Disrupted Crashed E320 (A very bad day) - Now 190E Project/Restoration

[disrupted]

Edited Post

So last Friday, an older (than me) gentleman drove into the rear of my W124 E320. I haven't talked to the insurance company yet, but I don't think it's going to be good for me. Please post your opinions. Should I look for a clean rust free, but needing work replacement?

Everything has been addressed. Head gasket ($2500 in parts including entire cooling system. LCA's, new Bilstein's, complete steering system. Fuel pumps and filter.

And so much more.

Looking for sound advice.

Sean

 

[gsxr]

Oh no. Sorry to see that, Sean! Hopefully nobody was injured.

It's difficult to tell from the photo but that appears fixable, it just won't be cheap to fix. Just checking - is that an E500, or the E320 shown in your profile? If it is an E500, there are some NLA parts which will cause problems for the repairs. If it isn't an E500, the repair cost will likely exceed value.

First get a repair estimate, then you'll have to decide if it's worth investing the $$$ into repairing, and ending up with a salvage title & diminished value. Might make more financial sense to replace it with a rust-free replacement in your preferred color combo & options.

 

[gerryvz]

That's going to be a "total" for any insurance company. Fight for whatever you can get - they will try to nickel and dime you. DO NOT take the first offer they give you. Nor the second. Back things up with maintenance and auction prices via BaT for equivalent cars.

In my opinion, that level of damage is going to be far too much time and effort to fix, let alone rounding up the parts. When my 560SEC got sideswiped by a semi in late 2016, it was 9 months before I got it back from the paint and body shop, and I had to do about 90% of the parts sourcing (including paying for the quarter of a wrecked coupe to donate the rear quarter panel). A lot of work.

Given that (I am assuming that) this is an E320, there are a fair number still out there, if you look. But....

I would take the insurance money and use it as an opportunity to get yourself into an E500E or at minimum a 400E420.

I hope you and any passengers were unhurt.

 

[Glen]

That will definitely cost more than the value of the car to repair. As Gerry said, negotiate with insurance and get as much as possible. Finding a suitable replacement needing work is an option but will require a great deal of time and work to swap everything over.

 

[kegmankipp]

I hope you are ok!

If totaled ask the insurance company how much is the buyback. You should be able to purchase your totaled car for a few hundred bucks. I’ve done this twice now. Worst case was $778 for literally thousands of dollars in fairly new, good, spare parts.

Never hurts to ask. Never hurts to have a parts car in hand.

 

[dionphaneuf]

Backing up what @kegmankipp said. I had this happen w my 944 and after a lot of back and forth decided to let them total the car, which I then bought back and flipped for 3x the cost to a 944 parts specialist as all the mechanicals were fine.

Sad to hear this happened, hope you are okay.

 

[036]

I´m very sorry....

 

[disrupted]

Just to update, I'm totally fine. I was belted, and suffered no injuries. I guess you could say the car worked as intended. Thank you Bruno and team!

 

[nocfn]

Backglass matches the E320. Sorry you experienced this. I am with the others, haggle forever and get a sorted 4.2 or 5.0 variety where possible.

 

[gerryvz]

That is JUST hard enough of a hit that there is very very likely frame damage in the rear, which in my book equals an automatic total. The car with frame damage will never drive 100% again, even if professionally repaired.

The drivetrain should be undamaged (engine and transmission) and that will be of value to someone, particularly if mileage is fairly low and/or the head gasket has been replaced on the motor.

The interior looks nice judging by the door, and it looks like it has the "upgraded" interior with leather door panels and burl walnut. That is of HUGE value to folks here, as I am sure many other parts are. I would buy the car back (if you can get it for a reasonable price) and then part it out. You can sell the pedestrian bits to the masses over at Banzworld and via Facebook W124 group if you can't sell them to folks here, where we do have plenty of E320 owners.

I am glad that you were not injured and the car did its job. That's ultimately why we drive these cars! I know that attachment to a car can be a tough thing to overcome, and the desire to fix it can be very strong (I had the SAME thing with my 560SEC). But also try to look at this as an opportunity to perhaps upgrade or get a V-8 W124. You will love it, trust me. The 4.2 liter models are still reasonably cheap, and you will never lose value buying it. It will only go up in price.

Let us know how things turn out as you go along.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[TerryA]

@disrupted, Maybe you could take a shot at the “Cherry 80K mile 400E” that showed up on the MB Market today.

