traveling home on the beltway where the average speed was 70mph. I had a car on either side of me and a truck about 4 car lengths in front. The truck lost a full cap from a retread tire and it porceeded directly toward my windshield and my face. I was able to hit the brakes ( thank the powers that be for ABS) and when the car on my left moved forward ( or corrreclty I slowed) I veered to the left so that the tire which was spinning through the air like an out of balance frisbee only hit my front bumper, headlight , lower spoiler and fog light. As I veered the next thing in my line of sight was a Jersey wall ( concrete construction barrier) which I narrowly avoided.
As it stood the car had approximately $2,600. worth of damage and I was heartbroken. This past monday (10/22/01) I drove the car to work as was prepared to drop it off at the body shop where I made my appointment. I started the car in the a.m. and noticed that it felt as though it was not running on all the cylinders but since this was the first cold morning we had this year I attributed it to something in the fuel inj/brain and I would address it when I got the car back. After driving 1 mile I came to a stop light and had smoke pouring from the rear seat and from the power window switchs. After pulling over and looking under the car I hit the flames with my in car extinguisher and called the local Fire department. The damage melted the rear console, carpeting under car insulation etc. After the incident with the tire both I and the claims adjuster looked under the car for damage but their was nothing visual out of place. I am meeting my adjuster on 10/30 to inspect the car but I am somewhat perplexed by the fire. I purchased the car in July of this year and had a thourough examination by a very reputable shop. The car had been running fine. my only thought is that maybe the tire hit the Cats underneath and loosened or broke loose some of the interior honeycomb of the converter. If this created partial blockage that would explain the poor running and it may have allowed the converter to overheat and start burning the under car insulation. When the fire department came they looked under the car and agreed with me that the converter was still glowing red hot and that the fire had started between the converter and the fiberglass cover on the fuel pump. Thank goodness ! the pump mounts actualy burnt and melted but no fuel leaked to add to the fire and damage. Sorry for the long story but I had to get it out of my system. Does my logic on the fire make sense ?.
Alan

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92 500E Silver 66k
82 Porsche 911SC 84K
68 Cadillac ( Gone Now )
03 Suburban Z71 200K
85 300SD 217k From Original Owner ( Dad )

I'm sure sorry to here that. I would make SURE you take this to a Mercedes authorized body shop!!!!!!! If not, the results could be catastrophic.

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

Hey Beasite. Wow , never heard of this happening thank God! it didn't get to the fuel pump package. You make sure that the claim adjuster don't give you the run around. You tell them that cat was caused by sequential damage from the onroad debirs.
Sometimes the dam! insurance co. wont go for sutff like that. I've worked with claims for Mercedes benz for yrs,as being a factory tech. I want you to include new fuel pumps and filtre who know that **** might of got cooked. All you need is to take a long distance trip and the fuel pumps fail u. You don't want that.
You bought this car from where, I see you said the window switches were on fire. Hmm I know in the early days the wires would get shaffed from the harness going through the door hinges,but your saying its diffently casued from underneath is that how it look. Can you take some digital pics of it. Im curious.

Well good luck with all this. Let us know if we could help you anymore techincally



Guido

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500E Sold
2006 Mini Cooper S
Modified,pulley,injectors,suspension
2009 E350 Sport AMG package

Thanks for your responses. As of today the car is at American Service Center in Arlington Virginia. I have spoken with the claims adjuster and informed him that I want to be there when he inspects the car. I will update you guys and contact you for tech help. Thanks again.
Alan

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92 500E Silver 66k
82 Porsche 911SC 84K
68 Cadillac ( Gone Now )
03 Suburban Z71 200K
85 300SD 217k From Original Owner ( Dad )

thanks of sharing!

..sorry to hear of the 500e misfortune.. let us know how everything turns out...

I have a 2500mi road trip vacation trip planned with the E500 11/25 and will try to keep mine free of mis-haps

-fad

Hey guys just a quick update. My car was towed to the body shop 2 weeks ago and as it stands I am still waiting for an additional inspection for the fire damage on the car. I will keep you posted. However I am going to the country this week to pickup a pristine all original 68 cadillac Fleetwood. This will be my Landyacht. Later guys
Alan

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92 500E Silver 66k
82 Porsche 911SC 84K
68 Cadillac ( Gone Now )
03 Suburban Z71 200K
85 300SD 217k From Original Owner ( Dad )

Here we go after sitting in the shop for three weeks I get a call from the adjuster that everything including the interior fire are covered under the original claim. I will update as to the quality of the work as the new wheels and tires I will giving to my baby as a welcome home present when it comes from the boby shop.
Alan

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92 500E Silver 66k
82 Porsche 911SC 84K
68 Cadillac ( Gone Now )
03 Suburban Z71 200K
85 300SD 217k From Original Owner ( Dad )

Sounds good. Alan I happy foryou. Sometimes its good to ask for the old parts. But if have trust in this hsop than thats good.
Kepp all your 500E brothersw informed








Guido.

