I rear-ended this SUV this morning with my 1985 300D, no bumper damage, but the grille was destroyed, and the drivers side front end was pushed in, not to mention the hood which folded in half. The driver side lights are smashed up,I peeked inside and the engine looks fine, other than the radiator. When i tried to start it it began leaking motor oil. Also, when i started it the radio came on full blast and refused to turn off, i dont know if thats indicative of some underlying ellectrical issues.Anyone have any idea how much something like this costs to fix? Im really attached to the car, and refuse to total it.
Can you recommend anyone in NYC who deals with MB collision stuff?

thanks,

you can probably get all the parts you need at a Pick-and-Pull junkyard for under $200. There's a yard in Pennsylvania I go to sometimes (about 2 hours from NYC) that should have everything you need; there's a relatively untouched w123 300d there last time I checked (a few weeks ago), and they're extremely affordable. their website is:

http://www.joesusedautoparts.com/EZPull.html

good luck,
dave

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1987 190d turbo, 5-spd conversion -- 146k
1973 280 -- back on the road with a euro m110
1980 300SD -- RIP - Sold for parts (lost battle with rust)

yeah, but then what to i do with the car meanwhile? its at a body shop now, im waiting for an estimate, and if its more than 2000$ i dont know what im going to do. maybe bring it to my regular mechanic then go scout out parts.. what a pain. how depressing. i refuse to junk it. great link, btw

yeah, if the bodywork is too expensive maybe just get it mechanically sorted out first (new radiator, etc), then worry about the new body parts later. I bet the oil you saw was transmission fluid leaking from the broken radiator (the radiator has a built-in tranny fluid cooler)... the engine's probably fine.
If you don't mind mismatched colors, the junkyard would be a great way to deal with the bodywork once the car's driveable again. Then maybe have the whole car repainted somewhere down the road.

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1987 190d turbo, 5-spd conversion -- 146k
1973 280 -- back on the road with a euro m110
1980 300SD -- RIP - Sold for parts (lost battle with rust)

I just went through the same ordeal, my wife ran into a SUV, the bumper hight difference caused the grill, lights, and radiator to be damaged. We did luck out, no damage to the hood or fenders. I was able to get parts at pull a part for less than $100.00. I would guess your oil cooler was damaged (it sits next to the radiator). I am afraid it is going to be pretty expensive from your description if you have a body shop repair it.

Good luck,

Mike

Using about $800 worth of used parts and my own labor, I brought back to life a 1984 300D that had rear ended another vehicle.

Headlight, headlight door, turn signal assembly, radiator, water pump, grill, fan, and fluids. pulled out the bent parts myself, been driving it ever since.

Sounds like yours will take about 200 bux more than mine, using used parts. Expect the repair shop to have a higher cost.

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1998 W202 C230 - The money pit of late.
1984 W126 300SD (356,800 miles) Gone to the wrenchapart
1984 W123 300D Gone to the wrenchapart
1972 W108 280SE 3.5 (sold but not forgotten)
1986 Buick Grand National 3.8l Turbo (86k miles)
1966 Glassic Model 'A' Replica http://www.glassicannex.org

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thanks guys, ill let you know what the autobody shop says. i hope they dont take me for a ride, lol