 

[gsxr]

Yeah, assuming the crunched car is an E320, that's going to be a total loss. There's a limited amount of potentially valuable items on an E320 although that will vary with production date and options. If not repairing it, the question about buying back will depend on your ability/interest in parting it out, along with how much the insurance company wants for the buyback (sometimes it can be ludicrously high).

I second the recommendation to replace. The Ice Blue 400E on MBM would be way high on my list if currently shopping, as Terry mentioned above...

 

[PJmak]

How can that possibly cost more than the car? Is that a 500e? Isnt the average price on those like 20k easilly?

 

[disrupted]

Unfortunately, an E320.

I've been collecting parts for a manual swap.

Waiting on insurance.

Sean

 

[disrupted]

 

[disrupted]

Found a clean 89 W201. Had one about fifteen years ago. Planning to swap the M104 with a six speed.

I should have some parts for sale at some point

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Found a clean 89 W201. Had one about fifteen years ago. Planning to swap the M104 with a six speed.

I've had one myself, 2.6, sold it in 2003/4... It was wonderful little car, just always felt sluggish - M104 with manual gearbox should be fun! Following!!!

 

[SVH]

I feel your pain. I'll be afraid anytime I get on the road after completing my W124 E320 wagon restoration. Actually, I worry about getting on the road anytime with the way people drive today. Good luck with your decision.

 

[2phast]

Since the W124 chassis is designed to crumple in the event of a impact, it does not take much to total it out. IMO, try to get as much as possible as already mentioned, then immediately tell the insurance company you want to buy it back and get a price. You can either sell the car whole for a profit, or part it out for a large profit or hang onto it till you get another, then transfer all the good parts over to the new car, then sell whats left.

 

[alabbasi]

I'm pretty sure that a 3.0 M103 will fit right into the engine bay of a 190E 2.6. It should wake it up

 

[Rouven036]

Yes, 3L m103 just drops in, just needs the ignition controller/cis module swapped.
M104 als greatly drops in place however electronics are a bit more complex to be handled. If the chassis is a 4 banger, some modifications have to be done to the chassis front cross bar and radiator support. Best to cut them out of a 2.6 donor car. New NLA and last time checked highly expensive.

 

[disrupted]

Hello everyone.

Soooooo... Its been a long time. Finally have a location (outside) to do the work on the 190E. Cars are side by side, and I have started the work. Its going to take me some time.

I will have some nice parts for sale. Not 500E quality most likely, but with the collective blessing, I want to post them here first.

If there is anything any of you can use, Id rather someone here get first option.

Just two pics......

 

[disrupted]

My W202. Nearly ten years ago.

 

[disrupted]

Hello Everyone!

Can someone move this thread to the Project Journals subforum?

Anyhow, some movement on my project. Yes I am stuck outside.

Started to strip down the 190. There are some small surface rust areas which I need to address. Euro headlights and some other bits on the way from Germany. Replacement bumper brackets and headlight hardware is already here. I'm hoping some of the new steering gear in the 124 will fit. I think the center link is still available new. I have an idler arm repair bushing from the 202, hope to use it as I've had it for years as I ordered two years ago.

The left dash vent panel is cracking and parts are NLA. Will attempt a repair at some time.

Hope to add a little more progress next week. Hope you are all well.

 

[Glen]

Looking forward to this as I am very slowly putting a '94 M104 3.2 into my daughter's '90 190E 5-speed. We should compare notes.

 

[disrupted]

Absolutely! More to come this weekend!

 

[disrupted]

Not a lot of work this weekend. No pics.

E-brake cables removed, exhaust removed. Driveshaft ready to drop.
The car has a little more rus than I thought. Media blaster and MIG on standby.
Have a trip next weekend so no updates. I'll take more pics in the next installment.

As I was staring at the 722.4 in the 201, I realized the 722.3 from the 124 might not fit. ,

Shaun

 

[disrupted]

Replaced the driver's knee bolster with a non-airbag part.





If anyone has a lead on the missing AC grill in the center console I'm needing one.

I believe that's the "left" side.

Naperville shows it as this;




But check out the shipping!

More to come, just wanted to get this installed, before it ends up broken.

 

[gsxr]

The shipping quote is based on package size/weight in their systems, and it's clearly wrong... but there's no way around this without contacting a live person. You could try a different RevParts dealer and see if they are any better, otherwise you'll have to get a $100+ order to get free shipping from Naperville. MB Annapolis also is showing silly shipping (~$35).

