The one fitted to the W126 should work well. Just look at that cross section, there's tons of padding in front of the metal tube underneath, and it's quite pliable. Good news for me as my driving position has my legs almost touching it! Not so on the old VW, the padding is probably 3mm thick and much, much firmer :S

VW invented the knee bar, you'd think theirs would have been better. 1988 and 89 Jettas did not have a lap belt! A friend got into a moderate accident in one years ago and broke both of his legs when he submaraned under the shoulder belt and went crashing into the knee bar and dashboard. I removed the knee bar and passive belts from my 91 Jetta, if I keep my 92 I will probably do the same if I can find the parts to do it.

The knee bolster in my 99.9 Jetta has no padding at all. Just the hard plastic lower dash trim in front of the very heavy knee bar. I hope I never get to test it.

Here's what a late euro spec car's interior looks like. Note the lack of knee bolsters, just like the early non airbag US cars:

Attached Thumbnails

 

^ Above has dual bags, but no bolsters?

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1991 560 SEL / 185k miles
1992 750il / 17k miles - project car

Correct. Note the cloth interior and suspension firmness switch (to the right of the hazzard switch and left of the ASR switch). It's a euro 560 SEL.

-Jason

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

Ah. Duh, sorry, forgot about the DOT thing. I really like my little spots to put coinage and other items. But I would prefer a proper glove box and not the little lockable cubby in the center.

edit: Actually I would give it all up for a cup holder

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1991 560 SEL / 185k miles
1992 750il / 17k miles - project car

I snagged the bolster on driver's side from a 91, and I like the change tray and such. not sure if I will put it in or not though...

I swear they mount different. The '86+ has straight in bolts and the '85 and older come in at an angle. I will go check.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Also if equipped with an airbag, the airbag light should bulb check/prove out when the engine is started, correct? Some people will pull an airbag steering wheel and replace the non SRS wheel with it for the updated look of the SDLs.

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Thanks,
Mark in NC

"Spark plugs?...We don't need no stinking spark plugs!"
1985 300SD "Der Silberne Schlitten" 420,000 mi


Wish these were diesel:
2003 Ford Club Wagon 130,000 mi

This is some great info! Thanks!

I don't think my car has the knee bolsters, though my 91 that I used to have must have had them. That 91 SDL had a sweet interior!

Will the knee bolsters unbolt and bolt into a non srs car?

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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.

I'd think they would. The part you don't see is the honkin collapsible metal tube which lives under the padding, but I would suspect all the mounting points are there on the older cars.

Yes, there should be a red SRS light in the instrument cluster, which should come on when you turn the key to accessory and then go out after a couple of moments.

-Jason

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.