Finished my W124 and had a crash, unsure how to proceed - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tdoublenastywitit · #16 01-21-2020, 09:07 AM

Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to just get a new/like new rear quarter panel (or whatever body panel, that is officially called) and bumper?

And then just bring those to macco for a respray? Something like that should only be $500. And you could get those body parts for $100 each on here.

Possibly even ones that are the same.color code as your car, that's a very common color of that era. Then you could just bring it to a detailer when you got it all bolted on and he could just buff the paint to match.

filp · #17 01-21-2020, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdoublenastywitit

Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to just get a new/like new rear quarter panel (or whatever body panel, that is officially called) and bumper?

And then just bring those to macco for a respray? Something like that should only be $500. And you could get those body parts for $100 each on here.

Possibly even ones that are the same.color code as your car, that's a very common color of that era. Then you could just bring it to a detailer when you got it all bolted on and he could just buff the paint to match.

I could cut it out from junkyard, true. But then Maaco would have to cut out mine and weld the spare one in, sand and paint. Feels like more work.

Porta Power is interesting. I feel like that plus the puller add-on and some chain around a tree, hooked to tail lamp hole with some kind of T-shaped steel should do it. That's around $200. But it would still need adjusting gaps and then paint. I would rather have the headache solved at once.

I've got a quote from another friend's shop for $700 here in Texas, which is promising, but I'm not sure if that includes paint. If it does, I'll be dropping my car off there pretty soon.

Car is super reliable. I've driven 1200 miles to NOLA and back on shot front end suspension without issues, 4 adults plus luggage. Now it's all brand new. It needs door adjustment and rear suspension refresh some day. I'll start with new rear shocks later this year.

97 SL320 · #18 01-21-2020, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdoublenastywitit

Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to just get a new/like new rear quarter panel (or whatever body panel, that is officially called) and bumper?

And then just bring those to macco for a respray? Something like that should only be $500. And you could get those body parts for $100 each on here.

Possibly even ones that are the same.color code as your car, that's a very common color of that era. Then you could just bring it to a detailer when you got it all bolted on and he could just buff the paint to match.

Quarter panels on this car are welded on not bolted so the amount of labor will be high.

For something like this I'd be tempted to rough out the area, cut a chunk out of a donor, flange the area then use body adhesive on the exposed seam areas, plug welding on the factory seams / hidden areas.

dlssmith · #19 01-21-2020, 07:46 PM

I'd definitely fix it, but I love a good looking 124. You'd be surprised how that repair will pull out if you are patient. Having a comfortable place to work is pretty important. There will be bondo though, its just a matter of how thick.

Mxfrank · #20 01-21-2020, 08:10 PM

Well, the first thing I'd suggest is to scrape the cr_p off your windows. If you can't see, you can't drive, QED.

This corner is very maleable. It dents easily, but undents almost as easily. Nobody would weld in a new quarter or a patch for this little dingy. That said, if you have no experience with body work, don't attempt it yourself. Not with a dolly, not with a slide hammer, not with a hydraulic thingamajig. You will almost certainly turn an easy fix into a new fender in record time. Take it to mexico, take it to Maaco, get it done by a semi-pro, and forget about it.

pawoSD · #21 01-21-2020, 08:20 PM

Fix it, thats a beautiful looking W124....ones that nice with a diesel are getting rarer and rarer. Especially with that much work and repairs into it....no brainer.

Hogweed · #22 01-21-2020, 10:23 PM

Love those videos😻
No question the finish is where the money is

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

Rough body work is easy, getting everything back into original shape is what takes time. Pulling too far during rough out can make for much more finish work.

Our guy needs to take a trip to Lithuania and see Arthur Tussic ( see his You Tube channel )

tdoublenastywitit · #23 01-22-2020, 08:22 AM

Oh wow I didn't realize the panels were welded on. Ya your right that would be a pain.

t walgamuth · #24 01-22-2020, 08:29 AM

The welding strengthens the unibody. It is very strong and lightweight.

filp · #25 02-09-2020, 04:56 PM

Fixed...the bumper strip was not painted like it is in front of the vehicle, but I can live with that. Overall looks great. They used a frame machine. Did it in TX for way less than $1k at friend's shop.