SM105K's Ownership/Performance/Maintenance Thread

[SM105K]

There you go and make it philosophical, Like a depressing Vin Diesel quote. "I live my life doing the minimum on the highway, going no where fast with endless noise drowning out any happy thoughts. It's only quiet at a stop light, for those 2 minutes or less, I'm free." But I hear you brother, life can be that way, but at least we have....family.

Sometimes I get lost in the void. When I think about it, I have a pretty good life honestly. My family is healthy and mostly happy. I am able to dabble in some cool stuff (MTB racing, cars, travel), and honestly my job is pretty cool (sometimes). So yeah. Thank you for your comment, it puts things into prospective sometimes. However, the God awful droning while moving a snail's pace.......that was pretty spot on in many circumstances.

 

[kryptto]

There you go and make it philosophical, Like a depressing Vin Diesel quote. "I live my life doing the minimum on the highway, going no where fast with endless noise drowning out any happy thoughts. It's only quiet at a stop light, for those 2 minutes or less, I'm free." But I hear you brother, life can be that way, but at least we have....family.

Hallmark material...

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

However, the God awful droning while moving a snail's pace.......that was pretty spot on in many circumstances.

we all get lost in the void some more than others, I work a state job and have 3 kids under 13, I do a couple side hustles on top of my husband/father duties, it seems never ending but I have the life I have always wanted with the spot of land, a beautiful wife, healthy bright kids, and a few toys to keep me young, but progress seems slower and there is a lot more noise than I expected. So I guess I invertedly made a good analogy for life being a unimog on the highway lol, the ride quality sucks too.

 

[SM105K]

we all get lost in the void some more than others, I work a state job and have 3 kids under 13, I do a couple side hustles on top of my husband/father duties, it seems never ending but I have the life I have always wanted with the spot of land, a beautiful wife, healthy bright kids, and a few toys to keep me young, but progress seems slower and there is a lot more noise than I expected. So I guess I invertedly made a good analogy for life being a unimog on the highway lol, the ride quality sucks too.

I bolded the most important part of your Unimog analogy. It is the same for my SHO and E63s.

 

[kryptto]

Hey @SM105K any update on the headlight replacement I assume all done.

 

[SM105K]

Yes all is well. $5600 later and a fight with mine and his insurance company. Still waiting on getting my deductible back.

 

[kryptto]

Yes all is well. $5600 later and a fight with mine and his insurance company. Still waiting on getting my deductible back.

Yuck, but good for you

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

soooooo its June now, can we know what you're hiding or is it still in the works?

 

[SM105K]

soooooo its June now, can we know what you're hiding or is it still in the works?

It is pretty much a done deal. The seller and I have agreed on a price, and it is working through probate right now. I would post pictures of it, but sadly I don't have any and getting some from the selling party is quite difficult as well. Everything has been exceptionally smooth so far, until trying to insure my purchase. Took me more than a week to just to secure a insurance policy on the damn thing. Trying to have a insurance company underwrite a "commercial policy" for strictly private use was a complete pain in the ass.

 

[SM105K]

I have learned way more about insurance over the past week then I have being insured for over 20 years. CUE reports and your credit are a huge factor for insurance esp on a forced commercial policy.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

CUE reports and your credit are a huge factor for insurance esp on a forced commercial policy.

No offense but I have no idea what that means, but insurance is a good gig (unless you're an adjuster), maybe you fell into a new career. Im putting key words like "commercial" and "probate" together plus the fact that youre having difficulty insuring it so Ive come to a few conclusions. It's either a school bus, or a tank.

 

[SM105K]

No offense but I have no idea what that means, but insurance is a good gig (unless you're an adjuster), maybe you fell into a new career. Im putting key words like "commercial" and "probate" together plus the fact that youre having difficulty insuring it so Ive come to a few conclusions. It's either a school bus, or a tank.

Hahahahah.........well said.

Let's break it down, for the people in the back.

The vehicle I am purchasing was my Uncle's. He passed away in the March. His son is the executor of his property. However my Uncle did not have a trust or a will, so all of his possessions have to go through probate.

Since his son has the title to this vehicle he was the right to sell it to me after the probate process is over. We have agreed to terms.

Since this vehicle has a GVWR (Grose Vehicle Weight Rating) over 10,001 lbs regular insurance companies will not insure it under a personal policy because it their eyes it falls into commercial vehicle territory. You also have to pay another tax on top of the registration. Arizona assesses gross weight fees based on the declared gross weight of the commercial vehicle. These fees are used to help fund roads and infrastructure.

Obtaining a commercial policy isn't difficult if you are using the vehicle for a business. You need a DL, business info, ect. Then you need a DOT Number...ect. Obtaining a commercial policy for strictly personal use is more interesting per say.

They look at the residence where the vehicle is stored, owners driving record (mainly for tickets), a CUE report, and your credit.

A CUE (Claims and Underwriting Exchange) report is a central database that stores information about insurance claims and incidents, including those that don't result in a claim, for motor, home, and personal injury insurance. Insurers use this information to assess risk and make underwriting decisions, helping to combat insurance fraud and accurately price policies.

Take for instance my situation. Vehicle will be stored behind a locked RV gate on the property that I reside. Since I am renting, the insurance company is forcing me to take out either a renters policy or an umbrella policy that is directly connected to the commercial policy.

My driving record is clean. No at fault accidents, no speeding tickets, no infractions, ect.

