Post crash advice, new car advice...

marielle

Hello everyone,

I just crashed my car a couple of weeks ago and so I find myself on the market for a new one. I was planning on running my car into the ground but I guess the wall heard about it and got jealous
It was a 97 Mercedes C180 Esprit and basically I was wondering if anyone could advise me on the following:

Insurance and parts issue:
My insurance was only Third Party Fire and Theft and no one else was involved since I hit a wall after loosing control on black ice. I was not planning on telling my Insurance company about this. I was just going to get a new car and get them to insure me on that one. Can I do that or must I tell them about the crash even though I’m not claiming on it and if I do, can they increase my premium?
Also, my insurance was due to expire on January 29th and I crashed on January 22nd. Unfortunately, being well organised, I had already ordered and paid for the renewal so does anyone know if I can ask the insurance company to suspend my insurance or cancel it altogether without any fees? I will be buying a car very soon but I just don’t want to be paying insurance when I don’t have a car in the meantime!

As for the parts, if I get the car scrapped I will be getting nothing for it even though I know from experience how expensive Mercedes parts are and how much these parts will be sold for. Is there a way for me to sell the car -or what’s left of it- privately for parts? Does anyone know where? ( I’m in the Galway area)


Now the new car:
I was always very nervous about driving on icy roads and this crash has done nothing to help. I spoke to someone who drives a Freelander and they were going on about the Traction Control and how it was a brilliant system and made the car safe as houses on any terrain, snow, ice or muck, compensating for any skidding that would occur. Does anyone have an opinion on this? Is it as good as it sounds? Does any other car have this system? I don’t fancy buying a Freelander really so if any not ridiculously expensive car had it I would definitely consider.

I’m looking for advice on what car to buy bearing in mind the following:
Used car only, with a max budget of 10K
No more than 1.8 engine
Traction Control pending answers to previous point
Must be a saloon and must have a big boot
Must be a comfortable car to drive and seat it
Must be famous for its reliability and safety (as many airbargs as possible )
Something a bit more exciting looking than an Octavia. That’s just plain boring!
No Merc, been there, done that! anything to fix was 500 squid minimum, whatever it was! :mad:

Any suggestions?

Thanks for any input on any of these questions…

peasant

Just one point ...

On black ice there is absolutely nothing (at all) that will let you regain traction.

Traction control can only (as the name says) control traction ...on ice there is none.

The only situation where traction control* (or EBD/ASR or whatever it is called) could possibly help is when you spin on ice and then hit a tractable surface again while still spinning...traction control might just (depending on circumstances and degree of spin) get you out of that one ...but so might driving experience.


How about this one (Audi A6)
LINK

ticks a few of your boxes, but the 1.8 turbo can be a bit of a worry (it says "full service history" though)


Here's the "Ultra reliable" one (Honda)
LINK


*strictly speaking "traction control" only stops wheels from spinning on hefty acceleration on slippery ground. The anti-skid / stability systems have different names and wouldn't yet be available in your price bracket anyway.

Volvoboy

marielle wrote:

I was planning on running my car into the ground but I guess the wall heard about it and got jealous
It was a 97 Mercedes C180 Esprit

You dont deserve a merc or to even look at a new car.


but that's my opinion,,,


No you dont have to inform your insurance company especally seeing how you paid your new years premium.


-VB-

maidhc

Volvoboy wrote:

You dont deserve a merc or to even look at a new car.

??

Keeping a Merc until it dies a natural death is a noble thing!

colm_mcm

Volvoboy wrote:

You dont deserve a merc or to even look at a new car.


-VB-

Jeez Volvoboy, that's more than a little bit harsh. Everyone makes mistakes.

marielle

Uhhh what was that about Volvoboy??? What could I possibly have done to deserve such a bitchy comment?

maidhc

marielle wrote:

Also, my insurance was due to expire on January 29th and I crashed on January 22nd. Unfortunately, being well organised, I had already ordered and paid for the renewal so does anyone know if I can ask the insurance company to suspend my insurance or cancel it altogether without any fees? I will be buying a car very soon but I just don’t want to be paying insurance when I don’t have a car in the meantime!

