Deer Strike!
 

Sadly, my white 1991 350 SDL is no longer free of body damage ... Saturday night smacked a buck at about 30mph with ABS kicking in during hard braking.

Rather limited damage, actually - driver side lights are history, metal frame underneath and the light wipers are smashed, and the hood has a crunched spot.

Anyone able to recommend a really good paint shop in Northern Virginia? I live in the Burke/Farifax Station area.

Ouch that really sucks!:(

I almost got one a week ago with my e300.

Extreme braking, tires screaming to a stop.
All my sales material & briefcase slammed into the dash and the front seat-backs as I missed him. A young 2 point buck without much experience dodging cars @ dusk.

Good luck with yours.

You have my sympathies. I live across from a huge forest preserve and dodging deer has become all too commonplace.

Sorry to hear that, George. I saw blue lights flashing on 123 the other morning as I was driving to work just before I got to George Mason University. It was a car/deer collision. Somebody else I know personally hit a deer on 123 at Burke Center Parkway a few years ago. The deer are pretty thick around where we live.

Did you check the garages/mechanics section under VA. I seem to remember several body shops mentioned there.

You get to keep the carcass?

:silly:

I can recomend a fantastic shop. Browning's in Manasass. I was rear ended in Tyson's a couple of months ago in my SL600 and they replaced my entire rear end and matched the paint and no one can tell the difference. Bobby Browning owns the shop and won't cut corners on his work. I'll post before and after pics tomorrow when the weather is better. He's also doing a repaint/restoration on my 560SEC and I'm confident it will look great! His number is (703)369-3020. Tell Bobby that the guy with the green SL600 had you call.

Edit:
Browning's Auto Body Inc
8421 Maplewood Dr
Manassas, VA 20111
(703) 369-3020

Also in N. VA there is Wagonwerks (not sure of spelling) and in Rockville, MD some employees from Wagonwerks opened up their own shop.
One reason I mention Wagonwerks, when I was their last (2002) a women was there with her burgundy SDL. that looked as if it just came off the Benz assembly line. It was one of the most beautiful luxury sedans I had seen.

I hit a deer in a Mercedes C-class rental car last Feb. those things are unpredictable, better the car took the damage then you or your passenger.

The work Wagonwerks has done on my car I've been very happy with, twice they did work on my black sedan and I don't regret a thing. I live in Baltimore so when I drop my car off at Wagonwerks it is a subway then train ride home so for me it's quality not convience.

Thanks for leads!

Got first estimate today - $3333! I had guessed about $2000 ... likely insurance company will come back with used parts thing ...

I'll probably try Brownings, as well - since they are relatively close - while car is white and easier to match than some, the paint work will be very noticeable!

Since the entire light assembly was smashed, seems like a good time to do the euro light conversion ... :-) (silver lining is small cloud)

I never knew about Browning's until the insurance company of the person who hit me recommended them. I did some checking and they are good. The insurance company wanted to put used parts on and Browning's was able to put new parts on and keep within the insurance adjuster's esitmate. They do work for several major insurance companies, but they looked out for my best interest. Good luck and let me know how things turn out.

powerpig,

Met and got estimate - it is a long way from my place - I think will stay with a local shop - decision driven by the amount of time involved ... Bobby seemed like a great guy, though.

Thank you very much for the recommendation - will let you know how turns out from current shop ....

George

Hope it works out for you. Keep me updated.