Had an impromptu physics demonstration involving my '95 E300D. My priorities are no longer fuel line o-rings.


Hood, bumper cover, headlight, grille, fans, radiator are gone for sure. Had trouble shifting back to neutral from park, so engine and transmission may have shifted as well.

For an eighteen year-old car with 196,000 miles on the clock, I am not expecting that the insurance company will want to get this back on the road for my daughter to take over when she gets her license.

Sigh.

Tom

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2016 E350 4matic wagon
2010 ML350 Bluetec
1995 E300D Gone, but not forgotten.

Sorry to hear! Sounds like you're okay though, which is another way to enjoy the car's engineering....

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Glad that you guys were ok.

The car looks repairable. Since joining this forum I have seen pics of several MB's that have been wrecked. Looks like the occupants fair very well.

Get another.

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85 Merc 300D - Unwinding 31 years of wear
86 VW TD
Mahindra Diesel
Iseki Diesel

In 2007 I didn't own a diesel.

oh....sh*** ...the hood ornament is still o.k. ....

Before you abandon the car, have a body shop look at it. Your car took a hit in a soft spot ( Above the bumper ) so the damage looks far worse that it actually is.

The determining factor will be if the engine sufferend any damage.

Have a look at car-part ( dot ) com for salvage yard parts. Shopping on craigslist would work too, be sure to look at gas powered cars also. With carefull shopping you could fix it without any paint work.

Btw what did you hit; a raised pickup with a hitch? Very odd damage pattern. Surprised the airbags didn't trigger either.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Looks like you hit a brodozer, or one of those stupid lifted trucks that doesn't follow the laws of bumper height.

Hope it can be repaired. If not Lmk.

Thanks, gang.

It was a low speed collision (no airbags!). Only me in the car, and no injury.

I'll know more tomorrow about what all is affected. My big concern is the motor and transmission possibly shifting position.

By the way, that was all done by the spare tire on a Jeep Liberty that made a panic stop when an idiot came flying out of a side street and almost hit him. Of course, that car made no contact, so he isnt part of the incident. Sheesh!

Thanks for the good thoughts!
Tom

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2016 E350 4matic wagon
2010 ML350 Bluetec
1995 E300D Gone, but not forgotten.

STOP FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE!

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1982 300sd from craigslist $800 greased on one tank with NO CONVERSION in the Hot Texas Sun. (currently dead & awaiting engine damage investigation and/or longblock swap)
new daily: '03 vw 5speed jetta tdi wagon. bagged&chipped

Thanks for making time to point that out. No way I would have reached that conclusion without you.

With your help, maybe I can become a better person.

Tom

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2016 E350 4matic wagon
2010 ML350 Bluetec
1995 E300D Gone, but not forgotten.

Insurance will likely total and let you keep it. My little bump in the back hit the crumple zone. Car is still on the road but probably won't be properly repaired but driven until I want something prettier.

I bought another in better shape and have cash left but have spent time which is expensive.

Agreed: Stop following too close. It will help your next car's longevity.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

If you can store the car, get another identical car and save it for parts, or use another car as parts to get this one back on the road.

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1982 300sd, new project car to restore

It doesn't matter if you know what you're doing, as long as you look like you know what you're doing.

tough love can be a b!tch. hey, it looks like i'm near you, so if you want/need a second set of hands for pulling parts and reassembly/alignment, feel free to pm me. i'm down for hitting up some junkyards too. i need to pick up a few items myself if we end up going.

we could go in my wife's truck so panels/hood should fit.

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1982 300sd from craigslist $800 greased on one tank with NO CONVERSION in the Hot Texas Sun. (currently dead & awaiting engine damage investigation and/or longblock swap)
new daily: '03 vw 5speed jetta tdi wagon. bagged&chipped

Do I smell a 606 swap??? Dibs on the pump! Glad you're ok

Thanks for the offer, pgringo. I am in Cedar Park, so I am on the opposite side of Austin from you.

Let me see what the insurance company says. I'll plan from there. I think I would be out of my depth on some of the work that is needed.

Thanks again for the offer of help.

Tom

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2016 E350 4matic wagon
2010 ML350 Bluetec
1995 E300D Gone, but not forgotten.