[skyzdlimit]

Well, I dreaded this moment and hoped I would never have to deal with it but here it is. While I was waiting at a red light a brand new Mercedes, parked in a diagonal spot to the right, backs up without looking and hits my passenger side rear panel. Scraped the paint off the edge. It doesn't look like there is any other damage and the scrape is minor, but...
Now I have to take time off work to drive to the dealer in Laguna Niguel (a 60 mile drive)and wait for an estimate, including news on whether anything else happened that I can't see. I assume it will merely take a panel replacement, but who knows how long it will take to get one and then I'll have to drive down again to have it installed. :bangwall:
This is the downside to being the first in line, my friends. Eventually there will be more smart centers (I hope) and getting parts will not entail a six month wait. I'll post a picture later today - didn't get a chance when it happened - and keep you all posted along the way.

 

[jwight]

Sorry to hear that. You'd think hitting a car this small would be difficult but I guess not for some folks. Hope the repair process is relatively painless.

 

[nscaler]

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

 

[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.

 

[Smart pizzaguy]

I wouldn't drive all the way to the dealership, instead go to a local bodyshop to have it repaired. They're probably more qualified to tell you if there's unseen damage and they'll get the panel prepainted from the dealer. I don't see the reason to drive all that distance. Please keep us posted if there was any hidden damage as well as how long it takes to get a replacement panel.

 

[amad1972]

I think the guy that hit you did it on purpose because he was jealous that your Mercedes cost less than his and gets more attention.

 

[PerryA]

Which Mercedes?

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

Which Mercedes, the Smart or the other guy?

 

[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.

 

[skyzdlimit]

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

None to speak of, other than a small smear of blue paint from my baby.

 

[skyzdlimit]

I wouldn't drive all the way to the dealership, instead go to a local bodyshop to have it repaired. They're probably more qualified to tell you if there's unseen damage and they'll get the panel prepainted from the dealer. I don't see the reason to drive all that distance. Please keep us posted if there was any hidden damage as well as how long it takes to get a replacement panel.

I'll look into that, but I suspect there would be less confusion at a dealer, since a body shop doesn't have the installation experience. Many won't even know what they're looking at.

 

[skyzdlimit]

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!

 

[skyzdlimit]

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]

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.

 

[skyzdlimit]

Picture

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.

 

[skyzdlimit]

Estimate

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!