cfav508

Hey All,


Im a new W204 owner. I have a 2013 sport and have owned it for less than a month. The other day I was leaving home for a trip from Pa to Fla. and wasn't even 2 minutes from my house and hit a deer. I haven't even made a payment on it! After looking at the damage, the car is still drivable and we continued on our trip. Didn't want my sons to be missing out on their vacation.
Back home now and need to fix what the deer broke, all of it is on the passenger side. The headlight is trashed and the fender is bent bad enough that it should be replaced.
My question is, could anyone point me towards a place to get replacement parts? Preferably painted?


Thanks
Chris

babyboxer1

That sucks, sorry to hear about that. Would you consider making an insurance claim? I'm not familiar with US policies, but in Canada, this would be a no-brainer for a $500 deductible.

Anyway, unless you're buying second hand parts, nothing usually comes painted, and for good reason. Your car has gone through elements since 2013 and while we don't notice it, it becomes fairly obvious if a brand new panel is installed with factory paint. A body shop will usually mix the paint themselves (they are supplied the color codes). They compare it to the existing paint, make slight changes to make it match closer, and when they actually paint, they will not only paint the new panels but also blend the new paint on a larger surface. The reason is, because of the elements and even slight color changes between 2 production batches with the same year, it'll never be an exact match. If only a small spot or one panel is painted, your eye will pick up the difference in color pretty quickly. If they blend the paint up to the top third of the hood and halfway to adjacent door, then the blend is not only on a larger surface, but also doesn't end on a line or where a panel ends, making the blending much more subtle.

cfav508

@babyboxer I was thinking about calling my insurance company but, if I can afford to do this on my own, get a part off of another wrecked W204, I will go this route. I don't want my insurance to be put up with something as "minor" as the damage I have.

babyboxer1

Fair point, make sure you get an estimate before you start ordering parts though. I haven't done bodywork in many years, but when a headlight and fender get damaged, there's usually collateral damage on the hood, bumper, maybe the door. There's also clips, supports, and a bunch of little parts we don't see. And with MB's, prices climb really quickly.

Just don't want you to start one route and find out it'll cost you a lot more in the long run.

cfav508

Only the headlight outer plastic is busted completely and the corner of the fender is bent back, NO other damage is done.
Is this fender welded on or can I unbolt it and put another on for a yard?


Called the dealer today and they gave me the run around on it but wouldn't answer the question until I brought it down for them to look at it.

vipsa

car-parts.com should give you a list with everything you need if you're looking for used parts. might even find the same color fender.

cfav508

Thanks, I will give them a try!

MB Marko

THE DEER HIT YOU! i know in canada if i said I hit a deer i would get no coverage lol but damn thats sucks thats my biggest fear driving at night in the country. i would just go to the dealer and ask for some loyalty discount

babyboxer1

The front fenders are not welded on - there are bolts and clips attaching it to the body and the bumper, but it can be removed.

cfav508

I have deer everywhere here in central Pa. I came home from vacation at 0530 and almost got hit again! 5 deer on my front yard alone! I haven't hunted in years but, I think Im going to get a tag this year and sit on my front porch! I am 46 been driving since I was 12 working on a farm and NEVER hit deer Buy the car I have been saving for for a long time and not even 3 weeks and I hit one! I even swerved to miss rabbits earlier that day to have good Karma before my trip! Oh well, I didn't let it ruin my vacation with my sons. Since it is lite damage. I hope to NOT turn it in to insurance and do most of it myself and take it to my painter.

Carsy

Good thinking. Good to see a practical men posting. Growing up on a farm does that!!

cfav508

What year fenders would fit my13? 08-14?

babyboxer1

The headlamps were changed in 2012, so 2012 - 2014 fenders will work.

xjaymzzx

Poor deer

cfav508

Deer is fine. I just caught its hind leg. My son and I looked for it. If it was seriously hurt, I would have put it down. It was LONG gone though. So I can only assume that it was not seriously hurt.

W57thNY

While it seems like your dealer gave you the run-around, babyboxer1 was right. Sometimes, seemingly small damage can hide other potential issues.

The fender is bolted onto the car in a couple places. Should be easy enough to do yourself.