Any documentation of the current market value of similar cars is appropriate. E-bay ads, ads in AutoTrader, and even the local newspaper will suffice. The most important thing, as tom w. mentioned in a previous post, is not to look at their first offer as the only one you have to take. I would not want to have them total it, and then buy it back; I would want them to fix the car, because that is what they are supposed to do. You may have to argue a bit with them to get them to do this but, in my experience, they will eventually give in and fix the car. Not too many years ago, I was involved in an accident that caused more extensive damage to the front of my '84 Volvo than shows in your picture. It cost $2250 to fix, including paint work, and the insurance paid for it (car had approx 388,000 miles at the time). Don't buy parts from a dealership, let the insurance co. use used parts; this will lower the overall cost of repair and make the decision easier for them. Looks like a solid old car, I wouldn't settle for anything less than them making it look like it did right before the accident.

Good Luck!! --Chris

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Christopher
'06 Mercedes E350 station wagon (silver/black)
'85 Mercedes 300D (black pearl/palomino)
'85 Mercedes 300SD (smoke silver/burgundy)
'79 Cadillac Sedan DeVille

'05 Toyota Camry (because always running is nice)

'85 Mercedes 300D sold back to orig. owner 8-1-06
'84 Volvo 264GL Diesel, owned 2000-2013

I am not sure well I came out. After numerous calls to get a hold of an agent that has continuously dropped the ball I have made a verb agreement this morning. This agent said that the estimated repair was $5379. At this amount the car is considered totaled. With the car considered totaled the agent stated offered a settlement that the market value was $4400 + Ohio tax which is near double of what I was expecting from him. He continued that if I wanted to keep the car he would pay $4050, but I would have to go to the BMV and have the title redone as salvage, send a copy of the title to the insurance company, have the car repaired, and then inspected by the Ohio State Patrol to have the title redone as ‘good’. I asked the agent if there was a way in which this could be done without totaling the car. He said that they would not total the car in the context that I accept an amount and sign a waiver. I offered if he paid $4400 (market value) that I would sign a waiver (some document to keep from totaling the car and coming back to the insurance company) and be done. To my surprise he immediately agreed. Perhaps I should have held out for more, especially since there is not rental involved because I have been driving Madeline all of this time. Also, I have been suffering great emotional distress from not having Miss Margaret around to drive. She always sets in the garage at night, however, since the beginning of the month she has been setting outside. I feel terrible about how she has bee treated all of this time.

Do some of the work your self and you should be able to have her as good as new with that money.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

I think that came out pretty good. Have the body shop get used sheet metal and you should be good to go.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Besides the M-B dealship does anyone know where I can find body parts? I can find several sources for a hood, but fenders seem to be very hard to find. I have tried Sherman's, but they are out of stock and I was informed that it was not know when they would be available again. I don't HAVE to have a NEW fender, but if I find a used one I want one that is not rusted. I have a fender on my 200D parts car, but this car is so rusted the metal is 'mushy' in many places.

Pickup a Hemmings Motors magazine at Barnes & Noble. There are wrecking yard ads in the MB section. Also, if you are friendly with a local collision repair place, see if they can score you the fenders.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Look to junk yards out west and in CA.

If you are buying new buy OE sheet metal. The aftermarket body parts are cheap.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

i'd bet a good man with a frame / front end shop could have that all pulled out for you for less than a grand. i think it would be a interesting project myself. don't give up on the car. i assume the pasenger side doors open ? if so, its a fairly decent thing to pull back into shape. you would be amazed what these frame guys can do by just heating and pulling sheetmetal back to where it came from. it'll be fine although the insurance co may total it. be CERTAIN you buy it back. call a frame and axel shop for an estimate. good luck
davidh

The door could be opened if forced, but I have let it alone because the door does seem to be damage, but if forced it might. I have not given up. Last night I contacted the person that was recommended to me. He does body work part time so it may be a while, but I am in no hurry; I want the car fixed right.

Well, I got Margaret towed home last night. Now to get a complete list made of all of the parts that she will need. I got the fender pried away from the tire and drove her about 1/2 mile....much better that I expected. It was soooooo good to here that 617 turbo run again. This morning I just remembered about two abandoned W123 sedan that I might be able to check out for parts as well.

Well, I have been trying very unsuccessfully to load and post two pics of Margaret. The person that was going to perform the repair does not have high tech body equipment. He suggested that I go to a professional body shop to have the core repaired and then he would be willing to repair what was left and repaint. I go Margaret back tonight. Boy did it feel oh so good to drive her. I have a new hood and fender ordered. I hope to have all of the parts by mid December and perhaps a 'new' Margaret for 2007.

I have a new fender and hood on order. I hope to have them by mid December. I originally thought that I could get her back on the road by the first of 2007, but now it looks like it might be another month or two. Here she is with the core repair and a temporary bumper. The fender does not attach at the top mount above the fender; need to do soe straightening there. I really miss driving this car.

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The hood and fender arrived and today I took her to the shop to have the rest of the work and reapint done. Anticipation!!!!!

Margaret is in the shop getting stripped and repainted.
You will hear me hooting and hollwering around the world when I get her back.

How can I have and online celebration? Virtual keg?

It is more than I want to spend, but I wonder if I should get a set of these for her?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/14-Mercedes-380SL-OEM-Chrome-Wheels-Rims-450SL-107-116_W0QQitemZ300064821914QQihZ020QQcategoryZ43954QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

when the chrome starts lifting under the tire bead the slow leaks will be a PITA

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Bill

'82 300SD 195K
'84 300SD 199K