Well, It's no longer a question of if or when; some nimrod decided he didn't like being in the slow lane and decided to pull out of it just as my wife and son were motoring by at about 25 mph in our '86 300E. Pranged both passenger side doors pretty good right where they meet. (see pic)

Can anyone recommend a good shop in the Pasadena/Los Angeles area that does really good work? (as long as his ins. co. is paying for it why not get the best?)

Does anyone know bodywork well enough to know how they might approach the repair on this?

Would they just be banging it out and using filler? (really don't want that)

Replacing the outer door skin (can this be done on MB)?

Can body shops in CA still get the factory original paint (Glasurit?) or do they have to use some new environmentally friendly water-based paint?

Can I get a good match that will still look the same as the original paint years from now?

Might I be better off trying to find a couple of good straight doors to hang on the car and have them repainted?

Anybody want to make a guess on the repair costs? I'm going to start getting estimates tomorrow, if possible.

Thanks for any help

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I think I'd try to find a set of doors that match in color and year if possible from a salvage yard. Rust free of course. Might actually be the cheapest way to go and would not have to worry about paint being two different colors in a few years. My daughter introduced the nose of her 300E to a telephon pole a few weeks ago, so I feel your pain.

Yours is a common color. I would try the Salvage yards for replacement doors. It would be cheaper in the long run.

approx. damage amount if here in Orlando, would be about $3480.00
As far as doors, used would the most cost effective, however should you find some in the same color code, there are 4 variations to the tint of your color
Make sure your repair shop strips the used doors down of all parts , paints them, then reassembles them with your good parts/ YES insurance does pay for this... Other than that good luck


Regards, Perry Fisher

Well, I got a couple of estimates yesterday. One was $2683.88 and the other was $2427.04. They both involved replacing the front door and repairing the rear door. Oddly enough, the lower priced estimate called for a new door shell for $620 while the higher priced one listed a used door for $420. One shop told me that "No one can match the paint 100%, so you'll be able to tell it's been repainted" while another told me "You won't be able to tell the difference, gauranteed!" They both want to obviously repaint the front door and blend into the front quarter panel and into half the rear door. "-sigh-" I hate getting bodywork repaired. They can tell me anything they want, but I have to live with the results.

Try Mark lasky @310 479 3223

Alon Told me re the Shop..as My Wagon MUST be redone from the HACKAGE Done at House of Imports...DO NOT USE The House of Imports!!!!

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Thanks for the tip....and the warning! What happened to your wagon?