My CUE report is a mess. I haven't changed carriers in 14 years and I have been happy with USAA. They are extremely cheaper for what coverages I have across my fleet of 5 vehicles. I have shopped around but everyone else has been 60 to 100 percent more per month for the same coverages that I have with USAA. So I haven't had any reason to leave USAA. Hence I would have zero reason to inquire about a CUE report. I have 5 comprehensive claims on my CUE report as of May 2025. All for windshield replacements. I only replace windshields when the crack goes across my sight line. In AZ windshield chips and cracks are the norm, and I have full glass coverage. What they don't tell you is a replacement goes directly against your comprehensive claims even with full glass coverage. I also have 2 collision claims. One in 2021 for a lady that hit me in my Focus and I was found at zero fault. Another in May this year for when my Sous Chef backed in my E63S which I was found at zero fault. Claims fall off the CUE report after 5 years.

So I am getting dinged for replacing windshields (because if I don't I can get tickets) and for two collisions I was not at fault for. The commercial underwriters believe I am a liability.

The only thing saving me from being insurable for a commercial policy for personal use is my credit score and my driving record. I have a good credit score.

I was told from my broker that even personal policies are affected by the CUE report, and that glass coverage and towing coverage (if you use them) negatively effect your CUE reports. She told me to try every possible way to pay out of pocket for windshield replacement and never use your towing coverage. They effect your comprehensive policy and directly report to CUE. Buy a Triple AAA membership.

So yeah......interesting to say the least.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

1. Sorry for your loss
2. I read this whole thing and feel better armed to handle my insurance. I too have USAA and have found them to be the best coverage/price around, also the best service when there is an issue. Being in Florida there is constant claims thanks to south florida (no offense @kryptto ) flooding garages leading to hikes in rates. I dont have towing because almost anywhere I go is out of the free range so ill just fix it on the side of the road or light it on fire is my philosophy.
3.Hopefully you can be done with this ordeal soon, sounds like its been a ride but at least you gained some knowledge out of the experience.
4.Im still not sold that its not a tank or school bus

 

[SM105K]

1. Sorry for your loss
2. I read this whole thing and feel better armed to handle my insurance. I too have USAA and have found them to be the best coverage/price around, also the best service when there is an issue. Being in Florida there is constant claims thanks to south florida (no offense @kryptto ) flooding garages leading to hikes in rates. I dont have towing because almost anywhere I go is out of the free range so ill just fix it on the side of the road or light it on fire is my philosophy.
3.Hopefully you can be done with this ordeal soon, sounds like its been a ride but at least you gained some knowledge out of the experience.
4.Im still not sold that its not a tank or school bus

Its all good. My Uncle was a great man and was instrumental to my up bringing. My Grandfathers and my Uncles helped raised me, because I grew up without a dad. (f . u . c . k . you Cary). He liked to manufacture meth, distribute said meth, and then take large chunks of time off to hang with his friends in custody of the California Penal System. Complete degenerate.

You have to remember the CUE report, reports ALL CLAIMS for motor, home, and personal injury insurance.

The ride has been interesting and learning is always a good thing.

It isn't a school bus, or a coach, and I wish it was a tank. However it is the size of a tank.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

It isn't a school bus, or a coach, and I wish it was a tank. However it is the size of a tank.

and now were back to unimog, Ill just wait for the unveiling lol.

And that's good to know about the CUE reports, although my claims are minimal across the board, ill keep it that way until something really needs it.

I can say I understand to a degree where you come from about the family raising you, my dad wasn't completely absent but enough that my mom taught me to shave. I had a businessman step father (POS), a military grandfather (greatest man I ever knew), and a blue collar father that only now as an adult do I have a relationship with, but ultimately it was my non-family mentor that woke me up, 4 very different views on things that only now I can say I am grateful for the diverse upbringing

 

[SM105K]

I completely understand. I took all of the good traits from each and that has allowed me to be reasonably successful. My bio father showed me everything what not do, and I do thank him for that.

 

[kryptto]

1. Sorry for your loss
2. I read this whole thing and feel better armed to handle my insurance. I too have USAA and have found them to be the best coverage/price around, also the best service when there is an issue. Being in Florida there is constant claims thanks to south florida (no offense @kryptto ) flooding garages leading to hikes in rates. I dont have towing because almost anywhere I go is out of the free range so ill just fix it on the side of the road or light it on fire is my philosophy.
3.Hopefully you can be done with this ordeal soon, sounds like its been a ride but at least you gained some knowledge out of the experience.
4.Im still not sold that its not a tank or school bus

Yeah yeah blame S Fl on the rest of the issues...... I see all those YT worlds wildest chases and they are anywhere cept S Fl...

@SM105K sorry to hear that story but the education I get on this board far exceeds anywhere I read car stories and material.

Wealth of knowledge - @SM105K wtf I gonna do with that thing?

 

[SM105K]

Yeah yeah blame S Fl on the rest of the issues...... I see all those YT worlds wildest chases and they are anywhere cept S Fl...

@SM105K sorry to hear that story but the education I get on this board far exceeds anywhere I read car stories and material.

Wealth of knowledge - @SM105K wtf I gonna do with that thing?

Florida sounds like fun.

Yeah I have learned quite a bit reading through the forums over all the years.

I assume you are asking what I am doing to do with this thing? When I post pictures you know exactly what I will do with it. It will unlock numerous things that I want to do in my life. It will all make sense later.

 

[kryptto]

Florida sounds like fun.

Yeah I have learned quite a bit reading through the forums over all the years.

I assume you are asking what I am doing to do with this thing? When I post pictures you know exactly what I will do with it. It will unlock numerous things that I want to do in my life. It will all make sense later.

roger that

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

Florida sounds like fun.

It's a trip, the mouse rules the land, the roadways are the wild west, everything that moves wants to **** you. If it's cold it's cold and wet, if it's hot its like being boiled alive. And if you can dodge the people, the traffic, and the wild life then you can try your luck against a hurricane or tornado. And if you survive all of that then you get to wonder if the ground your house sits in will cave in and take everything with it. Taxes are okay though