Replacement car question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BENZ-LGB · #1 10-13-2007, 02:48 PM

Well, it is official, my 300CE is a total loss.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

The isnurance compnay offered me a generous settlement ( am certan that the fact that I am a lawyer had nothing to do with it). Actually, what the adjuster said is that he had never seen an "old" car so well maintained and cared for, except for cars entered in shows.

It pays to keep all records so that when it comes time to haggle, you have some evidence to support your claim. I am grateful that the previous owner kept such meticulous records of everything that was done to my car.

Anyhow, it will be hard to find a similar 300CE. So I was thinking...

A few years ago we bought our daughter a 2002 C320 wagon. So far the car has been very good mechanically. The wagon is fairly fast, it handles well (thanks to rack and pinion steering) and it is actually fun to drive.

So I've been thinking about perhaps buying a C320 or C240 of the same vintage as my daughter's wagon. Perhaps not as sexy as my 300CE, but it seems like a nice replacement. Now that the kids have for the most part left home for college, I don't need a huge S class, or even an E class. The C class seems to be just about right.

I also don't want to spend a huge load of money because I want to buy the car cash (hate monthly payments). So a C class from 2000 to 2004 would seem to fit the bill.

So, you guys who won C240 andC320 saloons, what do you think? Do you like your car? Problem areas? Regrets?

Any info, comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Gracias.

Jim B. · #2 10-13-2007, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

The isnurance compnay offered me a generous settlement ( am certan that the fact that I am a lawyer had nothing to do with it). Actually, what the adjuster said is that he had never seen an "old" car so well maintained and cared for, except for cars entered in shows.

It pays to keep all records so that when it comes time to haggle, you have some evidence to support your claim. I am grateful that the previous owner kept such meticulous records of everything that was done to my car.

A few years ago we bought our daughter a 2002 C320 wagon. So far the car has been very good mechanically. The wagon is fairly fast, it handles well (thanks to rack and pinion steering) and it is actually fun to drive.

So I've been thinking about perhaps buying a C320 or C240 of the same vintage as my daughter's wagon. Perhaps not as sexy as my 300CE, but it seems like a nice replacement. Now that the kids have for the most part left home for college, I don't need a huge S class, or even an E class. The C class seems to be just about right.

I also don't want to spend a huge load of money because I want to buy the car cash (hate monthly payments). So a C class from 2000 to 2004 would seem to fit the bill.

So, you guys who won C240 andC320 saloons, what do you think? Do you like your car? Problem areas? Regrets?

Any info, comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Gracias.

I hate to have to say this,(and forgot to tell you) but there is a good reason the Insurance company gave you a generous settlement on the coupe. It is nothing personal and has less to do with the car's condition than you think.

No question, it was their bad luck the policyholder rammed in the rear and totalled the mint, meticulously maintained, Mercedes of a lawyer

. The perfect confluence of things comprising the worst possible "perfect storm" for their negligent policyholder.

BUT: It is VERY good business practice for them to overallow on the car (and typical in cases like this where there is a BI component to the claim). It is done to put you in such a good mood that it will be VERY easy for them to ream you on the pain and suffering settlement they are obliged to offer you.

Their policyholder's liability is absolute. They want to setlle everything, quick, fast and CHEAP. If they overallow on the Property Damage, they are going to try and short you on the Bodily Injury.

Sign off on the coupe settlement but keep the BI claim OPEN and be vigilant, cautious and cynical. Keep the phone number handy of your favorite PI counsel. If negotiations go sour,go slow, it might be worth it to retain counsel.

You could have some real, lasting residuals here. Lower back/soft tissue injuries especially. Whatever you settle for will probably be for the rest of your life, so don't be lulled or tricked. It is damned hard to come back for another bite of the apple, years later, on these things. Be vigilant now.

You and your family deserve no less, Ernesto.

