My beautiful car has been destroyed
 

Thats right, I was driving on I-95 south in CHester, PA when all the traffic came to a very abrupt stop. The cars in front of me locked up brakes and had a really short stop. I was far enough back to slow down and be able to move in avoidance, but the young girl driving behind me wasnt so able.

I was 95% out of the lane, car at an angle changing lanes rapidly when she smashed my left rear quarter panel. It tore open. The effect of her hitting me was for my car to obey physics and skid forward a bit (despite tires and direction being out of the lane), causing me to graze the side of the car in front of me. I stopped from that impact alongside the car that in front of me, and the car that hit me continued onward to hit the car that originally was in front of me.

I was completely safe, my dear car provided an excellent cage for me, but the car wasnt so lucky, with the rear quarter panel shot, front quarter panel scraped up, rear bumper completely off, opposite side of the car rear top quarter panel buckled out, trim strips on car fallen off (one managed to end up on the other side of the road), and my car ruined. The driveline seems to still be 100%, it runs great, the problem is just that the smashed quarter panel bent metal to the point that it contacted the tire. I could move the car, but the metal rubs strongly against the tire, so it isnt good for more than short distances.

I'm not ashamed to say it, after the cops and other cars left, and I was waiting for a bit of assistance, from my parents, whom I was going to meet for lunch, I broke down and weeped and cried. This car was my pride and joy, I loved talking about it, driving in it, telling people about how great old MB diesels were, etc. I saw one drive by as I waited there, and it brought a smile to my face. But I cried and cried. Here I am, 6ft 4, 225 lb athlete, college gradute, mature young man, and I was weeping over my beautiful car that was ruined. I am completely distraught, rather depressed, and uncertain of what will happen. I fear that my car wont be repairable, arent those rear quarters attached to the roof and overall structure?

I would love any advice anyone can give regarding dealing with insurance companies to get satisfaction with cars like this. Mine was pristine, had lots of $$$ invested, and it is such a shame. It ran like it was day #1. I dont want to get ripped off by her insurance company (the officers there advised me that the girl that hit me was at fault for the whole thing). I can assure you all that a large portion of the weekend will be spend searching the archives to see how others dealt with insurance companies after getting hit. I know there were lots of issues.

So Ive attached some pics. Please tell me if you think it is repairable, I really hope so. I know adsit sells some w123 body panels, etc.

ANy comments or advise would be great. Thanks very much,

JMH :(

another

ruined

more

Sorry to hear that
 

My wife just had a accident in our 1983 300D a very nice car, they totaled it & we got $3600 on the payout..I hate to say this but looks like your car is not repariable by the insurance standards..I took the money & sent the car to charity (still driveable) good luck.. :(

one more

that liquid on the ground was my ruptured bottle of rotella DFA.

Please tell me that it can be repaired somehow. Can those rear quarter panels be replaced?

Thanks,

JMH

pics

opposite side buckling

Very sorry to hear about your loss.. that quarter looks horrible. I hope she had insurance. Start gathering ebay ads, newspaper ads, etc on the replacement price of your car. The insurance company is going to offer you something rediculous but don't accept thier first offer. You can also buy it back at salvage value from them after your claim is settled.

It may be able to be repaired.. I know a great body guy in Dover, NJ (Morris County) if you are interested in an estimate.. very reasonable.

I remember reading about a member who has a 300CD, I think, and he's fixed the 1/4 panel on his car a couple of times. I don't think its impossible but I think a shop would charge lots to do it. I think the member fixed it himself.
I too would weep.:(
I hope you are able to save your car. It was a beautiful car.

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. The good news is that you or no one else was injured. That damage looks pretty bad. I have seen them total some out with that much damage, but some of them can suprise you. My uncle had a crash in his 2003 Nissan Frontier 4dr 4WD crewcab Supercharged truck a couple of months ago. He lost control due to a suspension problem around a curve and sharply side-swiped a tree. It was damaged from front to back. The passenger side "A" pillar took a very hard hit- so much so that it smashed the front windshield and buckled the roof, shattered the rr door window as well as the rear window. It also broke the lights- from front to back. :eek: Luckily, neither of them were hurt, but his daughter was covered with glass and he could not get a signal on his phone, so he drove home, then called the police. His truck has set at his house for a while- battling the insurance company, because they want to "fix" it. He still has the unresolved problem with Nissan Motors, because of the "Vibration/suspension" problem it had since day #1. I think they finally took the truck and is repairing it, but I am sure he will sell/trade it in. I was amazed that they did not total it, due to the extensive damage- not to mention it set there for weeks, with crashed windows, with rain entering the cabin. :rolleyes: :eek: , because he did not cover it up.

As mentioned, your car really done its job though- the crumple zones really absorbed the energy and the passenger cell held up 100%. I am wondering though- what was the girl driving and how badly was her automobile damaged?

Good luck. Hopefully you will be able to repair this one, or get another one in perfect order.

The girl was driving a late 80s oldsmobile or buick, smaller size car. I was actually amazed how little damage she had, my car took all the damage, and hers significantly less, even after two collisions.

I can say that the trunk floor, spare tire area, etc was all stragight and looked normal. The top of the opposite side quarter panel showed a bit of buckling, but not too much.

To me, this means that the frame didn't bend or warp much, but rather the energy impact of the crumpling quarter panel, and sheer force required to move my heavy car with brakes applied most likely absorbed most of the force. If the frame is in tact, I'd imagine that the quarter panels could be repaired. The front quarter panels wil be an easy replacement job, I know adsit sells 'new' ones for like $99 each.

I just hope the frame is straight, and that they can cut and weld new rear quarters.

JMH

Sorry to hear about that JMH. We get very emotionally attached to our vehicles, even though they irritate us so often. Good luck with the insurance and hopefully with repairs.
JL