Looks like the 85 300TD got totaled last night in Tucson - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Skid Row Joe · #46 02-11-2016, 08:41 PM

I agree! ^^^^

JimFreeh · #47 02-11-2016, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

This car does not appear to have signigifiant structural damage, if it is was newer there would be no question that it would get fixed.. . And be completly fine afterwards.

Judging by the pics and tires still holding air, there isn't going to be any significant suspension damage. It doesn't take much to bend a front tie rod enough to make the wheels toe out then a slightly heavy camber making the car lead to one side. Even if the camber was changed in the crash it will likely recover with an alignment / slight suspension pull.

This car is very fixable. It will be expensive to fix to like new condition but ,if you can accept a structurally sound but not cosmetically perfect repair, it will be parts cost + maybe $ 800 + some of your labor.

Condition of the door jamb is key, will the RF door open if the fender is pried a bit?

The RF door will open, but the window frame hits the RR window frame, according to my wife.

In one of the photos I have from the inside, you can see that the RF window frame is pulled outward at the top, maybe 3/4 of an inch.

I see evidence of both A and B pillar damage as well as rocker panel damage

Jim

shadetreemechan · #48 02-12-2016, 07:49 AM

This is probably not an encouraging datapoint, but I will put it out there in case it helps. I got backed into in my matching 85 TD over Christmas while on a trip from TN to New York. Accident happened in central VA. As you can see, damage was much less severe but in the same part of the car.
Their insurance (Nationwide) valued the car at around $3500 and paid out $1900 for the repair which included new door skin front and rear and new arch.
I am afraid if my experience is any guide you will certainly be totaled out.

JimFreeh · #49 02-12-2016, 01:55 PM

....Looks like the other party IS insured, and their carrier has admitted 100 pc liability.

Now we wait for the damage estimate, and fighting over value....

Jim

vstech · #50 02-12-2016, 03:41 PM

Yippee!

Skid Row Joe · #51 02-12-2016, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

....Looks like the other party IS insured, and their carrier has admitted 100 pc liability.

Now we wait for the damage estimate, and fighting over value....

Jim

I'm not seeing any downside here, when you read the next post:

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadetreemechan

This is probably not an encouraging datapoint, but I will put it out there in case it helps. I got backed into in my matching 85 TD over Christmas while on a trip from TN to New York. Accident happened in central VA. As you can see, damage was much less severe but in the same part of the car.
Their insurance (Nationwide) valued the car at around $3500 and paid out $1900 for the repair which included new door skin front and rear and new arch.
I am afraid if my experience is any guide you will certainly be totaled out.

I like the math on this one. Great example!

97 SL320 · #52 02-12-2016, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

The RF door will open, but the window frame hits the RR window frame, according to my wife.

In one of the photos I have from the inside, you can see that the RF window frame is pulled outward at the top, maybe 3/4 of an inch.

I see evidence of both A and B pillar damage as well as rocker panel damage

Jim

You do realize that the RR window frame is attached to the now bent RR door and will come attached to the replacement door?

Given the RF door opens, the B pillar probably isn't bent more than a smidge.

While my shop was primarily mechanical, I've fixed a decent number of bent cars for customers and myself, you car isn't in as bad a shape as some would lead you to believe. If the RF fender and right doors were rusted, would you replace them? If so, getting the body structure in shape to take new doors isn't much more work.

You may need to get new weather strip as old weather strip gets compressed and won't seal larger gaps the car might have.

97 SL320 · #53 02-12-2016, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadetreemechan

As you can see, damage was much less severe but in the same part of the car.

Other than the front fender, Jims damage is only slightly more. If we removed both of your right doors and front fender, his rear fender damage is slightly more. However, given the arch on your car was replaced, there isn't any difference as Jims could stand replacing too.

shadetreemechan · #54 02-13-2016, 07:51 AM

I have to say, that wreck over christmas was just about the best insurance experience I have ever had. It helps to be driving a 30 year old benz in salt country. They adjusted the car at a volvo dealer in Syracuse Ny and several of the staff had been waiting for my arrival to check out the car. Several folks checked it out when it was in the bay. I guess they don't see them there much any more. The adjuster was very helpful and let me help with the adjustment.
I bring this up because door skins are what got me through it easily. The actual door replacement was too high and would have triggered a total (I think he said 70% of value would trigger total). I sourced skins and arch for him at fixmyrust.com because I don't think the mb panels could be found in his system.
Three days after the adjustment, the adjuster dropped off a check at my inlaw's house. All and all I thought it was great service.

JimFreeh · #55 02-13-2016, 08:20 AM

I agree on the ability to fix the car with used parts and sweat equity as several have mentioned.....
IF the wagon were here in VA, I'd go that route, I've rebuilt several totals over the years.

The problem is that the car is NOT in VA. It's 2500 miles away. Yes, I could ship it home and work on it, but that's not going to happen for several reasons. Cost, time, and need. The cost to move the car across country twice is beyond the value of the car. Time, because I have stage 4 lung cancer, taking chemo, and must take an early retirement, I have my dance card full with prepping my house for sale and dealing with the logistics of getting all my other cars ready to send to AZ. Thirdly, need. The car was a gift from a good family friend who thought it would help me while I was making frequent trips to AZ. As a gift, it certainly was a nice one and it was appreciated. Now, if I get something from the insurance company, I could use that money to ship another car out (which I need to do eventually), or just hold the money and rent a car while I'm out there. Either option satisfies the need for a car while in Tucson.

Knowing that the insurance company has accepted liability, it is now just a matter of seeing what the offer will be.

My plan is to hold onto the car and not turn it over to the insurance company. Several local PP members have expressed interest in the car, and I think that is where the car should go. Once things settle out, I'll put it up for sale.

Thanks again to everyone for all advice and support, I'm bummed that I can't keep her, and so is my wife, but reality gets in the way sometimes.

Jim

LNGfish · #56 02-20-2016, 04:36 AM

Must be huge magnets on passengers side in wagons? Kidding

Wagons ROCK!

Sorry this all happened.