[4themasses]

I know these are rare and I do love the car.

As I was coming off an on ramp to an interstate (wet mind you) the ass end snapped around when I accelerated and smacked a guard rail. As you can see the bumper went UNDER the guard rail and proceeded to trash the entire front end...thanks for THAT! I however did do an entire 360 avoiding the semi I was attempting to merge in front of!

Insurance is claiming total loss. Should I fix this or get something else and move on? Don't run across many Tectite E55's.

Considering a CL500 or CL55.

 

[Schweinhund]

Sucks. Assuming the frame isn't bent, fix that sucker. Cash out from insurance as a total, keep ownership, then take it to an any different reputable shop and tell them you are paying out of your pocket, cash, and watch the cost drop to less than half. These are standard E class parts. Nothing special about the E55 bodywork. Bumper cover might be harder to find, but I am sure you can find one.

If you aren't sure, inspect the car carefully, take some pics, especially back where the fender meets the doors, make sure you have an idea of the extent of the damage, then go to a few different shops and see what they estimate.

 

[fabbrisd1]

I am surprised you are not asking how you might maximize the write off - then ask for advice what you might to expect to get for that momeny in pre-owned E55's.

Buying a pre-owned E55 is a matter of patience and holding to 3rd party value such as edmunds.com

Now on the repair - check with your insurance company - if you were to bid/buy the car then it would be under a new salvage title - normally - and it's the rebuilt title part that sucks.

Glad you're OK buddy - your E55 held up its end - you're safe !

 

[4themasses]

Yea that's the catch about putting more money BACK into the car. Do I want to take gobs of cash and put back into it then tryin to sell it later with a rebuilt title? Seems like a losing investment...as if cars aren't anyway.

I usually put about 25k a year on a car. I try to split the mileage between whatever MB I have and then my SVO. I put 16k on the AMG in one year. My point is I go thru cars rather quickly and due to the high mileage I tend to have them no more than about three years.

So to answer one of the statements above, I know that the insurance company will have to replace this with a car of equal value. Browsing thru all the sites I could, I cannot find a tectite grey E55 anywhere and doubt I will. So I don't know what the outcome of that will be.

 

[alabbasi]

Front end collisions are easier to repair then the rest because all of the external skin bolts off. If you don't mind owning something with a salvage title, it may be wise to buy it back and repair it depending on what they give you for it and what you can buy it back for.

It's a numbers game so run the numbers before you decide.

 

[Mike K.]

Not all the parts on our E55's are common to the standard W210. For example, the fenders on the E55 are somewhat special. They are prepped (rolled) to accommodate the lower, wider stance. You'll see the option number on your factory build sheet.

Regarding the salvage title, here in WA state, I just had my '98 Explorer totaled (front fender, hood, bumper, spindle. etc. had to be replaced). Farmers totaled it, I took the cheque (less the salvage price of the truck), kept the truck, had it repaired. As I was the owner of record when it was totaled, and the owners name on the title didn't change. The state issued a new registration without any notation of "wrecked", "rebuilt" or "salvage" on the new title. Will it show on a CarFax, maybe. Will I disclose it when I sell it? Most likely, but then again, it's worth maybe $3k to $3500.

Have a competent body shop take a very close look at it. If it pencils out to take the cheque, buy the car, rebuild it and drive it till the wheels fall off.

Or, just take the full settlement cheque and walk away.

Also, glad to hear you're OK. In a lessor car, you may not have done as well.

Good luck with you choice.

Mike K.

 

[jc1kz]

I know these are rare and I do love the car.

Insurance is claiming total loss. Should I fix this or get something else and move on? Don't run across many Tectite E55's.

Considering a CL500 or CL55.

Take the money and get this...

MERCEDES E55 AMG STEEL WIDEBODY

 

[Strigoi]

If you buy it back and decide to part it out or something let me know. I've got a few interior wood pieces I'm looking to replace because of cracks (mainly around the shifter and driver's side seat adjust. on the door). I'd also consider the steering wheel if the air bag isn't blown and it's in good shape.

Personally, depending on how much the insurance company wants for it I'd consider buying it back and parting it. Space and time are an issue when it comes to that though. There's a lot of money to be had with little parts.

One thing to consider if you decide to get it fixed, salvage cars aren't worth shit. Figure on it being worth maybe half of KBB value when all is said and done. It's probably not worth fixing unless you plan to keep it until it dies.

 

[4themasses]

I was thinking the same as far as putting it all back together and not be worth anything. So, long story short....Copart has the car now and I have a check in the bank. About $2700 for a buyback but I just don't feel like dealing with it. Space and time and major concerns.

I also put money down on a 2002 CL55 AMG V8 Kompressor today. Hopefully i can arrange pickup in a week or so. Black/black with 94k on it. W. Va. car. Would have like to gotten into a newer E55 but they are still high as hell.

 

[MB_Fahrer]

Nice find! I thought the FI M113's weren't until 2003 MY?

 

[Schweinhund]

I was thinking the same as far as putting it all back together and not be worth anything. So, long story short....Copart has the car now and I have a check in the bank. About $2700 for a buyback but I just don't feel like dealing with it. Space and time and major concerns.

I also put money down on a 2002 CL55 AMG V8 Kompressor today. Hopefully i can arrange pickup in a week or so. Black/black with 94k on it. W. Va. car. Would have like to gotten into a newer E55 but they are still high as hell.

I might give $2700 plus a little for your trouble. How many miles on the car?

 

[4themasses]

From what I can tell tell there was a mid year edition that were a supercharged batch. Makes it difficult to find an 02 when they don't state that! But I have found two. One in NY was already sold.

More or less have to tell by under the hood pics or possible fender badges. They should also have the dual twin pipe exhaust if they are SC. For sure the CL600 came out with the Bi-turbo V12 in 03, or at least from what I've read....as well as the E55 SC.

 

[MB_Fahrer]

Huh never knew that. Thanks for the info! :thumbsup:

 

[4themasses]

I might give $2700 plus a little for your trouble. How many miles on the car?

That car was gone within 24 hours! I called the shop to see if my toll pass deally was still on the windshield. She said car was already picked up by Copart.

Car had 156k and fresh oil change! (as well as new rear tires and front brakes)

 

[Schweinhund]

That car was gone within 24 hours! I called the shop to see if my toll pass deally was still on the windshield. She said car was already picked up by Copart.

Car had 156k and fresh oil change! (as well as new rear tires and front brakes)

Man I woulda done it for 3K!

 

[alabbasi]

Here's a project E55 for any who are interested.

1999 Mercedes Benz E55 AMG

 

[2000BEAST]

Sucks - been there. My 2 pesos ... squeeze the insurance company HARD and get the best $$$ settlement that you can. Sometimes KBB is a little high side and that can be to your advantage - make sure you include any/all options too. Also use any/all AutoTrader or EBAY current advertisements (if in your favor) to convince them that actual replacement value for a comparable (condition, mileage, etc) replacement is $$$.

Rebuilding - meh. I'm sure it could be done, but with that much damage its always a crap shoot about what may have been damaged, but unrepaired. Also, how many miles you got ? Remember that a proper engine rebuild for our cars is around $10,000 and doubt you'd want to be spending that for a Salvage titled older car in a few years...

I'd opt for replacement. If you are diligent, and patient, there are some amazingly low mile pristine E55's that show up from time to time.