thePintobean

So July 11th i was rear-ended and a corolla was forced under my car. At first there was no physical damage but I noticed a lack of power. I thought the exhaust sensors were knocked out of place and the engine retorted itself as typical over engineered EU standard German cars do. So i went about my business driving around my 02 like normal throwing gears like a child and still out pulling v6 pony cars from 3rd gear. Then things got interesting Two days before my first day of my senior year of High School i heard a knocking and I told my dad i though it was the drive line, he said no probably the cats so i kept driving it like usual. Then on the first day of class i shifted into third heard a knock and blew my diff in many pieces all over the road in front of my school.
So my buddies stopped to help and we jacked up the car rather embarrassingly on the road next to my school and saw diff fluid all over everything and the road and about three missing, and or bald gears.

So, this is where my question comes in. The jerks at Alfa didn't get into contact with me for a full month to fix the shock damage to the bumper. So when my diff blew i called them and said he guys heres the situation, and had it towed to my local certified mech/friend. he said the corolla moved the drive line enough to affect the diff angle and the torque was slowly grinding it to pieces. Here's where my issue comes in. Alfa in typical big insurance fashion is fighting me tooth and nail to fix it. They jacked it up took pics of the box it's self and said no way. We called Bs now they are putting us off/ trying to take it to the local dealer who charges 350/hr for labor ( which price and all will total my car in Alabama ). So guys my red w203 6 speed which i've cared for since i was a child is in jeopordy of being cubed. I don't know what to do because i can only afford liability on my insurance so i have to rely on this guys company ( who is at fault ). My thing is I'm coming here for advice my parents don't understand fully what that car means to me, and I'm sure my fellow merc drivers can understand what it's like to have a gem like that ( especially a 6 speed ). So guys what should i do to take care of this situation ? Sorry for the text wall, but thanks for the advice!

LILBENZ230

What?

That explains it.

That's a blown diff, alright.

Are you sure the diff didn't just reach the breaking point while you were "throwing gears like a child" taking out "pony cars"? With the attitude you exude down to the garage information "not the pansy 1.8" and all it is difficult to find sympathy.

The fact of the matter is that even if this is residual accident damage, it won't take a lot to total an old CL203. The car is worth very little today. If the insurance ends up agreeing to the diff damage being accident related along with other damages they may feel it better to simply write it off. You may should prepare for that, then you can buy it back from them and fix it if you wish.

thePintobean

It's a metaphor really. I bought that car from my parents and like i've said I've worked on it plenty. I know it's not an AMG but i like to have fun driving with my friends. Honestly the local mech told me the tranny, clutch, engine are all in good shape. I wasn't really looking for a satirical response, if thats what this boards about i might as well delete this thread/ account. Also the 1.8 thing is a joke that thing in the c250 is a monster on torque. I'm not your typical teenager driving a rice rocket my family is employed by mbusi, my father is an engineer i have lots of respect for the work that goes into designing these cars. And by the pony car thing out of all my motor head friends they give me **** for driving a import. I pride myself on proving them wrong that's simply what i meant.

LILBENZ230

Those old 4.0L V6 Mustangs were a joke.. Takes real brass for anyone who drives one of those to give anyone else hell.

Like I say, though, if you've driven it roughly it could simply have blown from that even though the timing is coincidental.

It really won't take much to total it. But you can always buy it back and have some cash leftover to fix the diff somewhere more reasonable than the dealership.

tommy

If you're going to have a thin skin on a car forum, then yes, maybe you should delete your account and move on. You pretty much guaranteed a response like LILBENZ' with your initial post on this thread, so tone down the attitude and you'll get along better here.

He's right about the diff - probably will end up totalling it IF they agree that the diff was also a result of the accident. There seems to be a good chance of them fighting that, though, based on your post. You're probably going to have to resort to negotiations/threatening to get a lawyer involved, etc.

I'd have to say that if you can only afford liability on insurance, it may be time to cut ties with your Benz anyway. You're guaranteed a couple of grand a year at least in repairs once you start having problems; they're not too reliable, and fixes are always a good bit of change.

While I agree with your sentiment on the "pansy 1.8", it's probably not a good way to start your introduction here. Good luck - you're probably looking at a semi-protracted battle with the insurance co.

thePintobean

Thanks guys. I'm not one to have a thin skin but i've just been in bad mood lately. The main thing is my parents can afford the repairs but I feel bad taking the money from them considering they are about to pay 12,000 in out of state tuition.

Glyn M Ruck

Find a used rear axle & move on. Have the car measured to make sure it is not bent.

Hatchman

Get a new/used rear end. People have been wrecking these cars for a decade, so you should be able to find parts in a junk yard somewhere. If you make enough money to buy the Benz from your parents, you should make enough to repair it. As a senior in high school, you must have had a nice summer/after school job to buy a Benz.

jetta02awp

The previous owner of my car replaced the rear diff in January and it cost him $2300. I have the receipt. It was a used one that was taken apart and rebuilt with new gears.

If you love your car as much as you say you do. Suck it up and fix it and stop beating the crap out of it or buy a Honda. The other guys insurance is never going to cover it.

Carsy

Unlike some ,I can remember what it is like to be young , have an old car & have the pleasure of thrashing the daylights out of it.

This is a mechanical learning experience for you & now you have the job of sourcing spares at the right price & have them fitted. See if you can do most of it yourself with some guide from an experienced mechanic. you will learn a lot about how a diff works ,tolerances , alignment & lubrication. When your fingernails are dirty , skin missing from knuckles & your girl friend enquiring about the pungent gear oil smell that is following you around , you may go just a little more easily on the throttle next time .

Good luck & keep us informed of the outcome.

Carsy.

Glyn M Ruck

Wise advice! Had to rebuild many a broken Alfa in my youth. But hey! it was fun. My Dad's attitude was ~ "You break it, you fix it & buy your own tyres you keep ruining". No free cars in our family.

LILBENZ230

$2300!

I agree about the insurance likely will never cover this.

C230 Sport Coup

Yes. Get the parts hire a shadetree guy, should be plenty in AL.