My SDS sadly rear-ended! - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

DslBnz · #46 03-20-2007, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apotheoun

Hi Barry, I think the damage is contained to the area behind the rear axle, which should be good.

If the repairs were estimated at only 5K tops with used parts, the car would not be totaled according to NADA.

Apotheoun · #47 03-20-2007, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DslBnz

If the repairs were estimated at only 5K tops with used parts, the car would not be totaled according to NADA.

Thanks DslBnz! What a great point.

On the other hand, it does not look like Progressive will value the car above $5,000. if they can help it.

What do Forum members think the value ought to be for this car?

Garth

Hatterasguy · #48 03-20-2007, 09:03 PM

Well thats sucks, idiot behind you needs to learn how to drive.

Anyway figure fixed its probably worth $5kish, so its going to be close. I don't know what book value is or if they go by Blue Book.

Another queston is do you really want it fixed? Its really hard to get damage like that to go away, the trunk will never line up again, and the door gaps will probably always be off. Their is a lot of damage their I can see $5k easy, probably a bit more.

Manual 300SD's are hard to come by since you have to build them. You could always transplant that transmission into another SD, since all the parts are already their.

About 5-6 years ago my grandparents last XJ6 was nailed by a Ford SUV, the Jag did better then the Ford! Ford got towed away Jag drove to the airport sat for three weeks and drove home.

Anyway the damage was about $10k-$12k and the book value was that, surprisingly the insurance company fixed it. Still it was never right after that and was traded shortly after.

twr · #49 03-20-2007, 09:26 PM

Sorry to hear about your car, but you are OK that is the most important thing!

Fix it! look for alternatives with friends able to do welding jobs I had almost same problem but I liked the car, so I have it fixed with parts from a donor car total cost including paint was about $1000.00 about a year ago.

truckinik · #50 03-20-2007, 09:35 PM

I know a body shop up here in the New Haven area of Ct. that will have her pretty as her pictures if you are intereted. In fact, they happen to be the body shop for Mercedes Benz of North Haven, Ct. (Mauro Motors). These guys restore, and rebuild everything from a 57 chevy, to a brand new Mercedes without batting an eye. There's no job they're not afraid of, or can't handle. These guys would fix a car that looked like Princess Diana's wrecked car, to brand new condition without hesitating. Many of them worked at Mercedes manufacturing plants at different points in their lives. A few of them worked at AMG, and some have just plain been in the body shop for 25 years or more and are just doing this stuff in their sleep. Your car would, both look and perform as new, without question. Not sure of any costs though you'd have to send them pics, or bring the car up to them. Does it still drive at all by the way?

Apotheoun · #51 03-20-2007, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twr

Sorry to hear about your car, but you are OK that is the most important thing!

Fix it! look for alternatives with friends able to do welding jobs I had almost same problem but I liked the car, so I have it fixed with parts from a donor car total cost including paint was about $1000.00 about a year ago.

Hey, that's pretty amazing TWR! Thanks for sharing your success. It does look like similar damage; maybe slightly deeper on my car.

Apotheoun · #52 03-20-2007, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckinik

I know a body shop up here in the New Haven area of Ct. that will have her pretty as her pictures if you are intereted. In fact, they happen to be the body shop for Mercedes Benz of North Haven, Ct. (Mauro Motors). These guys restore, and rebuild everything from a 57 chevy, to a brand new Mercedes without batting an eye. There's no job they're not afraid of, or can't handle. These guys would fix a car that looked like Princess Diana's wrecked car, to brand new condition without hesitating. Many of them worked at Mercedes manufacturing plants at different points in their lives. A few of them worked at AMG, and some have just plain been in the body shop for 25 years or more and are just doing this stuff in their sleep. Your car would, both look and perform as new, without question. Not sure of any costs though you'd have to send them pics, or bring the car up to them. Does it still drive at all by the way?

In theory it would drive, though the exhaust is crimped shut, and the battery has drained with the trunk not closing the light switch (easy to fix).

I am sure Mauro Motors is the best, but they must also be expensive. Thanks though, I'll look into ideas like yours.

dieselschnell · #53 03-20-2007, 10:06 PM

VERY upsetting-that car looked well maintained....I find on Life's On Ramp, there are brakers and accelerators....I represent the latter.

If that's fixable according to your shop, it's gonna need a rear clip I'd guess. Lotsa cutting and welding, lotsa labor...Might be easier to swap your drivetrain and favorite parts out (?) into another SD body.

Where u at in PA? Those plates of ours are a dead giveaway-you're the first neighbor I've seen.

DS

Apotheoun · #54 03-20-2007, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselschnell

VERY upsetting-that car looked well maintained....I find on Life's On Ramp, there are brakers and accelerators....I represent the latter.

If that's fixable according to your shop, it's gonna need a rear clip I'd guess. Lotsa cutting and welding, lotsa labor...Might be easier to swap your drivetrain and favorite parts out (?) into another SD body.

Where u at in PA? Those plates of ours are a dead giveaway-you're the first neighbor I've seen.

DS

Hi DS, I'm in Philadelphia.

I'm wondering how extensive a clip needs to be? Can structural members be compromised with welded repairs?

I think I discovered a clip repair on my former 240D, but strangely, it seemed added over top the existing damaged sheet metal, making a double-thick rear fender!

bgkast · #55 03-21-2007, 11:29 PM

Welds (if done properly) will be stronger than the surrounding metal.

See if "gold book" has a price for that year car.