More on point. From a purely academic standpoint you should tell your insurance company, as it would be material in them deciding whether or not to raise your premium. However in practice they don't want to know, and ask you "have you have any claims in the past x years".

You can cancel you insurance, however there may be an administrative fee involved. You just have to check the contract.

unkel

Volvoboy wrote:

You dont deserve a merc or to even look at a new car

:rolleyes:

That wasn't called for, Volvoboy. Now behave and apologise

@OP - they only thing that might help prevent losing traction on black ice is a 4WD system (only helps a little bit). How about any 4WD Subaru or AUDI A3/A4 quattro?

marielle

Thanks peasant for the info and suggestions. I was considering an Audi A6 alright, tis a good looking car indeed.... you are saying there are issues with the 1.8 turbo though?

peasant

unkel wrote:

@OP - they only thing that might help prevent losing traction on black ice is a 4WD system (only helps a little bit). How about any 4WD Subaru or AUDI A3/A4 quattro?

Errm ...slight correction on this one ....

Four wheel drive does indeed help you maintain traction that bit longer (as there is less force per wheel) but ...

...when it goes (ie. looses traction completely as is typical on black ice) it goes out of control very scarily. A "normal" car starts loosing it either front or back on the driven wheels and more often than not you might be lucky enough to catch it again before you hit something. A 4WD looses it on all four wheels simultaniously and that is a very scary (and very disorientating) experience.

So, 4WD safer for a while , but a lot more dangerous afterwards ...in my experience anyway.

peasant

marielle wrote:

Thanks peasant for the info and suggestions. I was considering an Audi A6 alright, tis a good looking car indeed.... you are saying there are issues with the 1.8 turbo though?

Only things I heard/read somehwere. The 1.8t seems to be very sensitive on the timing belt and has a few other issues as well, if not properly maintained.

Do some reading on Honest John on 1.8t models from VW/Audi/Skoda/Seat and make up your own mind

LundiMardi

that A6 is a beauty.. what are you waiting for!!!!

Eoin

Regarding the insurance:

I don't think there is any need whatsoever to inform the insurance company. I know about "utmost good faith" and all that, but I think they generally ask you if you have made a claim, not if you have crashed.

Also, my insurance was due to expire on January 29th and I crashed on January 22nd. Unfortunately, being well organised, I had already ordered and paid for the renewal so does anyone know if I can ask the insurance company to suspend my insurance or cancel it altogether without any fees? I will be buying a car very soon but I just don’t want to be paying insurance when I don’t have a car in the meantime!

They should be able to suspend your policy. This will either push out the end date next year, or you may get a small refund on the couple of weeks you are not driving. I don't know if this is really worth your while, your insurance is probably quite low anyhow.

With regards to the choice of car - as a few people have mentioned, not much you can do about black ice. However, for generally greasy conditions I would avoid a RWD car, such as a BMW. Speaking from experience, these can catch you out very easily, even with TC/ASC on.

Esel

Volvoboy wrote:

...but that's my opinion,,,

We all know what that's worth. :eek:

OP, get a car with an exterior temp sensor for starters. Maybe these can be bought aftermarket? (anyone know?) Just be glad you were in a Merc when you met the black ice. Educate yourself on where black ice is likely to form. If you get a car that you think is going to 'protect' you from it, that might just make you a bit careless.

marielle

marielle wrote:

Also, my insurance was due to expire on January 29th and I crashed on January 22nd. Unfortunately, being well organised, I had already ordered and paid for the renewal so does anyone know if I can ask the insurance company to suspend my insurance or cancel it altogether without any fees? I will be buying a car very soon but I just don’t want to be paying insurance when I don’t have a car in the meantime!

