Well, Brown Betty took one in the ass today. I really hate driving in Austin.

Guy didn't watch me braking hard for traffic at a light and just plowed into me going somewhere between 30-40mph.

He tried to tell cops that the guy in front of me slammed on his brakes and ran. That the accident was that driver's fault... Well, the front of my car didn't hit anything.

He Acura Legend looked like crap, though.

As for Betty? Looks like a total loss in the eye of any insurance adjuster. The roof line is bent at the break between the rear glass and the rear passenger door. The whole back qtr panel is toast. Both passenger doors are pushed into each other and cannot be opened.

And to top it all off, it was running like a finely oiled machine. Well, it was a finely oiled machine. I just changed it, new filters all around. Tightened the new belts up a little more, too. Smooth and powerful to and from work and the A/C almost hurt it was so cold. Screw you, Murphy!

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__________________
'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter

Yep, that is now a doner.
Prepare for the onslaught of those who "say" they would fix it, it ain't that bad.
Yes, it is......
Sorry this happened!!!!

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Yeah, those doors are never going to line back up...

I'll have to see how they (StateFarm) want to wring me out on it. I'd like to see if I can salvage it myself and transplant the motor into a more 'tired' car that still has good bones.

174k on the odo, 18 month old complete suspension rebuild and almost rust free body save for the spot under the battery.

I was so ready to get this thing in the paint shop next summer. We are going to be debt free this winter and I'd have a nice chunk of the budget to spend on it...

__________________
'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter

I'm with jimmy...

but isn't it impressive how none of the glass broke...?? gives the illusion of being a minor accident.

Bummer, that really sucks.

It wasn`t the driver in front of you that is at fault, it is the driver behind you that is at fault. best part, there doesn`t seem to be any injuries, maybe a few on the other guy .

Well it was me, I would buy it back from the insurance co. and save every nut bolt and plastic bit from her. then find another good wagon, and you will have a good supply of parts. might even cut out the floor pans, always some one looking for them back east.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Yep, find a wagon with a bad motor & trans.

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

ARRGH.

This is really upsetting. I'm very sorry for your loss and all the forthcoming complications. You had a nice car. Hopefully Statefarm is generous in their offer, but if not, get all the documentation you can on the value of these cars.

I don't know where this happened in Austin. But, my experience with the city is that there are a lot of somewhat fast roads and a lot of lights. I'm sure this kind of thing happens often.

Good luck with everything...

__________________
1984 300D, 228k, Light Ivory, Java MB-Tex

Damn, that sucks I second finding a wagon with a bad motor/trans... I wouldnt let your Driveline go to waste

__________________
hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

pity your not near Tyler, you could use the bullet body!! See the thread below

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

Sorry to hear that, man. I'm not a fan of Mr. Murphy's little list either.

I know it's got to suck knowing the TD is doomed, but how about yourself? Everything OK neck and back-wise?

__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

Stiff/sore this morning. Going to the MD and the Chiro as soon as they're open.

Yeah, the glass was amazing. When I saw him coming in hot, I thought I was in for a nice explosion of glass. None.

The frame around the back qtr glass seems to have been the pivot point for the major bend. Seeing the door gaps go down to 0 is pretty strange as well.

Another testament to how strong these cars are.

And Tyler isn't that far. I've driven there a few times before. Is the 'bullet' body in good shape? Isn't that the silver one I've seen mentioned here before?

__________________
'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter

x3 There was a TE on Craigslist in Denver a few weeks ago that needed a motor.
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1852712248.html

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

The picture of Bullet looks like it is the JY and a fork lift is ready to throw her on the pile .

Damn, that is 2 down here on the forum, and I just saw 2 in the PNP yards.
and there is a guy here in town with a 79 euro and 4-spd he won`t sell, because it is "valuable". It is full of junk with a tarp covering the roof, and with the shut doors holding it on, while it is slowly rusting away.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Call the HUmane Society. That puppy is being abused!

I'm checking on that 230TE in Denver. I have a friend who is up there right now.

-Andrew

__________________
'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter

Bullet is the purty red one receiving the transplant, Trigger is the silver donor. Trigger's body isn't much worse than mine but Tyler says it looks better in the pics than in real life with much hidden rust.

I bet there are quite a few of these vintage Benzes languishing away because the owner thinks they're "valuable."

__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)