300d smashed, 190dt 5spd mpg update & Questions... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jobadiah · #1 06-26-2008, 10:48 PM

Well I don't post too much cause my typing speed is pathetic but I love the forum, anyways my wifey got smashed from behind (front end damaged as well) in the 92 300d. Thank goodness everyone was okay. It had under 190k and it's gonna be tough to replace. It was a one owner low mileage non smoker car. The state patrol said it was the other ladies fault (thank goodness) but the car had to be towed and would probably be totaled, he's probably right. We fortunately have never been in a real wreck so please forgive me for my silly questions but will I be able to get the car back if I want to or do they keep the car if it's totaled or is it a little of both where maybe I could pay a little to get some parts? and I'm thinking the other ladies insurance will provide a rental car maybe? and I looked at edmunds and kbb to get a feel for what we may get for it and the range depending on private party versus trade in was varied from 1500 to 5000, anyone have any knowledge about which one insurance companies usually use? so we'll be looking for another 300d or possibly a tdi so keep me in mind if anyone is gonna be selling...
My '87 190dt had the tranny go out end of last year, me and my buddy put in a 5speed from a donor car, thanks again to forum guys klaus kallas and dave1980_300sd for their help. I just love shifting! Anyways the fuel mileage has been 39,37,42,39 and last fillup was exactly 529.4 miles on 12.98 gallons for 40.78 mpg, just over half of it interstate. I checked odo to the mile markers on the interstate and actually I'm going a smidgen further than what the odo says, so i'm very happy with it, just lots of little things to fix.
Pardon the rambling I know I probably could find some answers to those questions by searching but I needed to vent, thank goodness we planned on flying to the beach this saturday before the wreck anyway...
p.s. anyone making bio near coweta county georgia?
thanks

daw_two · #2 06-26-2008, 11:31 PM

Sorry for your car loss --- I'm just really glad that neither your wife nor the other lady were hurt. Having survived a few wrecks myself, it is the slowest most frightening event I've ever experienced.

jobadiah · #3 06-27-2008, 06:33 PM

yeah now we're in the wait mode to see if they'll total it. thanks again

Jeremy5848 · #4 06-27-2008, 06:48 PM

Glad to hear that the Benz protected your wife.

Insurance companies sometimes make it possible for you to buy back the car from them. Depending on what has happened to the cart in the accident and your personal ideas of what constitutes a good time, you may feel that you can make some money by parting out the wreck.

It may even be possible to put the car back on the road if the frame is not damaged. That will also depend on the vehicle code in Georgia; some states are strict, some looser when it comes to doing that. Many people (future buyers) don't want to have anything to do with a car that has been totaled and then put back on the road.

Another possibility would be to find a similar car with a bad engine and move the engine from your wreck, if it is in good shape. Make sure the car that gets the engine is the same year or older so you don't have problems with smog regs, if any in your state.

I'm sure others will have additional suggestions. It all depends on what you are interested in doing, the condition of the wrecked car, and the laws in Georgia.

Jeremy

t walgamuth · #5 06-27-2008, 09:24 PM

thats some great mileage there. I am definately jealous!

Tom W

jobadiah · #6 06-27-2008, 10:25 PM

I had read from guys doing the swap that I may need to change the gearing but I like it the way it is, I don't put it in 5th till I get to about 65 and at 65 it's purring around 1900 rpm, at 70 I think it's about 2100. When it was an automatic it was about 3000 rpm at 70. Zero to 10 mph is a little slower than I like but it's liveable, you know doing the typical diesel driving leaving the gap at a stop and getting her rolling...

winmutt · #7 06-28-2008, 08:20 PM

Insurance companies are responsible for replacing the vehicle that was lost if they claim it as such. Irregardless of price.

pmckechnie · #8 06-29-2008, 10:17 AM

For your information, I'll tell you what my brother went Thur in Georgia when a lady hit him from behind. He was in a Trooper that was a few years old. They took the Trooper to a body shop and the insurance totaled it (but didn't think to tell my brother). He went by the body shop to see how things were going and found his trooper had been sent to a salvage yard. He went to the salvage yard and found the trooper being stripped. When he ask about it they said they bought it from the ins company. He said, I HAVE THE TITLE AT HOME AND WILL BE BACK IN A FEW MIN UNITS AND EXPECT IT TO BE BACK TOGETHER. He returned with the title, the police, and a trailer. He took the trooper home, put it in his basement, and waited for the insurance company to call. In the mean time, he got prices from car dealers to replace the trooper with equivalent cars. The insurance company didn't call but sent him a check for about 1/2 the cost of replacement. He sent the check back with a letter stating what replacement cost was and that that was the least he would accept. This went on for a year. The insurance company finally gave him the replacement amount and gave him the trooper. Luckily, he had a place to keep it, and didn't really need it. To him, it was the principle of the ordeal and how the insurance company tried to cheat him out of what was rightfully his. By the way, he charged him interest on the money for the year and they paid it.
Moral, stay on top of what is going on, do your homework and find the replacement cost and stick to your guns. The insurance company may try to stick it to you.
Paul

Dieselkraut23 · #9 06-29-2008, 11:18 PM

Hey there sorry to hear what happend, but the above post is totally right stick to your guns or they will try every single thing they can to screw you.

I worked for progressive and they are trained to tell you no in any event your fault or not as are all insurance companies.

t walgamuth · #10 06-30-2008, 06:15 AM

Some are a lot better on claims than others. Assuming they will try to short you is a good way to look at it though and if they are better you can be happily surprised.

Tom W

drgreenthumb · #11 06-30-2008, 07:12 AM

I am sorry to hear of your accident, but am glad everybody is okay.

I had to have a car totalled by someone elses insurance company a few years back. They used several sources to generate the amount they gave me. Not only did they use KBB value, but what similar cars were selling for in the area. We ended up with more than book value.

Book value vs replacement cost on these cars is way different. Don't settle for book value and make sure you understand how they are calculating the amount they offer.

t walgamuth · #12 06-30-2008, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgreenthumb

I am sorry to hear of your accident, but am glad everybody is okay.

I had to have a car totalled by someone elses insurance company a few years back. They used several sources to generate the amount they gave me. Not only did they use KBB value, but what similar cars were selling for in the area. We ended up with more than book value.

Book value vs replacement cost on these cars is way different. Don't settle for book value and make sure you understand how they are calculating the amount they offer.

This is right. I had a couple of these old 123s hit about ten years ago and generated internet information to support my claim of value. I was always able to come to a place we could agree.

Don't forget to get rental car money if its the other guy's insurance.

Tom W