First off hard luck on crashing your car!
It can happen to anyone.
Ring your insurance company if you have already paid your insurance. Some insurers have a cooling off period which allows you to cancel within a certain amout of time and get your money back. Other wise they will give you a percentage back. Also for the sake of a few squid if you are on the verge of getting a car, transfer the insurance to the new car rather than canceling the policy and going through all the paper work all over again!

Our man in Havana

Agreed. Simply transfer the insurance to your new car.

Volvoboy

esel wrote:

We all know what that's worth. :eek:

LOL!

marielle wrote:

I was planning on running my car into the ground

It was this bit that got under my skin, my post had no malace or bitchy intention in it. and for it i appologise was in a bad mood that day having the joys of welding on a back panel on a renault laguna, and yes i know this isnt the place for my bad moods.

unkel wrote:

That wasn't called for, Volvoboy. Now behave and apologise

Again, i'm sorry for the uncalled for comment and my comment semi thread-jacking the thread, i hope you find a the car you want and be safe in driving it marielle.



*Goes and sits in bold corner*


-VB-

falcon 8

i think if it was myself ,having already badly damaged my car (Iwould like to offer my belated condoleances on the passing of your merc) and being now in the situation where i will have to buy a replacment straight away.I definitly would NOT give the insurance company amunition to load my policy for probaly the next 5 years by approx 100% ,droping in 20% increments until you get back to where you are now,i say just buy your new car and transfer your insurance onto it.

if u have any interest i have a nice 318i saloon E46 F.S. approx 9,500

Eoin

Volvoboy wrote:

marielle wrote:

I was planning on running my car into the ground

It was this bit that got under my skin, my post had no malace or bitchy intention in it.

I thought that expression just means that she was planning on driving the car for the rest of its lifespan, not treat it badly.

microgirl

eoin_s wrote:

I thought that expression just means that she was planning on driving the car for the rest of its lifespan, not treat it badly.

Admittedly not a car-knowledgeable person here, but to me the phrase "running a car into the ground" means, while not precisely treating it badly, not treating it as it should be. I consider myself to have run my poor, much-abused little Suzuki Swift into the ground cos I think I got it serviced twice in the 5 years I've had it, drove it at 70mph *very* heavily laden, and checked tyre-pressure and oil level 2 or 3 times a year if I remembered, never mind anything else I should have checked

It has subsequently died a death, but it's 17 years old this year and really doesn't owe anyone anything (certainly not me)

I'm not sure what phrase I would use to indicate intention to drive a car until it's natural end-of-life while servicing it regularly and giving it all the TLC it needs and doing everything to ensure it had as long a life as possible, but it certainly wouldn't be "running it into the ground". That strongly implies lack of care.

Blue850

Does anybody know if the C180 has the same engine as the Merc 190 1.8?

Biro

microgirl wrote:

Admittedly not a car-knowledgeable person here, but to me the phrase "running a car into the ground" means, while not precisely treating it badly, not treating it as it should be. I consider myself to have run my poor, much-abused little Suzuki Swift into the ground cos I think I got it serviced twice in the 5 years I've had it, drove it at 70mph *very* heavily laden, and checked tyre-pressure and oil level 2 or 3 times a year if I remembered, never mind anything else I should have checked

It has subsequently died a death, but it's 17 years old this year and really doesn't owe anyone anything (certainly not me)

I'm not sure what phrase I would use to indicate intention to drive a car until it's natural end-of-life while servicing it regularly and giving it all the TLC it needs and doing everything to ensure it had as long a life as possible, but it certainly wouldn't be "running it into the ground". That strongly implies lack of care.

