Wow !!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Potomac Pat · #1 04-08-2003, 09:33 AM

We (Potomac) just took delivery of a 2003 (R230) SL500 with less than 2,000 miles on it.

The bad part is, is that we have to cut it in half.............

What a shame, but what a beautiful car !!

G-Benz · #2 04-08-2003, 09:47 AM

Explain that!

Potomac Pat · #3 04-08-2003, 02:00 PM

Well for various reasons we (Potomac German Auto) are contracted by Mercedes to handle their recycling needs. We are essentially a Tier 1 contractor for MBUSA.

At one time we had like 60 ML's out here !!!!

If a car comes in w/ a rattle or unknown problem, they call us to pick it up & turn it into salvage parts.

They require us to cut the cars in 1/2 & no sale of airbags or SRS belts is allowed.

Blu 420Sel · #4 04-08-2003, 02:09 PM

That is SO TRAGIC!! You should post before and after pics so we can cry ourselves to sleep... :p

What could be so wrong with it???

HTN-E430 · #5 04-08-2003, 02:31 PM

If the car has a rattle that a dealer can not fix, MB will turn it into scrap metal? My '00 E430 has rattle in the driver door and the local dealer tried to fix it 3 times in the last 3 years without success. I am thinking about bring my car to another MB dealer close by to see if I will have better luck. Should I contact Regional rep. about this rattle if another dealer can not fix it?

sixto · #6 04-08-2003, 03:20 PM

Interesting that they'll buy back a car for a rattle when there are sporadic incidents of mechanical defects that dealers and regional reps choose to ignore.

I wonder how long the MB practice of cutting buy backs in half will last against Chrysler's practice of selling the car in another state.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

rickg · #7 04-08-2003, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sixto
I wonder how long the MB practice of cutting buy backs in half will last against Chrysler's practice of selling the car in another state.

They'll just re-badge it and sell it as a Chrysler

Peyton300TD · #8 04-08-2003, 11:56 PM

Pat, that must hurt to look at... poor car.

You guys run an impressive operation. What's even better is you, specifically, have a passion for benz's.

Are those days where you pay one price for all you can carry out of the junkyard completely OVER? I never got to do one, but heard they were great! do you let people look through the junkyard and pick out things to buy?

Eric

Potomac Pat · #9 04-09-2003, 10:01 AM

The before pic !!

#10 04-09-2003, 10:17 AM

So what parts are accually taken off the car before they are turned deystroyed? bonnet? steering wheel? ect...

Blu 420Sel · #11 04-09-2003, 10:19 AM

WOW!! That is a breathtaking beauty! Its like watching a work of art get the torch....

Potomac Pat · #12 04-09-2003, 11:21 AM

We actually bring the car test all the electronics for proper operation.

The interior is pulled complete & put into inventory (no bags/belts).

This particular car will be cut in half w/ the almighty Sawzall & sold as a front or rear clip assembly.

The wheels & tires are sold separately, as is the engine & trans.

Blu 420Sel · #13 04-09-2003, 01:23 PM

Do they tell you what the complaint is so that you don't see the affected system? Seems astonishing that this could be cost effective...

Eberhard Weilke · #14 04-09-2003, 01:57 PM

Things like this happen. Look in the background of this pic and you will see new chassis of S 202 going into scrap. Something went wrong in production and they go to the dismantler. The ATC in Stuttgart ist full with those cars. They have seen an SLK which was messed up with the PVC- stuff on the floor. It had about 4 inches of this stuff hanging on the bottom.

I have pics here of W 126 and BMW 7-series Sonderschutz (the bulletprrof ones) which are going to be scrapped.

Kind regards
Eberhard

rickg · #15 04-09-2003, 02:01 PM

Ok. Now you have to tell what's with the "woodies" in the picture