This correlates with my experience with front end hits.

Yes, you can repair it. You can only make an economical argument if you buy used parts and do it your self. That 420 will give up everything you need, but it's best to have it side by side, as there will be be many other things that need to be replaced that will not be obvious at first inspection.

Biggest problem is radiator support and the inner fenders, no doubt these are tweaked and need to be brought back into perfect alignment in order to hang all the exterior sheetmetal. If you don't spend the money and time to get this part correct (i.e. professionally done on a frame machine), you'll end up with odd panel gaps and potential interferences with the front of the engine.

I put one back together 6 years ago that looked like this, AND I already had a parts car, and it still cost me over $2k by the time I was done. My bumper didn't even have a scratch on it. Chances are, the suspension is fine, but don't discount the damage to the inner fenders and radiator support both top and bottom areas...

Sorry to see it happen, bummer.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Firewater, as Jim mentions it's the hidden damage that causes problems and increases the repair complexity/cost. It would be a good idea to have a body shop use a frame machine to confirm there is no frame damage on your 560SEL before spending time and money on cosmetic repairs, only to learn the frame is bent.

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Fred Hoelzle

take the opportunity to buy another one and sell off the drive train from this one. Now's a good time to downsize to a more ecomonical E or C class. The 560 is just a huge big pig relative to what else is out there.

Then again, if you really like to tear things apart and pull out your hair as you put it together and you have the time and space to do this, not to mention another car around to drive while this one gets fixed, go for the fix.

-CTH

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- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/

Man, no inspiration here. It is not as dark as the Massachussetts winter that led to this unfortunate incident. I say take on the challenge using the help your friend has offered - you can always get some help from a body shop if you find you need it.

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.
Abraham Lincoln

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Prost!

This looks like a car that my daughter hit a deer with last summer. The $350 is a good deal on the parts, but that radiater cross piece will be a real bear to strieaghten out if you can get a good one you will be better off replacing it, it is spot welded in place so is not to diffucult to replace.

Yeah..that isn't a bad accident as far as accidents go..lol...just do us all a big favor and take it to a body shop. I can't tell you how much I hate seeing 560 SEL that has two or three different color body panels on it. Have some dignity man..lol. Good luck

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1990 560 SEL- "Goldielocks"
1984 300SD TurboDiesel- "Ole' Blue"