the vagueries of scrapping cars - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 02-01-2012, 10:40 AM

I went out to my INdies this morning and picked up the shell of my old 280e racer. We coaxed it onto my trailer and I headed out to a little yard out in the boonies that I like doing business with. I called him a couple of weeks ago and asked what he would give for an empty shell with no doors, no drive train etc. He had said $200 which sounded pretty good.

So I mosied out there and when I got there my friend was not to be found but I found his helper who came and looked at and offered me 150. In the mean time my friend came out looking a little fragile as he had had a heart "incident" a few days ago and proclaimed that he would lose money for anything more than $50.

We had a nice chat and he thought I had about 1200# and I think more like a ton.

I decided to go into the big yard in town who said they gave 228/ ton.

So when I got there they asked did I have the title. I said yes. He asked if it was in my name, I said no but it was signed over to me. He said he couldn't take it unless it was in my name, so I came home and parked the rig out back.

Drat! An hour and half wasted.

Now I am wondering if they check the serial number to see if the title matches or if they just say...old mercedes, ok.?

I have several titles to choose from if they don't check the numbers.

jplinville · #2 02-01-2012, 10:48 AM

With the way things are today, they'll check the numbers.

I picked up a junk truck last year for the engine. I didn't bother to swap the title over, and the yards wouldn't take it without the title in my name...even though it was signed over to me. However...I found that if I took the wheels off, they'd take it as scrap steel.

Perhaps if you take a sawzall to it and take it to them in pieces, they'd accept it.

chasinthesun · #3 02-01-2012, 11:04 AM

My understanding if its cut up ,same as above.I used a reciplicating saw once ,the MBs have alot of dbl and tripled metal = alot of broken blades.,youll be much quicker with a gas ax.

t walgamuth · #4 02-01-2012, 11:10 AM

Thanks guys!

I guess I will get the title in my name.

t walgamuth · #5 02-01-2012, 06:55 PM

I found another yard 20 miles away that pays 240 and will take a title that is signed over to me. So at 8 am tomorrow I will be at their gate.

t walgamuth · #6 02-02-2012, 10:35 AM

My friend was right about the weight. It was within about 30# of his estimate. They did give me $139 for it though and were not fussy about the title....taking it with it signed over to me. They did check the number on the chassis too.

The little lady who gave me the money was easy on the eyes too!

Air&Road · #7 02-02-2012, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

My friend was right about the weight. It was within about 30# of his estimate. They did give me $139 for it though and were not fussy about the title....taking it with it signed over to me. They did check the number on the chassis too.

The little lady who gave me the money was easy on the eyes too!

The eye therapy never hurts anything.

Jim H · #8 02-02-2012, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

The eye therapy never hurts anything.

I disagree! It can lead to a bald spot that forms on the back of your head where the Mrs. lands a WHAP! while you engaged in said eye therapy...

dynalow · #9 02-02-2012, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim H

I disagree! It can lead to a bald spot that forms on the back of your head where the Mrs. lands a WHAP! while you engaged in said eye therapy...

t walgamuth · #10 02-02-2012, 05:19 PM

I just look until I need glasses.

mespe · #11 02-02-2012, 05:39 PM

My experience has taught me that every scrap yard has different rules. One says no engine, no transmission, no title necessary, the other guy says if it's cut up no title necessary, and then some won't take it if it has a fuel tank, they don't realize where the tank is on the benz's
Current scrap around here is $250 a ton.