Should I keep her ??
 

Ok some guy ran into my 1983 300 D with about 150K miles on it. (It was his fault and we have filed a claim). I would have rated it a good 7 to 8 before the wreck. I have about $7K invested in the car, so now it has 2 front fenders dented, hood warped, bumper bent, pass door does not open, AC does not work (Evap valve busted) blows heat all the time, euro headlight busted, fan rattles. So is it worth fixing or let the insurance total it out ???

so we are talking new fenders, AC, bumper, Hood?, fan, and paint

Thanks !!

I'd say fix it, because these cars are getting fewer and fewer, and it sounds like you don't have frame damage, so I would say go after his insurance company for every penny they are worth, and get your 300D fixed.

Ditto on 240Demon's reply. Don't let the insurance company kill another perfectly good MB.

I'm on the third time around on my 80 300CD. It got rearended twice, the insurance totaled it twice and I just got it out of the body shop.
First time they totaled it and paid me $3200, and sold it back to me for $500. It cost me $620 at the frame shop (damage in frame behind rear alxe) and $900 at the body shop.
This last time it was hit exactly in the same place (right rear fender), they paid me $4700 and sold it back to me for $130. The frame shop was $720 and the body shop was $630.
I was going to let it go this last time, but everyone around here started long lipping it, besides it didn't take much arm twisting for me to hang on to it.
I drive it 75 miles one way to work daily, it doesn't get quite as good milage as my 300SD, but it's four times better looking (at least).
I'd say, if you can get enough back from the ins., and the repairs will be reasonable enough, and you think it's reliable and really planned on keeping it before the wreck, then it's a keeper.
I didn't see what part of the country you were from, but there are still plenty of good cars here in CA.
Good Luck,
Ernie

I was in Kingston in early March, some guy passed me in a really sharp dark blue 300D as I was getting onto I-26 about 12:30, if that's you; repair it. I have a straight, clean front clip sans fenders and a nice hood if your bodyshop needs it. Iam 45min south of Asheville..

Check your frame horns carefully, from the damage you describe you might have crushed a frame. I totaled my 300D with similar damage to your desciption BUT my A/C still retained pressure. I had frame damage.

Ernie,

Was is the same insurace company that paid you $1500 MORE the sencond time it was totaled? How did you get that to happen? You've made some money on that car. Mine only loose money.

Michael,

Same company, same policy. Don't ask me what's up, I would have been happy with a couple of thousand. They went to an outside appraiser to get prices of what was similar to my car. There were plenty lower and plenty higher, but must have been way more higher. I about choked when they told me what the pay off was. It was actually $5200 but they took out the $500 deductable.
What's really crazy is the company that insured the other car denied the claim because their car had no damage. I'm sure my car crumpled so easy due to the prior damage. It happened on a freeway on ramp and the CHP took a report. I'll probably get the $500 when the two companies settle.
My insurance guy asked if I wanted to go full coverage again. I just laughed and said "You bet, this car is a money making deal"
Do a search for the word BAHM, and you'll see what happened both times.

Total out
 

the insurance called Friday and said they were going to total the car out, now I have to wait on what they are going to pay me ....sounds like I need a lawyer

what are my rights??

GA-W123 Diesel-

Ive been in the same place as you twice.. there couldnt be anything MORE frustrating. The first time it happened it was with my midnight 300DT. I didnt care for the ca rmuch, and took what they would give me, adding it to my account towards a replacement.
The SECOND time, my neighbor backed into me ($4200 worth of damage) .. I was NOT about to loose my car to the insurance company. They totalled the car, finding the value by searching for a "similar" car in my area for sale. The car they used to base the value of my car with had 100K miles more, and was a complete beater!!!!!!!!! with my car being the complete opposite, I was entirely outraged when they said my car was worth $2200!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They gave me the option of doing my own research, and finding ads of cars comparable to mine in condition. SO thats just what I did.. I found 15 ads online ranging in price from $4500-$12,000. I sent them in, and they used the average of all of the ads as a basis for my claim return. I ended up getting $4500, keeping the car, and pocketing the money. The car isnt fixed yet though!!! Im saving for a complete body restoration since the drivers side will need to be repainted after the doors are replaced. Why not go all out and have the whole car done!

So, before you get a lawyer, or let the car be totalled, explore any options you might have with your insurance company on negotiating a fair value of the car you have. Dont let the ins. co total another nice MB diesel!!!!!!!!

$3653
 

$3653 is what the insurance wants to total my car out at, I told them NO way, I will contact a lawyer..

Before you go to the hassle of finding a lawyer do a search of cars for sale just like yours, same mileage and condition. Most lawyers won't even talk to you about something like this unless you pay them up front for thier time which can be expensive.

What's the status on the car? Your singature says for sale, have you given up hope?

yes I have it for sale
 

the best reasonable offer $2000 or close to it..it is still drivable.. I bought a nice (cream puff) 93 300D, could not wait to fix the car, and my wife wanted a newer car..

Donate it......
 

I am going to just donate it to local charity..it is still drivable, so someone can use it and get it out of my garage..