Going by that post, you owe IT money!! Why do people not service their cars? Not acusing you, but usually then people nag on about how such a car was just a pile of dung and gave bother and was off the road for 2 weeks and cost €800... but behind that wall of abuse you'll find that they neglected and abused the car. But worse than not servicing a car is neglecting the tyres. Tyres aren't an expense, they are a safety device. "Saving" money by not keeping good tyres on a car could "cost" a life in an accident. €200 in your pocket won't make you happy then when you remember how the car wouldn't stop in time to save that kid who ran out in front of you. (again, not accusing anyone, just generalising on people who pay no attention to important things)

marielle

Hi all and thanks for replies.
To set the record straight, I was not treating my poor old merc badly. I serviced it whenever a service was due, I checked whatever needed checking regularly (oil, tyres, water, bulbs!!!...) and did not drive it recklessly or disrecpectfully as I was plannning on it being my car for another 20 years if that had been at all possible! That's all that was meant by "running it into the ground" so, sorry about the misunderstanding...
Unfortunately she died before her time but allowed me to walk out of the crash that killed her with only a few sore ribs so for that I am most grateful.
I need to replace her though and would be grateful if I could get a few more suggestions about a suitable follower.
The Audi A6 is loooovely but I'm wondering if servicing and parts might be pricey as I don't see many of these around my area.
Some sensible people suggested I go for a good old Mondeo as they are a dime a dozen and easily serviced and parts are cheap as dirt.
Again, resale value not an issue as I will keep this car until it dies naturally -hopefully-
I just want to pick a car I will be happy to drive for a long time....
Also any input on how I could sell the intact parts of my Merc?
Thanks a mil...

microgirl

Biro wrote:

Going by that post, you owe IT money!! Why do people not service their cars? Not acusing you, but usually then people nag on about how such a car was just a pile of dung and gave bother and was off the road for 2 weeks and cost €800... but behind that wall of abuse you'll find that they neglected and abused the car. But worse than not servicing a car is neglecting the tyres. Tyres aren't an expense, they are a safety device. "Saving" money by not keeping good tyres on a car could "cost" a life in an accident. €200 in your pocket won't make you happy then when you remember how the car wouldn't stop in time to save that kid who ran out in front of you. (again, not accusing anyone, just generalising on people who pay no attention to important things)

The tyres wasn't neglect - or rather wasn't deliberate neglect - it was simply not thinking. I'd randomly remember to check the pressure and discover that one or other of the front tyres was at 23 or 24 instead of 28 (with the others all around 26ish), eep for a bit at how on earth I forgot *again*, put some air in, marvel about how much better it handled and how I really must remember to check the tyres more and then suddenly it'd be 4 or 5 months later again

Servicing was a comnbination of not having money at any given time and similar time-flying as above. Oh, and being sure I'd got it serviced before its last NCT only to be told by my mechanic that no, he'd just given it a quick tuning, remember? And then not having time or money again until more bucketloads of time had passed.

Was never deliberate, wanton neglect, or not caring about my poor car, just procrastination, appalling absent-mindedness and not really fully comprehending how non-optional this kind of stuff is (and some lack of readies). My poor, poor little car is now an ELV, just 'cos I didn't take care of her. I'm very sad about that.

And have made sure to fix it in my head that I need to budget a few hundred a year just for maintenance into my new car's insurance+tax+petrol+air fresheners budget

marielle

Hello all,

Going back to the original post, I have shortlisted an 02 VW Passat TDi Comfortline which I will be getting at 12750€.
85 000 Mileage. It is easy on the eye, if not as nice as an A6, it has a frugal Diesel engine that should last me years and it is quite comfortable.
Feel a bit light to drive but hey, after a C180 a lot of cars will appear a bit light.
Any thoughts anyone?

scarpetta

1: Try telling the insurance co. that there's been a delay in obtaining the new motor - use your imagination (vendor providing pre-handover service etc..).

2: I bought a '00 A6 1.8T quattro 10 days ago - lovely drive. Very solid on 4WD, nice acceleration when you need it. Bought it private with cast iron verified and scrutinised service history for peace of mind. It would tick all your boxes for space, cc., shape etc. Drove it home fron Cork to Dub on day of purchase through snow, rain and lousy surface conditions - she ate the road. I love this car.

3: FAO others, including mod. peasant, theres only one 'O' in lose and losing. No charge will be applied for education on this occasion!!

Best of luck car shopping.

Volvoboy

YAY!! The recession is over!!! My time machine worked 2007 baby!!!!!!