Mercedes 123 body Unsafe death trap??? - Page 6 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #76 11-09-2005, 07:21 AM

has the normal anemic nasal horn that comes on everything from benzes to vws. just pitiful. that euro had something aftermarket, i bet.

tom w

pawoSD · #77 11-09-2005, 12:19 PM

My dad says it was an option on the euro cars back then..... (he worked there at the factory, as did his parents for many many years) I'm not sure exactly what time period they were available in, but her 280 definatley had one. The sound is indescribable.

nazrat · #78 11-09-2005, 12:22 PM

To continue the off-topic conversation, how can you identify the fanfare horn set visually?

-Tad

pawoSD · #79 11-09-2005, 01:26 PM

It looks different, its like an actual "horn" but its round and wide and has different "slots" for each different note to come out of.

Actually, here's a picture of one:

1983/300CD · #80 11-09-2005, 01:48 PM

How about one that increases in volume, like a simulated 3-D effect? Make them think you're coming right for them.

boneheaddoctor · #81 11-09-2005, 01:59 PM

I like the air horn from a big Semi............make them soil their shorts.

worth th etime and money to set it up when you see them jump....

andmoon · #82 11-09-2005, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

I like the air horn from a big Semi............make them soil their shorts.

worth th etime and money to set it up when you see them jump....

Would I have to mount the trumpets on the roof?

boneheaddoctor · #83 11-09-2005, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andmoon

Would I have to mount the trumpets on the roof?

hmmm thats the only problem...how to mount those...

#84 11-09-2005, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

hmmm thats the only problem...how to mount those...

Under the front bumper on the w126 is a good spot.

Use the freight train tri-tone horns.

didget69 · #85 11-09-2005, 11:02 PM

Mount 'em in fender wells - aim one to the right & one to the left - install 3 position momentary switch with Off in center; push switch to Left or Right for desired horn. Great also for blasting the obnoxious boom-boom stereo players at stoplights...

Bryan in NC

mac2 · #86 11-09-2005, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

I like the air horn from a big Semi............make them soil their shorts.

worth the time and money to set it up when you see them jump....

Here's a good cheap option. The compressor is really small so mounting it would be nothing at all. I used to have a set of these, they are incredibly loud! And for 15 bucks you can't go wrong.

I'm thinking of putting a set on the beast and making it even more intimidating.

H-townbenzoboy · #87 11-09-2005, 11:24 PM

Do you think a US MB dealer would be able to get the fanfare horn equipment? I see all of these aftermarket options, but I would like to stay OEM and have that nifty little hwy/city horn switch. My 300D's horn sounds like something out of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang". The Highway setting on the fanfare horn is louder than City, or is it the other way around?

-Joe

pj67coll · #88 11-10-2005, 12:25 AM

Someone posted earlier about an 80's ad with engineers following a 123 down a cliff to check it's doors at the bottom.

I come from South Africa where Mercedes are manufactured locally. I remember a famous incident back home where a guy had gone off a cliff on the edge of the coast on a scenic highway called "Chapmans Peak drive" and fallen straight down several hundred feet onto the rocks on the beach below. He was driving late at night and apparently fell asleep at the wheel. The car was a 123 and he walked away with only minor cuts and bruises. Mercedes Benz South Africa used that incident as a commercial for some time. But incredibly it wasnt the only one. There is a small mountain kingdom called "Lesotho" completely landlocked by South Africa. It's high in the mountains with few roads and those that it does have are often steep, narrow and have precipitous cliffs. Some years after the "Chapmans Peak" incident a businessman in Lesotho also went off a cliff, also in a 123 and also survived with minor injuries. Once again Mercedes Benz SA used this in their advertising.

Amusingly BMW tried to capitalise on the situation by advertising that you wouldnt fall asleep at the wheel of their cars. Rather a pathetic response and that campaign didn't last for long.

For myself. I guess it's possible that some modern cars with air-bags might be safer than 123's but the idea that a 123 is a "death trap" compared to some new middle of the road piece of nip **** is just stupid.

- Peter.

cpm · #89 11-16-2005, 11:34 AM

But I living in Germany when these cars were new. The mid-80s. I saw numerous
autobahn accidents in the aftermath, as I was there as an MP and often had
occasion to work with the Autobahn Polizei.

I drove a 114 while I was there, (all I could afford). And have now purchased my first
123. Been wanting one ever since those days.

Again, these are anecdotal, but in terms of suvivability, (in those days) there were
the Mercedes (Daimlers) and everything else. Two completely obvious classes to
folks working high speed accidents wherein injuries occured.

I did witness first hand a multiple fatality. One the secondary roads. At that time
there were in fact speed limits, but they were rather new, and for the most
part, pretty much ignored. Being 120 klicks and unposted. I saw a 123 sedan coming
up around a wide turn in the road, going I guestimated well in excess of 120km, (this
was very very common) and a Fiat load of middle eastern foreign nationals pulled
out from a picnic area directly into the path of the oncoming mercedes.

The mercedes slammed onto his brakes just as he impacted the fiat from behind at
well over 100km differential. All 5 occupants of the fiat were killed on impact. The
driver of the mercedes exited his car, wandered across the road, collapsed in the
opposite ditch, vomited and passed out before I could get there to render what first aid
I could. He was fine.

---

On a tangental note, A few years later, after relearning all my US bad driving habits,
I witnessed a person in a Lexus, in a hurry, pull out of an emissions testing station,
across three lanes of traffic in a left hand move, get creamed from the side. In the
"real" world, she should have been killed on impact, but the side impact bags saved
her, and she got a ride courtesy Marylands helicopter ambulance service. She probably
even walks. I witnessed it, so I gave my contact information to the Maryland State
Police. Nothing came of it. The car the hit her was totalled, but the passengers
were OK. I spoke to the patrolman some months later, and in conversation he
allowed as how the woman had said that she thought she was going to make it
across the road because she had a lot of power, and if she didn't, she had airbags.

So, there it is.

Mr.Kenny · #90 11-16-2005, 11:50 AM

As the originator of this thread; I am convinced of what I already sort of knew in my gut.... A solid passenger compartment and more weight wins in accidents. Seat belts must be worn..... A car designed to pass a labratory crash test is not necessarily safe in the real world.
With all that said.
This morning I bought a 1978 240d 4speed for my daughter to drive as her first car.
This car is so cool...clatter clatter clatter;... she is going to love it! It has all the funk factor she is looking for and Mom & Dad's seal of appoval.