Those newer C class sedans look really great, and they have ALL the Mercedes commitment to safety, so a good running one will have all the pretensioners, airbags and best safety equipment possible.

BUT: Don't forget the engineers no longer held sway over them, these cars were all built to a price point. "The best or nothing" motto did not apply

Build quality, durability and longevity are very much in question with ANYTHING Mercedes Benz built from 2000-2006, inclusive.

Things improved with 2007 and up, and the upward trajectory continues.

There is likely a 50/50 chance that the replacement C class you are contemplating could be an absolute nightmare. Not all are; your wagon seems OK. But MANY are bad. And Lemon Law remedies for used vehicles in California don't give you much recourse compared to new cars.

If you decide that a used C class from 2000-2006 fits the bill, the ONLY one to get would be a Certified PreOwned one from a Mercedes Benz dealer, with the Longest most comprehensive and ironclad warranty you can get, hopefully from the factory. (some of the private ones are very risky)

There is a VERY good chance you will need the warranty on these, so check the exclusions carefully.

Factory aftermarket warranties are negotiable on price, too, though dealers are loathe to admit it. Bring those boxing gloves into the Finance Manager's office too

BENZ-LGB · #3 10-13-2007, 08:38 PM

Good point...but. I am handling the property damage (PD) through my own carrier. Since they have a duty of good faith and fair dealing to me, then my carrier has to make sure that my PD settlement is fair.

By going through my compnay for the PD I avoid dickering with the other guy's carrier. I just subrogate my PD claim to my carrier and the two insurance companies can fight it out between themselves.

For the BI I will go directly after the other driver's carrier. No amount of cuddling will put me in a better mood enough to let them off the hook.

You are right about the C class. Ours has been great, so far. I'll have to wait and see.

The good news is that teh woman selling the red 560SEC I emailed to you, has finally answered my e-mails (she was out of town) and the Carfax checks A-OK. I'll probably go and see it next week, after I return from Sacramento.

I look forward to meeting you, bring that old hippie from Berkely and we'll have a good time!

Kuan · #4 10-13-2007, 09:08 PM

You should compare the current C-class with the "old" C. Tell us what you think. I'll just leave it at that.

Botnst · #5 10-13-2007, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuan

You should compare the current C-class with the "old" C. Tell us what you think. I'll just leave it at that.

Kuan, after you hold your breath for a few days, would you mind exhaling and explaining how they differ. The reason I ask this of you is that my Mom bought a new 2001 C230 Kompressor. It's major virtue is that it has plenty of scoot. In terms of butt-experience driving, to me feels like a Honda. (It has about 22K miles. Mom has never been especially happy with it but Mrs B thinks it would be the Cat's Pajamas to own it. Mom would rather have a car with a heavy turbo boost and fewer gizmos).

I have seen a couple of the higher-end C classes around my town and the upper end C class cars have really attractive exterior conformation. My problem is that I know next to nothing about them. Is it fair to compare them to an E Class or an S Class? If not, what auto line would you compare the C to?

I saw a recent CLS 550 that I thought was approaching the W126 in paradigmatic design. What I mean is that the CLS is unique and elegant. To me, that is a very laudable achievement in form. Does the CLS function follow the form or vice-versa?

Anybody? anybody? Beuller?

B

Jim B. · #6 10-13-2007, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

Good point...but. I am handling the property damage (PD) through my own carrier. Since they have a duty of good faith and fair dealing to me, then my carrier has to make sure that my PD settlement is fair.

By going through my compnay for the PD I avoid dickering with the other guy's carrier. I just subrogate my PD claim to my carrier and the two insurance companies can fight it out between themselves.

For the BI I will go directly after the other driver's carrier. No amount of cuddling will put me in a better mood enough to let them off the hook.

You are right about the C class. Ours has been great, so far. I'll have to wait and see.

The good news is that teh woman selling the red 560SEC I emailed to you, has finally answered my e-mails (she was out of town) and the Carfax checks A-OK. I'll probably go and see it next week, after I return from Sacramento.

