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  #1  
Old 12-15-2010, 05:59 PM
300EVIL's Avatar
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Sunfire Versus ML55...

Well, I thought the ML won but it looks like it may be a tie now.









So, I just got the ML in August. Great car, excellent condition, lots of fun. First time out in the snow. BAM! T-boned in the intersection by a car that couldn't stop. Everyone was okay, thank God. The Sunfire was toast. No match for the heavy ML. The ML doesn't look too bad, but there is obviously some frame damage. Both front and rear side airbags deployed. The Sunfire also bounced and swung into the bumper.

Okay, now see estimate....




Yep, she's totaled...

So, my question is, should I consider buying back the ML from the insurance company for a good price and fix it at my leisure? It still drives great. With a little frame tweaking and a new door it's at least drivable. The body guy says I shouldn't bother. He thinks there may be wiring in the rocker panel that could go bad if I just have the frame pulled. Anyone have experience with the wiring on these? Either way, looks like the Sunfire drivers insurance will be handing me a nice check for a new one but I'd like to keep this one if the economics work.

Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Adam

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Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
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87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

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  #2  
Old 12-15-2010, 06:03 PM
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eee... Glad your ok, I dont know about the wiring. but post on over in the ML section and I'm sure that they'll answer pretty quick
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  #3  
Old 12-15-2010, 07:01 PM
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That's frustrating.

I tried looking on my dealer wholesale site to see if there were any nice ML55s to weigh your options. Not one is available.
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  #4  
Old 12-15-2010, 10:35 PM
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Wow, the car did its job and kept you safe which is the most important thing. It is sad to see a nice ML55 crunched
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  #5  
Old 12-15-2010, 10:37 PM
is thinning the herd
 
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Wiring... go bad from a frame pull... what? I've worked on, and rebuilt a lot of salvage cars and have never had an issue with wiring. How, and how hard was he going to pull? I'd find a new frame guy.

Buy it and fix it. Salvage FTW. Source a used door, source a used bumper, and a used side skirt. If the door cards on the AMG are the same as the base ML the air bags wouldn't be horrible. Take them to a good frame guy and have him measure, pull, and hang. You'll be way under $12,000.

Sorry to hear about the wreck, but good to hear everyone was okay and the car will work out.
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  #6  
Old 12-15-2010, 10:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquaticedge View Post
eee... Glad your ok, I dont know about the wiring. but post on over in the ML section and I'm sure that they'll answer pretty quick
Thanks man. Yeah, it was a toss up. It his is more about keeping the ML and costs than the wiring which I really don't think is that big of a deal.

Quote:
Originally Posted by TylerH860 View Post
That's frustrating.

I tried looking on my dealer wholesale site to see if there were any nice ML55s to weigh your options. Not one is available.
To say the least... I just spent the last 4 months working my ass off 7 days a week, 16 hour days. This was supposed to be my time to relax. Please keep your eyes peeled. Thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by diametricalbenz View Post
Wow, the car did its job and kept you safe which is the most important thing. It is sad to see a nice ML55 crunched
Most definitely! It was more like an, "Oh! What was that??" Than an, "OH! $H!T!!!" It's too bad that the Sunfire hit such a sweet spot.
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Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

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  #7  
Old 12-15-2010, 10:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DieselPaul View Post
Wiring... go bad from a frame pull... what? I've worked on, and rebuilt a lot of salvage cars and have never had an issue with wiring. How, and how hard was he going to pull? I'd find a new frame guy.

Buy it and fix it. Salvage FTW. Source a used door, source a used bumper, and a used side skirt. If the door cards on the AMG are the same as the base ML the air bags wouldn't be horrible. Take them to a good frame guy and have him measure, pull, and hang. You'll be way under $12,000.

Sorry to hear about the wreck, but good to hear everyone was okay and the car will work out.
Thanks for your opinion man! The body guy is worried that if he pulls the frame rather than cut and replace, moisture will get up in there and wreak havok, possibly with the wiring. I personally don't believe so either. They want to cut out what I think is called an "A frame" and replace it for $1700. But I'm all for pulling it if I can buy back for a song.

The only AMG parts are broken are the fender flare, side skirt and the bumper as far as I know. The rest should be stock ML parts. I am willing to just fix the frame and the door until I locate the bumper, side skirt, fender and fender flare used or on a deal. This can be done over the course of a year. The door definitely would need to be fixed immediately due to the 3" gap when it's closed. Surprisingly the window and locks work perfect! I would have never guessed that.

I was thinking I could just have the side airbags sewn back together but would probably be frowned upon for resale. I imagine I could probably find the airbags on ebay for cheap. I haven't looked yet.

Thanks Again!
Adam
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Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

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  #8  
Old 12-16-2010, 12:52 AM
is thinning the herd
 
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Fix it sir! I know I would.
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  #9  
Old 12-16-2010, 09:15 AM
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I'd junk it and take the payout, once you get into frame damage the vehicle is done. Its a death trap if you ever get hit on that side again.
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  #10  
Old 12-16-2010, 12:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hatterasguy View Post
I'd junk it and take the payout, once you get into frame damage the vehicle is done. Its a death trap if you ever get hit on that side again.
He also better plan on keeping it forever, because its still going to be a challenge to sell at 50% KBB retail.
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  #11  
Old 12-16-2010, 01:14 PM
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That's the AMG engine which is a bored out M113 right? Dang. Put it in a sandrail.
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  #12  
Old 12-16-2010, 01:43 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kuan View Post
That's the AMG engine which is a bored out M113 right? Dang. Put it in a sandrail.
I have a use for that engine!
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  #13  
Old 12-16-2010, 01:44 PM
mild insomniac, maybe? :D
 
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they're going for $8k-18k right?



I'd take the check and run. you can pick up another in a day or two Paul, I think your rebuilt 300D is a slightly different scenario, cutting 30-50 percent of your resale isn't HUGE!


That being said, your car shows little signs of its history... and I know, I stared at it long enough
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  #14  
Old 12-16-2010, 01:46 PM
Craig
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hatterasguy View Post
I'd junk it and take the payout, once you get into frame damage the vehicle is done. Its a death trap if you ever get hit on that side again.
I agree, take the money and go find another one.
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  #15  
Old 12-21-2010, 05:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig View Post
I agree, take the money and go find another one.
Oh, I plan on finding another one, but why not have two.

They will let me buy it back for $3K. Not too bad! I think I may go for it.

__________________
Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

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