Got backed into by a new driver last week. She mangled the fender and put a big dent in the rear corner panel.

The estimate was $2,500 at the lowest, to pop out the dent and slather it with filler. They said they could order a new panel from MB for $1300, but they have a history of receiving the panels in poor condition.

At this point in the car's life, I don't think it's worth repairing. Would rather put the money towards something new.

The father of the girl who hit me wanted a chance to pay out of pocket, so not to drive her premium up. If he agrees to pay the $2,500, should I take it and run? Or do you think I'll get more from his insurance company? I have a feeling they'll just total the car.

1984 300cd, 220,000 miles

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1984 300CD

how rusty is your CD? Insurance will likely try to screw you and make claims that an 84 car with 220k is only worth around $1000 or some ridiculous amount, and therefore they will give you $800 and total it.

Then they will push you to jury trial in a bleeding match to get more. Sorry, been there, done that. Insurance and lawyers are the worst bunch out there.

But in real terms, a CD can fetch good money. Ive seen rusty ones go for $4k.

Id personally go new panel, if the panel is in poor condition, send it back as you are paying for a new, OE panel. Get it put on, rustproofed, painted and then decide what you want to do. Ill bet the cost is about the same.

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Own:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (162k)
2004 SAAB 9-3 (62k)
1991 BMW 318i (153K)
1998 Chevrolet S-10 ZR2 (61K)
2008 VW Rabbit (40k)
2011 BMW 135i cv (8k)
Had:
1983 300D (228K) (wrecked by at-fault uninsured driver)
1985 300D (233K) (now in FL)
1994 Acura Integra (188k) (Rusted out)
1992 Toyota 4Runner (72k) (Rusted out)
1990 Daihatsu Rocky (??) (No parts)

post a pic of the damages so i(we) can better understand what the situation. Rear panel for the coupe is gonna be pretty rare. possibly unobtainium.

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1978 300CD
1984 300D
1985 300SD

Very little rust. Like a few tiny spots under the runners, by the front wheel well. NADA average is +4,000. Have $1,000 in receipts for front end work last year. PO put in a new engine at 150,000 miles, I should be able to dig up the receipt for that too. If I were to sell it, I would expect to get $2,000. However, I hear just as many stories about insurance companies paying $5,000 for cars the owner paid $1,000, as nightmare scenarios with lowball offers and bloodsucking.

Car is totally driveable. She didnt even smash the lights. Again, dumping 2,500 into to fix the dents isn't really worth it. I just want to get the biggest check possible, put it in the bank, and drive this car around until I find something new. I just paid $300 to register the damn thing in June. Not trying to screw anyone over either, didn't ask to get hit on my vacation... just don't want to sell myself short!

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1984 300CD

Insurance. Dude likely thinks $200 will make you happy...

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John ongoing strip party!!! 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!
84 240D 5speed & 84 300 4Speed
67 rs Camaro, Dodge Pickup, parts cars 78 300D, & 93D(no doors?),85 SD, 83 SD, 85 300D, 85Euro 300TD, 87 300TD, 95E320 T
Daily Drivers 82 SD, 87 300TD, 87300TD!!!!,

Don't forget how much your neck hurts and that your sex life has been severely impacted by PTSD. You love your car more than life itself and this incident has scarred you for life!

I thought this dealer was smoking something but maybe these things do sell for that kind of coin:

1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD TURBO DIESEL---VERY RARE... COLLECTABLE-----

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1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - New Monark Nozzles, new tie rods, new front Bilstiens, P/S pump resealed, R12 A/C with upgrades.
Master's degree from SNAFU with a major in the FUBAR sciences.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/321339-monark-injector-nozzle-install-video.html?highlight=rebuild+injectors

Those laughable dealer descriptions kill me.

Maybe it's a great car and no offense to the OP.......but it's still 30 years old & has 160,000 clicks.

Get off the glue!!!

I told the guy the estimate was at least $2,500... he's going to talk it over with his wife and call me back.

The shop told me to be explicitly clear that it would almost certainly be more to repair.

Again, if he's even willing to pay me out of pocket, should I haggle with him below $2,500, or take my chances with Geico?

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1984 300CD

Mercedes-Benz : 300-Series CD Turbodiesel Coupe in Mercedes-Benz | eBay Motors


Mine isn't as polished as this one, but my window switches, antenna, etc work, I have a new engine and lots of work receipts, i'm in Mass where everything is more expensive than AZ, and don't you have to account for transport costs when looking into sale prices on ebay?

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1984 300CD

How many shops did you take it to for estimates?

You need to post a pic or two. Based on your written description, if all they are doing is spot-painting the repair, it sounds like a relatively high estimate if all they are doing is pulling out the dent and applying filler.

You always need to make it clear to shops that it isn't an insurance job. I have seen the difference between insurance repair rates and 'wholesale' rates (what dealers pay) and the difference is real jaw-dropper.

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Mac
Now: 1985 300d │ 1980 300td │ 1978 300cd
Then: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

I'll put up a photo when I get home. I want to KEEP the check, not get the car repaired, so I want a high estimate.

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1984 300CD

There is a huge difference in prices on w123 coupes and wagons between really nice and average cars.

The insurance company may or may not care about the arguments you are trying to make here. Companies vary widely, based on what I have heard over the years, in how they assess old cars.

Generally they won't care what a car went for on eBay in AZ, only what your car is worth in your general area.

If you have significant receipts for upgrades (the motor might qualify), that will generally count. Anything routine or fix-up (wear-out items or refurbishment) will not.

On a higher mileage car, even large components may be considered routine. For example, when my '83 SD was written off I had installed a used trans the week before. They wouldn't adjust for the $900 I had just splashed out -- due to the age of the car, replacing a trans was considered a wear-out issue.

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Mac
Now: 1985 300d │ 1980 300td │ 1978 300cd
Then: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Fenders? I have some solid ones on my coupe that I am parting out i believe. Which side? a picture showing the damage would assist in figuring how much needs to be cut out for you.

Tom

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Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 82 240d, 83 300TD with five speed, 03 Dodge 3/4 ton with cummins six speed; I have had about 33 benzes. I am building a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup street rod at the moment in which I plan to install a 617 and a five speed manual.....or a 64 stude v8.

Zacharias, what was the payout for the SD total?

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1984 300CD

Well if you want to get a cheque out of the insurance company, nine times on ten they are going to send their own adjuster to come up with a number, so whatever estimates you get won't be relevant.

Once the repair estimates hits the value the adjuster has set for the car -- or in some cases, perhaps 2/3 of the value on an older car -- the adjuster will write it off. Either the adjuster (or more likely a claims rep) will then come up with a number they want to settle with you for. Some companies won't even bother estimating on an old car... they immediately move to settle, as they as policy won't repair any car over xx years of age.

If you want to argue value you need to start building a file of selling prices for similar cars.

Again, companies vary widely in how well they treat people. Some would rather cut a fair deal and close the file. Others will try horsehockey like using dealer auction sales results, etc., to play games.

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Mac
Now: 1985 300d │ 1980 300td │ 1978 300cd
Then: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22