Laredo shows reasonable S&H but I didn't go through final checkout to confirm:

201-680-13-17 - Cover 1986-1987 Mercedes-Benz 190E | MB Parts Source

Factory Direct Cover (2016801317) For Your 1986-1987 Mercedes-Benz 190E Vehicle. Up To 35% Off On Every Order And Guaranteed Fit When You Enter Your VIN!

www.mbpartsource.com

 

[disrupted]

The shipping quote is based on package size/weight in their systems, and it's clearly wrong... but there's no way around this without contacting a live person. You could try a different RevParts dealer and see if they are any better, otherwise you'll have to get a $100+ order to get free shipping from Naperville. MB Annapolis also is showing silly shipping (~$35).

Laredo shows reasonable S&H but I didn't go through final checkout to confirm:

201-680-13-17 - Cover 1986-1987 Mercedes-Benz 190E | MB Parts Source

Factory Direct Cover (2016801317) For Your 1986-1987 Mercedes-Benz 190E Vehicle. Up To 35% Off On Every Order And Guaranteed Fit When You Enter Your VIN!

www.mbpartsource.com

View attachment 169525

Thank you GSXR!

Ordered from Laredo. Shipping was the quoted price. Let's see what arrives!

Shaun

 

[disrupted]

Thank you GSXR!

Ordered from Laredo. Shipping was the quoted price. Let's see what arrives!

Shaun

Cancelled....

 

[disrupted]

Some progress. Motor is ready to pull.

So many corroded wire connectors. Vacuum modulator disconnected at transmission. PRNDL switch corroded, and wire connector damaged.



I need to drain the fuel tank. Any suggestions?

Supposed to rain tomorrow, so we'll see. Engine crane is behind the bobcat, which is in the bay behind the now disabled W124 .

Shaun

 

[gsxr]

Cancelled....

Why?! I'd call and ask a live person WTH...

 

[disrupted]

Hi everyone,

Progress so far....









I pulled the transmission with the engine. The trans shifts nicely, and reverse engages in less than one second. Fluid is red, with no hint of burned smell.

I'm going to sell the transmission.

Found a dead mouse, and a small pile of nuts.

Might take next weekend and head up the Maine coast.

Contacted a well reviewed PDR company for the damaged left fender. I do not want to replace it. My brother can fix the paint if any small touch ups are needed.

Need a siphon for the fuel. Will check Harbor Freight, as it's something I will use once.

Shaun

 

[disrupted]

Don't laugh at that hoist. It's old, used and abused. However, it's made in USA, fully welded, and doesn't twist up under load.

 

[disrupted]

More accomplished.

Ac evaporator removed. It was full of leaf litter, and smelled musty.

On to pressure washing, and corrosion abatement. I'm thinking phosphor treatment, and then epoxy primer. Then just basic black. I will remove all the cladding, and clean thoroughly.

The price if all the plastic clips has me worried. I think I spent over $300 on the W202 ten years ago, and I only broke a handful.

 

[disrupted]

Going to the shop tomorrow evening with boxes and packing materials. Going to organize the parts I have removed. I have parts everywhere, and I want it more organized.

 

[disrupted]

Did some organizing Wednesday evening. In the process of ordering parts.

 

[disrupted]

Bought a cheap pressure washer, and started cleaning. Got the front of the engine bay cleaned.

Two of the jack points are a little crusty, so both sill covers will have to come off. Hopefully, I can minimize the number of broken clips.

I plan to replace all the sheet metal screws with inserts to use stainless machine screws. There are quite a few clips which will need blasting and plating.

The blower motor needs new brushes, lubrication, and cleaning. The evaporator is disgusting, but no mouse smell. I will use AC condenser cleaner on it. If I can find a new expansion valve, I'll replace it. The AC is going to be a challenge.

I need to purchase blasting media, and I might try the Harbor Freight portable media blaster for the small areas.

I already disposed of the rear shocks and some of the engine modules from the M103. 722.4 Transmission sold in under an hour. M103 is sitting outside, along with the stock 15" wheels. I want it all gone.

After blasting, I plan to treat with phosphoric acid, 2K primer, then matching grey from a rattle can.

I started working the damaged left front fender, but I'm afraid I don't have the skills to make it right. I had contacted a PDR company locally, but never heard back from them.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Love the W201 project, always had a soft spot for them, miss mine. You have the best color of W201 in my book, hardly ever see it in that color!

 

[disrupted]

Love the W201 project, always had a soft spot for them, miss mine. You have the best color of W201 in my book, hardly ever see it in that color!

I really wanted red. However, the grey has grown on me to the point where I could not envision any other color. It looks silver in some light, and dark grey in others.

