pifcat2

rear fenders are creased and bumper pushed in about 10".

Not sure what KBB is but I'm sure it's far from what it would cost to replace. The 260hp engine alone cost $14k in '99 which I doubt RENNTech still builds.

Depending on what the at-fault insurance is willing to pay in repair costs or total I am contemplating:

• buy a clean 300E or CE and transfer the parts
• buy a (non-w124) car and keep the wreck for spares (wife's car)
• save up for an ML430 SUV
• save up for a 500E

SUNILP

We had a exactly similar vehicle in shop and it was totalled. We took the motor out and transplanted it. I am sure you'll have to do the same. If you're in the market for a new car, why not get a e420 w124. More power and more torque.

xudeck

Oh man what a waste of such a beauty.

It hurts me to see that ducktail go to junk. Iv wanted one soo bad.

bjay51d

that sucks....I would look for a 300ce to stuff that engine in

n8nod9it

oh what a bummer dude...that was a sweet ride. Anyways, got your email and sent a reply ok. At least you are ok!

myfirstbenz

That can be fixed, don't trash that car!!!

pifcat2

In my mind the car will never be the same or have much resale value even if repaired by a great shop. My insurer said you "can" press for repair even if beyond the value of the car. I don't plan to repair it but will certainly retain the car for parts for another w124 with a pristine body.

oneill_1

that ducktail looks like it wasnt damaged....is it cracked? selling?

-OG

n8nod9it

I feel ya. I had a 95 M3 that got hit hard, in a parking lot pushing my rear corner in, and i just never could feel the same about the car. I ended up selling it to some guy who was going to put a widebody on it, but he managed to over rev the engine and destroyed the valvetrain before that ever was done. Then i also had a 89 K5 Blazer that got rearended in Tahoe by a Lincoln going 65. Did 15,000 worth of damage and insurance would not total the car. So the dealership took it apart down to the frame and rebuilt the whole thing. Never drove the same and i think that horrible experience scarred me for life...lol Lucky i bought the off-road package with the gas tank rock guard the CHP tells me...otherwise i might have gone up in flames.

pifcat2

The insurance adjuster's verbal offer to pay off my car is $4100 minus $1100 for my wreck. Even if I found an inexpensive base car for say $4k, it would cost me over $3k to transplant the drivetrain and suspension (assuming they are all undamaged). I'm still upset about my wrecked Benz and more so that I may not be able to replace it with what they're willing to compensate me. It makes me want to or
I haven't given up yet, I researched settement actions on the internet and found ads for the few RENNTech equipped w124's on the market ranging from $15k to $38k (convertible) and submitted them to the adjuster. I may have to resort to hiring an attorney but that's still no guarantee and losing his fees would be a risk...

CDP

I hired an attorney for my accident and I got everything I wanted out of everything. More than I expected as well

neanderthal

tell them youll accept a replacement car if it has the same renntech modifications and condition then let them try to figure out how to lowball that.


sorry bout the car. can you hold on to it and get a rental on them while they sort it out? yours isnt a run of the mill 124 after all.

pifcat2

After providing a 1" thick folder of reciepts, they responded by claiming most of the expensive upgrades are 6+ years old and highly depreciated. Their third party appraiser came up with $6k value. Their repair estimates were $7k to 8.5k and the body shop I took it to could fix it for $8.5 to 10k. The insurer offered me 8.5k and will sell the car back for 25% of that. I will likely take it because of the value of the parts.

I actually drove it home from the shop. Someone "could" fix it but I'm still shopping for a clean inexpensive chassis to transplant. It will sit until then...

My wife wants me to pay bills and keep driving our POS van. There goes my cool ride. Thanks to the wreckless driver!

arno

I'm sure you mean reckless, as the driver has already had one wreck at least.

p.s look for a 500E, i've seen them going for about 10-15k for
a nice example.

a'

Jim's500E

Ditto to Al's post....buy an E500E....prices are as low as they'll ever be (hopefully).

Sorry to hear about your Rennteched car tho....let it rest and move on. You're right, it'll never be the same (to you) no matter how well it is repaired. You can get good coin if you part it I bet and roll the cash into the newer ride.

pifcat2

Jim,

I always appreciated your inputs. There are few members I recognize these days, where did Bamberger and others go? I know a few now have 500E's.

I've seen an "affordable" 500E for $10k with 144k but was concerned it may need some high dollar maintenance. I've been fortunate not to have got tickets or collisions in my 3.6L speeding around slow traffic on the highway to and from work. I justify it as theraputic, LOL. A 500E may be more "encouraging" with all that power.

If I don't build an AMG clone I'll start to eBay some of the parts in the next few weeks. I would sell the whole lot if I got a good offer...

Jim's500E

Thanks dude.... Bamberger aka Reinhard is now driving a SWB S-class from 2002 or 2003, nice upgrade , he likes it alot he said....I think he said he has driven his 2 300Es as far/long as he could. I still thinks he pokes around this forum tho. Darn good person.

Hmmm yes, 500Es tend to feel right driving at about 90 mph ...so maybe not a good choice for a daily driver; or maybe a great choice for a daily driver...depends on you and that right foot of yours. How did you stay out of jail anyway with the RennTech 300E? That cetainly wasn't a slug I'm betting. I could NEVER drive the 500E daily...just can't help going way fast in it. And you seem to have other cars to get your fast on...nice silver 914 btw, really nice ! Surprised the motor hasn't ripped the car in 2...gosh.

Yeah, got to be careful....at that mileage (144k), or really any mileage at this age the 500Es can eat up the wallet and they're not without their inherit problems...but really, any other 15 year old (German) car will be a labor of love and money IMO. But I don't think they are any harder to work on or mantain than any other MB of that vintage. Sure beats driving a newer Benz tho, which I think collectively are NOT worth owning...but some of them do have fabulous styling.

But honestly, an E500E would be the logical 'upgrade' to me... yes, I'm certainly biased. My 500E was an upgrade from a 92' 190E 2.6, which I'm pissed about letting go. Some of the best cars were the 1985-95' Benzes ! Might still be too...

pifcat2

Hey Jim,

Between you and McBear I'm starting to think more and more about buying a 500E. I would like to take the next step as well, hell at least I had fun with the RENNTech 300E for a few years.

My neo914 is a looker for now, I got the body design done for last year's SEMA and a local show. The drivetrain is in but the electricals and other details are slow to complete...