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500E Sold
2006 Mini Cooper S
Modified,pulley,injectors,suspension
2009 E350 Sport AMG package

The saga continues !, . I was informed from my claims adjuster that they are having another adjuster look at the interior damage from the fire to determine if they are going to total my car. The first adjuster has indicated that "Off the record" , the reason my car has not been touched is because the MB dealer is concerned about be back work and related problems in the future due to the wiring , relays etc that will need to be replaced. I think I may have scared them when I went down in person and made them aware that I was an MB mechanic 20 years ago and an aircraft technician after that ( plus the fact that I was angry and stand 6ft 4inches and run about 250lbs )My insurer has made me aware that if they total it there will be the option of me keeping the car or them buying it out. I have been watching the normal sources to see what a 92 with sub 60K miles on it are running. So far I am mainly coming up with 94's which I love the exterior changes but wonder about the HP difference between the 92 - 94. Anyway I will keep you posted.
Alan

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92 500E Silver 66k
82 Porsche 911SC 84K
68 Cadillac ( Gone Now )
03 Suburban Z71 200K
85 300SD 217k From Original Owner ( Dad )

DAMN, Alan that really sucks. Well if they total it what's the bluebook on it. Or what do you have it insured for. I think it might not be a bad idea. To let them total it. Then you buy it back say for 5,000 or what ever the $. Say they give you at least
25K for the car. you dump another. 5-7k into it. I don't think you will have any problems down the road. This is the first time in all my 14 yrs experience saw any 124 chasis do that. I say get a who new exhaust system for a couple grand. Do the body damage,carpets etc. The money you might find another 94 it might not be a deal. If your not upside down with your payments,
Maybe you can find a clean 1994 say with a starmark that would be cool. I'm just throwing some ideas out. I really want to help you. If this happened to me I would want the same vice versa

Keep me posted Alan.


Guido

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500E Sold
2006 Mini Cooper S
Modified,pulley,injectors,suspension
2009 E350 Sport AMG package

Guido, Thanks for the input as always it is greatly appreciated. I am looking into the buy back after it is totaled ( If). In addition to that I have been looking at some replacements in the way of a 93-94 model. In fact I placed a new post regarding the pros and cons of the 92 versus the 93,94 models. I have a good freind who has been in the insurance business for 20 years and I will also be seeking his counsel. To Be Continued !!!

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92 500E Silver 66k
82 Porsche 911SC 84K
68 Cadillac ( Gone Now )
03 Suburban Z71 200K
85 300SD 217k From Original Owner ( Dad )

Hi People !, Since my last posting I have been contacted by my insurer regarding the value of my car. The claims adjuster was having trouble coming up with a fair market value for my car so they can determine if the cost of repairs exceeds a certain % of the cars value. If it exceeds that number they will total it. If not they will have it repaired. I was able to get the estimate regarding the fire damage. That damage seperate from the minor body / paint work totals over $17,000. , most dealers do not want to deal with any kind of fire damage. Th quote includes everything even close to the fire. These items include but are not limited to the following:
entire new exhaust
brake lines and rear calipers
entire set of seats F & RR
rear console
battery
main wiring harness
fuel pumps
The list goes on and on. They are definitely trying to pad this so they do not get the come back / warranty work , or they are very thorough. I hope to hear from the adjuster today. Depending on what he says I may be looking to buy my car back and look for another 500E/E500. I will update.
Alan

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92 500E Silver 66k
82 Porsche 911SC 84K
68 Cadillac ( Gone Now )
03 Suburban Z71 200K
85 300SD 217k From Original Owner ( Dad )

I am in the final negotiations with my insurance company. They have told me that they will either total the car and pay me 30k even though I owe 27K on the car. The other option is to give me 21,000. and the car. I believe I will take the money pay off the car and then refinanace it for enough money to make the repairs and still end up cutting my payment by more than half. I need some guidance on pricing out a few items.
#1. Is there a higher flow / performance cat system available for this car.
#2. Best place to buy the main and engine wiring harness from.
#3. " " " Interior pieces ( rear console and lower seat cushions)
#4. A source to buy replacements for the cushions since the leather is fine.
Thanks for all the help
Alan

__________________
92 500E Silver 66k
82 Porsche 911SC 84K
68 Cadillac ( Gone Now )
03 Suburban Z71 200K
85 300SD 217k From Original Owner ( Dad )

Why wouldn't you start with PartShop for #'s 2 and 3? Rear glove-box door is part #124 840 15 27. I didn't get numbers on the entire console.

In case you need, here's image of rear seats:

Seat cushions probably best found at an interior shop recommended by your dealer.

Good luck with the project...

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
RJ
'92 500E
'75 Triumph TR 6

Thanks, I will contact them this afternoon. If this works the way I think, this should actualy be a blessing in disguise. Thanks again
Alan

__________________
92 500E Silver 66k
82 Porsche 911SC 84K
68 Cadillac ( Gone Now )
03 Suburban Z71 200K
85 300SD 217k From Original Owner ( Dad )