Thanks, SkidRow Joe. I think it was fair, and I would not have gotten there without help from these boards.

Would I have been able to sell my car for $7K right now in So. Cal. -- probably not. $6K range, almost assuredly. It was in beautiful shape: second owner, full service records, 180K documented miles, totally stock, etc. (Though the appraiser did ding me a little for my filthy undercarriage and engine compartment. When I find another car, I'm going to have to get with you guys to learn to maintain these properly.)

The appraisal clause definitely benefits the insured, since they rely heavily on what current cars are selling for--not completed sales. And since the insurance considers these amounts "small change," they are unlikely to kick up a third-party fuss.

I just looked at a 82 300D at a small local dealer. He was asking $3,500. The car was an absolute mess. Took three times to start it up. It had cosmetic issues galore, too. He said the dash had a "small crack" by the AC vents. There were two cracks, in fact, positively cavernous. I don't think Leatherique would have cut it! Lots of bits were missing, too. It was clear the car was very poorly treated.

I am sure he'll sell it, but I don't have the chops or the garage for such a project. Too bad. It was really cute from 50 feet away--cream yellow on BLACK. It was the black interior that got me out the door to see the car.

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Current car:
1982 300D A New Hope! Three-plus tons of China blue steel, rubber, and magic.

Past cars:
1985 300D, Glorious anthracite on black. Gracie. (R.I.P.)
The rest were crappy--including a 1970 Orange Gremlin.

I appreciated learning this informative thread.

Unless we are driving a POS, most of us are in that same insurance boat if our MB gets totalled. Even with a sizeable check in our hands, -where am I going to find a car like mine with like care and treatment? The answer is I'm not going to find a car like mine - one bought new, and garaged - with mileage on the low end like mine.

Good luck in your new replacement car search. You ought to be able to find a gem if you will hold out and patiently shop for what you deem acceptable. The only problem is that it may take you several weeks of time seeing the cars in person that come up for sale.

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

You have several editions of craigslist to peruse

This might help a bit ... http://crazedlist.org/

And dont forget the recycler !

Side street weekend cruising has been known to work too.

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1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

Post on our cars for sale portion of this site. Be quite specific what you are looking for. Costs nothing and might flush something good out.

Another place worth pursuing might be contact with the mercedes benz club of america. Otherwise I can almost see an extensive time consuming hunt.

You have to seek out the good ones. They usually will not cross your path easily unless you are not looking for them.

My wife must have hunted long and hard before coming up with me. Well she probably did not know any better and figured I was a fixer upper that she could restore. . Work in progress still I guess .