Hunting season didn't come fast enough . . . - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tankowner · #1 11-09-2011, 03:06 PM

With the recent daylight savings time change, it is now dark on my drive home from work. About half a mile from home last night a deer jumped out into the road. Barely time to hit the brakes and actually lucky the large truck behind me didn't take out the rear end.

Filed the claim, but haven't heard from the insurance company yet. Good grief . . . about two years of spare time here and there getting it road worthy, less than 3 months on the road and now this. Oh well, it could always be worse. Wondering what the insurance folks will have to say. I'm guessing it has over a thousand dollars in new parts on it, I can pull all the receipts.

vstech · #2 11-09-2011, 03:11 PM

arrgh!, my eyes! don't take pics with an argyle sweater on!

seriously though, that's minor stuff.
shame it took out the headlight, but replacements are no big deal.
hood is the worst part. you could straighten it, or replace it. no big deal either way.
pfft, come to my house, and lets get everything replaced.

leathermang · #3 11-09-2011, 03:13 PM

Well, on things like this it is important to keep in mind the other possibilities ...... you mentioned the truck....a good one...
Also, it did not jump up like our armadillos do and come through your windshield.... so not getting hurt has to be first on the list ....

tankowner · #4 11-09-2011, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

arrgh!, my eyes! don't take pics with an argyle sweater on!

seriously though, that's minor stuff.
shame it took out the headlight, but replacements are no big deal.
hood is the worst part. you could straighten it, or replace it. no big deal either way.
pfft, come to my house, and lets get everything replaced.

Ha! Didn't even notice my reflection in the bumper. Thanks for the laugh.

I wish I could come to your place, I would have been there weeks ago.

I guess I'll see what the insurance has to offer and go from there. There is someone semi-local that is offering an '81 300D, supposedly rust free body with blown engine. Will the 300D parts fit - it's the same color.

Mad_Matt · #5 11-09-2011, 03:23 PM

Looks like your core support is tweaked a bit and that might be enough to total it by the book. It does not take much to total one of these old girls by the book for the INS co.

Hope they are reasonable with you. Many adjusters are and will be flexible. Good luck.

I hate to say this but it might more work on you to save your investment.

vstech · #6 11-09-2011, 03:26 PM

yup.
240 and 300 same same. 81 may still have the "glued on" style fender, but they are identical.

tankowner · #7 11-09-2011, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Well, on things like this it is important to keep in mind the other possibilities ...... you mentioned the truck....a good one...
Also, it did not jump up like our armadillos do and come through your windshield.... so not getting hurt has to be first on the list ....

Indeed. It was something big too, like a tow truck or dump truck. As soon as the deer hit, I looked in the rear view and it was right on top of me with the brake squealing. I let the clutch back out, nailed the accelerator and got the normal amount of response one would expect from the 240D trying to regain speed on a hill.

You're right though. Two minutes later I was back home to the wife and kids which always puts everything back in perspective. I just went to the dinner table, happy to be home again. My 3-year-old son kept asking me if we were going to stay up all night fixing the car.

vstech · #8 11-09-2011, 03:35 PM

fender tweak, $75

replacement grille plastic - $90 with used hood

family time:

Quote:

Originally Posted by tankowner

My 3-year-old son kept asking me if we were going to stay up all night fixing the car.

PRICELESS!

leathermang · #9 11-09-2011, 03:38 PM

Sorta sounds like you have used overnight child labor in the past.....

tankowner · #10 11-09-2011, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Sorta sounds like you have used overnight child labor in the past.....

The kids like to work on the cars, so I encourage it. The 3-year-old came and asked me for some wrenches and a screwdriver the other day. Ten minutes later I went to find him and he had taken the training wheels and chain gaurd off his bike. Makes me proud.

tankowner · #11 11-09-2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad_Matt

Looks like your core support is tweaked a bit and that might be enough to total it by the book. It does not take much to total one of these old girls by the book for the INS co.

Hope they are reasonable with you. Many adjusters are and will be flexible. Good luck.

I hate to say this but it might more work on you to save your investment.

Yeah, you're right it is a little dinged. I know someone who is an adjuster for my insurance company, I'm going to give him a call tonight to see what to expect on this one.

Mad_Matt · #12 11-09-2011, 04:14 PM

I say become a hunter and take vengeance for your 240.

Good luck.

Junkman · #13 11-09-2011, 05:56 PM

IF the carrier wants to total, negotiate the value of the car up making damage as percentage of value less. Letting the claim lay around on the desk sometimes helps also. Then you can say something like "let's get this thing finished. Just cut me a check for $XX & we'll consider it taken care of."

Sheet metal is cheap compared to people parts and court time. Be nice but firm and remember that adjusters always have at least some discretionary funds available.
I'm working on getting my hail damage taken care of on my 00 diesel ram. No free licks just because it is old.

chronometers · #14 11-09-2011, 08:20 PM

At least you still have Tank.

Codifex Maximus · #15 11-09-2011, 08:54 PM

Damage looks mostly superficial to me except for the bending of the top front crossmember. Even that doesn't look too awfully bad.

Did the deer live?