My 2004 Mercedes Benz E320 aka The Benz

[87gtVIC]

So...I was rear ended the other day...

Based upon my reaction I thought it was all over. Much to my amazement and satisfaction Barely any damage was done. I went for an estimate immediatly after the accident report was completed and it totaled to 808.40 which I was paid next day by the kid that hit me. It was already his second accident at 19yo and did not want this one to go though insurance.

Clear coat was spidered and I got two license plate fastener indentations as well as some scuffs from the guys front bumper and license plate.

Before fixing the damage myself





That mark front and center was actually there already! The spidering below it just above the bottom of the bumpers lip was not.

What damage is left after removing the paint transfer and sanding out with 3000 and compounding, polishing and waxing.







I am going to live with what damage is there. Not worth it to get repaired. Chances are I would not be happy anyways.

All in all you hardly notice anything from two feet out.

[gadget73]

I still find it hilarious listening to you cuss while driving because I've never noticed that when talking to you in person.

[mercurygm88]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard Dave swear before.


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[87gtVIC]

Every now and then you need to let some aggression out.


I figured since I have new lugs bolts that I should spare them from winter abuse. I evaoprusted the old lugs and prepped them for some chrome powder coat:



Only 16 as I will still use the same lock lugs over the winter...

And chromed:



And a quick view of some of the set up:



They came out nice. Just looking to keep rust off of them from staining my freshly powder coated winter wheels.

[sly]

nice.

[BigMerc96]

That is actually a better finish that I would have expected from a chrome powder.

So Mercedes doesn't cover the lugs? Audi uses a plastic cap over the heads of the bolts, there's a tool in the emergency kit just for pulling the caps, looks like a big pair of tweezers with a lip on the ends to slip under the caps and pull them. IIRC the neighbor's BMW had some sort of cover on them too. I guess I've never really paid much attention to them, I don't work on German stuff often enough to know if they are usually exposed or not.

[87gtVIC]

Thanks

These wheels use exposed lug bolts. Cannot comment on other mercedes wheels.

I coworker has a VW passat that uses something similar to what you are describing.

[87gtVIC]

Removed the summer set up and popped on the new winter kicks I had redone back in April: http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthre...l=1#post828413



Summer up front...Winter in back:



And all complete:









Also have new spark plugs, plug wires as well as valve cover gaskets, pcv hoses an breather caps to reseal on top of the valve covers.

Had no idea this engine takes two plug wires and plugs per cylinder. Kinda gets expensive especially as I am getting direct original manufacturer replacements!

May get to that job this weekend. She is ready for an oil change too. 132,000 miles is a couple hundred miles away.

[DerekTheGreat]

How do you go about getting money from people in those situations? Is that not possible in Michigan due to no fault? Asking for a friend..

[87gtVIC]

How do you go about getting money from people in those situations? Is that not possible in Michigan due to no fault? Asking for a friend..

You referring to the accident I was involved in a few months back?

This kid offered to pay me next day. Met him at the local park and I sat in his car and he signed the document I written up basically saying I wasn't going to fuck him over as I have received compensation. He then proceeded to offer me Mets tickets whenever I wanted. lol Was easy.

[Rodentkiller]

MBZ's are bullet proof reliable but the parts are outrageisly expensive along with the servising at a MBZ shop.

[87gtVIC]

Prepped the engine bay for the valve cover gasket, spark plug and wire replacement job I have coming up.

You can see a bunch of oil accumulating from the pcv breather covers on top of the valve covers (basically another valve cover above the real valve cover that uses silicone as a gasket and it dries out over time)

Driver side:



P.side:



Then all clean after a thorough degreasing and pressure washing.

Driver side:



P.side:



Cleaned up the car then as engine bay cleaning with a pressure washer sure is messy.





This morning I replaced the blower motor as it was chirping like a birdie in the dash in cold weather. Easy peasy. Two screws to remove the under dash panel, four screws to remove the blower motor cover (one was missing so only three) then four screws for the blower motor. Two last screws to swap the resistor over to the new blower. Done.




I didnt want to get into the valve cover gasket job as I dont have the time today. Will get to it eventually.

[DerekTheGreat]

You referring to the accident I was involved in a few months back?

This kid offered to pay me next day. Met him at the local park and I sat in his car and he signed the document I written up basically saying I wasn't going to fuck him over as I have received compensation. He then proceeded to offer me Mets tickets whenever I wanted. lol Was easy.

Yep!

Oh, that's nice and convenient. I thought maybe you went the legal route. I've never had luck with people owning up to their mistakes..

[87gtVIC]

Did the Deed yesterday. Went way easier than expected..faster too. 3 Hours in total which included completely cleaning the valve covers (and upper PCV covers) in my parts washer. I let the gasket maker cure over night.







Car runs nice and smooth so I at least didn't mess anything up. Unfortunately a chip in my windshield decided to spider out this morning after the first start up after the job was complete. Chip was there for over 3 months. Just couldn't hold on any more I guess. New windshield time come spring.

[gadget73]

Fun. I need to do a blower motor in the Continental but its a real PITA so I've been ignoring it. Last year I drilled a small hole in the fan blade so I could poke an extended tube from an oil can back there. It worked for a while but its getting unhappy again.