I wrecked my ML!!!!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

1994C220 · #1 05-20-2003, 02:36 PM

Sad day last Wed.....i wrecked my 98 ML320. It was my fault and I slammed into the back of a brand new Toyota Highlander. Luckily neither of us were hurt. I have to say that despite the trauma, I was impressed with how secure I felt despite actually going thru this...i did tense up thinking the airbag was about to slap me in the face....it did not deploy....according to the DPS trooper, the sensors are in the left and right of the bumper, and I have the grille guard which absorbed most of the impact....it was bent into the radiator. The Highlander was high enough that my ML sort of picked it up and onto my hood a little....the bumper was actually not that damaged....If I can get some pics before the repair process starts, I will.

I came out of it with a bruised knee and a jammed thumb. I am glad thats all that is it, as of yet anyway since the ML is my wife's....She has taken my S320 as punishment, and I have been forced to use our spare (97 Ford 150) for now.

I just got a call from the adjuster...3979.45 in damage....1200 of it is for a grille guard...I wonder if I should just not put another one on...

G-Benz · #2 05-20-2003, 03:53 PM

Get the grille guard!!!

Someone else on this forum had a front-end incident in an ML with no grille guard...a slow 15mph impact...

...did about 15K worth of damage!!!

From the pics, it didn't look like it, but consider how MB designs the "crumple zones". So even a small impact will breach the frame!

The grill guard is also why your airbags didn't deploy! Might not have been a good experience if your rate of speed was higher!

Thank God you came out of this fine...and with little relative damage to your ML!

1994C220 · #3 05-20-2003, 04:50 PM

Thanks for the sympathy guys...I was just told by the body shop that the ins adjuster made her prognosis without even lifting the hood up....(they said she couldnt get it open), so, once they pry the old grille guard off, the repair man said that there may be more damage....I will have to go by and get some pics of my ML to show everyone the beating it took even with the grille guard. You think they will upgrade the lights for me? I like the newer headlights....

Also, they said that the old style grille guard that I have is obsolete, so our ML will be getting a little bit of a face lift....And get the new, wider grille guard...which looks better anyway. ( I used to tell my wife that the old one looked like a toilet paper holder) The wrecker driver was able to drive the ML onto the flat bed truck, so I guess thats some good news. I just wish I had put a lower deductible, but I guess 500 isnt bad considering my wife was complaining that the paint was coming off the front bumper (pretty big area, and getting larger by the day), and it had faded the plastic....now, she gets a completely new bumper! And a new radiator at the least Im sure...Wonder if I can get them to throw in a navigation system? ;-)

DR.DIESEL · #4 05-21-2003, 11:06 PM

The SRS impact sensors are actually in the module under the
ashtray. The grille guard is a good idea because it can save your
frame which tend to crinkle with even the lightest hit.
Our body shop has us do the frame replacement for them on
wrecked ML's. Some have been pretty light hits.
I can tell you, swapping out a frame is a BIG HUGE NASTY P.I.T.A.
DR.D

tabo · #5 05-22-2003, 01:20 AM

The grill guard is bolted (not welded) down to the bodies vehicle frame.. I hope your frame didn't get bent.. your body man would have to measure it to know... $1,200US is exagerated for the grill guard, its worth around $800 Canadian NEW... i got mines for $200US.. I'm glad you only had minor injuries ..

Steven
www.saveonautoparts.com

#6 05-22-2003, 08:47 PM

But yours is the older style brushguard, so it's not fair to compare it with the new guard, which is wider/larger and fully made of stainless steel.

1994C220 · #7 05-23-2003, 09:02 AM

The newer style looks so much nicer than the older one. I havent had a chance to go by the body shop yet, so I hope I can snap a picture before they do any work.