Rebuild wrecked 190D 2.5 5spd, part it out, or junk it?
 

I recently had a front end collision in my much beloved 1986 190d 2.5 5spd manual :(

Prior to the accident, the car was in great shape--2 windows and the sunroof didn't work, and it needs a new a/c compressor, but other than that it was in great mechanical shape. In the 44,000 miles I've owned it, I had the complete rear suspension rebuilt, new ball joints, new complete steering system and damper, new bilstein shocks and shock towers in all 4 corners, rebuilt brakes on all 4 corners, re-plumbed fuel system, rebuilt injection pump, new fan, fan clutch and belt tensioners, new heat/air controller and fan, new fuel tank sender, and probably a few more things that I can't think of right now. The point is, prior to the wreck, the car was running great (getting 40mpg) and I had hoped see 100,000 miles behind the wheel before making a spot for it in my garage.

And then and I wrecked it....but the only damage was to the body, all of the mechanics are fine: It needs a little pulling, a hood, a fender, a headlight, a bumper and a paint.

My shop says $2500-$3,000 to fix it all up, but I've already got a replacement, so I don't know what to do with it. Put $2500-$3,000 in it to fix it up and try to sell it for $4,500 to break even? Part it out (who doesn't want a 5spd for their 190d?), or sell it for salvage?

You haven't mentioned miles or condition of the body & interior.

If it's really nice, it would be hard to get $4500 repaired on a straight title, impossible on a salvage/rebuilt one. If it's not really nice, it's not worth what it'll cost for the repairs.

It's not worth much as-is either, unless you part it out, probably the best return economically if you have the time and place, and consider your labor free.

Parting it is work. What is it worth as is? Could you buy better for the current value + repair cost? Would you want it if repaired? If you'd want it AND couldn't buy better, fix it. Otherwise move it out of your life. Parting is only economical if you don't have too many other projects or like the parting process.

If you have another car that can use the parts then having a parts car is awesome. Especially if your a novice mechanic. Im doing that now and its great You can look at one and see how it works and can test thimgs with known good parts befor buying a part you dont need It is the best

X2 Bio. Given it has so much new stuff on it.

Or have a body shop pull anything that needs pulling and put used sheet metal on yourself. I have to do this myself on a car the wife totalled as soon as I get a little time.

I purchased it back from the insurance company because it has less than forty thousand miles and the parts are not that high. In fact if I can locate a black one at the auto wreckers no paint will be required hopefully.

If it isn't bent in the difficult corners like windshield frame, door posts and you can repair with replacing sheet metal and a re-spray, I would fix it myself and send it out for paint. Then get what you can from the insurance company, maybe they will total it and you can buy it back.

That was the plan before I went out and bought a jetta tdi 5 spd. My shop says $1900 to pull the skirt straight and get the body ready for new parts--seems like a lot.....