Get to test insurance

[sandcrab59]

Jon
I don't believe the cost of the trunk lid.
I will find out if it is cheaper in poland.
Tom

[Jonny B]

Tom,

Keep me posted on that.

[Garry]

Well, got the bill for my wifes MB A200 small ding, $5300.  Thank goodness for insurance and a curse on people who dont have the decency to leave their details when they prang your car.

Garry

[sandcrab59]

Jon:
Contacted Gernold in maine and he has good ones for $1000 each plus shipping.
Tom Mrowka

[mmizesko]

Just saw a trunk lid on ebay.  May need some dent repair, but not $3,000.

Mike Mizesko
Columbus, OH

[Jonny B]

Many thanks for the update on deck lid options. Really won't know what we need to do until some of the other basic structural stuff is fixed (tail section).

[Jonny B]

Got a little bit more detailed set of comments about the damage tonight. Oh, I think I am definitely going to beat Garry! Gas tank is damaged, trunk floor, bumper brackets, bumpers, some alignment issues, probably deck lid……. let me count the ways!

[Garry]

And of course you need to have all new OEM parts if it is insurance, after all that is what you pay for!!

[Jonny B]

Hopefully it will be the insurance from the #^$&* that hit me!

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Jonny, keep us posted as to how it will be resolved.

[Jonny B]

For now, let's say that the estimate from the body shop is WAY beyond what the insurance co initial estimate. The insurance company has the updated detail, so now they have to observe the damage and make another (I hope!) adjustment.

We have all the parts, except the deck lid (will wait to see how the repaired panels fit and make determination from there).

[fmen3366]

Jonny,

If it's OK, can you share how much the body shop estimate is?

Andy

[Raymond]

Johnny,
Can you post a photo of the damage?  I'm curious what $5K in damage can look like.

Last September, I had a 2014 Mustang GT sideswipe my BMW trying to pass me on the left on single lane ramp onto I-95.  I chased him down and read the license plate to the 911 operator.  FHP had to find him the next day.  Because the damage on his car was consistent with my story, his insurance paid.  I'm surprised your local constabulary couldn't make that connection.  In the end, the body shop (Brumos) refused to accept additional money from me to paint the whole car.  The result is the paint doesn't match.  Good luck fighting with your own insurance company and good luck matching the paint. 

[Jonny B]

Here are a couple of shots. It is really tough to capture a photo of the damage. The rear trunk rails (into the shock towers) were also slightly bent. The car is going on the "rack" first to stretch it back. The trunk floor was also buckled. We are still uncertain about the deck lid.

As far as damage, lets just say that five digits to the left of the decimal point are involved. Still some unknowns out there.

[Garry]

Interesting about the paint not matching in Rays post.  My insurance company has allowed for two extra panels to be paint so that the repairer can try to match in the paint by feathering actoss the extra panels which are the bonnet (hood) and rear door. I pick the car up next week and will be interested to see how well they go. I have had the car from new and it is now 9 years old so there has to be some fading in the MB silver paint.

That bend in the floor panel is not a good look.

Garry

[Jonny B]

Latest update - the car has been on the rack and the rear frame rails have been straightened. The geometry is now correct. It is now to the body man to fit the inner and outer tail panels and the new trunk floors. Eventually I will have some photos to post. Still a question about the deck lid, but we are hoping we can work something out short of a new $2400+ deck lid).

[Jordan]

Jon, I have been following this from your first post as you are living one of my worst nightmares.  It is extremely unfortunate and I hope it all works out and you get sorted out with your insurance company.  On top of everything you don't get to drive your car, although I see you do have a back up. 

If you don't mind sharing, which insurance company do you use?  Also interested in who Ray's insurance was/is with.  Always nice to know how each insurance company treats their customers and their claims. 

Marcus

[Jonny B]

Currently with State Farm, on an agreed value set up.

[Jonny B]

Here are a couple of shots of the rear just after the frame rails had been pulled out in the "rack"

[Cees Klumper]

Yikes!

But I'm sure they'll get it back to 'as good as new'.

[KevinC]

Jon,

Must be difficult to see it this way but at least they are doing it correctly!

Kevin

[Jonny B]

Indeed, it is. And yes it is being put back together correctly. The person that is doing the paint (eventually!) works also for Hjeltness Restoration. I plan to get to the body shop this coming week.

[Jonny B]

Stopped by today to check on the progress. It is looking like a car again. There is a fit issue with the driver side fender that the body guys have to do a little bit of "reconfiguring" with. They are hoping to complete the body work this week. Some snaps attached; new frame rails on both sides (from the shock towers back), new trunk floors - all three, middle and both sides, new tail panels (inner and outer), and rear cross member. All being done with proper spot welds ,etc.

[Jonny B]

Car just returned front he paint guy. These guys (body and paint) are artists! Only have a shot of the back of the car, next step is putting all the pieces back together again! Fortunately they did not have to replace the trunk lid. It did require a bit of "massaging" to get the curvatures back to correct. Now with new paint, all the work did indeed pull the seems and panel gaps right into place!

[Jonny B]

Here are a couple of the in process painting shots.