1980 450SL totaled!

[esfinc]

My husband was driving my beautiful 1980 450SL (my dream car which I got for my 60th b-day--a long wait, but well worth it) and was just leaving a shopping center ready to pull onto a main thoroughfare when smoke began to pour out from under the hood. Within a few minutes an angel carrying a fire extinguisher jumped from a bus and put the fire out. Fire engines arrived and they took care of the smoldering mess. It was towed to a repair place and the insurance company called it a total loss, that is, it would cost more to fix it than it's worth (to them).

We checked various prices on the web and got these from NADA:
Low: $11,950
Av: $19,500
High: $28,100

We think its condition was excellent: 114,000 miles; garaged; no major problems; totally repainted before I bought it 5 years ago; 2 tops both in excellent condition; ran like a dream before last week when it went up in smoke. Its previous owner was a Mercedes mechanic from Germany and replaced everything that was not up to par. He even repainted it fire-engine red (including inside the trunk and under the hood) for me because I was recovering from a bout with breast cancer and this was the car I had to have before I died. Well, I didn't die, and I've loved every minute I've had the car.

The insurance company offered $7,300. I feel I could sell the parts for more than that. I love this car.

I read on this forum how someone got $14,500 for his totaled 1980 450SL in Jan, 2006. And he got to keep the car.

Does anyone have an idea of what I should do: how much to push for; keep the car, too? Can I sell a car that has melted wiring (nothing else was damaged on its exterior or interior--it's all under the hood).

I'd appreciate any help anyone could give me.

Thanks.

Mary E
1980 450SL

[johnathan1]

If I were in your position, I would find out *exactly* what the car needs to be back to the way it was, and get a few repair estimates from different shops, then present those to your insurance company?

[mbboy]

Originally Posted by esfinc

Does anyone have an idea of what I should do: how much to push for; keep the car, too? Can I sell a car that has melted wiring (nothing else was damaged on its exterior or interior--it's all under the hood).

I'd appreciate any help anyone could give me.

Try to get the $7300 and the car. And, if necessary, offer to take less money. The engine of my 280c caught fire several years ago, and the only things I had to replace was the fan shroud and the wiring harness. I've seen harnesses for the 450sl going for $500 or less, and the labor should be less than $500. So you should make out like a bandit. Even if it needs some other things, you'll still be a winner.

[Oracle12345]

Originally Posted by mbboy

Try to get the $7300 and the car. And, if necessary, offer to take less money. The engine of my 280c caught fire several years ago, and the only things I had to replace was the fan shroud and the wiring harness. I've seen harnesses for the 450sl going for $500 or less, and the labor should be less than $500. So you should make out like a bandit. Even if it needs some other things, you'll still be a winner.

x2

[450slcguy]

Originally Posted by esfinc

We checked various prices on the web and got these from NADA:
Low: $11,950
Av: $19,500
High: $28,100

What a joke. I really have to wonder what data NADA is using to value these cars. The low is really the high, and work your way down from there. Your car can be replaced easily for less than 10k. Look to replace it a 560.

[ejboyd5]

From your description it is hard to believe that "melted wiring" is the only problem. Remember that certain fire extinguishing agents can be very caustic and can cause subsantial damage on their own. Also, certain underhood items can be quite expensive to replace. That being said, it seems that you should investigate the cost of returning your car to a running condition. If indeed, the fire did not even progress to the point of ruining paint on the hood, you may be pleasently surprised by your options. Above all else, do not do anything in haste.

[esfinc]

Thank you all for this great advice. I had a feeling the Mercedes mechanic was just heaping on the charges to make sure they would total the car since someone in their shop had wanted to buy the car previously. I'll talk to the person who sold it to me before I make any decisions. I wish he lived closer, but he's several hours away. I'm in the Tampa area if anyone knows a trustworthy mechanic in this area. Thanks for your help. Mary

[RichardLSU]

That $7300 is just their first low-ball offer. They do that to feel out their clients. Make it clear to them that that is an unreasonable offer. If you know the car is worth more do some research and present it to them. If you have a valid case they wont be able to argue with you.

[Filmguy]

I agree with those that say try to get the $7300 and the car. You seem to love this car and I'm sure you can put it right for that...but remember it will have a Salvage title.

If you can't get them to give you the car, unfortunately you may need to face reality on how much your car is worth on the market. NADA is completely bogus. The later year 450s are considered the least desirable of all the r107 SLs. With carefull shopping you can pick up a 560SL with similar miles for $10K, I recently bought a '73 450SL (good year) with 101K miles for $4K (needed $2K in work from sitting, so $6K to be top condition). So if you can't get them to give you the car I'd shoot for $10K.

[nobby]

What? No appraisal to fall back on?
Tsk, tsk.

[TylerH860]

Originally Posted by esfinc

We checked various prices on the web and got these from NADA:
Low: $11,950
Av: $19,500
High: $28,100

I just choked on my Orange Juice when I read that.

[TylerH860]

If your husband never plans on selling it, by all means buy it back and fix it. With the extra money in your pocket perhaps another one can be bought for you.

[JimFreeh]

Originally Posted by Filmguy

I agree with those that say try to get the $7300 and the car. You seem to love this car and I'm sure you can put it right for that...but remember it will have a Salvage title.

Not necessarily. Take the settlement, keep the car. Title never passes out of your hands, therefore is not branded as a salvage.

That being said, burn jobs are always much more costly then they first appear. Unless you have access to another car, that is the same year/model, AND are a talented mechanic, keeping this car is nonsense.

There's a ton of these cars out there, and less than ten g's will buy a decent one.

By the way, your writing implies that you changed the color on your car. That, in and of itself, depreciates the value of your car significantly. If you can get a settlement offer in the high 8's. Take it and go shopping!

Jim

[neds380sl]

Mary- Don't forget, no matter how much you may love it, it's only a bucket of bolts. Don't waste your time trying to fix it (unless the damage is absolutely only superficial). Whatever was done to it, the fire, putting out the fire, etc., may have done more damage than you think. I repaired a car that was totaled twice(!), the second time shortly after I'd gotten it back from the first fix, and wondered afterward while I even bothered. Be glad you're well, and treat yourself to a good, undamaged one, maybe a 560sl, and don't look back. Regards, Ned

[esfinc]

Thank you everyone. All your posts have helped me distance myself from this dream car which would with my kind of luck turn out to be the Nightmare Before Christmas. But maybe this is good luck that is forcing me to let go of the 20th century and look to the new technology of the 21st century. I'm moving from my grieving stage into my philosophical stage. A few more days and a check in my hand will go a long way to moving me back into the happy consumer stage. What should I look for in the 560SL (year, mileage, wear and tear, more)? As you can tell, I know nothing about the mechanics of a car. I'm strictly a curb appeal kind of gal.
Thanks again.
Mary