Ever felt in danger driving a W123 nowadays..? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ken300D · #31 04-17-2006, 04:37 PM

I-95 in Northern Virginia is routinely closed due to an 18-wheeler killing someone. The typical accident mode is falling asleep and plowing into the back of slowed or stopped vehicles.

Two serious accidents of this style in the past two weeks within my commuting territory.

That's what will kill you here.

Ken300D

Brian Carlton · #32 04-17-2006, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakh

What do you plan for the ignition part of the deal? I think just a coil with decent current on it would work, but it will take a little while for it to heat up - might miss the target..

........ignition.......LOL.........yeah.........well..........maybe I better switch to gasoline and SI.

dakh · #33 04-17-2006, 05:01 PM

Ken, thanks for the education. What kind of environment is it where the trucks get violent - outside/inside metropolitan area?

What do you think - is your 240D/4-speed much slower than a 300 turbo with a slushbox?

mbzkid · #34 04-17-2006, 05:02 PM

240Ds are slower than the rest of traffic, but as long as the speeds aren't over 80mph, the 240D will keep up just fine.

Maroon 300D · #35 04-17-2006, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakh

I lived all over US and I don't think it's specific to any particular area. Driving habits do differ a lot, but this thing is pretty much universal

Hey, some RI'ers are very proud of their slide! Perhaps they don't realize it goes on everywhere b/c they never have to leave their little state...

My only problem with the trucks is passing them. In general they're the best drivers on the road (when they stay awake, as Ken pointed out) but the ones with three trailers are a menace, IMO. Passing those things involves some white knuckles on my part.

Maybe I'm living in a bubble thinking I'm a little safer in my w123 v. a modern Hyundai. I hadn't thought about all the advances in crash tech. But one advantage of steel could be that the car will hold up better in a crash. Someone posted a pic of a newish Toyota that ran into the back of his w123 300TD; the wagon needed some bumper work and the Toyota was totalled.

Hatterasguy · #36 04-17-2006, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maroon 300D

Someone posted a pic of a newish Toyota that ran into the back of his w123 300TD; the wagon needed some bumper work and the Toyota was totalled.

It doesn't matter that the Toyota was totaled. Today cars are designed to compact from the front bumper to the windsheild and from the tip of the trunk to the rear windsheild. Those sections have a weakend structure on purpose to take the impact so you don't feel it as much. Now the cage around the passenger compartment is another story it should be extremly stiff. Find some pics of an Audi body shell and take a look. I love when Audi displays the shells at the shows, its like crash protection 101 if you know what to look for.

MB started doing this with the W126, but A LOT has changed in the 20-25 years that these cars were designed.

Anyone who thinks a W123/W126 is "safer" then a modern car of similer size is kidding themselves.

Now if you compare apples and apples like your 300D to a E320CDI. Well now thats like comparing an ME-262 to an F22.

There is a massive world of difference in crash protection, night and day literaly.

pawoSD · #37 04-17-2006, 05:28 PM

I'd still rather be in my W126 if I was in an accident with a typical econobox. I never feel scared of the traffic around me in my car, then again its a bit bigger than a 123....

If I had a neverending source of WVO/tons of ca$h I'd probably buy a retired tour bus and use that as my daily driver.....

Theeen we'd see who wins in an accident....

mespe · #38 04-17-2006, 05:33 PM

Crash protection has come along way in the last 20 years, BUT 2 tons verses 1 ton, Newton had it right, an object in motion tens to stay in motion. so 2 tons of steel with crumple zones verses 1 ton with crumple zones, on a head on collision, the 1 ton will be literraly back up upon impact. Now lets talk about side protection. a T-bone accident you ever notice how thin the doors are in newer cars? I would prefer the extra 4 inches thickness of the door anyday.

A properly running 123/126 is pretty darn quick, maybe not as quick as the rice burners, but when the RPMs get above 3K in the benz, she's pretty quick.

My 2¢ worth.

Marty

Maroon 300D · #39 04-17-2006, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Today's cars are designed to compact from the front bumper to the windsheild and from the tip of the trunk to the rear windsheild. Those sections have a weakend structure on purpose to take the impact so you don't feel it as much. Now the cage around the passenger compartment is another story it should be extremly stiff. Find some pics of an Audi body shell and take a look. I love when Audi displays the shells at the shows, its like crash protection 101 if you know what to look for.

I see now that I was a little unclear, but I was speculating that if they were to suffer the same impact, a w123 might take less damage than a newer car. You and dakh have convinced me that crash tech. has come a long enough way in 20 years to alleviate most concerns about fiberglass material as far as personal safety is concerned.

I do wonder about a t-bone, though. Assuming there's no side airbag, that is. I was in the passenger seat of a car that was t-boned once and I was very, very glad it was a Volvo. If it had been, say, a Mitsubishi Eclipse, I'm not sure the right side of my body would be in proper working order today.

Ken300D · #40 04-17-2006, 06:36 PM

http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=25&sid=757435

This link will eventually time out, but if you are a current thread reader this will give you some idea of what goes on with I-95 in Metro areas.

Generally, in rural areas the truck drivers fall asleep and run off the road without taking anyone else with them. Sometimes they kill themselves, sometimes not. But in the congested areas they usually hurt or kill several others.

The one above ultimately involved 10 vehicles.

Ken300D

krs · #41 04-17-2006, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakh

When have you last seen a serious accident with an 18-wheeler? The only bad one I remember is on hwy 17 in Santa Cruz mountains when an 18-wheeler's breaks failed and he crashed into a pile of cars. But those are very rare.

Hmmm, I drove Hwy 17 from Santa Cruz to Santa Clara for 20 years and must have seen every one of the oh so rare accidents involving large trucks

pj67coll · #42 04-17-2006, 07:43 PM

As someone who has the misfortune to own one of the "Cheapest Korean Econoboxes" mentioned earlier I dont believe for an instant that the thing will hold up in a severe crash, airbags notwithstanding and that's IF they even deploy. Fortunately I just took ownership of a W123 240D about one hour ago. Thank God! in whome I dont even believe... Finally, after six years back behind the wheel of a solid vehicle again.

- Peter.

dakh · #43 04-17-2006, 07:51 PM

A few posters made remarks to the effect that there's a correlation between how your vehicle will "hold up" during a crash and how will it protect you from that crash. If there is one, it just might be the reverse of what you think it is.

Brian Carlton · #44 04-17-2006, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakh

A few posters made remarks to the effect that there's a correlation between how your vehicle will "hold up" during a crash and how will it protect you from that crash. If there is one, it just might be the reverse of what you think it is.

........touche.........

t walgamuth · #45 04-17-2006, 08:33 PM

the fintails had crumple zones. i am not sure about the pontoons. they may have been the first.

126s are definately not the first benz to have crumple zones.

tom w