2000 ML320, 141,250 miles.
Preparing for the son to use it over the last 3 years I replaced wear items including: power steering pump, water pump, fuel pump, plugs & wires, A arms and ball joints, drive shaft, alternator, crank position sensor, oil quality sensor due to intermittent warning, alternator (first one was bad and damaged stuff) new instrument cluster and throttle bodies. Cluster needs coding so I dropped it off today to get new load for cluster as it is giving a false washer fluid light and I do not have the sensor.
My son used it for 2 years at college, and I just got it back. (Drove great on the trip from CO to Southern CA.) Clear coat is peeling and I check on a decent paint job (bumpers and other stuff off for $3K). Since it was keyed I check and comprehensive covers vandalism. So, I make the claim.
Insurance company has decided to make it a total loss?!?!?! I am amazed, but I guess not totally surprised.
So, do I:
1 - buy it back for $900, paint it (total cost to me is zero out of pocket) and continue to use if for a few years.
2 - buy it back for $900, and just drive it and keep the offsetting $3,500 in my pocket.
3 - let it go and get a new Subaru Outback (the GLA would be nice, but no tow hitch).
HQ house wants me to get a new vehicle so matter how much I like the ML.
What say you?
Preparing for the son to use it over the last 3 years I replaced wear items including: power steering pump, water pump, fuel pump, plugs & wires, A arms and ball joints, drive shaft, alternator, crank position sensor, oil quality sensor due to intermittent warning, alternator (first one was bad and damaged stuff) new instrument cluster and throttle bodies. Cluster needs coding so I dropped it off today to get new load for cluster as it is giving a false washer fluid light and I do not have the sensor.
My son used it for 2 years at college, and I just got it back. (Drove great on the trip from CO to Southern CA.) Clear coat is peeling and I check on a decent paint job (bumpers and other stuff off for $3K). Since it was keyed I check and comprehensive covers vandalism. So, I make the claim.
Insurance company has decided to make it a total loss?!?!?! I am amazed, but I guess not totally surprised.
So, do I:
1 - buy it back for $900, paint it (total cost to me is zero out of pocket) and continue to use if for a few years.
2 - buy it back for $900, and just drive it and keep the offsetting $3,500 in my pocket.
3 - let it go and get a new Subaru Outback (the GLA would be nice, but no tow hitch).
HQ house wants me to get a new vehicle so matter how much I like the ML.
What say you?