Well.....I am in need of some advice and maybe someone could help.

My 300D rear-ended another car going about 15 mpg. My front-end (above the bumper) was smashed in several inches. Lost both headlight areas, hood needs replacement, needs water pump, needs radiator, etc. There is a good possibility that the engine is still good as it does not look affected and starts right up (ofcourse...I only run for a few seconds). Car has 287,000 miles on it. However, the diesel was running pretty good except for white/gray smoke when first started up...especially in colder weather which appeared to be unburnt fuel until engine warmed up a little.

I towed it to the body shop and estimate is $2800 to fix based on what we currently know.

Looks like it would maybe sell for $2500 based on condition and other selling prices that I am seeing. The car was only in OK shape and also had been dented on the middle side of car in another very slight accident but in this case...only minor structural damage but car was very driveable.

I only had liability insurance so I am responsible for any repairs.

I have had thousands of dollars invested over the past 5 years - rebuilt fuel injection pump, shocks, expensive exhaust part from front of the engine, all new wheel bearings, etc., etc, etc.

I know longer want to keep the car but would like to determine the best way to part with it.

I see my options as...

1) Tow it to junk yard
2) Have it fixed and try to sell it for $2800.
3) Sell any worthwhile parts on ebay (I don't know if this is realistic as I don't know where I would keep it during the parting operation or how I would get rid of anything I did not sell)
4) Try to sell on eBay 'As Is'. Just not sure of value and if anyone would be interested.

Do any of you have advice for me or other ideas on what I should do?

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Jeff L

1987 300D (277,000)
1995 E300 Diesel (122,000)

The lowest return on investment will be repairing it to sell. Next would be the junkyard. Next would be sellng as a parts car, most money would be parting it.
Parting and fixing are time consuming, which leaves the easy route, sell as-is or junk it.

I think I'd try selling it as a parts car first, the only reason to fix it is if you want to keep it.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

yea, parts will bring a lot more

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1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD ~285,000 Miles

I know most of the junk yards around here or the bay area offer you around $50 for a running car you can drive off of a trailer into their yard, absolutely absurd as far as I'm concerned, so taking one to the yard would be my last resort in my opinion. Parting does get you the best money, the catch is as you mentioned, being able to hold onto it long enough to sell most of it off. Parts car is the next best option, fixing to sell wouldn't be too terrible if you could DIY it, but most people don't have the tools and knowhow to repair that kind of damage.

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Chris
64 190D R.I.P.
80 240D W/617 engine -for sale
82 240D -for sale

If it were me....

I'd spend a couple weeks local paper and Craigslist trying to sell as-is for parts for a few hundred OBO.
Then if it didn't sell I'd sell it to the junkyard for whatever I could get.

Take the $2800 you were considering spending to fix it and get another running Benz instead for about 1500-2000 and spend the other $800+ what you get in parts fixing up the new one (because no matter HOW nice, it will need STUFF).

John

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John Hughes, was in Landstuhl, Germany but currently in San Antonio, TX


1978 280CE Astral Silver now 59,xxx miles and counting "Silber-Kugel"
1986 300E Black Pearl Metallic 143,xxx miles 5-spd daily driver w/ blk leather "Schwarz-Schönheit"
1989 190E 2.6 (euro) 5-spd Desert Taupe 112,xxx kms Had to leave behind in Germany!!! "Helga"
1983 300D Pastel Beige now 312,xxx + miles SOLD

OBK#24