[Black560]

Hello,
I just bought a really nice 560 SEL with only 90,000 miles and in almost perfect shape, easy 9 on a 1-10 scale. On the way home I hit 2 deer (yep, that is right two at the same time!) at about 75mph, taking out the hood, grille, radiator etc. Insurance will cover it so I want to fix it better than it was, with euro lights. My question is, is there anything I should replace as a matter of preventative maintenence while the front end is apart? I will be doing the timing chain and guides, is there anything else? What about the high pressure hydraulic hose that I read something about? Are there any engine gaskets that are prone to leaking that I could change while I have it apart?
I must say the car really amazed me with how it performed in the wreck. If I had been in a Tarus or something else I might have been killed.
The air bag didn't go off, It is original so should I get it replaced? And is there anywhere I can get a hood for less than what Mercedes is going to charge?
Thanks,

 

[OCStrider]

Hello and welcome, Black560!

I feel your pain, having the car bashed up so soon. When I picked up my '89 560SL, I left the parking lot, went to make a turn... and someone backed into me in an old Cadillac. I honked and honked, but he did not stop until he *felt* the crunch of my door panel. Oh, well, a quick trip to the bodyshop corrected that. Later I had a minor fender-bender in my 420SEL that was similar to your accident. I rear-ended a Yukon (yeah, I know, stupid me), and the Yukon's bumper rode over mine. It took out the hood, grille, radiator, condensor, fan clutch and fan, etc... It was a little over $2200 to repair. This included almost $900 for a hood, as I just put the car in the shop and let the indie take care of it.

Most of the parts you need are readily available. Check with Jonathon (jhodg5ck) first. There are also a lot of body parts on eBay, and you can try Adsitco (www.adsitco.com), Performance Products (www.performanceproducts.com) or one of the many on-line vendors. Do a Google for "mercedes used parts" and you'll see many, many, dealers. There are also a lot of vendors selling euro lights - most will be either "Depo" or "TYC" aftermarket units. There are a few Bosch units floating around, mostly used.

Unless you have documentation that the timing chain has already been replaced, you should do that. The other items would probably be replaced on an as-needed basis. There are *many* other members here that are more knowledgeable than I, and I'm sure they can give better advice in this area than I.

Good luck!

-Robert

 

[jhodg5ck]

Hey there, I feel your pain...
http://mbnz.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1197727&posts=17&hl=560SEL

I'm sure I can help you out, drop me a line off list and we'll see about getting you in order..!!

Jonathan

 

[Starry Night]

Welcome Black560,
Sorry to here your bad new. A deer hit me 4 years ago with my 1980 450 SEL. Actually my wife and I did not know we were hit until we slowed down the deer went under my car... I thought we had a flat. Mine was not as bad as yours, but it was $4K to fix. Since I did not have collision I was screwed. So I laid out the $4K to fix it. It was fix like brand new. I still have the car. Have owned it for 17 years.

Let me know were you are located I have a 1991 560 SEL I will be parting out soon. I just have to check the hood. I believe I have the front grill and possibly a bumper.

While it is apart, change the water pump, clutch fan, blade, all belts, AC Condensor and drier. Most likely the AC condensor push into the radiator, which pushed into the fan blades which bent the shaft on your water pump. Trust me this is what happened to me. Plus you front cross member is totaled. You are looking at around $4 - $5.5 K worth of damage.

You can send me an email. Let us know how you make out. Take some pics of the car apart and complete. We would love to see the end results.

[]

 

[spanners]

Maybe a set of Bullbars on the front[][]

 

[dtkw]

Ever since I hit my second deers long time ago, I have decided I need better lights on my car. So I have trying all type of lights including the xenon kit and now Euro to help me see further. For some reasons, the deer would wait until you get closer and then decided to cross.

One time on IN-37 at night, I saw a mother with a young one waiting. Oh well, I played it safe, slowed down and turn my hazard lights on until I got closer, true enough, they decided it's time to cross. Fortunately, traffic was light then.