I have soooo much to do. Sometimes, I feel very discouraged, I think the final result will be worth the effort.

I'm not a purist, so be forwarned. However my vision is, I believe, in the spirit of a factory homologation special.

And if anyone here has suggestions, I will listen....

 

[sheward]

Looking good. For blasting, I recommend the portable blaster you mentioned. The box units take up a lot of space and have other issues to deal with. I don't use the box anymore; I buy cheap play sand from the box store and don't bother recovering it.

I think the stock 201 is a bit boring. Go with your vision. I'll counter your bits of discouragement with my jealousy and wish to be creating my own 201 project which you know I had big hopes for. Keep plugging away.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

I really wanted red. However, the grey has grown on me to the point where I could not envision any other color. It looks silver in some light, and dark grey in others.

I have soooo much to do. Sometimes, I feel very discouraged, I think the final result will be worth the effort.

I'm not a purist, so be forwarned. However my vision is, I believe, in the spirit of a factory homologation special.

And if anyone here has suggestions, I will listen....

Red also looks great on W201, but pretty much a guarantee that by now, the clear will be peeling off allover. As for not being "purist" - be you, your car, you project, your vision!

I fell in love with W201 before I've had my driver's license. It was a late 80's Carlsson tunned/kitted 190. Looking at your W202 (club202 sticker), I'm sure we've "seen" each other around, my benzsport/club202/190rev screen name was BabyCarlsson, I've had a black 1991 2.6, started as bone stock 2 tone black/grey. Slowly went to this BabyCarlsson album and eventually to this



I wish I never sold it, so I'm following your project with anticipation!

Regards,
D

 

[disrupted]

I sure do remember! You, Djextrodinare,, Kyniption, and some others come to mind.
There was someone in Hawaii with the fevo...
Many nice cars. I had a '93 2.6 which was stolen.

This car is the continuation of the vision I had those years ago.

The W202 had many modifications. SLK steering box (3.3 turns), adjustable steering column, lowered, etc. Actually won a trophy at a Euro show in Florida once.

 

[Glen]

I sure do remember! You, Djextrodinare,, Kyniption, and some others come to mind.
There was someone in Hawaii with the fevo...
Many nice cars. I had a '93 2.6 which was stolen.

Wow, I haven't heard those names in years!

 

[Duh_Vinci]

I sure do remember! You, Djextrodinare,, Kyniption, and some others come to mind.
There was someone in Hawaii with the fevo...
Many nice cars. I had a '93 2.6 which was stolen.

This car is the continuation of the vision I had those years ago.

The W202 had many modifications. SLK steering box (3.3 turns), adjustable steering column, lowered, etc. Actually won a trophy at a Euro show in Florida once.

Small world for sure! Kameraguy, Luwin, and many others, and let's not forget the Dr AMG!

Love your W202, I've had 2 in my ownership, both white as well, just sold my C280, too many cars to maintain.

Few months ago, one of our local junk yards crashed late W201, black on black, perfect body, they would not let me buy it Sad to see perfect project cars crushed!

 

[disrupted]

Weekend off! No car work.

 

[disrupted]

Saturday was a washout. Sunday a couple of hours, then to my son's to look at a boat he purchased.
Large fuel leak diaged and repaired.

Removing the cladding. So stressful, attempting to save as many clips as possible.



Left side done. There are no good tutorials on YouTube. The door cladding does not remove similar to the W202. You remove the two screws in the rear of each door. Then you carefully pry the cladding away from the door at the top. This area of the cladding is stronger than the lower area it pride away without breaking any clips or the channel on the cladding itself. Then I used a long thin screwdriver to push down each of the two arrows which grab the cladding portion of the clip you can just see them. Seem to work okay broke no clips in the door cladding there is one broken clip in the dog leg cladding but there's a dent there so that explains the broken clip.

More to follow soon.

Lake time next weekend and then back on the w201.

Shaun

 

[gsxr]

Shaun, to remove the side cladding on the doors, pry the clips apart at the BOTTOM... then the top clips slide forward or backward out of the slots in the sheet metal.

More details here:

HOW-TO: Door cladding removal tips | Body Shop

A couple folks have asked me how to remove the door cladding so I thought I'd do a quick write up. It's very possible to remove the door cladding without breaking anything and reusing most if not all of the plastic clips that hold them on. Once you know the "tricks" it's very easy and you'll be...

www.500eboard.co

 

[disrupted]

Right side done. Much quicker.