Crunched my 560 SEL in a front end collision - Repair Help? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Firewater · #1 03-02-2009, 10:36 PM

Hi Guys. New to the Forum.

bad luck this week. First my muffler falls off, and now this morning I get into an accident on the highway. The roads flash froze from a very light drizzle and traffic was stopped due to a 10 car pile-up. The fog didn't help me seeing the traffic ahead, I swerved to avoid a trooper stopped in the left hand lane and couldn't stop in time to hit a truck at about 35MPH stopped way too prematurely ahead.

Anyway, I had to get a tow. The extent of the damage looks like this:

-Headlights,
-Hood
-Radiator
-AC Condenser
-Grille
-Fans

What should I be looking for in terms of parts? I don't have collision insurance so I'll be footing the bill on this one. Should I only go with OE parts? Should I stay away from OE STYLE parts? or should I just get whatever is going to get me back on the road the least expense wise?

Also, a guy at work says there is a Black 1987 420 SEL in a junkyard of a friend he knows. He said he can get me everything from the grille to the engine including the hood and grille for $350.

I live in Massachusetts and this is a US model 1988 560 SEL.

Am I getting in way over my head or is this something I can do with a little help? What should I be on the look out for? Thanks for any help and support.

PLeeson · #2 03-02-2009, 10:58 PM

I like the used part idea, but I'd leave the repair to a body shop.
Otherwise, expect to pay more than the car is worth, unfortunately.

Firewater · #3 03-02-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLeeson

I like the used part idea, but I'd leave the repair to a body shop.
Otherwise, expect to pay more than the car is worth, unfortunately.

The damage to the body is really only to the hood part and some of the valence panels. The bumper was narrowly missed and only shaved off the top chrome piece (which was rusted anyway).

I'm thinking I'll take everything into a shop for a look over afterwards, and later on down the road get the hood painted.

tinypanzer · #4 03-02-2009, 11:05 PM

Find a donor chassis and do a transplant.

It doesn't look like your front end got too badly crunched, but on this type of body there's no way to know...... It could look like there's no "frame" damage, but after spending $2K to fix all that stuff, it would sure suck to find out that it just won't drive straight anymore.

More importantly, how will it perform in the next frontal crash if the repair isn't done *perfectly*?

BTW - No WAY you hit @ 35MPH. Airbags would have gone off, and your car would be much more totaled than it is..... The front end would have crushed down quite a ways. Looks more like a 10MPH hit. You slowed down more than you think....

-tp

nissanzx1 · #5 03-02-2009, 11:41 PM

The car is most definitely totaled. If you're not willing or able to do most of the repairs yourself (except painting and the a/c) then it will not make any sense to fix this car.

I'd have the frame and front suspension checked before proceeding with any repairs. If they are okay, I'd source used parts from a junked (or many junked) S-classes of that vintage. Ebay can also be helpful here.

I would think that if you did it all yourself, you'd have about $1400 in the parts including the a/c condenser. Then, you'd have to have someone paint the hood and the metal under the headlights and fix the a/c system. Best case scenario would be in the neighborhood of $2500.

A good body shop would hit that damage at around $6K...

-GH

Firewater · #6 03-03-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nissanzx1

The car is most definitely totaled. If you're not willing or able to do most of the repairs yourself (except painting and the a/c) then it will not make any sense to fix this car.

I'd have the frame and front suspension checked before proceeding with any repairs. If they are okay, I'd source used parts from a junked (or many junked) S-classes of that vintage. Ebay can also be helpful here.

I would think that if you did it all yourself, you'd have about $1400 in the parts including the a/c condenser. Then, you'd have to have someone paint the hood and the metal under the headlights and fix the a/c system. Best case scenario would be in the neighborhood of $2500.

A good body shop would hit that damage at around $6K...

-GH

I am working on the car with a friend of mine from work who has all his life been around cars restoring them. He says it doesn't look too bad.

I did mention that I was able to get all the parts including the grille and hood for about $350. If the Aux Fan is hitting the pulley, I might need a new water pump.

Firewater · #7 03-03-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinypanzer

Find a donor chassis and do a transplant.

It doesn't look like your front end got too badly crunched, but on this type of body there's no way to know...... It could look like there's no "frame" damage, but after spending $2K to fix all that stuff, it would sure suck to find out that it just won't drive straight anymore.

More importantly, how will it perform in the next frontal crash if the repair isn't done *perfectly*?

BTW - No WAY you hit @ 35MPH. Airbags would have gone off, and your car would be much more totaled than it is..... The front end would have crushed down quite a ways. Looks more like a 10MPH hit. You slowed down more than you think....

-tp

Airbags I suspect didn't go off because the bumper wasn't hit, it just skirted the top. Also I have had a problem with my SRS so I think it might even be disabled. The car is in great shape otherwise, I'd hate to **** can it. The car was passed down from my Father then to my Brother and then to me, I got the car for nothing so I think it's worth it to put some money into it. It blue books for about $4700.

Oracle12345 · #8 03-03-2009, 02:50 PM

I wouldnt say its totaled. I would hit the boneyard and pick up yourself the parts you need. if the airbags didnt deploy you should be fine

mpolli · #9 03-03-2009, 03:19 PM

Looks remarkably similar to what happened to my C series. The repair was actually pretty easy for the shop. The only reason I had them do it is I don't have the ability to do the paint. The used parts sound like a great deal assuming they are all the correct. I had a cracked fan shroud also. Luckily my rad and condenser were OK. So you will need some professional AC help with that part.

pawoSD · #10 03-03-2009, 04:03 PM

Thats not totaled....the only body repair it will need is the radiator cross/support piece. The rest should be drop in. New grill/hood/lights/radiator/condenser/possibly fan....and it should be set.

lakeside 500 · #11 03-03-2009, 04:05 PM

I have had luck before with a friendly body shop, the owner recommended a "donor car", which I purchased for a song and all the parts were available, rather than going with new stuff.

LUVMBDiesels · #12 03-03-2009, 08:09 PM

I would take her to a shop to see if the sub frames are damaged. If the suspension is intact, the repairs are very simple. the whole front clip should come off as a unit (fenders, hood, radiator support, front valence , etc.) I had to do the exact same work on one of my Chevrolets. I found out that the entire front clip was held on with eight bolts. Sure saved time over removing the pieces and then trying to align them later...