Fender Bender

[skyzdlimit59]

Originally Posted by Prospero

Shouldn't a panel be very minor -- I think the most expensive one is a couple of hundred, and the time to pop one off and pop the other on should be small.

That's what I'm hoping Prospero!

[skyzdlimit59]

Originally Posted by JPaul

Sorry to read that. When you have the time to post pictures, and the result of the dealership's estimate, sharing will be appreciated. In the mean time, take care of your car, the other's insurance and all those hurdles one dreads. Good luck.

Thanks JPaul, more to come...

[Thru the Eyes of Ruby]

How did you fare? Were you hurt at all?

I'm sorry your baby got hurt. What a bummer!

[SuperGeek]

Originally Posted by nscaler

Any damage to the Mercedes?
Hope so, but doubt it.

If it's just a replacement body panel, what'll do the most damage is the other driver realizing they had to file on their insurance for what's probably a $300 repair. In some states, they add points to your license and your rates go up.


Of course, there's a lot in that door, so definitely get a dealer to look at it and make sure nothing internal got bent/snapped.

[angel]

Sorry to hear that. Hope you're okay. Best of luck in getting the repair done in a timely manner.

[skyzdlimit59]

Here's a picture, not the best but you get the idea. I am fine, thanks for the concern, but it was truly just a fender bender.
I have an appt today with the dealer to get an estimate. I'll keep you posted on the ETA of an individual panel and how much.

[SuperGeek]

I don't see any cracking or punctures, so if it's just paint, you may be able to get away with $100 in touch up paint. ($2 for the paint, $98 to apply it the "Mercedes Way"). If it had been a metal panel, it might have to be bent into shape again.

I'm still curious as to the repair cost, whatever the actual damage is.

[skyzdlimit59]

Well, the dealer sent me to their preferred body shop. He told me the panel is slightly bent but can be heated back to shape with no problem. A brand new panel costs $435 but get this, when you order a lone panel, they come in the basic colors and you need to have it painted if you have red, silver of blue. So ultimately the price would be more than the quote I got for painting. His quote was $500 and the paint and process is a very small piece - the majority of this is labor.
Now we see if the woman that hit me is willing to pay me and call it a day or have the insurance company deal with it. It may seem steep but this doesn't include the time I've had to take off of work to go down there and the inconvenience of not having a car (they will have it 4-5 days).
More to come...

[Heckle]

You may even be able to hit her insurance up for a rental while your is being repaired.

[gotta have a SMART]

Very true- go for getting a retal out of her!