kid wrecked the mb thread

[t walgamuth]

My headlight is a 95.

[97 SL320]

Originally Posted by Maximan1

This is why I have a folder of receipts from my build.

An insurance company is going to pay a claim based on actual market value not what has been spent on the car. Run the car and folder past your agent and see what they say. The only way around that is to buy a policy where you and the company agree on a predetermined value.

[w123fanman]

That car is a 93 at the latest. Has the older style hood and lights, which are easier to source. I may be able to offer a decent black hood when I swap over to the 94+ front end on my parent's 300D 2.5. I'm in Atlanta, not super close but not super far either.

That being said, Euro or 94+ lights would be a great upgrade for the car, especially since it's being driven by a young driver.

[97 SL320]

Originally Posted by benhogan

happened this morning. not my kid's fault. do you think the w124 is totalled? and look at the other guy's car

It's an easy fix however the retail repair cost can push the car into a "total loss" based on the cars value not the extent of damage.

I had a customer whose car was " totaled " buy a run away shopping cart. It was a 70's ish full sized GM that took a hit in the quarter panel. A 15 ish year old car, no AC , or any other real options pushed the value way down. The car still would have passed safety inspection as is.

For used parts have a look on car-part.com

Prior to any body repairs, get the front end alignment checked, I see the tire is flat and it does not take much of a hit to change toe ( easy to adjust or replace a steering arm ) or caster / camber ( might adjust or need a slight pull that you would want to occur prior to fixing the body. )

The car will need a rough pull of damage _BEFORE_ removing any bolt on parts. Pulling parts that you are going to replace pulls parts you are going to save back into place. If damaged parts are removed first, pulling the parts you are going to save is much more difficult. A tow strap wrapped around a strong tree and a come along winch will work fine.

If the hood is difficult to align, replace the left hinge, these can become bent and very difficult to straighten.

[cfh]

A similar thing happened to my 240d a few years back. The insurance adjustor came out to my place to assess the damage and I asked him to please not total my car since I wanted to keep it and fix it and not wind up with a salvage title over a fender bender. Like yours, mine needed a fender and a light assembly and the hood was bent just a little. He explained that the repairs needed to come it at under 75% (I think - maybe 80) of value and I asked him to please make the numbers work - and he did!

I got a check for 2k and found a parts car, same color. Repairs were bolt-on and easy.

That parts car served me well - I later transplanted its manual AC into a W123 coupe replacing the unreliable evil servo it came with.

[HuskyMan]

Remember, the insurance company works for you. You pay a lot in premiums now it is time for them to step up and do right by you. The car looks like an easy fix......just be sure you take it to a reputable body shop. ''


Have the body shop look carefully for structural damage that might impact road worthiness before you make your final decision.....

[sfsegui]

Sorry to hear about the accident. Very similar situation to what I went through roughly 1 1/2 years ago. While the damage to my car was more severe than yours, i was surprised by the settlement I received from insurance company. The main point I continued to focus on when speaking with the insurance company was their ability to get an accurate value for my particular car (i.e. only available 1990-93, diesel, etc.) Good luck and keep us posted on how it turns out. Below is my thread, very similar damage, very similar cars.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/387527-my-91-300d-smashed-now-real-fun-begins.html

[h3ffe]

From the picture of the black MB with front corner damage, it appears to be an 89-92 W124, probably a 300E. Likely the insurance company will total it, but as others have said you can buy it back for almost nothing, fix it cheap, and pocket the difference.

[benhogan]

they declared it a total loss. now just waiting to hear how much they will give me.


quick question---
i know that i can obviously, retrieve my personal stuff inside the car (BeeGee's CD, fuzzy dice, etc.) but could I also get the new Bosch AGM battery i put in just last month? what about the tires and wheels?


Side note -I am soooo glad I did not get rid of the 190d2.5td. i am driving it now and I had forgotten how wonderful it is to drive. It is so fast and love the turbo 'whistle'. It is so nimble.

[Maximan1]

They generally will not let you remove any parts from the car. I wasn't even able to get my radio back from a totalled car, only the personal belongings that were inside the car.

[tjts1]

Originally Posted by Maximan1

They generally will not let you remove any parts from the car. I wasn't even able to get my radio back from a totalled car, only the personal belongings that were inside the car.

That's why you have it towed home after an accident not to the tow lot.

[benhogan]

Originally Posted by Maximan1

They generally will not let you remove any parts from the car. I wasn't even able to get my radio back from a totalled car, only the personal belongings that were inside the car.

ok darn.

[renaissanceman]

Originally Posted by benhogan

ok darn.

You'll be able to buy it back for like $300. Do that.

[97 SL320]

Originally Posted by benhogan

they declared it a total loss. now just waiting to hear how much they will give me.

Buy the car back and fix it. Insurance companies don't want to deal with a car that might bring $200 at auction. Given it is a low value car, the buy back shouldn't be over 10% of what they paid out.

It looks like NC has a pretty painless procedure to get a for road use title but be sure to do some research.

[party]

There's often a way to get it back without a branded title. Figure out what your options are.