The Dream is Over: Should I rebuild her?
 

Dear Diesel Fiends:

I bought a really nice '83 300D on eBay back in July for $3K and totally fell in love with the car. It was all original, some minor rust but ran like a champ. I did some minor upgrades (thanks to the folks on this forum) and was planning on keeping the car for a long, long time.

Yesterday my worst nightmare came true: I was in an accident. A 19 year-old girl in an Isuzu Rodeo turned left in front of me at an uncontrolled intersection (her first words to me after the accident? The infamous "I didn't see you!"). I'm okay but the car 's right front quarter is shot.

I've been sitting here all day, seriously bummed out, wondering if I should rebuild or seek out another 300D. My main worries are that they'll never be able to match the quality of the paint and the car will always look like it had been in an accident. I also worry about the cost as it now looks like I'll have to go after the girl's insurance company.

Can you good people check out the picture I've attached and give me some idea what this might cost to fix? One mechanic where I get regular work done is a MB Diesel fanatic and estimated $1500 with a quick look. Does that sound right or is he being too hopeful? Because I'd almost rather sell this car for parts and seek out another 300D that's never been in an accident. Is that crazy?

All best,

DieselFitter

I don't know. That looks like $1500 just in used parts.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Is it worth fixing?
 

Thanks for the quick response.

To answer MapleLeaf: I didn't try driving it after the accident, except to pull it out of traffic. I have no idea about the frame and won't know until I get it checked out next week.

To sixto: You think I should sell it for parts or what?

Thanks,

DieselFitter

You bet your arse you should go after the girl's insurance. They will probably total it. If the car is as nice as you say then try to get "replacement" cost. These cars, in good shape are not cheap anymore. I hate to see you have to go through this kind of stuff but thankfully you were not injured which I guess you were not.

I'm with sixto here - I don't think $1500 is going to fix it unless you plan on pulling used parts at the local Pull A Part and doing the work yourself. Do I see a torn up a/c condenser and radiator - look at around $400 total for those two parts.

What you do depends on how the insurance companies decide to resolve this. You'll either get an offer to repair it or an offer to total it. If it's totalled, see if you can buy it back for cheap and keep it as long as you can for parts while you shop for a replacement. Keep what you need to enhance the replacement and sell off or junk the rest.

There's no decision to be made at this point. Pour ALL your energy into establishing what is fair compensation to you. Seek and save ads that describe cars in similar condition, dig up receipts of everything you've done to the car and receipts from prior to your ownership, etc. You'll need this information to rebut the low trade-in value you'll be offered to walk away from this car.

Good luck.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

as an example
 

This is the ONLY W123 300D listed in todays Saturday Atlanta Journal newspaper (www.ajc.com). Year to a year and a half ago you would have had 5 to 10 listed in there. This one must obviously be a nice one with only 101k miles.

http://cars.ajccars.com/vehicle_details.psp?id=240096574&make=Mercedes-Benz

Replacement Value
 

Thanks for all the replies/suggestions.

I've been saving up listings from eBay for '83 300D with similar mileage (mine had 198K). I also have all the service records and receipts for any work I did. The car was well-maintained and I worry the insurance co. will just offer me Kelly Blue Book value, which seems to be off for these cars.

I just hate the journey ahead: doing all the legwork, chasing people down, etc. Why can't folks just learn how to drive?! This woman pulled out across 3 lanes of traffic when she couldn't even see what was coming! If I had been on a motorcycle, I'd be dead.

Sorry to see that sir. Very sad. I don't have the benefit of viewing it in person but I sure see more than $1500 in parts alone. The piece of metal that your crumpled fender is attached to is part of our frames and it is also damaged. In many States a car with previous frame damage comes under some special laws. I.E., can not be sold at public auction, MUST have a disclosure statement attached even for a private sale after repair. The testimony of a body shop with ASE certifications is the only testimony recognized in many courts these days. There is also the question of OEM parts as some shops cut corners by using cheapo look alike parts.
( Just for the record my ASE certifications include paint and body. I'm not just talking through my hat, eh?)

wow what a shame - glad no one was hurt.
my guess is get whatever ins. $ you can from her - get another nice 300D and keep that one for endless parts.
you realise that those original parts are worth their weight in gold, right?
looks like you kept your car in very good condition so don't let that hard work go to waste. :)

Hood, grille, radiator, AC condeser, water pump, fender, inner fender (yours is to crumpled to straighten), headlight and trim, both fans.

Damage is all sheetmetal and cooling system, she missed the frame -- it's visible behind the bumper.

All the sheetmetal is shot, total cost at a body shop will be $3000 or so with used parts, maybe more.

My friend Hans is in the middle of this exact job (slightly worse hit). $650 for used fender, grille, hood and some bits, he's putting in a new engine (400,000 miles on the old one). I got the headlight at the u-pull for $15.

Makes me wanna cry!

Peter

To Fix or not To Fix: That is the Question
 

Again, I appreciate all the comments/suggestions - thanks!

The only problem with seeking another 300D and keeping this one for parts is I've got no place to stash it. I live in an apartment and don't know anyone who's gonna let me leave a wrecked car - even a MB - at their place. So I suppose I'd take the parts I need initially and sell the rest.

It's just killing me that this car rolled along for 20 years with no problems until it encountered this girl in her damn Rodeo!

DieselFitter

My guess is 3-4 K to have a shop fix it. Just buy another 123 with a blown tranny or engine and take the needed parts off. Cars like that are not heard to find around here for $2-400.00. This is assuming the frame is OK. If you could find a place to do the work swaping the parts is not too diffacult and you might, if you were real lucky, find a doner the same color. Good luck

Fix it man! I definately think that the car is fixable. As previously stated, make sure that her insurance company gives you everything you deserve, because you are in no way at fault, and make sure that they know that before it happened, you had a pristine classic car, and because of the bimbo's negligence it has been defiled.

Insurance companies generally go by NADA. It is more realistic.
David

Last month I had a similiar accident, but alot less damage and I ran into $1500 damage. I parted the car out, got a check from the other guy's ins. co. ($790) and I ended up with an immaculant 1983 300D Turbo. Mine was on the way out anyway (1981 300D) and I ended up with an "upgrade".

I do not see $1500 there, I think it's alot more. For the price of a "new" mercedes your'e better off starting from "scratch".

My two cents.