87 300td t-boned yesterday, what now?
 

I had bought the car 1 month ago and was still in bliss. But it was hit and now I would like some help with what I can expect from the insurance company.

About the car-
220,000 miles. New in the past 20k:
metric motors #22 head, (maybe a complete rebuild, I am trying to contact PO for paperwork)
New radiator, Brake Master cylinder, Radiator, Power steering pump, seat upholstery, exhaust, paint, rear sls shocks, rebuilt turbo, rebuilt transmission.

Beautiful and clean inside and out, and under the hood

The car was hit t-bone style on the driver's side. It still drives straight. Both front and rear doors will need replacement, if possible. The doors still open but the B pillar is resting against the drivers seat now. I don't know if it can be repaired and safely driven again. My intuition tells me that the car only has one accident in it before the safety is compromised. I don't feel it would be a safe car to drive anymore.

I feel sorta stuck right now. I really don't want to get rid of it, but I don't think I can drive it. I would like to replace it with a similar wagon but that could be tough to find. Never mind finding one at a price the insurance company might pay.

Any ideas???

Thanks!https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z...404_214330.jpghttps://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T...404_214623.jpghttps://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L...404_214357.jpghttps://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s...404_214605.jpg

Replacement pillar & doors. Chances are it will be an insurance right off.
A good repairer may be able to fix.

Ouch.... they get rarer and rarer Every day :( Sorry. I hope it's fixable for ya

I hate to hear that for you. I guess everyone is ok?

I'd suggest trying to pull together info from the net (or where ever) where these cars are for sale and presenting the pricing to the insurance co. Don't accept anything less than what it would take to replace it.

Good luck and sorry about your loss.

Wow...so brutal. I'm sorry about what happened.

To be honest, I wouldn't expect...a whole lot. 3-4K would be my guess for what they give you for the car, and that may be your best case scenario. Such a shame, too, as I'm sure the intrinsic value of the car would far outweigh what they're willing to pay. I suppose your other option would be to part it out and recoup some of the loss? That #22 head would be very valuable to someone on here.

OM603 300D's and TD's pop up every now and then in decent shape with fairly low miles. Not the end of the world. Maybe one of the guys on here will sell you one of theirs?

Commentary is pulled out of the wind without pictures.

As the TD is a special model to many of us, we'd typically argue for repair. I also believe that repairing it would be best even of the B-pillar needs to be straightened or replaced. A repair like this done properly will not compromise the safety of the car. In some cases they can be stronger after repair. Expect that a repair like this will cost 3-4K.

Bottom line, if you can hang on to the car, it would be valuable for parts. Buy another if that better suits you. Note that if your car was mechanically sorted, it might be worth repairing.

The Insurance Company most likely will want not to fix the Car but total it. However, in California if you want the wreck I believe the Insurance Company will let you have it but will deduct what a Junk Yard would give them for the Car from the amount they pay you.

But, you need to ask them; they are not going to suggest it.

The Car is given back to You as a Salvaged Car and if you fix it and run it when you register it will have Salvaged on the Title (again here in CA).

I have read of people saying that you can make the Insurance Compan Fix the Car but I have no details on that being so.
I am guessing that they are only going to fix up to a certain financial amount. After that you would be on your own.

wagon
 

ill give you $500.00 as is

relax.
the insurance company will NOT total the car. BE INSISTENT on it's rarity and value, and you will get it repaired. I had a similar accident, (not quite as much damage) MB dealer estimated at 3900 to fix, insurance wrote a check.
you can easily show the cars replacement value based on it's rarity, and it will be repaired. a pair of used doors, and some frame machinery, and it'll be good as new. the structure of the vehicle does not look impared. just some wrinkles from the door swing.
TAKE THE CAR TO THE NEAREST MB DEALER FOR SOLID ESTIMATE!!!

just you wait until you see what I've got in the works to be repaired 87TD wise...
you'll all be shocked.

WAGON
 

Guaranteed its totaled , repair exceeds value , anything can be fixed ,but at what price?

I gather that the pillar being moved does not cause much of a safety concern as it can be replaced?
Also there is a crease on the rocker panel. Will this spot tend to rust at a quicker pace seeing it has been compromised? I already feel bad bringing the car from AZ to the salty northeast!

Damage doesn't look too overly bad. Expensive to fix but definitely looks fixable.

Were you IN it when it was hit?

I betcha a dollar they do not total it. get three estimates, be CERTAIN one of them is from a MB dealer, and unless it's over 15k to repair, it's very unlikely they will total it.

be EXPLICIT that you know the vehicle's value, and rarity...

expect them to REPLACE the vehicle. not cut you a check.

My wife and dog were in it. And a baby in my wife's belly. All 3 are ok!:D