Help please?

[brucemillar]

Folks

Our astonishing run of bad luck continues. Mrs M, taking our daughters to school yesterday morning on the M2. Somebody decides to "chop" across three lanes and try make the Rochester exit (northbound). Traffic locks up and Mrs M hits a car in front as both attempted to take avoiding action. No arguments here it is her fault and we accept this.

Nobody is injured, both my daughters have seat belt bruising. Police attended as did Highways and a passing ambulance. The third part was perfectly polite and his car, although damaged was driveable. Insurance informed at the scene and Insurance Breakdown arrived within the hour.

Our car is damaged on the front drivers side. The car is now at Wright Tech and I have requested (as advised by the insurer) some quotes.

At a minimum we are looking at:

1 front wing
1 inner wing
1 bonnet
1 front bumper
headlight
foglight
suspension damage?
steering damage?

This is an immaculate Obsidian Black C240 Estate. 2004 Registered with no previous damage and a replacement engine two years ago.

I am anticipating a probable Insurance Write Off?

Right now today, I would rather keep the car if possible. It will be repairable but at what cost? I have told the insurance that this is our preference and they have been very understanding. They will inspect the car shortly.

The car drives but with obviously damaged steering. There are no fluid leaks and the engine bay looks intact.

What are my option in negotiating with he insurance company should they write it off?

Do I have any options? Or do I have to accept it's fate?

I know I can argue value but realistically how much can I argue an a minted car?


Please do not offer lectures on Mrs M's driving. She got it wrong and knows this. Nobody is hurt here with only metal being bent.


My thinking is that between Andy at Wright Tech and my Body Shop they could repair this. Andy sourcing the parts and the Body Shop doing the build. Insurance (as of now) say they would be OK with that approach accepting that Mercedes Body Shop will Write It Off.

Thoughts please?

 

[zipdip]

Well are you sure a inner wing,if that's the case then that was a hard hit,glad everybody ok,as you say given the trade value of that vehicle it could be a write off,see you do not mention airbags,are they still ok? I think this will come down to accepting a insurance pay out and keeping the car then a second hand bonnet and maybe headlight and fog light front bumper could be used then it is only a new wing and suspension parts,anyway the insurance guy will soon come up with a number,the fact is even though your car is in great condition,I suspect the book says less than £3000 nearer £2,000,there is no way with that amount of damage the insurance company will say repair it,so grab the money and car and get it repaired yourself,tough luck when the gods are against you Bruce it never seems to stop.

 

[Rosso1]

Sorry your having such a bad run i hope this is the last bit of bad luck your going to have and the rest will be only positive.
Glad everyone is alright although a bite sore.
I do hope you get to keep your car and keep your chin up mate as your always been a up lifting person within the forum.

 

[grober]

A 2004 car with what is major frontal damage is almost certainly a write off Bruce. You want to start gathering documented evidence as to value from Glasses/Parkers guides and adverts for similar cars on the market as they will probably open negotiations with a derisory valuation based on an average car with high mileage normally commensurate with its age. Copies on invoices of major work done such as that engine renewal may also help a bit. Personally I would let them write it off for a reasonable re-embursement commensurate with the cars value. You will never achieve the quality of the welds/painting and seam rust proofing from the factory no matter how good the repair. Lots of undamaged replacement Mercedes out there.

ps Remember it will always be flagged as an insurance write off meaning it will difficult to get any money for it if you want to sell in the future.

pps;- glad no-one was hurt which is the main thing after all

 

[BlackC55]

Take a pic of the damage.

 

[brucemillar]

Damage pics. Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[BlackC55]

Thats quite a bit of work there. I expect suspension damage too. Writing it off will be a good thing I think.

 

[grober]

Really need to see that inner wing/drivers side chassis leg with the bonnet open

Mercedes-Benz Teilekatalog (Ersatzteile online)

 

[optimusprime]

Bruce sorry to hear this . But these things come along ,as they do .And count your blessings that no one was hurt .

 

[AMGeed]

That is quite a bit of damage and inevitable your insurance company will write it off.
Valuation is difficult and condition doesn't really appear to be taken into account, but given an acceptable offer, you may want to price up parts, repair and keep the car.
Obviously run it into the ground as it won't be worth much at all as a Cat damaged and repaired.
Just glad Mrs M and passengers are all unhurt.

 

[Peter103]

Glad all are OK, chin up Bruce, things can only get better.

 

[MercedesDriver]

Glad your wife and girls are fine and that's only what's important.

 

[Harrythedog]

Happened to my fathers car a few years back. The insurance company wrote it off but allowed him to buy it off them. He got it repaired and tested at a specialised station and was re-registered with the DVLA

 

[brucemillar]

Thank you all for you kind thoughts and wishes. Silly really, but we really love the car. It kind of grew with us as a family and was very well cared for.

We will wait for the assessors report then decide what to do next. Mrs M says if it's written off she would like to look at a mini. Any thoughts?

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[Rosso1]

A friend of friend works as a breakdown mechanic for the AA and has told people to stay away from them as the mini often is one of the most called out breakdown cars. I would of thought it should of been a good car with German engineering behind them. I have only ever driven one and it did seem well put together but i really don't like the dash board set up myself.

 

[PobodY]

Ouch! - I know it doesn't help any, but I had a Mitsubishi Lancer that I loved and got written-off when someone pulled out of a carpark without looking. So I know that feeling of having to accept the car you loved is now considered scrap.

Quite a change to go from that to a Mini. - I can't get excited about the Mini myself, but I've got colleagues who love theirs.

 

[grober]

Mini =too small- 3 door - too short a wheelbase for comfort -4 star rating on NCAP with a lower than average occupant protection rating.
how about the Volvo V40?

 

[BlackC55]

The ride in Mini's is just awful.

The new A Class is much much better.

 

[Codger49]

Pleased to hear nobody was hurt.

One day your luck will (must?) change.

Saw on another post this morning that there are quite a few nice C55s on sale.

 

[brucemillar]

My preference would be a C32 Wagon. That may be out of my price range. The Volvo looks nice but I have never fallen in love with them. It's not great buying when your heads not in it. I need to start moving on.

I have the C55 back on the road now and really like driving that, as does Mrs M.