imkaz

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I hope this is the right place to to post this topic, please let me know if it should be reloacted.

About a week ago, I drove my SL into a solid pole, no one else was involved or hurt, I am fine too, air bags didnt go off. I do feel really stupid and sad that I've done this to a car, but it's done now and I need to figure out what to do next.

I am trying to figure out how much of the car has broken, so I can figure out what needs fixing and how. I do not have any plans to sell the car as I've become quite fond of it, its a rare colour combo, not black or silver exterior, I don't think I would want a different SL. I don't think it would be finicially viable to go through insurance either as I'm sure they wouldn't find it viable to repair the car.

Anyway, I have attached a few pictures to give an idea of what's going on. Summary of damage so far is:
- Pictures: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ok7pgNJdodhxMvRPqyFW2By0s-o2zC2z
- Entire front panel needs replacing including condensor, fan and radiator.
- Headlights, bulbs seem ok, but a couple of the mounting point holes have broken.
- Axle carrier, front subframe might be bent, but I am not sure if its just cosmetic
- Chassis rails look like they are bending in slightly, but not sure.

I removed the v-belt and ran the engine for about 10 seconds and it does it started first time and sounded fine.

I guess, what I am looking for is what people opinions are on going about getting parts, and fixing the car.

Thanks!

Pictures: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ok7pgNJdodhxMvRPqyFW2By0s-o2zC2z
 
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th3h1ghlander

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Sorry for your loss. I think this is the right place to start talking about it :) I don’t see any pictures though?


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flowrider

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From the sound of the damage I think I would keep it for spares and buy another one. There is a very nice one for sale on these forums at the moment. No pictures btw.
 

John Laidlaw

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Ok I’ve seen the pictures.
What a damned shame - sorry to hear about this...
Ok if you’re determined you want to keep the car as said above you need to find a donor car - but since you want to keep the current car you need to find one with rear damage and swap all front parts over... respray still required
Might you not be better just taking time out to find the right replacement ( take the insurance pay out)?
Plenty 350s around and quite cheap just now
 

John Laidlaw

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From the sound of the damage I think I would keep it for spares and buy another one. There is a very nice one for sale on these forums at the moment. No pictures btw.
Oh yes Relus car! That’s s beauty too!
 

Flyinspanner

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I can see pics when you click on the link - ouch! Looks like some air con pipes are a bit squashed. Good luck with the fix.
Parts - there are specialist MB breakers, if you make a full list of bits you need, you may be able to negotiate an ‘job lot’ price. (Check before you start to see if it’s going to be financially viable)
If there is chassis damage, do you have access to a hydraulic jig? - you may have to factor in transport to/from a facility, costs of ‘straightening’ it (And factor on 25% for overrun)

Then, paint costs as replacement panels may be different/light age scratched/scuffed....
 

LostKiwi

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Before spending anything I'd want that on a chassis jig as it's had a fairly hard off centre shunt.
 

flowrider

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I still can't see the pic's but IMO if you have chassis damage the cost to straighten it out would make me want to just cut my losses and buy another one. Also gives you the opportunity to buy the big boys version ;)
 

00slk

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Very repairable but as LostKiwi say's it tweaked the front legs in a little, so chassis machine would be an assurance to the mount of damage. It will cost considerably to have it put on one just to check it anyway. Once the front cross member section has been removed you may fine the legs will spring back to their normal pose?? The good old tape measure and a level floor is and has been better than these hugely expensive measuring systems, I know, it was my profession for many many years.......Oh and still is :rolleyes:
 

alexanderfoti

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+2 on ensuring the chassis is straight. That said, I would look for a donor car or look to replace it.
 

Steve@Avantgarde

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I would be amazed if that hasn't got a pulled or twisted chassis and looking at pic 9 the front subframe has also been bent/damaged.

I would say that is a total loss looking at the pictures.

If you did want to repair it, try Ryan at Prestige Allparts, say I recommended him and he will help you out, he may even be interested in buying the car for spares if you decide to part with it.

Secondly, do share, how did you do it....??
 

Flyinspanner

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Actually in pics8&9, it looks like a crack? In the silver subframe top, just behind the impact area leading back from the angles web bracket (no such line on opposite side).
 
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imkaz

imkaz

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Thanks for all your responses, they have been really helpful. I have ordered a new radiator, condensor and fan. I think the plan first is to get the fluids in the car and get it running. I can then see if the damage to the axle carrier/front subframe is significant enough. All the panel gaps do seem to be ok judging by eye.

I do not think I can afford to put this on a chassis jig/machine.

I did notice that one of the chassis legs does look slightly tweaked inwards, but, maybe this is normal? Or not significant enough to stop me getting the crashboxes and bumper. If not I have to order a new front panel and see what happens.

Unless there is something I'm really unhappy with the car, I do not want to change it or sell it. Although the V8s are nice, I am put off a lot by the ABC suspension, and I could be getting a car with sbc\ pse pump\ boot leak issues. I am hoping the car pulls straight and the damage is mainly cosmetic.

What do you guys also think about getting a bonnet and bumper painted?
 

Steve@Avantgarde

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Thing is with a bent chassis, the car won't be straight, it won't drive straight and the wheels won't be in a straight ahead position, which means excess tyre wear. A bent and cracked subframe means that the car isnt straight, no matter how much you want it to be.
 

Craiglxviii

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I think you’re ignoring all the responses saying that the car is a banana and only seeing what you want to. Words like “want” and “hope” point to this.

If the rolling chassis is twisted then as Steve said, the car will not sit straight on the road nor will it be aligned correctly with it’s pointing (as it’s all out of track). That immediately makes it unsafe to drive either at speed or in the wet/ ice as braking with the car in a line other than as designed will throw the dynamics all out of the window and put you into a skid or spin.

Before you do anything else, get the car onto a Hunter 4 wheel alignment machine and have the chassis checked for true. That will then determine if she’s a keeper or not.
 
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imkaz

imkaz

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I agree with the comments about the chassis. There is damage, but how significant it is, is unclear. I need to confirmation of how bent it is. The car currently has no radiator or fan, and missing coolant, I am not prepared to pay to transport the car, when it should be able to run (or crab) somewhere to check its alignment. This is why I've ordered the fan and radiator, they cost less than me transporting the car 15 miles home after it happened. For my sake, I really do hope and want the car to be straight.

With £2 - £2.5k I am sure I could give the car to someone and get it fixed, but I want to try do as much myself to keep costs down, and repair done properly, as I don't have £2000 lying around to spend fixing the car. I hope that make sense!
 

Craiglxviii

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It does indeed- repair to be able to drive to a garage to properly assess damage. That sounds like a plan!
 

flowrider

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I wouldn't drive, on the public road, a car with suspected chassis damage or worse.
 

00slk

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Can't work this out, £400 odd for rad, x amount for fan, against a tow and wheel alignment check which would be £100 tops :confused:
 

LostKiwi

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There's also the minor issue of driving a car on the road with no indicators or lights and which is unroadworthy.
 


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