Smashed Front End & Hood Latch HELP - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

greazzer · #1 10-22-2011, 12:32 PM

Thank goodness for insurance ! ? Apparently, the hood latch did something and my hood went flying up and smashed my window, bent my hood, hood hinges, "flared my fenders", dented my cowl, and some miscellaneous stuff to include cracking my crack free dash. This may end up totaling O'le Bestsy, but this is a comprehensive claim and not collision. I got a total lecture on insurance last night where the two young ladies on the phone basically told me that if I had collision (this was not a collision claim), I would get about $1,600 for the car and the insurance company would take my car. Nice. Sounds like America.
Any ideas of the best windshiled glass? Can this be removed at some future day if I go with eventually scraping the old girl? I have a totally rust free 300D 1985 which needs a total renovation, EG soda blasting, paint job, et cet. Any thoughts from the forum?
I was in the middle of a half dozen major projects / modifications, and now this. What the @#$%^$%^% ????

Stretch · #2 10-22-2011, 03:12 PM

Damn shame. I'm guessing that that will be an insurance write off.

What's the condition of the inner wings / fenders around the hood hinge holes like?

greazzer · #3 10-22-2011, 05:12 PM

The old girl is RUST FREE !!!! Just the clear coat looks like crap. On January 8, 2012 we were going to celebrate our 4th year together.

junqueyardjim · #4 10-22-2011, 07:47 PM

Well, that is a shame. Hood must not have been quite properly latched, but "accidents do happen"! So, I would see how much you can get without totaling the car and how much can you get with totaling the car. If they total it you probably can buy it back pretty cheap but they will ding the title. But there are plenty of hoods and fenders around, the fenders are bolt on and Safelight will put you in a new glass I think for about $250.00. But largely you can do it yourself repair with used parts and then get it painted, hopefully with some left over funds. Then you will have the great looking 300D you always wanted.

The Clk Man · #5 10-22-2011, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junqueyardjim

Well, that is a shame. Hood must not have been quite properly latched, but "accidents do happen"! So, I would see how much you can get without totaling the car and how much can you get with totaling the car. If they total it you probably can buy it back pretty cheap but they will ding the title. But there are plenty of hoods and fenders around, the fenders are bolt on and Safelight will put you in a new glass I think for about $250.00. But largely you can do it yourself repair with used parts and then get it painted, hopefully with some left over funds. Then you will have the great looking 300D you always wanted.

My daughter totaled my F-150 and the ins. company said that because the truck was 10 yo they didn't have to write totaled on the title. May that would work on his Benz.

greazzer · #6 10-22-2011, 08:44 PM

In sunny South Carolina there is ZERO deductible on glass and they have to install what was there. So, OEM glass where ever that can be located.

I am more concerned that they will total it and the 2 young ladies from my friendly insurance company who ganged up on me stated very clearly that if the insurance company totals it, they will "just pay me 70% of what they determine it's worth and take the car."

Not sure that part is really accurate, but I have an inherent distrust of insurance companies. What a racket: I do everything in my power to never use insurance, I send them money (like everyone else), and when I need it, the insurance powers do everything in their power not to pay out or pay the least that they can. Nice game.

junqueyardjim · #7 10-22-2011, 08:52 PM

Do you have an Uncle or a niece that is an attorney. Do you have a walking, talking relationship with any attorney. Even if you have never ever met an attorney, they can be at the proper time the right people to talk to. Find ouy what a local attorney will charge you for his work. You might be real happy! At times just a simple letter from an Attorney can really change things.

Pooka · #8 10-22-2011, 08:54 PM

It appears that the only real damage is to the windshield. You can install one yourself on these 123's but I would buy one new and let them do it. It is easy to break since it is off center in its' weight and if you put in a used one it will likely have a few pits in it.

The rest looks like it could be repaired over time. Finding a gold 240D or 300D would be the hard part.

If you do have the windshield replaced then pick up a new rubber gasket from the good folks that run this site. It will likely be cheaper from them and also of much higher quality than anything you might find at a glass dealer.

kerry · #9 10-22-2011, 09:08 PM

Collect the insurance, put in a windshield and keep driving it.

Nate · #10 10-23-2011, 05:09 PM

I see a $300 windshield, a $200 hood, a $100 cowel, and $50 worth of wiper arms, plus some install time. Are the fenders ruined, they look usable.

They cant take ANYTHING without your permission. I chewed out an insurance adjuster for 45 min for coming onto our property, into the yard, opening the doors trunk and hood of my car after I towed it home from storage after a crash. My mom was upstairs not feeling well, and nobody else was home. I said I need a phone call...

Anyways, take care, and keep it on the road for sure!

~Nate

HuskyMan · #11 10-23-2011, 07:03 PM

ditto on getting a lawyer involved; tell the insurance customer unfriendly service reps you are not going to take their cr**. If it were my car I'd fix it for sure, these cars are getting more difficult to locate at ANY price.

greazzer · #12 10-24-2011, 07:55 AM

Hey guys,

You motivated me to get out of the slump ! Hopefully I can get the windshield fixed this week so I am moving forward in a postive direction. Already had a former MB bodyshop guy (now retired) take a look at it over the weekend. Damage is a little more than what one thinks. The car may have over $2K worth of damage. Hood & fenders & cowl aside, the real issues are the damages to the hood hinges/spring assembly and where they mount "inside" If this got really dented or pulled out of whack, then this is a tough fix, BUT doable. Also, my dash is now cracked. That is what really PO'd me. So much for a crack free dash.

Stretch · #13 10-24-2011, 08:44 AM

If you need the panel (that holds the hood hinge) I'm 90% sure the dealer still does 'em - but - klokkerholm also do a good version of the original (so I'm told) for a fraction of the cost I've got one on order for my car. When I get it (might be this week - could be next - who knows!) I'll post up some pictures if you want.

As for hinge parts I think fastlane can supply if not I know the dealer can but be warned the hinges are seriously expensive at the dealer...

greazzer · #14 10-24-2011, 09:29 AM

Hey,

That would be GREAT. I would like to see what this panel is since the hinge and where the hinge bolts to is out of whack and that appears to be the most tricky issue.

Stretch · #15 10-24-2011, 10:12 AM

I had a rough time getting the old hinge pin out - I posted some pictures here

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/287176-w123-hood-hinge-repair-nightmare.html

Please note it helps to remove the engine to get the hammer drill right in there!!!!!!