Discussion
Got whacked from behind by a 4x4 resulting in this damage to my 280TE. Really pissed off as it will undoubtedly be a write off claim because the values are so low for high mileage W124's. Anyhow, I won't let it defeat me, I'll get what I can from them and get it back on the road. Easiest route to do this that I can see is to buy a 2nd hand tailgate from ebay (seem to be anything from £30-£80) and then get a bodyshop to repair the other damage, fit and paint boot etc.
Question, is there a difference in years for the tailgates, i.e mine is a 92/93, can I use and '88 tailgate etc.
Anything else to look out for or any other pointers other than FleaBay. Cheers
Question, is there a difference in years for the tailgates, i.e mine is a 92/93, can I use and '88 tailgate etc.
Anything else to look out for or any other pointers other than FleaBay. Cheers
The only difference between tailgates is that some have a cut out next to the lock for an infra red sensor for the remote locking. It looks like yours does not have this. It is not the end of the world either way: if your car has remote locking but you get a tailgate without a hole for the sensor, you just use the sensor at the door; and if you don't have remote locks but get a tailgate with a hole for a sensor, you just fit a blank.
I have a brand new, unused tailgate in black primer sitting in my garage. I bought it to replace the rusty one on my own TE which subsequently was written off by my wife. I paid £180 for it. I will happily sell it for the same sum plus postage. I have not even unwrapped it. Get in touch if you;re interested.
I have a brand new, unused tailgate in black primer sitting in my garage. I bought it to replace the rusty one on my own TE which subsequently was written off by my wife. I paid £180 for it. I will happily sell it for the same sum plus postage. I have not even unwrapped it. Get in touch if you;re interested.
Sorry to hear OP.
Similar happened to me with my bonnet, for different reasons (self inflicted
). New bonnets were knocking on for £1k (without going in to arguments about real price vs inflated insurance prices). So I took the car and £800 which paid for a used bonnet, plus a new wing and ancillaries.
Painless in the end - hope you come out the same and keep the old barge running. Some may say to move on and find another - better the devil you know.
Them tailgates will weigh a tonne. Having replaced my own struts I know how heavy it was just levering it on the hinges. And fiddly to remove the trims when I did a bit of rust treatment after last winter. And if I can do those - anyone can with access to the web.
Query on years - trim fittings could differ re facelift. Any thoughts about the self close ??
Similar happened to me with my bonnet, for different reasons (self inflicted
). New bonnets were knocking on for £1k (without going in to arguments about real price vs inflated insurance prices). So I took the car and £800 which paid for a used bonnet, plus a new wing and ancillaries.Painless in the end - hope you come out the same and keep the old barge running. Some may say to move on and find another - better the devil you know.
Them tailgates will weigh a tonne. Having replaced my own struts I know how heavy it was just levering it on the hinges. And fiddly to remove the trims when I did a bit of rust treatment after last winter. And if I can do those - anyone can with access to the web.
Query on years - trim fittings could differ re facelift. Any thoughts about the self close ??
Edited by ClassicMercs on Wednesday 24th October 00:34
Thanks guys, good info. Will pass on the new tailgate but appreciate the offer.
With me supplying a boot I've had back street garage cash quotes varying from £600 to £150, the latter being scarily cheap! Will be interesting now to go to the main insurance repairers and see what they come up with, I suspect closer to £1000
With me supplying a boot I've had back street garage cash quotes varying from £600 to £150, the latter being scarily cheap! Will be interesting now to go to the main insurance repairers and see what they come up with, I suspect closer to £1000
I'd be interested to see what the rear panel looks like after the bumper is removed. The o/s/r light has taken a hit and the tinwork there will need pulling out
The rear of the car is not very strong side-to-side and can be pushed out of shape. The shutlines look OK but you may need to bend the aperture back into shape if it's moved sideways
If it's a no-fault accident - and it should be as it's a rear-ender - you can require the other driver to repair. Bypass your insurance and send the bill directly to the driver. It's up to him whether he goes via insurance or not
Nick Froome
The rear of the car is not very strong side-to-side and can be pushed out of shape. The shutlines look OK but you may need to bend the aperture back into shape if it's moved sideways
If it's a no-fault accident - and it should be as it's a rear-ender - you can require the other driver to repair. Bypass your insurance and send the bill directly to the driver. It's up to him whether he goes via insurance or not
Nick Froome
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