40mph head-on Collision! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Peyton300TD · #1 05-06-2003, 12:46 PM

Friday I was returning home. The roads were wet. And a honda was going the wrong way on a one-way street. I

I was rounding the corner, and when i saw her, it was too late. I locked up my brakes, skidded for about a second before the impact. Police rated the impact at 40mph.

When we hit, my head hit my vanity mirror and crushed it. As my car came to a stop, I watched as her Honda bounced off and spun 100ft away. It all happened so fast. There was nothing I could do.

Her new 2-door red Civic was CREAMED. Nothing left of the front end. Pretty much everything on the front was ripped off. Engine destroyed. Seeing this, I was sure my front end was fouled beyond beleif as well.

I got out, noticed my door edge trim laying on the ground. Walked around front, and this is what I saw.

Peyton300TD · #2 05-06-2003, 12:46 PM

another

Peyton300TD · #3 05-06-2003, 12:47 PM

I went to get an estimate. They are suggesting about $3,000 for a new signal lense, hood, bumper, fender, and vanity mirror.

If this isn't a TESTAMENT to these cars, I don't know what is. An 18 year old car in a 40mph head on impact, getting minimal damge while destroying a new Civic, wow. And I walked away without scratches.

Eric

rickg · #4 05-06-2003, 12:50 PM

And people wonder why we drive these things!
Glad you came out of it so well!

engatwork · #5 05-06-2003, 12:52 PM

Good you were not hurt. Hope they do not total your car.

Blu 420Sel · #6 05-06-2003, 03:34 PM

That's Awesome! Very glad you aren't hurt, wish you had pictures of the other car.

I'm going to send this link to a bunch of my friends. Nothing beats photographic evidence.

mbtjc · #7 05-06-2003, 03:51 PM

Are you sure you need all those parts new? From the pictures it looks like a good body shop would be able to repair those panels w/o actually having to replace them.

There is a similar story with my car. When my dad still owned it, he was rear ended by a Grand Am. He was standing still and the Grand Am was going around 35-40 MPH. The front of the Pontiac was completely destroyed. Hood was teepeed, headlights gone, bumper about laying on the ground, took out the radiator, etc. All that was wrong my mine was the bumper and the panel between the taillights were scratched and needed to be repainted....that's all. Bumper was structurally fine....and this is the short euro bumper!!

Dontcha just love these cars?

yal · #8 05-06-2003, 04:12 PM

Glad you're OK!

#9 05-06-2003, 04:22 PM

Gotta love these cas!!

My 240-D was sandwiched between a minivan and a pickup truck after the minivan was hit fom behind. The vehicle that hit it was one of those huge Dodge Ram pickup trucks. He was doing around 50 mph and didn't see us stopped at a light.

My car held up pretty well, it did crumple a bit as it should. The insurance company totaled it and paid me $1,000 more for it than I would have gotten if I had sold it.

Didn't matter, I would have rather not been hit. I was less than an oil change away from hitting 300,000 verifiable miles.

Was the other driver hurt at all?

Were they drunk or just confused?

Glad you're okay. I saw a black 300 station wagon on the beltway today and looked to see if it was you!

Peyton300TD · #10 05-06-2003, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sflori
Gotta love these cas!!

Was the other driver hurt at all?

Were they drunk or just confused?

Glad you're okay. I saw a black 300 station wagon on the beltway today and looked to see if it was you!

hey stephano, sorry to hear about your 240D.

the other driver was not hurt at all. her airbags didn't go off, and i think that was a flaw in the car. because her car was creamed. she wasn't drunk , she was just confused. it is a confusing area here in richmond (for those of you that live here- where Franklin Street switches to Bank Street- a two-way one-way intersection controlled by traffic lights)

eric

#11 05-06-2003, 06:34 PM

It's good you came out alive, as death in car accidents keeps rising by the day.

Anyway, i'd get someone eles to look at your car, cause I belive there would be more damage. The radiator could be pushed in, or punctured, and the suspension might need a look at. Maybe even check if the engine mounts haven't been damaged.

If only you lived down here in australia, I would have recommended the guy that removed the rust out of my merc. This guy could do anything!

mikemover · #12 05-06-2003, 09:31 PM

Glad you're OK, bro!

Looks about like the damage to the rear of mine when a Toyota rear-ended me a year or so ago, at 30-40 mph...very minimal damage. His was a MESS! My shop had to straighten the right quarter panel, the trunk floor, replace the rear panel (the part behind the license plate), and the bumper shocks. It didn't hurt the bumper, taillights, trim, trunk lid, etc. at all.

$3,000 sounds about right, judging from the pictures. Someone suggested straightening the existing panels, or used parts...I respectfully disagree. Why get used parts if her insurance is paying? Get new parts and get it fixed right!

Let us know how it turns out!

The band is headed out west right now, but I hope to see you next time we're in VA!

Mike

Kuan · #13 05-07-2003, 07:49 AM

Didn't even knock off your mileage badge! I'm glad no one was hurt. Mercedes technology saved two lives here. The crumple zone saved the woman in the Honda and your Benz saved you.

Freestyler · #14 05-07-2003, 08:03 AM

Impressing!

I was rear-ended by a Vauxhall a couple of months ago. The Vauxhall was thrashed. -Lights, grill, hood, fenders, radiator.. Everything was smashed.
I couldn't even tell where he had hit me!? Not a single scratch or dent on my Benz. Nothing..

These cars are like tanks.

Freestyler