A Gamble that Paid off: C-Class Mercedes W203

aatish · 14th November 2009, 15:40

@canonball let me run this through, the car is a 2003 c180 the previous owner did a facelift he changed the original headlamps & fogs to clears. The grill was also swapped by him at which time he changed the bumper & the alloys (brabus) if you notice in the original pictures.

After the accident i managed to buy a pre facelift bumper in uk for 30 pounds yes 2000Rs. As for the damaged right side fender it was replaced after extensive damage at various line points. As you see the bonnet was also damaged and we replaced so we have not used any pictures or ref. points to rebuild the car but have installed new parts where ever crucial.

canonball · 14th November 2009, 15:47

Good to hear this but something about the way both fenders protrude where the wheel arch, bumper and fender converge seems irregular. Park her next to a similar C and I think you will get what I am saying.

Don't get me wrong your effort, outcome, and enthu is great but I just fail to see the logic (having contemplated the same numerous times) of the exercise because as we speak I am getting 2000 to 03 C180's at Rs. 6 lacs to 8 lacs (even E240 are going for 7 to 9) in Mumbai. There are no buyers for them because they are petrol (+ non compressor)and more cars in market than buyers. These are immaculate cars and have no history I would rather buy them. I don't mean to dampen your spirits but would rather be honest and candit than blow steam as you seem like a very ingenious and enterprising person of mature age

If Gov't allowed Gas conversions then market for pertol mercs would be another story.

aatish · 14th November 2009, 17:12

@canonball appreciate your comment about being candid unfortunately I have not yet seen a c180 2003 with less than 50,000 km elegance for 8 lacs correct me if I am wrong I have seen these cars valued at 10 which would mean an all in all saving of 4 lacs which I certainly can live with. As for the fenders if they sit a funny way not much I can do i know that i pushed the car to 200 km/hr on mumbai pune expressway put the cruise control on and took my hand off the steering wheel she just absolutely stood straight that is a sign of decent condition if not good condition. I do appreciate your critical view. As far as I am concerned I have semi built my cars and that has been fun.

arjunrudra · 14th November 2009, 20:41

Wow that car really really looks pretty. I really hope your X-Trail turns into a similar stunner.
Good job again.

911987 · 15th November 2009, 18:35

@Aatish, applaud your perseverance and dedication to the cars you have acquired and appreciate the effort, thought and planning, not to mention the logistics of sourcing the parts,that must have gone into getting the Merc shipshape.Good luck with the X-trail. You are obviously a deal- man and a car lover rolled into one and that is a really good thing in my book! Bravo, keep smiling!

aatish · 16th November 2009, 07:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by arjunrudra

Wow that car really really looks pretty. I really hope your X-Trail turns into a similar stunner.
Good job again.

Thanks arjun will post x-trail pictures once ready

Quote:

Originally Posted by 911987

@Aatish, applaud your perseverance and dedication to the cars you have acquired and appreciate the effort, thought and planning, not to mention the logistics of sourcing the parts,that must have gone into getting the Merc shipshape.Good luck with the X-trail. You are obviously a deal- man and a car lover rolled into one and that is a really good thing in my book! Bravo, keep smiling!

Thanks 911987 the fun in building the cars was sourcing the parts at 1/10th the price

Sush · 16th November 2009, 09:00

Awesome transformation man. I really appreciate the hard work that you have put in.

aatish · 16th November 2009, 09:30

Hi guys

Lot of people asking so I have prepared account details for the total repair cost of the Mercedes

aatish

Acquisition of Merc - 450000

Headlights - 15000 (India-TeamBHp)
Cross Member (front) - 11000 (UK - Salvage)
Bumper - 2000 (UK - Salvage)
grill - 3500 (New - ebay)
fog lights & covers - 4000 (UK - Salvage)
lower arms and control arms - 24000 (India - OperaHouse)
Side View Mirror - 4000 (UK - Salvage)
Radiator - 7100 (US - NEW)
Aircon Condenser - 7500 (UK - NEW)
Rad. Fan & shroud - 10000 (UK - Salvage)
Vacumm Pump - 15000 (Nigeria - Salvage)
Ac Evaporator - 19000 (UK - NEW)
Alloys - 14000 (UK - EBay)
Tyres - 13500 (India - TeamBHp)
Bumper fin - 1500 (UK - salvage)
Bonnet Emblem - 800 (UK - ebay)
Windscreen - 10000 (India - New)
Mudflaps - 2700 (India - operahouse)
Fan Belt - 800 (India - operahouse)
Roof bars & box (for kicks) - 7000 (UK - ebay)
Plugs and filters - 3000 (India - opera house)
Sub Total Parts - 175400

