The 85 SD was "killed" last night, victim of a chain-reaction 3-car pileup. It was car #3.

Nobody was physically damaged.

It had been raining. A dog ran across the road, car #1 hit the brakes, truck #2 really hit the brakes and I STOMPED the brakes


The ABS, 3-point belt and sheet metal crumple zones all worked as they were supposed to.

The SD didn't give up without a fight; it bent the bumper of #2, a pickup truck, completely under the bed. The impact also rearranged all the stuff in the truck's bed.

The grille (with its 250,000km badge) was pushed back to the radiator, the hood was pushed up almost to the point of obscuring my forward vision (like the race car guys when they hit the wall) and of course the headlights were history. I had just stopped to buy replacements; guess I'll go back for a refund.

Besides the sheet metal, the oil cooler was damaged. I guess it was "draining hot"

It was last seen heading north just behind a tow truck.

I haven't heard from the insurance company yet, but given the amount of damage and its book value, I'm guessing they'll declare it to be a "total."

What would you all do, fix it or bury it?

BCingU, Jim

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'96 E300D 61k mi (wife's daily ride)
'95 Audi 90 120k mi (toy)
'92 GMC Suburban 140k mi (toy too)
'85 300SD 235k mi [b][i]RIP[i][b]

I'm very sorry to hear this, but I'm very GLAD that you're okay. I hope you realize that this ol' darlin' probably just saved your life. What if you had been in an econobox of some sort? Afre you sore this morning?

Let's wait to get some more financials from the insurance people before beginning this evaluation. I expect that your guess of it being totalled is pretty much on the money.

If it's a total, make the insurance company find you a NICE SD to replace it. They are around, and some are low mileage and very well cared for. People who buy these cars new, typically have the wherewithall to maintain them properly. Don't take anything less than a perfect specimen. Then hope that it never has to sacrifice it's own life to save yours, like your late ol' darlin' just did.

Best of luck and glad you're okay,

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Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, manual, 533K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Sorry to hear about this. I hate car smashes, I have had a couple and they really shake you up.
I'm not too sure if everybody will agree, but in my opinion, any repair could never bring the car back to its original condition. I had this happen once, and I was quite relieved to hear it was totalled by the insurance company.
I hope you are feeling healthy, and good luck with the insurance company.



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Oliver Plante
1989 300SE 134k
1993 500SE 98K

Don't bury it, recycle it. Keep it for parts for the next one you get. It sounds like not many of the mechanicals were damaged. You can probably buy the car from the ins co for what a few new parts would cost. You might be able to part it out and make a profit.
P E H

So sorry to hear of your accident. Stories like these remind us and should answer the questions of others why we drive these ancient steel yachts.

Reading your post almost sounds like a noble living being giving of itself to protect its master.

Those of us who frequent this forum, have a real passion about these machines.

Mr. BILL

90 300SE
85 300D
84 300SD (sold)

DOn;t bury it if you get another keep it for parts. When I went to the dealer in nebraska i meet a man that had a recked 600sl in his back yard wich a 18 wheeler had hit him and he walked away. He keep it to remind him why he has a Mercedes-Benz. It is sad to hear it will never be the same when mine was recked last year i had it fixed and other people can't tell but i look at it and see every single thing wrond and it drives me nuts.

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Dan Younes
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1985 euro 500sel 230k
1981 300sd 285k sold
1979 240d 298k sold
1983 300sd 272k sold
1989 chrysler 2.2l Turbo
Leabaron 147k
1989 Dodge Carvan Se 301k
2001 Mitsubishi Mirage 1k
2002 Honda Accord 2D LX
Special Edition
1997 S500
(hopefully someday)