Thread: Defender 1 Mercedes 0

Originally Posted by gitney

So a guy decided to take on the defender with his merc last weekend leaving a bit of a ding in the rear bumper and ruining my rear step.
I had to laugh a bit when i saw his car then looked at ours.

Does anyone have any advice of a good panelbeater for defenders around sydney that can knock out the dings in the back member and make sure everything gets fixed up right?

I've attached a few pics for your amusement.



Cheers,
Chris

New cars are designed to crumble like that, could have potentially saved any whip lash or serious injury. Not that the Merc is new but even 10 years ago they were way way way ahead of what is basically two railway lines bolted together with a box on top(defender).

Don't get me wrong, love the defender but engineering was definately not involved when putting them together.
That Merc is hesitate to guess is a write off but how much is ones life worth.

Well, and your rear step, another two pieces of metal roughly migged together should be no problem to find. Try Triumph Rover spares, they have plenty of spares.

Hope no one got hurt though.

Originally Posted by big guy

New cars are designed to crumble like that, could have potentially saved any whip lash or serious injury. Not that the Merc is new but even 10 years ago they were way way way ahead of what is basically two railway lines bolted together with a box on top(defender).

<snip>

That Merc is at least 18 years old and possibly 29 years old. At that time the crush cans in the bumpers were a major part of the crumple zones and occupant protection. The Defender just happens to be higher than the Merc bumper.

Chris

If you are over in the Southern Suburbs, try A & J Corban Forest Road Hurstville. The PO was a member of the Range Rover Club and Blair the current owner manager did his time with Arthur. They were the recommended repairers for Asquith & Johnson (Now Trivett Paramatta) and Arthur Garthon Motors, they probably still do Purnell.

Diana

He damned lucky he didn't damage the merc emblem on the bonnet.....worth more than the whole car.....

Originally Posted by big guy

New cars are designed to crumble like that, could have potentially saved any whip lash or serious injury. Not that the Merc is new but even 10 years ago they were way way way ahead of what is basically two railway lines bolted together with a box on top(defender).

The early 1960's Fintail Mercedes (of which I have one) was a crumple zone technology car. It heralded in a new era in automotive safety.

Rob. Your getting confused with the value of a Rolls Royce emblem. But your right in that with that model, the whole car (including the emblem) is not worth much.

Chris

Try Caldwell smash, Frank is a long standing Land Rover repairer for land Rover Australia and does a fantastic job.
Contact; 97736566

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

The early 1960's Fintail Mercedes (of which I have one) was a crumple zone technology car. It heralded in a new era in automotive safety.

Rob. Your getting confused with the value of a Rolls Royce emblem. But your right in that with that model, the whole car (including the emblem) is not worth much.

Correct, crumple zones were introduced by Mercedes about 1953, followed in 1955 by Citroen - and a long time later by anyone else.

John

A friend had a 280SL from new until about 6 years ago.
She ran up the back of a car in about 1980, and the Grille star cost over $1500 then. She gave us the old one mounted on a piece of wood.

I wonder what a 280SL star would cost now?

Regards Philip A

Originally Posted by PhilipA

A friend had a 280SL from new until about 6 years ago.
She ran up the back of a car in about 1980, and the Grille star cost over $1500 then. She gave us the old one mounted on a piece of wood.

I wonder what a 280SL star would cost now?

Regards Philip A

She got stooged.

I've got a Mercedes Star in my desk drawer right here and it cost about $50 direct from a Mercedes Dealership. It cover most vehicles from 1976-1995ish. The newer ones are around $50-60 too.

I've heard, though can't vouch for authenticity, that Mercedes supplies them affordably because they prefer that owners replace the star when it is lost/stolen.