My 240D was side-swiped by a hit and run the other day They hit on the rear drivers door (high hit - must have been a truck) dented and scrapped paint then moved forward and caught the drivers door handle, pushing it forward appx 2", ripping through the sheetmetal and then hit the mirror.

It sounds like my insurance co (Progressive) is pricing in a new drivers door and handle direct from MB. That sounds good, but my question is, how are the doors made these days? Sheetmetal thickness, quality? Would I be better off to demand a used door from somewhere in the sunshine belt? or be happy I'm going to get a brand new door through MB?

Sure am glad I changed over to full coverage this spring - too much blood, sweat and tears into this car.

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'85 300D - 206K (sold)
'81 240D - 149K (sold)
'03 Jetta TDI - (sold)
'79 300D - (sold)

it would be hard to insist on sunshine belt body parts... not to mention the various other parts that you would have no way of inspecting before hand... be sure they are specing DOORS, not doorskins... good luck.
John

Argh. You should track him down and cut off his eyelids with your skate blades.

I'd be happy for the new door. But I can't even begin to imagine what a brand-new door costs from the dealer...

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1973 280 - Current Project Car
1979 240d - 100% Stock
1982 380sl - 100% Stock
1985 190e 2.3 - Heavily Modified

It would seem that the price of an OEM new door would automatically prompt an insurance carrier to call the car "totaled"...and if so....where would be the market for for them? Surely a complete door would be over $1K and the book value for a 240D is probably less than that. Worth much more to us (I have one too) but nothing to the Good Hands People.

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85 300D 107K present
82 240D 190K present- next-to-slowest car I ever owned
81 240D 1995-2000- slowest car I ever owned
79 350 SE Euro 1996-2001- fastest car I ever owned

Actually, if you look at NADA Classic Cars, it shows average retail of $4525 and high retail of $6150 for my '81 240D. The Prgressive rep said she was at $2827 for her quote, but I have yet to take it to the body shop. I already know there will be a disconnect, the question is how much? She told me the shop will find stuff she missed and then they will haggle. I suppose if they totaled it I could buy it back and pocket the difference, but I really would like the car fixed. It would also wind up with a salvage title if that happened. The damage isn't that bad - I'll report back after my shop estimate tonight.

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'85 300D - 206K (sold)
'81 240D - 149K (sold)
'03 Jetta TDI - (sold)
'79 300D - (sold)

Where in cheeseland are you?

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

About 40 min. south of LaCrosse.

Well, went to the body shop last night. The guy was surprised the Progressive gal had done such a good job on the quote - he didn't change a thing. 20 + hours labor, a new door, mirror and handle from MB, blending into the front fender and rear quarter. Even time to remove the bumper end pieces to do the blending. I warned him of the vacuum locking system driven from the drivers door lock and also of the keying issues - we'll see. Since I converted my power windows over to manual and replaced all vapor barriers and interior panels this spring, I told him I would bring him the car with the inside panels removed. I'm a little nervous about the whole thing, but hey, I need it fixed.

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'85 300D - 206K (sold)
'81 240D - 149K (sold)
'03 Jetta TDI - (sold)
'79 300D - (sold)