Doh!My door

[Webby]

Feel like slashing my wrists.Caught my front spoiler while parking the car last night, heard a sound like cracking, being a bit p**** off I slapped the stick into park(or so I thought), got out and horror of horrors the car started to reverse. I couldn't get back in quickly enough and the door hit the bumper of the sister-in-law's car and (I can see it now!!), there was a horrible noise and the door got bent backwards.It's left a nasty crease form the wing mirror down and has to be forcibly closed.When opening it makes a nightmare of a bang as it just catches the wing, in the recess behind the lip,miraculously without damaging the wing.I've eased the banging by applying a bit of spray grease but have to give a really hard slam to close it.My knees are knocking at the thought of the repiar costs with the stealers. I'm thinking of ringing first to check on the myth of this 30 year guarantee, if it exists and whether I have to have the repairs done by them.Were talking a new door, plus my door card has a slight tear(grey leather).(£1000 plus?).The wing is o.k. Do you think I'll have to have the whole side resprayed, or just the door, or worse? ( Where's that razor?).

 

[pluggers]

Jeeeze what a nightmare Sorry to hear about the mess but I imagine its going to be an insurance job,I reckon that the whole side will have to be sprayed to get a decent colour match otherwise if its not perfect in everyway you will be able to tell that only the door has been sprayed(First hand experience on this with another car)Hope it gets sorted without much pain.

 

[Brian WH]

Unfortunately I agree it is an Insurance job mate.

These things tend to get expensive when you have to make it all match, as it is a Mercedes we are talking about. So bite the bullet and make that phone call. But make sure you take it to an approved MB repairer if you can persuade the insurance company. Normally they will object, but may send an independant assessor to inspect first.

Good luck and what a way to start new year.

 

[PJH]

.....slapped the stick into park(or so I thought), got out and horror of horrors the car started to reverse.

Sorry to hear this, but please don't be like the Americans, USE your parking brake.

 

[jimti]

Thats really bad luck, I feel for you I would be a bit concerned that the door mounts may have twisted the frame where they bolt on..
What was the damage to the front spoiler?
looks like an insurance job to me, MB approved for sure, if insurance company don't like it ask what they will pay you to compensate for the lost warranty caused by repairs being done my non approved garage

 

[glojo]

What a *****

Have you got a protected No Claims Bonus, and what is your excess? Will the claim invalidate all your no claims bonus? Only you will know the financial ramifications of claiming against your insurance.

The repair MUST be carried out by an authorised Mercedes-Benz repair site if you want to keep the warranty valid.

To respray a single door panel and get an EXACT match with the surrounding panels is possible BUT make sure you examine the repair in all different light situations, before finally accepting the vehicle.

Hopefully the damage is confined to the door and nothing else.

Good luck,
John

 

[Webby]

Well, I've taken it to the stealer's for an estimate which has been forwarded to my insurers (didn't tell me how much though, I'll find out).Glad I paid extra for no claim bonus protection, will just have to pay £200 excess. Thanks for your comments lads, we all need someone to turn to for comfort in times of crisis.

 

[Webby]

Just got a call from the stealers telling me my insuance company have authorised repairs. £1600!! That's for a new door,new door card, labour in fitting/transferring and painting.Wow! Fully comp with protected no claims has a lot going for it.

 

[glojo]

Just got a call from the stealers telling me my insuance company have authorised repairs. £1600!! That's for a new door,new door card, labour in fitting/transferring and painting.Wow! Fully comp with protected no claims has a lot going for it.

I am so pleased to hear that all is working out for you. Are they offering you a courtesy car for the duration of the repair.

Good luck,
John

 

[andy_k]

I am so pleased to hear that all is working out for you. Are they offering you a courtesy car for the duration of the repair.

Good luck,
John

if they do it will no doubt be a manual with a big "USE ME" label on the handbrake

Glad you're getting it sorted and yep, there's a lot to be said for protecting your no claims

Andy

 

[Webby]

Well, got the car back from the stealers.(£1700 ) Guess what? Job wasn't right One of their driver/cleaners brought the car around from the valet shop to me. Youd've though either the foreman or service/bodyshop manager would have accompanied me, didn't think about that at the time as I was just looking forward to having "her" back.
Shut line at bottom was out,"not happy with that", I told the "oppo". "Oh'o.k. I'll take it back round to the bodyshop, get somebody to look at it".
Came back 10mins later, told me they'd tightened the catch. Was better but still not prefect(£1700!!!). He said they'd told him to tell me the rubbers were new and it would get better after use and the "boys" were all leaving to go home as it was 4.30 but any problem and you just bring it back.
I signed the release papers at reception but made it absolutely clear that it was on condition that things would be put right."No problem sir,works guaranteed, bring it up anytime and we'll put it right." Driving home I thought,"rubbers are new", theyre new when the cars are new but you don't see imperfect door shut lines on cars in showrooms.(crap?).Next morning had another look and noticed as door was opened it "jumped" out at me and dropped slightly. Not a happy bunny by now
Took car back Thursday, foreman cmae out to look at it, very sorry. "Shame I had to bring it back" I said,"though I'd done the right thing coming to Main Dealer." Took round to bodyshop, brought it back after 20mins."We'll hav to have it back in for 4-5 hours,strip the dooor interior and re-align from scratch, we did get it to shut right but interior light would'nt go out,they won't if door isn't shutting right" Will keep you informed.

 

[SamR]

Fido

I've been unfortunate enough to have had a few repairs done on cars over the last few years (5 incl. 2 MB ones...) 4 no fault and one minor reverse into a post.

I've never got a car back in acceptable condition first time. 1st Merc one went back 4 times...

Take a look when you're out at other Mercs the same as yours, and memorise details like panel gaps and look at the body line in daylight. When yours is returned check very carefully the following.
i) interior, sit in the car and tug at the interior door lining to ensure all clips are securely fastened. Check around the edges to make sure that it makes a good seal all ways round. Check door mirror action (incl. folding), plus elec window and speed compared to the left side. Also make sure the auto window closing function works fully with key from the outside.
ii) Outside half slam the door, and also weakly close it too gently to check how it bounces off the catch or half closes. Make sure it sounds right compared to the other front and the force levels are the same. Also make sure it opens the same width and has the half way stop spring working ok. Then check security of window when half open, as these can get a bit wobbly after removal.

Finally, if poss check or pick up at night time as colour diff shows more under street lamps. Then check the body line again...

An interesting point is that before you signed the release, all expenses and repair costs are handled by the insurance. Now any further corrections or repairs are covered by the garage, so there it may be harder to get and 'real' problems fixed unless they can go back to the insurers.

Good luck

Cheers

Sam

 

[Pringles]

I had a similar amount of damage to my W124 a year ago and managed to get the Insurance company to allow me to use Haynes Autotecs in Worthing ( Merc Independent ) . The car came back with perfect paint match - drivers door re sprayed and new wing. The shut lines were better than before the knock and a small dent that was caused years before was also removed.

 

[Webby]

Well, got her back. Everything o.k. now but realy would have expected it to have been right in the first place. Noticed before I returned it for the second time that the door stay was still in "bare metal" state so they painted that "properly mind, just as it would have been from the works, didn't paint it in place" Hmmm Let's just say my confidence is at a low.