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

Apotheoun · #1 03-19-2007, 11:27 PM

Today was a bad day. Entering an on ramp to an expressway, the car ahead of me stopped so I did too. Seconds later, no warning, WHAM! The tail end of my beautiful beloved '84 300SDS was no more! The guy behind me in a Plymouth Neon was not looking ahead. It seems he hit me over 45 miles per hour. My passenger and I took the hit in the front seats and head rests. We had no idea how big the impact was! We simply got out and gasped. Now my shouder is a little sore, but we seem alright otherwise.

I'm sad. This is my one car and daily driver. Everyone loves it! As a stick-shift it is one of a kind. Where do I go from here? The car was so clean and rust free; a real gem.

It was towed to a collision shop that said it is possible to fix, at least tentatively. Every piece of sheet metal from the rear doors back would need replacement. That sounds expensive! ?????

It appears the other driver has cancelled his insurance and his insurance papers did not match the car. Not good. His passengers had real injuries as well.

Any thoughts? Help!

Garth

Apotheoun · #2 03-19-2007, 11:43 PM

I'm sorry to hear about Jimmy Layton's "Scar", hit about the same in the rear.

barry123400 · #3 03-19-2007, 11:45 PM

That does look like the possible loss of a nice car. The good thing is you were not hurt much. I hope it works out somehow for you one way or another.
You are the unhappy owner of the shortest version of that model designation I know of. He really smacked you. May as well laugh than cry. Sad though.

justinperkins · #4 03-19-2007, 11:47 PM

Yikes, that really sucks. You didn't happen to have uninsured motorist did you? I know it's pretty uncommon to have on older cars unless you really love 'em.

It sure saved my butt with my 02 TDI when it was hit by a kid who "stole" his uncle's truck and was involved in a hit-and-run that resulted in a chase and a collision with my parked TDI. Supposedly the guy had cancelled his insurance just a mere 2 days before, so I had to use Geico's uninsured motorist. I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have that. Get litigious on that mofo, he was probably talking on his cell anyway...

JimmyL · #5 03-19-2007, 11:49 PM

I don't know about your legal situation insurance-wise, but am so sorry that your car took such a hard lick. It doesn't look good! I'm glad you and your passenger were not seriously hurt.
Hard to believe a Neon could do that kind of damage [INeon, drive carefully

]
OK, I must ask: What is this SDS thing?
Keep us posted on your feedback from insurance. I certainly hope you can get your car fixed.

Jimmy

**edit**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apotheoun

I'm sorry to hear about Jimmy Layton's "Scar", hit about the same in the rear.

Looks like about 4 of us were typing at the same time. That appears to be as substantial a hit as Scar recieved, but your car was a lot nicer to start with. Also, I bought Scar already whacked.....
Geez Garth, glad yall were OK.

Apotheoun · #6 03-19-2007, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

Yikes, that really sucks. You didn't happen to have uninsured motorist did you? I know it's pretty uncommon to have on older cars unless you really love 'em.

It sure saved my butt with my 02 TDI when it was hit by a kid who "stole" his uncle's truck and was involved in a hit-and-run that resulted in a chase and a collision with my parked TDI. Supposedly the guy had cancelled his insurance just a mere 2 days before, so I had to use Geico's uninsured motorist. I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have that. Get litigious on that mofo, he was probably talking on his cell anyway...

Thanks Barry and Justin!

I do have uninsured motorist coverage. The other guy's Progressive insurance gave me quite a run-around today, so I am not sure what to believe yet. The police just shrugged their shoulders when I gave them the tip of the possible insurance misrepresentation.

I don't have car rental coverage, and have to pay the deductable through my insurance.

It's an amazingly well built car. The rear doors work fine! That says a lot about Mercedes-Benz safety and quality!

