tailgate issue - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chuckr · #1 08-02-2011, 06:54 AM

Hi, reporting in (haven't been on forum for a spell) - my wagon was hit (hard) while parked at a train station. Insurance co hasn't come to check it out yet, but I suspect it would cost quite a bit to set right. Any ideas on availability of good tailgates? The rear quarter panel has also moved about .5" to interfere with the rear passenger door. Ugh. What a drag. The car is a great driver too...

Chuck

dieseldiehard · #2 08-02-2011, 05:07 PM

looks like a total to me. But fixable, read up on how to buyback after the Ins co totals it.
The thing you need to determine is whether or not the hatchback will open.
The crash may well have bent the rear pillar (is that the D pillar in the wagon?) on the left side. If its bent that will be a job to straighten but not impossible, otherwise the weather seal will not work.
If the thing won't open then it will have to be sawed in two or pushed out from the inside (not easy!)

Used hatchbacks go for as much as $750 out on the W coast less if you are lucky and find a wagon that someone is parting out and want to get rid of it it might be less than half that.. keep in mind these cars are getting rarer every day because of accidents like this

andrewjtx · #3 08-02-2011, 05:38 PM

This was my '84.

I got ~$5400 from the total and paid back ~$320 for the salvage. Then once I stripped the body down to just the frame of a car, I sold it to a recycler (who picked it up) for $100. Bought the '85 wagon for $4500.

I now have a low-mileage 84 617, the leather and all the other bits from the '84 packed in my garage all waiting refurbish.

dieseldiehard · #4 08-02-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewjtx

This was my '84.

I got ~$5400 from the total and paid back ~$320 for the salvage. Then once I stripped the body down to just the frame of a car, I sold it to a recycler (who picked it up) for $100. Bought the '85 wagon for $4500.

I now have a low-mileage 84 617, the leather and all the other bits from the '84 packed in my garage all waiting refurbish.

I have a burgundy '85 300TD also but it is so ugly I would never post a picture of it, except the one post I made from a place along the road called "Diesel Fried Chicken" in Van Horn, a stop in West TX. If I find a pic I'll repost it somehow.
The reason its so ugly is because the clearcoat came off and its mostly surface rust now, thats why I nicknamed it "Rosty".
This beast put my wife's nephew through college and I've driven it cross country with 5 adults comfortably. Its a Federal model, no Calif A/F to worry about and is really quick - cruising at 80 MPH is not a problem. I paid something like $3000 for it and never regretted that.

dieseldiehard · #5 08-02-2011, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseldiehard

I would never post a picture of it, except the one post I made from a place along the road called "Diesel Fried Chicken" in Van Horn, a stop in West TX.

seen here:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/attachments/diesel-discussion/22873d1104466798-pictures-your-mb-fleet-shop-dslfriedchicken.jpg

andrewjtx · #6 08-02-2011, 08:43 PM

My '84 was Manganese Brown with Pal leather, 2nd row head rests and 3rd row seat & factory block heater. It was a well-optioned car when new. I really miss it. Much fewer miles than the current car and I had it running like a top. The areas where the CC wasn't peeling (door jambs were all that was left...) that metallic brown was beautiful. And brown's are coming back in the euro cars. I really wanted to get that one repainted. ZERO rust on that body.

/Sad.

chuckr · #7 08-03-2011, 06:13 AM

Thanks for notes guys. I'm waiting on insurance estimate then will see where I stand.
Chuck