Hello all,

Today a colleague told me his 300D 2.5 turbo may have met an untimely end courtesy of a safety inspection. An oil hose burst alongside the open window of his car, showering the interior with oil. Apparently the solvents used to clean the inside compromised the seals on the windows. Still with spots all over the interior after detailing. Insurance company is assessing value based on Kelly blue book so it's worth basically nothing. He's the original owner and the car has great sentimental value. This probably isn't going to end well. I told him to check the prices on Ebay and then talk with the insurance company. Anybody have any other ideas?

Thanks,

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Kevin

1978 300D
1979 240D

What color interior? Interior swap can't be that hard. Unless it's the first back seat he slid into home plate one, it's replaceable.

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CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

Tell him to fight back with the sometimes ridiculously high NADA figures, or find someone locally to appraise the car. Also, call up the president of the local MBCA chapter to see if they have anyone they recommend.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

Tan interior. From the the way he described it he'll need new upholstery, headliner, carpet, window seals and dash. A replacement interior would likely be more than they are willing to settle for. He won't be able to do this himself.

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Kevin

1978 300D
1979 240D

LMFAO! You have a point interior swaps would only take a day given you have everything ready to swap.


So this was the shops fault? I mean, they should replace the interior no questions asked..

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http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m...73378_30-1.jpg

Was going to be my question. If the shop had the window open next to the oil hose, even if it was just a fluke accident, they should pay for the interior. And whomever used solvents that compromised the seals should pay for new seals. I can't imagine any shop that wouldn't offer to cover that cost, if for no other reason to cover their own #$$es.

I have an extra tan headliner that's not bad (I think), if he needs it.

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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

If the car means a lot to him, then why junk it? Get some new sheep skins for the front, a nice cover for the rear, new carpet and replace the seals and just live it.

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Dave
1983 300D Daily Driver

BUT,Screw dealing with the Insurance company!

The Shop will not pay for replacement interior DAMAGED by their IDIOCY?

'See their rotten little Weasely asses in Court!

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

Is it the shop's insurance company doing the payout? It sounds like they are assessing how much it would cost to repair the car, and comparing that to total loss value.

So, you argue for the highest possible total loss value, take the check, with the understanding that you then buy the car back from the insurance company for $100 or whatever token amount.

The owner can never be made whole again for the damage, but they do get a "fair" share of money out of the car.

I know people who file claims for massive hail damage and just keep the check and drive the car with all the dents. Over time the dents pop out to a certain extent. That way they get a lot of money pulled back out of the car and continue to have what they wanted anyway, a functional driver.

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

x2 why is he messing with insurance at this point? the shop should be paying all costs.

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'98 E300 turbodiesel