Apotheoun · #7 03-20-2007, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

I don't know about your legal situation insurance-wise, but am so sorry that your car took such a hard lick. It doesn't look good! I'm glad you and your passenger were not seriously hurt.
Hard to believe a Neon could do that kind of damage [INeon, drive carefully

]
OK, I must ask: What is this SDS thing?
Keep us posted on your feedback from insurance. I certainly hope you can get your car fixed.

Jimmy

**edit**

Looks like about 4 of us were typing at the same time. That appears to be as substantial a hit as Scar recieved, but your car was a lot nicer to start with. Also, I bought Scar already whacked.....
Geez Garth, glad yall were OK.

Hi Jimmy and thanks!

The "SDS" thing is a custom badge, possibly unique to this one car. I have no idea what it means, but may have something to do with the custom stick-shift manual transmission; which also may be nearly one of a kind on a W126. I'll never see another one, that's for sure! I don't know if uniqueness affects value or not.

Cephallus · #8 03-20-2007, 12:08 AM

Thank god you were in a big Benz!

Hope it works out with the insurance stuff...gah. I don't know what kind of time/money you have to play with on this, but it'd be great to keep it around until you found another perfect w126 with drivetrain issues...

pawoSD · #9 03-20-2007, 12:14 AM

Wow, I would get it fixed if possible, that is truly a rare and desirable car with the stick shift and it looks very nice, would be very sad to see it lost.

If it were me, I'd get it fixed....

I don't even want to know what the neon looked like, they could have very well been killed....I'd say they are pretty lucky to walk away like that.

SD Blue · #10 03-20-2007, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apotheoun

.........It's an amazingly well built car. The rear doors work fine! That says a lot about Mercedes-Benz safety and quality!

Glad to hear you are OK. Hope the insurance situation works out, I know what a pain it can be to deal with them.

About the doors.....I've noticed that every wrecked Benz at the salvage yard has doors that open/shut like new. (unless hit directly on the door)

justinperkins · #11 03-20-2007, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apotheoun

Thanks Barry and Justin!

I do have uninsured motorist coverage. The other guy's Progressive insurance gave me quite a run-around today, so I am not sure what to believe yet. The police just shrugged their shoulders when I gave them the tip of the possible insurance misrepresentation.

I don't have car rental coverage, and have to pay the deductable through my insurance.

It's an amazingly well built car. The rear doors work fine! That says a lot about Mercedes-Benz safety and quality!

Like I said above, I used my uninsured motorist to cover damages to my TDI. I did not have to pay a deductible or pay any car rental fees. My insurance is through Geico.

pawoSD · #12 03-20-2007, 12:32 AM

My car got sideswiped by a chevy corsica a few years ago, it made an "impression" dent into the door (rear passenger door) and messed up the trim a little, but the door itself still works just the same and the power window inside can go all the way up and down no problem, like nothing ever happened. My car literally "deflected" the corsica up onto a curb, the idiot was probably drunk, and took off right after they hit me. (hit and run)

I have yet to get it fixed,

Someday, someday I will. Either that or I will find a door and just swap them.

Apotheoun · #13 03-20-2007, 12:37 AM

Thanks Cephalus, Pawo, and Sam, for your moral support.

Has anyone repaired a big hit like this? Supposedly Mercedes has whole rear end body clips and other sundry parts available... But at what price, I wonder aloud tonight? Would anyone recommend using the rear of an existing SD with front end damage, as a possible cost savings?

What about safety and structural strength in a repair? What is possible, and what do I need to know now?

Garth

Apotheoun · #14 03-20-2007, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

Like I said above, I used my uninsured motorist to cover damages to my TDI. I did not have to pay a deductible or pay any car rental fees. My insurance is through Geico.

Thanks Justin, That sounds fair to me.

I check again with my agent tomorrow morning. I'm with State Farm.

BioPOWER · #15 03-20-2007, 01:10 AM

Didn't leave as much as a scratch on your rear window..
What a testament to Mercedes integrity!
Hope you can get the insurance sorted out, it would be a shame to let such a wonderful car go unfixed.