How well do MB's survive getting rear ended at high speeds? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lietuviai · #1 01-04-2006, 11:14 AM

There was an accident a few days ago in the Portland OR area where a compact car (a Sentra, not MB) got rear ended at about 55 mph by a Hummer H2 while broken down on a freeway off-ramp. Both of the passengers of the Sentra were killed while the driver of the H2 walked away with only minor injuries. The Sentra was destroyed in the wreck but the H2 barely had and damage. The wreck was ruled an accident and no citations were issued. Story at: http://katu.com/stories/82188.html
I'm curiuos to know how well say a 123, 124 or a 126 would have been in the same situation? There are lots of SUV's here in the Portland metro area and after something like this I would rather have my wife drive in her Tahoe than anything smaller like any of the MB's I've got.

83-240D · #2 01-04-2006, 11:31 AM

consider the weight of an h2. please, cuz i don't know what it is but lets say fopr arguments sake 6000 lb. take the weight hurtling along at 60-70 miles an hour and likely a little out of control(was the sentra on the shoulder?). when that slams into most any car on the road the results will be worse for the smaller vehicle. the same was aid for '56 buicks and ford falcons in the '60's.

#3 01-04-2006, 11:43 AM

That was a nasty hit. My son was hit in the rear in his 1982 300d by a Honda going 60 MPH faster than my son. The 300d held up well but it was completely destroyed thank god my son walked away with just a trip to the ER and some bad bruises. I see full size W126 Mercedes at the wreckers frankly; I do not know why they even put them out. However, to see a 300sd with the rear end inches from the dash is quite a sobering experience I feel so safe in mine but in reality if it is your time to go time is up even a tank looses to a train. The real shame is this accident was in all likely hood easily avoided I beat it in my kids heads relentlessly the only think more dangerous than stopping on the side of a freeway is to play Russian roulette. Therefore, big deal you ruin the tire and rim or blow the head gasket don’t stop until you hit a surface street.
Dave S

1983/300CD · #4 01-04-2006, 11:57 AM

Go to the bottom of that site...

I think the sky is falling. Talk about dwelling on the negative! Is there no GOOD news to report at all?

t walgamuth · #5 01-04-2006, 01:30 PM

two of my kids rear ended in 82 or so 240ds. both probably at 40 to 50 mph. both walked away. crush zones and well designed seat belts and seats.

sorry but i dont buy the "if it is your time to go' thing. THAT is why i drive benzes and have them for my kids to drive.

excellent safety designs dont just happen.

and that is why i wouldnt buy a lexus. mercedes was building safety oriented cars when mr honda was building bicycles with little motors added.

tom w

#6 01-04-2006, 01:31 PM

Welcome to the pacific northwest...

...ugh. Now I get to go drive on that freeway to get to work.

Hatterasguy · #7 01-04-2006, 01:52 PM

It depends on what is doing the hitting. I know the trunk of a W126 will crush right up to the rear glass, however if a Hummer nailed you at 60mph well all bets are off.

When its your time its your time but at least with any MB you have a pretty good chance, they do put a lot of time and money into safety.

dunl · #8 01-04-2006, 01:54 PM

Just a thought on the weight of a Hummer....my Grand Cherokee weighs 6000lb, so a Hummer is probably in the 8-9000lb range.

As compared to my 5000lb 300SD.....twice the weight, going 55MPH faster - probably no chance.

Hatterasguy · #9 01-04-2006, 01:58 PM

FYI W126's are just under 4k pounds empty. I think 3,830+/-. So with fuel, people, and stuff figure low 4k pound range. Your short wheel base W126 will be lighter as well look in the door jam.

diesel don · #10 01-04-2006, 02:13 PM

My daughter and a friend were rear-ended a couple of years ago by an F-150

They were stopped just over a hill and he hit them at 35 mph. It buckled the '83 300DT up to the rear glass, bent the frame, etc. 30 minutes later they were both playing volleyball in their tournament.

What a stinkin car! 2 years later I tried to get the spare tire out of the trunk. I could reach my hand in but the gap wasn't large enough to yank it out. So I got the 6' cro-bar and reamed on it. Still couldn't get it. So I took a sledge hammer to the trunk and still it wouldn't pop open. Just when I was ready to give up, I got this brilliant idea.....'why not try pushing the trunk button'?

The trunk popped right open and came up another foot or so and I had my tire. What a car.

jcyuhn · #11 01-04-2006, 02:27 PM

Quick Google search shows a Hummer H2 weighs 6400lbs, with maximum GVW of 8600lbs. However, velocity is more significant than weight - anyone recall e=m(v-squared)? Anyone else suspect the H2 driver was a wee bit over the speed limit?

I recall one posting quite some time ago in which a late model MB was rear-ended (while stopped) by a full size pickup. The MB passengers were uninjured, the occupants of the pickup required helicoptor transport to a trauma center. Both vehicles were totaled.

What's so sad is how easily this situation could be avoided with some common sense. Cars will break down at bad times and locations, that's a given. But if the location isn't safe - GET OUT OF THE CAR! These folks broke down at the base of a freeway onramp, in the dark, without hazard flashers. Investigators think they weren't even fully off the road. In that situation, get out of the car and walk down the median, putting 100 yards between the car and yourself. That way when some moron kisses its backside, you won't be going along for the ride.

- JimY

rg2098 · #12 01-04-2006, 02:33 PM

H2 curb weight 6400 lbs.

H3 curb weight 4700 lbs.

Not bad, the problem is they were designed and tuned for off road use verse on road for every other SUV so they are not very impact friendly.

Rich300TDMBZ · #13 01-04-2006, 03:56 PM

In a rear collision (not in the 50 mph or above range), does it help the occupants of the car (and the car itself) if there is a full size spare wheel in the trunk? I heard from some that there is a reason for the wheel there and helps to absorb some of the impact. What is your take on this?

lietuviai · #14 01-04-2006, 03:59 PM

I have plans to sell of both diesels and I've had an idea to look for a 126 SEL model. With the price of diesel the way it is here, gassers are the only way to go. I've regularly seen nice 380's, 420's and 560's go for very reasonable prices. The SDL's, forget it. The only nice one I've seen was going for $8k. I can get a just as nice SEL for half that. Now if I could get my wife to be interested in an SEL.

She likes our 124 300D but I hate it since I'm the one who has to work on it. I doubt a 124 would hold up like a 126 in a bad crash. I might not mind having a 400E but only if it wasn't a 124.

Jim Anderson · #15 01-04-2006, 04:08 PM

I've wondered if anybody has thought what would be good to put in a trunk to help in an accident. Perhaps an active system, like a shaped charge