I have a couple of 1981 300 SD's and one of them was totaled last night in a hail storm. The hail was baseball size and it is through out the entire body.

I had full coverage on the car as it was in great shape, no dents, dings or even rust on it.

I have a 100 deductible.

They will pay me fair market value for my car. I have searched far and wide and I can't find any 300 SD's near me that are as nice as mine.

I checked the book value and of course it's sky high and I know it won't go by that.

The vehicle is a 1981 MB 300SD with 211k miles on it. Cream color. Runs great. I have pictures I took as early as two weeks ago that show no damage.

So I'm trying to figure out what they might offer as a settlement. Any ideas?

I know that you can find these really cheap if you look hard enough, but I think the thing is mine is perfect and really nice.

As you are aware if really pretty good they are no longer cheap. That is unless you are very fortunate. Right place at the right time. Have a look at ebay to get some ideal and try to print off the higher priced examples.

I understand how cars burn. My question is how do you cause hailstones?

May 21 rain dance??

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

I'd find a replacement hood/fenders/trunk lid, get a cheap paint job, and keep right on driving it. Who cares if the roof is dented.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I don't care about the dents at all. I'll fix them, but I want the maximum payout possible and I want to make sure I'm ready when the insurance company tries to low ball me.

I think if I paint it, I want something completely different and unique. Some very odd color.

Show em the pics and say, "Bring the car back to this standard. Oh and by the way, provide me a nice rental while I wait."

Get professional estimates from local and national auto restorers. Get prices on comparable replacement cars.

Stick to yer guns. You need to end up with a car that is at least as good or better than the one you had.

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Codifex
1981 240D ChinaBlue (Got her running with a donor engine.)
1983 300DTurbo w/sunroof.
1984 300TD manual sunroof. (Electrical Gremlins)

Just an update. The adjustor made it out and looked at it. He told me he has not seen a 1981 300SD is such good shape and rust free. Since I purchased the car, the seats have always been covered. Well, he took off the cover when taking pictures and wow, the seat was perfect and had no rips or tears. I had no idea.

The adjustor called me on Friday and confirmed it was a total loss.

A new adjustor is supposed to be calling me on Monday to make an offer. This is the part that scares me. The other part is that it's the famous progressive insurance.

I've searched further and further and I can't find anything even near the condition. I have found other 300SD, but the body's aren't straight or they need repair work. Aside from looking like it had lots of lumps in the body, perfect.

I had the pretty cream color.

As far as making them bring the car back to the standard that it was before the hail, they say that if the repair costs exceeds the value of the repairs then they are forced to total it.

This one can be a conversation starter with the adjuster - 1982 300sd,3000 original miles(not mine). Good luck

Perhaps you don't want it totaled which would mean a salvage title in many states or they take the car and won't necessarily sell it back to you. Sometimes anything over 50% of appraised value is totaled. Thus, if damage on $5k car, total = $2500.

Try to negotiate a payout of 2 or 3,000 then fix it yourself. The carrier's biggest risk on that type of policy isn't damage to an old car. It is the much higher limits of damage to people. Also, the adjuster will want to get this claim off his desk. Make it easy - ie "It's a small claim, Just give me $xxx, & let's go on our way." Adjusters have discretionary leeway so be nice. Offer to go up the ladder if necessary.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

my bad paint, bad interior, mild rust 240,xxx mile '83 300SD was totaled, and paid out $5800

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Matthew McIvor

2016 E350 4Matic Black/Black
2007 GL450 4Matic with Off-Road Pkg Silver/Black
1995 E300 Diesel White/Gray
1994 S600 Euro Black/ Black Velour
1986 560SL Blue/Blue/Gray
1986 190E Blue/Blue 93k

peruse the craigslist thread above, and look into past sales or listings of good SD's... low mileage examples have pulled 35K, but yours has 200+K, so don't expect that. likely in the 4-9K range... good luck.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

This is why I love this forum. Always lots of good information.

I got a call today (Sunday) from progressive. The adjustor told me that they called local car dealers and asked them what they would sell this car for and was told they would sell it for $3500.00.

I found this out because they could not find any 1981 300SD's anywhere near me. I asked her if the dealership actually had this same car in this same condition on the lot. The answer was no.

They were also pulling the value for a 1982 300SD.

I told her that the value is way off.

I'm sure the average person would take $3500.00 and run, but I can't replace it for that. I will send them the ebay link next.

People list ragged out cars for $3500 & sell for less. I've had my out for a nice 81-85SD in the $3k range & haven't found any. I figure I'll have a good deal if I can buy something for less than the cost of a decent (not outstanding) paint job.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Here's an 82 300SD for $8500.00

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/2421349255.html

for comparison.

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Codifex
1981 240D ChinaBlue (Got her running with a donor engine.)
1983 300DTurbo w/sunroof.
1984 300TD manual sunroof. (Electrical Gremlins)