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.

86560SEL · #10 03-03-2009, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firewater

Airbags I suspect didn't go off because the bumper wasn't hit, it just skirted the top.

Yeah and if the impact had of hit near the bumper, you probably would have had only little damage.

E150GT · #11 03-03-2009, 11:58 PM

that damage looks similar to my 300sd and the bid to fix it was 5k

babymog · #12 03-03-2009, 10:12 PM

It's not exactly a Chevy, the inner fenders and radiator support are all part of the welded body structure.

cth350 · #13 03-04-2009, 10:51 PM

take the opportunity to buy another one and sell off the drive train from this one. Now's a good time to downsize to a more ecomonical E or C class. The 560 is just a huge big pig relative to what else is out there.

Then again, if you really like to tear things apart and pull out your hair as you put it together and you have the time and space to do this, not to mention another car around to drive while this one gets fixed, go for the fix.

-CTH

Hirnbeiss · #14 03-05-2009, 06:46 AM

Man, no inspiration here. It is not as dark as the Massachussetts winter that led to this unfortunate incident. I say take on the challenge using the help your friend has offered - you can always get some help from a body shop if you find you need it.

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.
Abraham Lincoln

brownrestoratio · #15 03-05-2009, 05:23 PM

This looks like a car that my daughter hit a deer with last summer. The $350 is a good deal on the parts, but that radiater cross piece will be a real bear to strieaghten out if you can get a good one you will be better off replacing it, it is spot welded in place so is not to diffucult to replace.