Incendiary

My beautiful, trustworthy 1991 190E 2.6 was declared a loss by my insurance company. My sister was driving it and unfortunately rear-ended a U-Haul truck at a low speed in traffic, from what I understand. Apparently the damages were more than the car was worth, but I disagreed. Monetarily, maybe the assessment was correct, but when I went to take pictures of it at the body shop, it was just like that C-Class commercial... Too bad I don't have any pictures of it when it was in better conditions.

Anyway, it was a nice ride, and could have lasted for many more miles, but all good things come to an end eventually. R.I.P. You've deserved it.

MTI

The impact looks like it took place at less than 15 mph. What figure did they use a "actual cash value"? The reason I ask is that the visible damage to the front area is pretty limited and quite repairable. If there's damage to the chassis (which I don't see from the way the front door line still matches up) then it may be truly a "total loss."

A used hood, radiator support, bumper shell assembly from a recycler and you'd be back in business from a cosmetic point of view.

Incendiary

Yeah, I'm not really sure what was damaged. Didn't look like much to me, either. However, the car was probably worth around $4000, and that's pretty much what the insurance company gave us. I figured the amount to fix must have been higher than that...

Pawsh

Might want to add a radiator to that list, looks like there is some fluid on the ground. Also looks like the bumper support clip(s) snapped, this would cause the sagging bumper. They are like $7/each from the dealership.

crapbuster

I hope mine holds up as long as yours. Mine is at 106000 right now.

That 190E has served you well.

Rod Spohn

It all comes down to if you can do most of the work yourself or have to pay to have it done and of course how much they would be willing to sellit back to you for! I would be tempted to fix it. Mine has 177K and runs like a charm. Great little cars. Are you at least going to replace it with a MB ?

Rod

'84 190E
'96 S320
'03 GMC Sierra

Incendiary

Yes, it served my mother, me, and, for the brief time she had it, my sister well.

Incendiary

Wow, your '84 190E is still running? Awesome!

I actually already got another car when I gave it to my sister. I don't think she'll be needing a car for a little while, but I think when she does, she'll get a MB replacement.

Chamorro

Sorry to hear about the car......but I gotta ask......do you have access to parts?

Incendiary

What do you mean? As in, can I part out the car? Or could I have gotten parts and fixed it myself?

mctwin2kman

I have a 1986 with 160,000 on it and it runs like a top. You should keep that car and fix it. It would not cost much in parts and you can get them from online retailers cheaper than the dealer, like half what the dealer charges on most parts.

Incendiary

I'm sure you're right, but unfortunately we've already parted ways. Insurance company cut us a check, and by now it's definitely been towed away.

I read an article a few months back in the Washington Post about how insurance companies sell their wrecked cars at auctions. Salvagers buy them, fix them up, and sell them in South America for a tidy profit. It's great for all sides, and the people who buy them in South America pay fair prices for a car that runs great.

In a way, I sorta hope that happens to my car. Would be nice if someone else somewhere in the world were able to enjoy it, since I feel its demise was premature.

mctwin2kman

I work for an Auto Auction and you are correct, but they fix them and sell them here as well, just with a Salvage Title. We have a video sale every week with about 10-20 cars and trucks in it. We sell about %70 of them every week.

Incendiary

Just curious, but do you know the Eids? They're from York, PA, and often buy their cars from the auto auctions.