Airtickets - 30000
Expenses in london - 20000
Customs - 7000
Misc.costs - 10000
Cost of making Bills - 70000
Workshop, painting, - 120000
denting and Ac work

Grand Total - 8,84,400
Insurance Claim - (-)2,81,400

Total Cost for on road aqusition - 6,03,000Rs

vivekji05 · 16th November 2009, 10:28

That is unreal. You have a merc W203 C class for Rs 6lakhs and it looks as good as anyone else's, who might have spent upwards of Rs 25lakhs. Hats off to you. Thanks for the detailed cost break-up

arjunrudra · 16th November 2009, 11:20

You are a genius dude.Next time you come across something like this and you dont plan to use it.Please do let me know.I might be interested to buy it.

Note from the Team-BHP Support Team: Please avoid quoting an entire large post. It inconveniences our small screen & mobile readers. Thanks.

akshaymahajan · 16th November 2009, 11:21

Wasnt this car declared as total damage by the insurance??
So how did you manage to get 2,81,400 from the insurance company??
And what is cost of making bills and why is it so high??

ACM · 16th November 2009, 12:15

attish

more than the gamble we must appreicate your perciverance, to do the impossible.

You could start a sourcing venture business for used spares of Merc, even with a 25% margin at your end it would be cost effective for Indians.

Congrats on a job well done.

aatish · 16th November 2009, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by akshaymahajan

Wasnt this car declared as total damage by the insurance??
So how did you manage to get 2,81,400 from the insurance company??
And what is cost of making bills and why is it so high??

Akshay Total loss was on the x-trail this was an understanding with the last owner

ishotmydog · 16th November 2009, 12:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by aatish

Total Cost for on road aqusition - 6,03,000Rs

amazing aatish, work well done

got to look now for a banged up merc

//M · 16th November 2009, 14:02

Thats one acquisition most of us will be proud of and at 6 lacs its a steal. Good work aatish.

14th November 2009, 15:40	#31
aatish BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Goa Posts: 34 Thanked: 24 Times	@canonball let me run this through, the car is a 2003 c180 the previous owner did a facelift he changed the original headlamps & fogs to clears. The grill was also swapped by him at which time he changed the bumper & the alloys (brabus) if you notice in the original pictures. After the accident i managed to buy a pre facelift bumper in uk for 30 pounds yes 2000Rs. As for the damaged right side fender it was replaced after extensive damage at various line points. As you see the bonnet was also damaged and we replaced so we have not used any pictures or ref. points to rebuild the car but have installed new parts where ever crucial.
	() Thanks

14th November 2009, 15:47	#32
canonball Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,466 Thanked: 205 Times View My Garage	Good to hear this but something about the way both fenders protrude where the wheel arch, bumper and fender converge seems irregular. Park her next to a similar C and I think you will get what I am saying. Don't get me wrong your effort, outcome, and enthu is great but I just fail to see the logic (having contemplated the same numerous times) of the exercise because as we speak I am getting 2000 to 03 C180's at Rs. 6 lacs to 8 lacs (even E240 are going for 7 to 9) in Mumbai. There are no buyers for them because they are petrol (+ non compressor)and more cars in market than buyers. These are immaculate cars and have no history I would rather buy them. I don't mean to dampen your spirits but would rather be honest and candit than blow steam as you seem like a very ingenious and enterprising person of mature age If Gov't allowed Gas conversions then market for pertol mercs would be another story. Last edited by canonball : 14th November 2009 at 16:01.
	() Thanks

14th November 2009, 17:12	#33
aatish BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Goa Posts: 34 Thanked: 24 Times	@canonball appreciate your comment about being candid unfortunately I have not yet seen a c180 2003 with less than 50,000 km elegance for 8 lacs correct me if I am wrong I have seen these cars valued at 10 which would mean an all in all saving of 4 lacs which I certainly can live with. As for the fenders if they sit a funny way not much I can do i know that i pushed the car to 200 km/hr on mumbai pune expressway put the cruise control on and took my hand off the steering wheel she just absolutely stood straight that is a sign of decent condition if not good condition. I do appreciate your critical view. As far as I am concerned I have semi built my cars and that has been fun.
	() Thanks

14th November 2009, 20:41	#34
arjunrudra Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Gurgaon/Chennai Posts: 1,577 Thanked: 197 Times View My Garage	Wow that car really really looks pretty. I really hope your X-Trail turns into a similar stunner. Good job again.
	() Thanks

15th November 2009, 18:35	#35
911987 BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 138 Thanked: 32 Times	@Aatish, applaud your perseverance and dedication to the cars you have acquired and appreciate the effort, thought and planning, not to mention the logistics of sourcing the parts,that must have gone into getting the Merc shipshape.Good luck with the X-trail. You are obviously a deal- man and a car lover rolled into one and that is a really good thing in my book! Bravo, keep smiling!
	() Thanks

16th November 2009, 09:00	#37
Sush BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Noida, New York Posts: 308 Thanked: 2 Times	Awesome transformation man. I really appreciate the hard work that you have put in.
	() Thanks

16th November 2009, 09:30	#38
aatish BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Goa Posts: 34 Thanked: 24 Times	Expense Details Hi guys Lot of people asking so I have prepared account details for the total repair cost of the Mercedes aatish Acquisition of Merc - 450000 Headlights - 15000 (India-TeamBHp) Cross Member (front) - 11000 (UK - Salvage) Bumper - 2000 (UK - Salvage) grill - 3500 (New - ebay) fog lights & covers - 4000 (UK - Salvage) lower arms and control arms - 24000 (India - OperaHouse) Side View Mirror - 4000 (UK - Salvage) Radiator - 7100 (US - NEW) Aircon Condenser - 7500 (UK - NEW) Rad. Fan & shroud - 10000 (UK - Salvage) Vacumm Pump - 15000 (Nigeria - Salvage) Ac Evaporator - 19000 (UK - NEW) Alloys - 14000 (UK - EBay) Tyres - 13500 (India - TeamBHp) Bumper fin - 1500 (UK - salvage) Bonnet Emblem - 800 (UK - ebay) Windscreen - 10000 (India - New) Mudflaps - 2700 (India - operahouse) Fan Belt - 800 (India - operahouse) Roof bars & box (for kicks) - 7000 (UK - ebay) Plugs and filters - 3000 (India - opera house) Sub Total Parts - 175400 Airtickets - 30000 Expenses in london - 20000 Customs - 7000 Misc.costs - 10000 Cost of making Bills - 70000 Workshop, painting, - 120000 denting and Ac work Grand Total - 8,84,400 Insurance Claim - (-)2,81,400 Total Cost for on road aqusition - 6,03,000Rs
	(5) Thanks

16th November 2009, 10:28	#39
vivekji05 BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ernakulam Posts: 277 Thanked: 310 Times	That is unreal. You have a merc W203 C class for Rs 6lakhs and it looks as good as anyone else's, who might have spent upwards of Rs 25lakhs. Hats off to you. Thanks for the detailed cost break-up Last edited by vivekji05 : 16th November 2009 at 10:32.
	() Thanks

16th November 2009, 11:20	#40
arjunrudra Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Gurgaon/Chennai Posts: 1,577 Thanked: 197 Times View My Garage	You are a genius dude.Next time you come across something like this and you dont plan to use it.Please do let me know.I might be interested to buy it. Note from the Team-BHP Support Team: Please avoid quoting an entire large post. It inconveniences our small screen & mobile readers. Thanks. Last edited by Rudra Sen : 16th November 2009 at 11:43.
	() Thanks

16th November 2009, 11:21	#41
akshaymahajan BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 597 Thanked: 449 Times	Wasnt this car declared as total damage by the insurance?? So how did you manage to get 2,81,400 from the insurance company?? And what is cost of making bills and why is it so high??
	() Thanks

16th November 2009, 12:15	#42
ACM Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,745 Thanked: 4,361 Times View My Garage	attish more than the gamble we must appreicate your perciverance, to do the impossible. You could start a sourcing venture business for used spares of Merc, even with a 25% margin at your end it would be cost effective for Indians. Congrats on a job well done.
	() Thanks

16th November 2009, 14:02	#45
//M Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 6,201 Thanked: 22,920 Times	Thats one acquisition most of us will be proud of and at 6 lacs its a steal. Good work aatish.
	() Thanks