Our '96 E300D (W210, OM606NA) was hit at an intersection while visiting San Jose (California, not Costa Rica) yesterday. I was stopped at a red light; the other driver came through the intersection, sideswiped me, and kept going. Compared to other accidents recently featured on this forum, this one is relatively minor. It didn't even pop the airbag, for which I am grateful, given the cost of such things and my $500 deductible.

It's likely that the other driver was uninsured, hence it doesn't matter whether he/she stopped or not. In any case, after taking pictures today, I tried some rubbing compound and discovered that all of the black marks were rubber and plastic from the other car. Removing it left the underlying Mercedes white paint untouched.

There are a couple of scrapes in the wheel, a dent in the fender that may be removable, and a broken side light. Total cost will be way less than my deductible so there's no point telling my insurance company about it and getting my rates raised. I was lucky.

Tomorrow when it's light enough for the camera I'll add another picture showing how all the black stuff rubbed out. Mercedes be tough!

Jeremy

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__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970