87 300td t-boned yesterday, what now? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BillGrissom · #31 04-12-2012, 09:41 PM

Fight with them. My 65 Newport has been totaled 3 times. Each time they paid ~$3500, I bought it back for ~$700 and fixed it for ~$300. Two times were a single door crunched that I replaced and painted. The shops they sent me to just said "can't fix" so the insurance decided to total. At that point, it is just a question of price and I flood them with comparables, which is where Mecum Auctions outlandish prices is your friend.

tram · #32 04-12-2012, 09:53 PM

Glad the contents are OK.

Now FIX IT! Get a donor B pillar, weld it in, get two doors.

If you need help on how to determine value for the ins. company, PM me.

If they total it, buy it back and fix it. The title will be branded, but this can be done right and you won't compromise anything.

Aquaticedge · #33 04-12-2012, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ytmtnman

I don't think they realize that I want the car repaired to pre-accident condition with no branded title. I'll let them know tomorrow. Is that something that can happen?

I think they changed their mind when I pointed out this:

Mercedes-Benz : 300-Series Mercedes-Benz : 300-Series | eBay It's the only comparable I can find!

I doubt you are going to get away with a unbranded title.... I'd be very shocked if you do. There is usually a fair few laws on the matter and usually if the insurance company pays out on it, it's branded as salvaged/rebuilt

It's worth a try... anything can happen

ROLLGUY · #34 04-13-2012, 12:43 AM

A salvage or "branded" title is really no big deal. Especially if you are planning to keep the car for a long time. By then if you sell it, it will be worn out and nobody will care if it has a salvage title. However, if you buy it back with the plan of fixing and then selling the car, it might be hard to get full price for it with a salvage title. If the insurance company fixes the car, no salvage title is applied to the car. If it is totaled, then the car gets branded weather it is repaired or not.

tram · #35 04-13-2012, 02:16 AM

Keep photo documentation of why it was branded and how it was repaired for the next prospective owner. If they can see what happened and that it was fixed right, if they still want to beat you up on price over the branded title, then they're not a serious buyer anyways.

Aquaticedge · #36 04-13-2012, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

A salvage or "branded" title is really no big deal. Especially if you are planning to keep the car for a long time. By then if you sell it, it will be worn out and nobody will care if it has a salvage title. However, if you buy it back with the plan of fixing and then selling the car, it might be hard to get full price for it with a salvage title. If the insurance company fixes the car, no salvage title is applied to the car. If it is totaled, then the car gets branded weather it is repaired or not.

I'll also point out, Generally if the repair is done right, it's usually better then how the car was made. Stronger etc. There is nothing wrong with a salvage title. I've owned a couple cars now and I've never had problems selling or buying transferring titles etc.

ytmtnman · #37 04-13-2012, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tram

Now FIX IT! Get a donor B pillar, weld it in, get two doors.

Will any w124 pillar and door fit? Or do they have to be model year or wagon specific? My gut says that any w124 parts will fit.

I want to take a moment to thank everyone for their help so far

You have been invaluable.

ROLLGUY · #38 04-13-2012, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ytmtnman

Will any w124 pillar and door fit? Or do they have to be model year or wagon specific? My gut says that any w124 parts will fit.

I am sure a 124 expert can verify this, but I believe the rear wagon door is different from a sedan door. The front should be the same. The pillar should be the same as well for both the sedan and wagon. I know the only difference between rear wagon and sedan doors on a 123 is the frame around the glass. The lower part is the same, and even uses the same door panel. It may be that way with the 124 as well. If no wagon rear doors can be found, it is possible to use the frame from the wagon rear door and rebuild a good used sedan door. It would seem like a lot of work, but it might be your only option unless an NOS rear wagon door shell is available. Finding a rust free rear wagon door might require a trip across state lines to the west to find a good one.

Aquaticedge · #39 04-13-2012, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I am sure a 124 expert can verify this, but I believe the rear wagon door is different from a sedan door. The front should be the same. The pillar should be the same as well for both the sedan and wagon. I know the only difference between rear wagon and sedan doors on a 123 is the frame around the glass. The lower part is the same, and even uses the same door panel. It may be that way with the 124 as well. If no wagon rear doors can be found, it is possible to use the frame from the wagon rear door and rebuild a good used sedan door. It would seem like a lot of work, but it might be your only option unless an NOS rear wagon door shell is available. Finding a rust free rear wagon door might require a trip across state lines to the west to find a good one.

You are right, This is wagon specific, From the B-pillar forward any 124 part will suffice, behind it, It's all wagon specific

Brad123D · #40 04-13-2012, 12:55 PM

I would call this a heavy side swipe. It looks like the car has been hit before this. Note the skim coat of bondo coming off of the upper front part of the driver door. It also looks like the rocker panel (below the doors) is bent in slightly. If this is the case, I would not repair that car if it were mine. I'm a welder and have done bodywork before, and this is a tough repair. Worth it if it were a rare collectible or very low miles only. I would get paid by the insurance co. and get another car that's straight.

Aquaticedge · #41 04-13-2012, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad123D

I would call this a heavy side swipe. It looks like the car has been hit before this. Note the skim coat of bondo coming off of the upper front part of the driver door. It also looks like the rocker panel (below the doors) is bent in slightly. If this is the case, I would not repair that car if it were mine. I'm a welder and have done bodywork before, and this is a tough repair. Worth it if it were a rare collectible or very low miles only. I would get paid by the insurance co. and get another car that's straight.

Problem with that is they get rarer and rarer every day. finding a low mileage one that's never been an accident is like finding the holy grail, and you'll pay for that too. a lot more then what an insurance company would give. since the beginning of this year there has been atleast 3, 87 wagons totaled or otherwise in an accident and thats just the ones I know about....

ROLLGUY · #42 04-13-2012, 01:18 PM

Even if you got enough insurance money to buy another car, I would still buy the car back if I were in the same situation. The salvage price would be well worth it even if you sold the car for parts. I had a 2001 PT Cruiser that was totaled (both air bags deployed) that I still owed on. I bought the car for $1,800 after the settlement, and sold the parts for over $3,000. Even if you don't bother fixing your car and selling it as-is, you will still make a profit. That will take some of the sting out of the whole ordeal. I am sure there are folks here that would be willing to buy the car and fix it.

vstech · #43 04-13-2012, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquaticedge

Problem with that is they get rarer and rarer every day. finding a low mileage one that's never been an accident is like finding the holy grail, and you'll pay for that too. a lot more then what an insurance company would give. since the beginning of this year there has been atleast 3, 87 wagons totaled or otherwise in an accident and thats just the ones I know about....

and I am assisting bringing one of them back to the road...
more details after the body shop fixes the structure...

Aquaticedge · #44 04-13-2012, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

and I am assisting bringing one of them back to the road...
more details after the body shop fixes the structure...

do post pictures when you get the chance! some people inferred (not on the board) that I scrap my wagon because it dosnt work right now... I said over my cold dead fat ass.

ytmtnman · #45 04-24-2012, 06:47 PM

Well it really stinks but I don't think I am gonna repair the car. I can't find a shop to repair it at a price I am willing to pay. I think will sell the car as a whole. I'll give peach parts members first crack at it. I really don't know what it is worth it it's current condition. I do know it can be driven away. I'll post in the for sale section........http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-cars-sale/316685-fs-total-loss-1987-300td-cape-cod-ma-bro.html#post2926128

I am now searching for a decent replacement. I am glad I had the opportunity to drive a w124, and would consider another, but I now realize my preference for w123's. Any w123 wagons for sale that I have not seen? I have looked at ebay and all of craigslist. Where else should I look?

Thanks again for all the input.