Apotheoun · #56 03-21-2007, 11:32 PM

Progressive is offering $4,955, if I kiss the SDS goodbye, and $4,580. if I buy it back from salvage.

Either way, they want the Title, which I don't understand if I am buying the car back and keeping it: wouldn't I just keep the title? They say the title needs to be turned over and transfered back to me, which may take six weeks!

In the mean time, they will cut a check for me immediately, if I give up the car, or pay me six weeks later, if I buy it back from salvage; which does not seem fair.

My State Farm agent double-checked this today and says this is not true! They can settle immediately if I buy the car back from salvage. Also I never turn over the Title!

Ditmire Motors who sold me the car, also concurs Progressive is not dealing fair, and they never heard of such a delayed payment policy.

So by Progressive, I can either get a full settlement now and buy another car now, or get my beloved SDS repaired at Ditmire who assure me they can fix it as new with a full repainting for about $5,000, and a month's downtime with no car.

In the mean time I am looking at other tempting 300SD's available online, which is making the choice even harded to decide.....

Any thoughts about the Title and payment if I pay the $375.00 salvage price????

Garth

Jim B. · #57 03-22-2007, 12:18 AM

As to nudging slow and progressive Progressive to see things your way....

This might be an excellent time to speak to the Claims supervisor/manager and to remind them of a couple of pertinent facts.

1. You are NOT even contesting their valuation on the vehicle

2. You MAY have suffered an injury here........(this should REALLY get their atttention.

3. Quick settlement of this will lower their loss of use claim expensethe car rental bill that they are required to pay

Unfortunately, when you phrase the issue in sheer monetary terms, this language they WILL understand.........

Apotheoun · #58 03-22-2007, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

As to nudging slow and progressive Progressive to see things your way....

This might be an excellent time to speak to the Claims supervisor/manager and to remind them of a couple of pertinent facts.

1. You are NOT even contesting their valuation on the vehicle

2. You MAY have suffered an injury here........(this should REALLY get their atttention.

3. Quick settlement of this will lower their loss of use claim expensethe car rental bill that they are required to pay

Unfortunately, when you phrase the issue in sheer monetary terms, this language they WILL understand.........

Thanks Jim B.,

#2.... I have limited tort, so a possible injury may mean nothing to Progressive. My agent says that unless there is a definite permanent debilitating injury, there is no point in raising the subject; muscle strain won't cut it.

#3..... With the car "Totaled", it seems Progessive is not going to pay any car rental for loss of use, since the damaged car is not supposed to get fixed. Is this correct? Someone tell me the truth, in this case of a car being bought back from salvage.

On the other hand, if I get the full settlement now and lose the car, the rental is only good 'til the day they say I am getting the check cut; which they suggest is no time at all for any rental coverage.

Am I misunderstanding you or misunderstanding Progressive?

Garth

jfman · #59 03-22-2007, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apotheoun

Thanks Jim B.,

#2.... I have limited tort, so a possible injury may mean nothing to Progressive. My agent says that unless there is a definite permanent debilitating injury, there is no point in raising the subject; muscle strain won't cut it.

#3..... With the car "Totaled", it seems Progessive is not going to pay any car rental for loss of use, since the damaged car is not supposed to get fixed. Is this correct? Someone tell me the truth, in this case of a car being bought back from salvage.

On the other hand, if I get the full settlement now and lose the car, the rental is only good 'til the day they say I am getting the check cut; which they suggest is no time at all for any rental coverage.

Am I misunderstanding you or misunderstanding Progressive?

Garth

Who does you agent work for? Dont go by what he says, he's there to make things smoother for them probably more than you.

Jim B. · #60 03-22-2007, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfman

Who does you agent work for? Dont go by what he says, he's there to make things smoother for them probably more than you.

That is (sadly) SOOOOO true. How do I know? I used to be one of "they" a looong time ago.

The Claims supervisor said this. "We don't like to pay car rental bills. We only pay them in three cases:

To Doctors,

To realtors,

And to Lawyers BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY CAN GET IT

Truly, they are cynical SOBs. Not necessarily on your side. And , in this case they ARE the adverse party, 'cause their policyholder hit your car.

It's true, certainly, that when and HOWEVER the property damage claim is settled (and whether you get to keep the car or give it up as part of the settlement), then the Insurance company doesn't have to pay a car rental anymore for you; but until then, you are free to rent a car, until they settle with you in full. Believe me, on the reverse of the check, there will be some language that states by endorsing it you are releasing them FOREVER and holding them free and harmless from any further claims.

Just be reasonable and don't rent a big Cadillac or Hummer, (you have to "mitigate" your damages).

You ARE entitled to a reasonable amount of compensation, separately, for pain and suffering for your inujry, even if it is not a serious injury. No insurance company is obliged to tell you this, and believe me, few if any WILL.

The subtext I am getting here is that you are being too KIND, Garth. This is about YOUR car and YOUR injury.

Insurance companies and their adjusters must negotiate and adjust body shop estimates for repairs (this is why they are called "adjusters"). They look for "overlapping" labor charges, reduce hours paid for body shop labor, (using Mitchell's Crash manual), try to encourage fitment of used parts, rather than OEM new ones, and so forth.

It is a game basically. One body shop owner gave me what I thought was VERY GOOD advice: He said, "It is ALWAYS BEST when dealing with insurance companies to start out unyielding and firm, and to dig in your feet.
It is MUCH easier to do that, and then give ground as you go, than to start out NICE and try to get TOUGHER as you go along"

That would seem to me to be manifestly good advice, and not just for car repair estimates.