check out this 116 wreck - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

martureo · #16 07-24-2013, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

my (currently damaged W124) could stop so incredibly quick that if the front passenger was not wearing a seat belt they would be launched from the windshield.

I have had to do one or two such stops and good lord the MB feels like someone threw an anchor, I had the chance to try this in a FWD impala - NOPES. the suspension design is terrible and the car takes its distance to stop despite having larger brakes than the benz.

This crash is remarkable in the sense that the 116 was concieved in the early 70s and MB actually thought to incorporate crumple zones in it to protect the passenger cell - most american iron was relying on mass to keep the cell intact. which was wrong. The Japanese were still trying to figure out how to make a car properly. There is a reason us lot drive these, and my car (which will be repaired soon) is evidence enough for me that you should always be investing in a vehicle that has the monies spent where it matters most - bells, whistles, shapes, lines etc come afterwards.

I can't remember the date but I thought I read somewhere that MB was putting in crumple zones back in the 1950s.

EDIT: Can't remember where I read it, but Wikipedia confirms the Ponton had crumple zone design. Patented in 1952 by Mercedes.

Doktor Bert · #17 07-24-2013, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

my (currently damaged W124) could stop so incredibly quick that if the front passenger was not wearing a seat belt they would be launched from the windshield.

I have had to do one or two such stops and good lord the MB feels like someone threw an anchor, I had the chance to try this in a FWD impala - NOPES. the suspension design is terrible and the car takes its distance to stop despite having larger brakes than the benz...

My W116 has all new Balo rotors, PBR organic pads and DOT 5 silicone fluid. Brake pedal is solid and brake response is good, but I do not think the braking system, frictional area and cooling is adequate for a car of this size. The brakes are indeed good, but there is a lot of nose down attitude under hard, panic stops, but thus far, no tendency for rear wheel lock-up.

My 2001 Mustang is a lighter car with much greater frictional area, cooling capability and fluid capacity and even with the ABS system offline, stabbing the brakes makes the entire car squat down closer to the pavement with very little, if any nose-down angle.

V8 W116 brake rotors/pads/calipers would be a good upgrade to any diesel W116...FWIW

eatont9999 · #18 07-24-2013, 07:58 PM

Teeth in a steering wheel? Now that would be a unique salvage yard find! I'll have to keep my eye out.

I have never seen blood or body parts in a car at PNP but when I see a car with major damage, I always check it out.

As for air bags, I personally do not like or want them in any vehicle of mine. I think I stand a fair chance against most any passenger vehicle on the road today. I had a 1995 Geo Prizm that I ran into the back of a Ford Escort back in my high school days and the air bags never went off. The car was totaled. I'm glad the air bags didn't go off because I probably would have had two broken hands, smashed face and burns. I hit the Escort at around 20MPH after skidding for a while in poor road conditions. The Geo crumbled like a beer can. Too bad, though, it was a good running car.

sassparilla_kid · #19 07-24-2013, 08:49 PM

Crumple zones FOR THE WIN!!!!! Also wrecked cars with blood in them go straight to the crusher with no chance for people to ever get at them, at least in California anyway, not sure how other states work

engatwork · #20 07-24-2013, 08:56 PM

Ya'll think the steering wheel would look like that if the driver had had their seat belt on?

compu_85 · #21 07-24-2013, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doktor Bert

V8 W116 brake rotors/pads/calipers would be a good upgrade to any diesel W116...FWIW

I believe on the W126 all models got the same brakes, must have been an "upgrade" from the W116.

-J

compu_85 · #22 07-24-2013, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engatwork

Ya'll think the steering wheel would look like that if the driver had had their seat belt on?

The driver did have his seatbelt on. Notice it by the seat. The seat moved forward, the steering column moved up and in, and the seatbelt stretched (as it was designed to).

This is why airbags help so much in a major accident.

-J

cooljjay · #23 07-24-2013, 10:16 PM

Calling Squiggle Dog!!

We found your walnut brown, sunroof w116 you have been looking for....it will buff right out

shadetree77 · #24 07-24-2013, 10:42 PM

lol

MBeige · #25 07-24-2013, 11:17 PM

Seems similar to the S123 I saw at the yard years ago.

irishflyer · #26 07-25-2013, 12:15 PM

Then look for a video about a Forbes writer (Greenburg) is in a Prius, and two hackers show him the results of someone taking control of the main ECU...they put it in self park mode while going down the highway, no brakes, etc. this crash picture and no computers are the reason I drive Mercedes diesels of this vintage..

irishflyer · #27 07-25-2013, 12:25 PM

Hackers Reveal Nasty New Car Attacks--With Me Behind The Wheel (Video) - Forbes

DeliveryValve · #28 07-26-2013, 12:51 AM

Here is a cool video of a w123 in a barrier impact.

1980 Mercedes 240 Crash Test - YouTube

.

vstech · #29 07-26-2013, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeliveryValve

Here is a cool video of a w123 in a barrier impact.

1980 Mercedes 240 Crash Test - YouTube

.

Finally, there is another way to open the trunk on the 123!

MBeige · #30 07-26-2013, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeliveryValve

Here is a cool video of a w123 in a barrier impact.

1980 Mercedes 240 Crash Test - YouTube

.

Thanks for that link, pretty good video of a W123 crash test, especially the underside (the differential mount and rear subframe also moved as the engine, transmission, and prop shaft were all pushed backwards).