C43 salvage/ parts issues

[timk]

Posted on here abour three weeks ago about an accident in my C43 in which an emergency services vehicle crashed into me.

The car has finally been assessed by insurers and deemed a total loss (category D). I am being offered an agreed value for the car having taken out a specialist policy. However, I have the option of buying the salvage back from the insurer and repairing the car myself. I'm tempted to do this as the damage was not that bad (see pic). I need the following parts:-

n/s front wing
wishbone
n/s front AMG wheel
anti roll bar
indicator
wing mirror glass and possibly the power folding mechanism.

possibly other bits and pieces although I won't know until the car is stripped back and properly inspected.

Have tried Euromerc although not yet got in touch, does anyone know anywhere to source these quickly and cost effectively?? The car is a '98 C43.

 

[Adam230K]

If i was in your shoes i'd take the money and buy another but you've probably heard that alot already.

There are Dronsfields and Allparts that deal with mercedes bits and bobs... I used them, good service, but Dronsfields can be pretty harash in certain situations and not helpful over the phone if you get through to the wrong salesman.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Looks like there might be a bit more damage than you'd think, for starters some of the underside maybe damaged and some damage to the chassis.

+ You will probably need a new set of side skirts, ill buy your old ones off you

 

[timk]

If i was in your shoes i'd take the money and buy another but you've probably heard that alot already.

There are Dronsfields and Allparts that deal with mercedes bits and bobs... I used them, good service, but Dronsfields can be pretty harash in certain situations and not helpful over the phone if you get through to the wrong salesman.

Taking the money and buying another is not really on the cards - with what I've spent on the C43 (new 'box and numerous other bits) it makes sense to either repair that or move on to something entirely different as opposed to buying a different '43 with possible new 'box around the corner and so on. Plus it's got a good spec on it. Probably too attached to it, but hey ho.

 

[Will]

How much are they asking for the salvage?

 

[timk]

How much are they asking for the salvage?

With delivery etc to the bodyshop it'll come in around £1800

 

[Will]

With delivery etc to the bodyshop it'll come in around £1800

Hmm - not all that cheap considering it'll be cat-D recorded afterwards, although I understand the sentimental value aspect and of course you 'knowing' the car, gearbox repair etc.

I didn't think it'd be as much as that, under £1k or something.

Will

 

[Deleted member 37751]

With delivery etc to the bodyshop it'll come in around £1800

That seems a bit keen.

If they sell it to a dismantlers it would achieve nearer £1000. Maybe use this as a bargaining chip?

 

[Adam230K]

Taking the money and buying another is not really on the cards - with what I've spent on the C43 (new 'box and numerous other bits) it makes sense to either repair that or move on to something entirely different as opposed to buying a different '43 with possible new 'box around the corner and so on. Plus it's got a good spec on it. Probably too attached to it, but hey ho.

Its just accidents can do damage to things that will be realised later on, and it can be a never-ending saga of issues. I empathise with putting a new box, would make less likely wanting to get rid of a car, but you've also got to know when enough is enough and move on.

I could've repaired my old C230K when several things on it went; head gasket, starter motor, water pump and some other things amounting to about £1k+ worth of repairs, and I knew the car wasn't worth much more than that anymore so I called it a day, even though I spent £4k+ on it and had it for 3yrs+.

just my 2p

 

[timk]

It is a bit expensive, and they ain't budging on the price.

Time for some reflection...

 

[gunning]

sorry to hear this mate, didnt see this on another thread, real shame! It really depends on what you intend to replace it with and how long you intnend on keeping it.

 

[timk]

sorry to hear this mate, didnt see this on another thread, real shame! It really depends on what you intend to replace it with and how long you intnend on keeping it.

That's almost the biggest issue - there's nothing I really want that I can think of! Been toying with the idea of an Alpina BMW (B10 3.3 or similar), but then I know nothing about them and the common issues. The other idea that appeals is a Jag XJR V8 (pre-2003 version). Both very different beasts and obviously not Mercs, but I'm not sure there's a non-AMG Merc that is within the realms of what I want to spend at the moment, and that would make me happy. I'm off the idea of small cars since the accident - a 60mph shunt on a dual carraigeway ending with me facing oncoming traffic kind of focuses the mind a bit.

Problem is the C43 is a special car, and it's very hard to let that V8 thing go! Everything else is a bit sterile in comparison. Have had a W204 C180K Sport to get around in since the crash, and whilst it's good looking and smooth, it has next to no character in comparison to a V8 202.

 

[Howard]

Put it back together !

Nick will have the bits.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

There is a member on here selling his C43 for £2k.
Why not buy that, buy yours back and make one out of the two?

Here it is.. http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/classifieds-cars-sale/105430-c43-amg.html

 

[timk]

Put it back together !

Nick will have the bits.

Yep - now spoken to Euromerc and he has the bits - if I can get her back on the road for £3k or under, I think it is worthwhile . The car will likely never be worth much more than £3k as a Cat D - but it's always going to be worth more to me I guess.

 

[Alps]

most parts are standard w202 parts, even the bumper is a borderline repair! i think £2500 all in and your car would be back to normal, for that money its worth keeping it!

 

[timk]

Bumper will definately repair from what I remember after the accident - crack on the top nearside is the only damage - as well as tyre marks from the other car! A good bodyworker could make it like new again. It is seemingly a fairly bolt-on repair as well.

 

[Adam230K]

You can get an E39 Alpina V8 (4.6 or 4.8)... faster more powerful than the C43 and a bigger (slightly) heavier car...

 

[horgantrevor]

get a new one with the money they offer and buy your own one also fix your own one in your spare time and do it right

if it was me i would do that

good luck and i hope it works out for you

 

[Gridlock]

Problem is the C43 is a special car, and it's very hard to let that V8 thing go! Everything else is a bit sterile in comparison. Have had a W204 C180K Sport to get around in since the crash, and whilst it's good looking and smooth, it has next to no character in comparison to a V8 202.

Most of my friends, even the petrolhead ones, tell me to sell it and move on instead of spending thousands on bodywork and mechanicals on a rusty 150K mile 13 year old car...

We've got it bad my friend

Looking at that and if torsional forces were involved (you said you spun) then you need to get the chassis on a jig before you know how bad it it is, I'd have thought.

Feel bad for ya, I'd be gutted/fuming if mine got knocked the way yours has been and they tried to tell me they wouldn't repair it. But make sure it's genuine attachment and not just the sunk cost fallacy.

I was looking at Alpina 540i and similar before I set eyes on mine, BMW interiors really don't age well. Go E55K or stay C43