It's a gonner... 85 300SD wrecked - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rsmartin · #1 12-21-2008, 03:47 PM

Fortunately my son and his friend were completely unhurt, but my 85 300SD appears to have reached the end of its useful life. Fished tailed on wet road and son lost control and went through chain link fence, wooden fence and finally stopped against a small tree.

As you can see the front end took a pretty good beating. The left front fender will is crumpled and the front frame in the engine bay appears bent as well.

So now what.... i'm thinking of finding a place I can dismantle it and sell for parts. The restrictions in my neighborhood will not allow me to keep parked at the house very long as all cars must be in running condition. The interior is a very good burgundy MBTex. Everthing in working order and as original as I could keep it.

Motorhead · #2 12-21-2008, 03:52 PM

The car looks fixable to me. If the suspension didn't take a real beating or is bent, It looks salvagable. It will cost probably more than it is worth but if it was a nice car before,(As it does look like you cared well for it),I would atleast get a few estimates on it. You can't go out and buy a new one of these old beauties!!

If you DO part it out, I will buy the rear differential assembly. and the speedometer.

oldsinner111 · #3 12-21-2008, 06:05 PM

Let me know if you part her.I need drivers side rear window reg. an motor.I'm North of you.
But if you fix her its ok,I'd rather see her fixed than a crusher.

tyl604 · #4 12-21-2008, 06:19 PM

Looks fixable to me if you like driving an SD. Not so if you look at the economics but I would fix and drive it. How many miles on the engine?

rsmartin · #5 12-22-2008, 05:00 PM

It has 264K miles on it. I bought it in Oct 05 with 180K. Used it for regular commutes to Maryland from Tennessee and back. Almost all highway miles for my term of ownership.

Also have '84 300SD w/ 221K bought in Apr 05 and used for same purpose. It had 165K when I bought it. So I might swap some of the better interior wood and the bumper bright pieces.

Now if I can get my mechanic to finish the top end rebuild on my 86 560SEL w/ 64K (failed hydraulic tensioner apparently took out the valves, so he says)I'll have back in business. Lesson is, mileage means very little. Time means more!

rrgrassi · #6 12-22-2008, 05:06 PM

Does it still run and drive? Beside radiator, oil cooler and condensor, it looks more cosmetic to me. From the pic, it does not even look like left fender got pushed into the driver's door.

Oracle12345 · #7 12-22-2008, 05:15 PM

thats fixable, not a gonner by any means

rsmartin · #8 12-22-2008, 07:58 PM

yes it still runs, i drove it off the truck when they delivered it from their yard to my house. the radiator and mount and everything else attached is pushed in some so that the power steering belt rubs against the oil cooler hose so I haven't run it anymore because i don't want the hose to rupture! had that happen on my 84 once. developed a pin hole and made a real mess.

i'll take some more pictures tomorrow and you can see more. like i said before, the left wheel well is crumpled in some and the left side frame rail that goes beside the engine and the bumper is attached to is bent. that seems like a difficult repair. is it? anyone experienced?

amazingly, the bumper is just scratched up but not broken. could be repainted and reused just the mounts broke. even the aluminum bright piece on the bumper is undamaged.

pawoSD · #9 12-22-2008, 08:37 PM

That car is easily fixable! Hood, fender, lights....a little work to the radiator support area....and it'd be back on the road. Fix it!! People are always way too willing to trash cars.

Side note.....how do you lose control on a "wet road"....? We've had nonstop snow for weeks now, and I've had no problems.....

JimmyL · #10 12-22-2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Side note.....how do you lose control on a "wet road"....? We've had nonstop snow for weeks now, and I've had no problems.....

This question from the guy who drives over 100mph with his dad???

Right.......
The sentiment from all of us of course usually falls on the side of repair, but your frame/lower support damage isn't as easily fixable as one might think. At least not yourself, and probably nor worth having it done. It would require a special car for that type of financial outlay and this appears just to be a nice driver.
Will certainly follow this thread and see what you do.
BTW, son would be grounded for awhile!!

pawoSD · #11 12-22-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

This question from the guy who drives over 100mph with his dad???

Right.......
The sentiment from all of us of course usually falls on the side of repair, but your frame/lower support damage isn't as easily fixable as one might think. At least not yourself, and probably nor worth having it done. It would require a special car for that type of financial outlay and this appears just to be a nice driver.
Will certainly follow this thread and see what you do.
BTW, son would be grounded for awhile!!

100Mph on dry roads.

Either way, I vote to repair the car, the damage is not that bad at all, it'd be a shame to junk/part out such a nice car!

centroid1 · #12 12-22-2008, 10:44 PM

I crashed my car last week so my condolence. But it doesn't look as bad as my 240D and some people said it might be fixable too. Good luck.

KarTek · #13 12-23-2008, 10:46 AM

That's totally fixable! It's like a one weekend job, especially if you have the parts in hand.

TX76513 · #14 12-23-2008, 10:52 AM

She's not a gonner! Completely do able

rsmartin · #15 12-24-2008, 11:03 AM

As for driving 100MPH, not so!! He's 17, pretty new driver. He pulled out on a wet road too fast, causing the rear end to fish tail, finding himself across the center line with oncoming traffic he overcorrected and drove into a fence in the yard beside the road. From my perspective a totally understandable error for a new driver. Regrettable incident but not reckless, just inexperienced.

Now a few more pictures.