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.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

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.

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currently
[1981 300 td tdidi 165500 dark brown/palamino-Brownie-mine-3k miles of ownership
1983 240d 162+++ Anthricite grey w/ henna red interior and hella lights-wifes car-Red

the above two cars are for sale
and can be seen on the cars for sale thread here. pix also available.


240d-144+ Manilla Yellow w/ palmino interior-greasecar kit-Blondie-the college kids car

23" gt 21 speed still on original tires-still got the nubs
21" khs tandem

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

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?

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

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Welcome to the pacific northwest...

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

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.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

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.

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79 300SD - $50 out of pocket purchase
03 Dodge Ram 3500 CTD
2003 VW Jetta TDI

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.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Brand new 1999-2003 Grand Cherokee with a tank of gas is 3400lbs. Unless you got the lead bumper option.

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Owen

87 300TD 603 I-6
94 Jeep XJ I-6 4.0 (see the pattern)
89 750il
seventy-two hundred feet above sea level (kinda cold up here)

My Superduty Crewcab Diesel weighs 8k lbs empty. I can't imagine an H2 Hummer weighing that much or more.

Gregg

It was an electrical problem, but I understand what you mean. My friends sister got a flat on a county 12 by me (rural highway w/2 way traffic) the tire went, which was long overdue for a replacement , and she left the car on the road, in the right lane. Granted it was during the day, but if somebody I know did that, theres no doubt that somebody you know can...

I know cars are expendabal (except mine ), so if it has a problem, but its still rolling, drive it untill u get a good spot to pull over...

Tell that to your teenage daughter, then ***** when she didnt stop because of low oil pressure

~Nate

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95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

Isn't it about time to get the Hummers, Cowboy Cadillacs ("Off Road"), and other battering rams off the streets? They accomplish nothing more than waste dwindling stocks of petroleum, add to atmospheric CO2, and threaten the lives of everyone who drives sensible vehicles. I say "Tax 'em until they park 'em."
Seriously.


Phil

'84 Euro 300D
'85 Calif. 300D

then they will come after our big ole heavy benzes and make everyone drive Geo Metros and Kia rios....

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

as long as i get to decide which ones go and which stay!

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.