So my first post and sadly its about a front end collision. I got caught up in a low speed 6 car pile-up on the lovely LA freeways yesterday. Classic two cars couldn't merge everyone panics moment.
So long story short the front of my beautiful 95 c280 is all busted up. Haven't gotten an estimate yet but I fear the worst with how insurance companies deal with cars these days. The radiator is bent back. No problem with the wheels but the front passenger headlight, grill and hood are all tweaked.
4 questions:
1. Any helpful advice on getting the most out of my insurance company if they decide to 'total' it?
2. Anyone have any experience tips on parting out? How'd it go? What did you end up making?
3. Good Body shop in LA? Also anyone have any luck having a car repaired with used parts? I see some reasonable prices on ebay for Hood, grill, etc? Anyone gone this route? (I really love the car and would love to get it fixed)?
4. Anyone have any experience with front end collision repair? What did it cost to repair? Any lines in the sand I shouldn't cross.
Vehicle: 1998 C230 Silver grey leather 50k / 2002 BMW 325i silver black leather 70k
Location: Westlake, OH
Posts: 53
Quote:
Originally Posted by eightball
So my first post and sadly its about a front end collision. I got caught up in a low speed 6 car pile-up on the lovely LA freeways yesterday. Classic two cars couldn't merge everyone panics moment.
So long story short the front of my beautiful 95 c280 is all busted up. Haven't gotten an estimate yet but I fear the worst with how insurance companies deal with cars these days. The radiator is bent back. No problem with the wheels but the front passenger headlight, grill and hood are all tweaked.
4 questions:
1. Any helpful advice on getting the most out of my insurance company if they decide to 'total' it?
2. Anyone have any experience tips on parting out? How'd it go? What did you end up making?
3. Good Body shop in LA? Also anyone have any luck having a car repaired with used parts? I see some reasonable prices on ebay for Hood, grill, etc? Anyone gone this route? (I really love the car and would love to get it fixed)?
4. Anyone have any experience with front end collision repair? What did it cost to repair? Any lines in the sand I shouldn't cross.
Thanks,
Anthony
Wow! does this sound familiar!!! Similar damage on my 98 C230 this past winter. I live in Cleveland so I cannot help you with a body shop but I can thell you this...
For a new radiator support, fan, used radiator(they would not authorize a new one), new bumper cover and lower valance, new signal light and various bits and pieces of trim plus paint and labor and a new air pump (also got crushed) came to a whopping $4000. Now, keep in mind, my car is a 98 and only had 50K on it. Progressive insurance was very generous and treated my car as if it were more like a collectable telling me it would be nearly impossible to replace the car with the exact same thing with such low mileage so they decided to let me have it fixed like new. I also had no suspension damage so the car is as good as new. If the accident was the fault of someone else and thier insurance company has to pay, don't give an inch....be firm and if the car was in great shape, remind them of that and how difficult it will be to replace it withthe same thing. Remember, it my be a 95 model but it is still not a Ford or a Chevy. If your company is paying then it may be mor difficult as they will only pay what the car is "worth" although you will be able to buy it back from them cheap and get it fixed with used parts on your own for alot less, although you will now have a salvage title.
Hope this helps in some way...Good luck!
So my first post and sadly its about a front end collision. I got caught up in a low speed 6 car pile-up on the lovely LA freeways yesterday. Classic two cars couldn't merge everyone panics moment.
So long story short the front of my beautiful 95 c280 is all busted up. Haven't gotten an estimate yet but I fear the worst with how insurance companies deal with cars these days. The radiator is bent back. No problem with the wheels but the front passenger headlight, grill and hood are all tweaked.
4 questions:
1. Any helpful advice on getting the most out of my insurance company if they decide to 'total' it?
2. Anyone have any experience tips on parting out? How'd it go? What did you end up making?
3. Good Body shop in LA? Also anyone have any luck having a car repaired with used parts? I see some reasonable prices on ebay for Hood, grill, etc? Anyone gone this route? (I really love the car and would love to get it fixed)?
4. Anyone have any experience with front end collision repair? What did it cost to repair? Any lines in the sand I shouldn't cross.
Thanks,
Anthony
Speaking as a true mechanic, if they 'total' it, take the money and run. I wouldn't try to keep it and fix it with money they are going to give you. just use it to buy another benz. if the frame is bent from the wreck, the money they give won't be enough to fix it anyway. you'll lose more $$ trying to keep it.
partng out benz parts seems to be a pain in the ass too. I got a garage full of stuff that I can't seem to give away much less sell. benz owners appear to want 'new' items for their cars and not used. but you can get lucky on certain things like water pump, engine, maybe iinterior things. it just depends on the salveage market in your area. I can tell you that it's hard as hell to get rid of used benz parts Texas. L.A. could be a whole different story.
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