I look forward to meeting you, bring that old hippie from Berkely and we'll have a good time!

Good job of bifurcating the PD and BI claims. You can now focus with laserlike intensity on the BI issues now and they can't pull th wool over your eyes.

Fact that you are an aware lawyer AND they can successfully subrogate against the other carrier makes the PD settlement a good one for you.

As to the red SEC, by now you probably know whether it is a 1989 or 1991 model, having run the vin. there are no significant differences worth mentioning between the two years. They both have dual airbags and the burlwood rollerbox console. The Chromed 16 hole stock wheels stand out well

It looks like an unmodified, unrusted, lifelong SoCal car. It was likely garage kept, as the orange dashboard dials show no fade-to-yellow in the pictures.

The ad description depicts a non-Mercedes Benz enthusiast describing the standard options any 560SEC would have. Not even a palomino interior is mentioned. It might a car that would work well for you with the big bonus being the correct color , assuming Enrique does a PPI on it and it passes.

It would be good to talk to you in Sacto. Monday is probably better than Tues or Wed because rain is forecast the latter days, but it is your call, which works best for you

TheDon · #7 10-13-2007, 11:14 PM

get the SEC

suginami · #8 10-13-2007, 11:33 PM

C class cars are boring.

I say buy the SEC. It is a classic, just like you.

Ara T. · #9 10-13-2007, 11:44 PM

What's your driving style? Do you like a cruiser car like a 560SEC or a more sporty offering? C300s can be had with 6 speed manuals I believe and they're pretty durn fun to drive. Plus the dealers are always having trouble getting rid of the stick shifts so you could get a deal.

PaulC · #10 10-14-2007, 01:42 AM

A man like you needs a nice w124 cabriolet.

Dee8go · #11 10-14-2007, 08:22 AM

I was going to suggest an SEC, too. Jim and I are a little bit biased that way. I hope you have a good time with Jim and Carl if you guys get together. I had a blast.

I was wondering about your going through you company for the PD. I scrupulously avoid involving my own insurer if I can get a settlement from the othe side. Doesn't using your own have a negative impact on your rates?

I hope you end up with a nice red 560SEC, Ernesto. Good luck!

BENZ-LGB · #12 10-15-2007, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

I was going to suggest an SEC, too. Jim and I are a little bit biased that way. I hope you have a good time with Jim and Carl if you guys get together. I had a blast.

I was wondering about your going through you company for the PD. I scrupulously avoid involving my own insurer if I can get a settlement from the othe side. Doesn't using your own have a negative impact on your rates?

I hope you end up with a nice red 560SEC, Ernesto. Good luck!

You can go through your own company for the PD, it does not cost them any money. They are subrogated to your rights, so they collect from the other insurance. That will not cause your rates to go up. In fact, in most cases it is better to have the PD handled by your own carrier.

Your own insurance company will not normally hassle you over the PD. The other driver's insurance company will.

Jim offered me a chance to test drive his SEC. I like them, but I like the smaller size ofthe W124.

We'll see.

Maybe a red SL may be in the offing!

Jim B. · #13 10-15-2007, 12:53 AM

The offer of the test drive is certainly still good if you want it.

I have not called Carl (and I do have his number) to see whether or not his plans would allow him to visit in Sacramento the next three days; I believe he had some kind of trip to Seattle possibly in the works. I would prefer to leave it to you to talk to him and set things up. I myself would be glad to have a visit (lunch or dinnertime) Mon Tue or Wed which ever works for you (or you and he both)

iwrock · #14 10-15-2007, 04:33 AM

Benz-LGB, there is a late Imperial Red W124 Cabrio for sale in the most recent Star issue.... Just a thought.

Mistress · #15 10-15-2007, 05:29 PM

Ernesto- glad your o.k. and just know the replacement car will be just a good.