My SDS sadly rear-ended! - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

barry123400 · #31 03-20-2007, 12:49 PM

I would certainly at least consider having the car checked out for repairability. In my mind a lot depends if the damage did stop before the rear axel.
If the forward floors and roof are not wrinkled It might be pulled back into general shape and new panels welded in. If you were to buy a donar car or parts yourself right from a wrecker it indeed might be a manageable proposition.
I would consider getting a labour quote only with you providing the parts. Of course that arrangement may be hard to get. Also depends on how much the repair parts are marked up during the process if they source them. Again hope it goes well for you. As long as the dmage is confined to the rear end you might have a chance. It is also lucky he did not push you into the car ahead of you as well.

rrgrassi · #32 03-20-2007, 02:28 PM

Also, watch out for the other driver trying to get at your insurance for HIS passengers and damage.

Time to go after them! Good luck getting your car fixed.

TheDon · #33 03-20-2007, 02:57 PM

that wont buff out..

glad you made it out ok... worse comes to worse keep it and get another W126 and make it manual

iNeon · #34 03-20-2007, 03:20 PM

"imagine if you'd suffered this impact in a Prius or a Neon...."

Someone did and they are alive to talk about it. It seriously irks me whenever people are AMAZED that a $60,000 car can be wrecked and protect it's passengers. Seriously irks me.

OF COURSE IT PROTECTS IT'S PASSENGERS-- IT COST MORE THAN A MODERATELY SIZED HOME WHEN IT WAS BUILT.

To the original poster-- I'm sorry an unattentive driver hit you-- it'll work out. If nothing else, use the parts as implants for another. It's just a car.

bgkast · #35 03-20-2007, 03:29 PM

I'm sorry to see that. Looks like the end for a very nice an unique car. Be sure to salvage all you can from it, you can make a new SDS.

BioBens · #36 03-20-2007, 06:23 PM

Glad you guys didn't get hurt. I've seen others in high-speed rear-enders like that and some of them got really fupped duck -- for life.

larry perkins · #37 03-20-2007, 07:16 PM

believe it or not but i have a 1987 300sdl that has a good rear end that headed to the scrap yard tomorrow if you want one for the scrap cost.
i bought it for the engine and tranny,body has no rust in the rear at all,front right fender has some bubbling.
let me know fast.
larry perkins lou ky

Apotheoun · #38 03-20-2007, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry perkins

believe it or not but i have a 1987 300sdl that has a good rear end that headed to the scrap yard tomorrow if you want one for the scrap cost.
i bought it for the engine and tranny,body has no rust in the rear at all,front right fender has some bubbling.
let me know fast.
larry perkins lou ky

Dear Larry,

Thanks for your offer! How would I ever get your car to Philadelphia? Some one PM'd me with another donor body nearby in Reading (60 miles).... I had better think fast.

Has anyone done body welding on this scale? My neighbor does quite a lot but I have not told him of my tragedy yet.

I got a call from Progressive, and so far they are toying with value assessments somewhat higher than what I paid.

They are calling area classic car dealers for reference (SE PA, S. NJ). At any rate they will Total the car, having received an $11,000.00

estimate for repair at the collision shop where it currently is parked, using all brand-new Mercedes supplied clips and parts. The assessor said in her experience with a 23 year old car, used body donor parts are simply "too hard to find".

Ditmire Motors, where I bought it was thinking more along the worst case scenario lines of $5,000.00, using a donor from their yard.

Is there a consensus here that this can be done and done economically?

Garth

benzforlife · #39 03-20-2007, 07:47 PM

it might be better for them to pay u for it, then buy it back from the scrap yard or something along those lines....

Scott98 · #40 03-20-2007, 07:52 PM

Sorry about your loss. I know firsthand how painful that is. Last year someone totaled my '85 300D. The damage wasn't as bad as yours but it still exceeded the value of the car. To make things worse, the person who hit me had their insurance expire the day before the accident! Luckily I had uninsured motorist coverage that paid me but I still had to come up with the deductible. I repurchased the car from the insurance company for $500 and sold it to my friend who repaired it and its now his daily driver. The insurance company sued the people and I was able to recover my
deductible.

Good luck,

Scott

Apotheoun · #41 03-20-2007, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott98

Sorry about your loss. I know firsthand how painful that is. Last year someone totaled my '85 300D. The damage wasn't as bad as yours but it still exceeded the value of the car. To make things worse, the person who hit me had their insurance expire the day before the accident! Luckily I had uninsured motorist coverage that paid me but I still had to come up with the deductible. I repurchased the car from the insurance company for $500 and sold it to my friend who repaired it and its now his daily driver. The insurance company sued the people and I was able to recover my
deductible.

Good luck,

Scott

Good for you, Scott!

The car that hit me was insured, but did not belong to that driver. At any rate, the owner's insurance policy is trying to make amends so far.

snp8990 · #42 03-20-2007, 08:01 PM

Hi,
What part of Philadelphia are you in?My 1993 Toyota T100 was just hit in the front by a drunk driver who crossed over on the other side of the road and smacked it and my car was parked.The insurance company was going to total it,but I had them stop by to actually look at the car so that they could see that it was in very good condition.I actually got it fixed at a body shop on Edmund Street.They do a very good job and I have seen a W126 there and they have this older SL in the back.You should check if this guy would give you a better estimate.PM me and I will send you the information.
-Nilesh

Apotheoun · #43 03-20-2007, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry123400

I would certainly at least consider having the car checked out for repairability. In my mind a lot depends if the damage did stop before the rear axel.
If the forward floors and roof are not wrinkled It might be pulled back into general shape and new panels welded in. If you were to buy a donar car or parts yourself right from a wrecker it indeed might be a manageable proposition.
I would consider getting a labour quote only with you providing the parts. Of course that arrangement may be hard to get. Also depends on how much the repair parts are marked up during the process if they source them. Again hope it goes well for you. As long as the dmage is confined to the rear end you might have a chance. It is also lucky he did not push you into the car ahead of you as well.

Hi Barry, I think the damage is contained to the area behind the rear axle, which should be good.

Apotheoun · #44 03-20-2007, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snp8990

Hi,
What part of Philadelphia are you in?My 1993 Toyota T100 was just hit in the front by a drunk driver who crossed over on the other side of the road and smacked it and my car was parked.The insurance company was going to total it,but I had them stop by to actually look at the car so that they could see that it was in very good condition.I actually got it fixed at a body shop on Edmund Street.They do a very good job and I have seen a W126 there and they have this older SL in the back.You should check if this guy would give you a better estimate.PM me and I will send you the information.
-Nilesh

Hi Nilesh,

Where is Edmund Street? I would like to check his business out, by your recommendation. Okay, I'll PM you.

snp8990 · #45 03-20-2007, 08:20 PM

Hi,
I just sent you another PM.
-Nilesh