Totaled 1983 300SD - Options?
 

Over thanksgiving, my wife was driving my beloved 1983 MB 300 SD when another driver ran a red light and struck the front right corner of our car. No surprise, the Benz held up remarkably well and protected my wife and kids. Unfortunately, the car is considered a total loss due to the cost of new parts even though the damage is easily repairable. I actually bought the car back from the insurance company as I couldn't stand to see it go to a jink yard, it is too good of condition. My brother in-law actually found me a complete parts car just outside of Austin but I don't have the time to dismantle and repair myself.

Now about the car...I'm the second owner, have owned it for 2 or 3 years at this point. The car is in excellent condition, 155,000 miles and always maintained by the MB dealership, no cracks in the seats or dash, no major leaks, great tires, paint is a repaint job which is still pretty good. I could go on about the positives of this car.

Any suggestions or ideas on what I could/should do with the car? At this point, I'm thinking selling it to someone who loves these cars as much as I do is the best option, hopefully they could repair and drive it for many years to come.
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Gorgeous 83 300 SD!!! @Bradw26 glad your family was safe!!

Agree with you, too exquisite to trash and that's all the in$urance wants to do, get rid of these beauties and brutes off the road, that save your life! The games they play are vile.

I saw an 82 300 SD in bumper to bumper freeway traffic smashed by a fully loaded semi trailer in 1998, smashing them into 3 more cars/trucks ...the passenger cage was intact and they lived, having children the following year!

What do you know needs to be done? Does it run?

Pay someone to fix and and keep it.

Mine as well pay someone to fix it because finding another clean one will be hard.

It runs great, no issues there! Based on looking around it and under, I think it is simply the bumper, hood, lights, quarter panel in need of repair. Likely not too much trouble to keep such a clean car going, I simply don't have the time these days to tackle the job.

Too nice to trash
 

I would fix it and never question that decision.

Hi, First time on forum. I'd find a mobil mechanic to do the repairs, parts should be available from wrecking yards. I have 2, '83, 300SD's and am working to restore them. I sold a 2000 E 320 4matic to get these '83's, These old diesels are more reliable and have a classic style, and are lower maintenance than the newer models. With the low miles you have I don't think you can go wrong.

Steve

Any update on this? Curious to see how it turned out... very nice car, b.t.w.!

87NATTY, another enthusiast contacted me from out of state with a strong interest. We talked about the car extensively, he decided he wanted it and drove 8 hours to me to purchase it. Less than a day later, he had taken it apart and started making repairs. The car will continue on for years to come!

Awesome! Glad to hear it was saved.

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