Car did its job, deformed dramatically to protect the occupants.

Lots more plastic and composite materials than 20 years ago...everything designed to crush and break away to dissipate energy during the collision. Old school 1xx bodies were more brute strength, heavy steel everywhere.

Did the air bags deploy? If so that might alone total it due to cost of air bag replacement.

Was the engine damaged? Obviously front accessories/rad/condenser toast but what about the engine/oil pan/mounts/transmission?

What were the circumstances of the accident?

__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech