Travelling down Hwy one the other night about 130 miles north of San Francisco I hit a big fat raccoon that someone whacked before me. It was right in the middle  my lane on a bridge.  Oncoming traffic prevented me frpm manuveuring around it so it had to hit it dead on at about 60 miles an hour. It was a pretty good knock and I didn't know what happened but I could hear something dragging on the road after the hit. I couldn't tell if the raccoon was still there or if something from the car was making the sound. The car seemed to operate ok.  I pulled over to check to see what it was and found something hanging down and lodged under the car (at least the raccoon wasn't there, ouf).  I couldn't get it free, but I was only about 4 miles from home, so I just took it easy and went home.  The next day I  jacked the car up and found out what happened.  The low stance of the car couldn't clear the poor creature and the impact ripped the bottom front sound encapsulation panel from under the engine. 

Before I pay for a new one, anyone out there have an 87 diesel with the front under panel intact and in good condition? I understand after talking with a few knowledgeable people that the panel I need has to come from a 300TD wagon or possibly a 300D sedan.   I'm new to this forum and I figure lets find out if there are other Benz owners out there with older cars that keep them up, and are online at this forum.