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#61
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My Focus was a 2007, the last model year and thus why I didn't get another. The placard for the Mercedes states 4,300 pounds. The 240 I gave to a friend, but had to be one of the safest I have driven. Volvos were the safest for decades and it also felt safe. However, it had not had the air bag checked like it should, so could be a hazard. The air bag components only have a life of 10 years, I.I.R.C.. Plus, doesn't have the room, the classiness, or a diesel engine of the Mercedes. Also on the individual basis I didn't have as much information and wasn't as well sorted. The type 3 chassis was released in 1961 and significantly redesigned in 1969 decades before the type 1 (1934 I.I.R.C.). It was designed with crumple zones, collapsing steering column, and padded dash. This means the type 3 do way better than the crash test video. The advantage the Squareback has over the Focus is no engine to go into the cabin. Further, the windshield isn't right in your face. I also have first hand experience. Both times the impact was at the passenger front fender, the Squareback at a combined speed over 65M.P.H. and the Focus at 55M.P.H.. In the case of the Volkswagen it was able to be driven after the accident as no suspension damage, one body buckle, and I only had minor whip lash; not even my glasses came off. However, the Focus had a busted axle that jammed into the power plant, eight body buckles, and had severe whip lash for which I had to be treated for weeks and never fully healed. Quote:
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On the point of heavy, the lighter and more nimble a vehicle handles, including engine performance, does help with safety. It is better to avoid an accident than be in one. The Volkswagen can be driven like a motorcycle in the way it can be whipped around. Those kind of maneuvers have saved me many a time and reduce the impact of the accident. This remindes me two lessons I learned from the last accident. First, know yourself. I have a low blood sugar condition and can really affect mental clarity when too low because I haven't eaten enough. Not only had I not eaten breakfast or intake of calories, I hadn't had very much quality sleep. So I was basically driving intoxicated meaning my reaction times were way down. Even the six second space was enough. Second, keep your autos maintained! I had severe slop in the suspension but was told by the mechanic it was fine. However, when I needed the most grip the suspension wasn't able to fully transmit the forces and stop the vehicle in a reasonable manner. It was corrected right after the accident, except for the guide rods and springs; still need to find a suspension shop.
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Current fleet: 1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery. 1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home. 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out. 1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration. 1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration. 1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health. |
#62
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I posted these pics in another thread, but here are some smashed up 116 pics that are interesting to consider when thinking about these old cars in the safety realm-
crumple zones worked, but realisticially the driver at least was probably injured in this accident passenger, probably no passenger in this car, but if there were, leg damage probable- driver- looks like at minimum, the drivers head was pitched through the side window and clearly hit the steering wheel really hard. what I found most interesting, is that the most severe side of the accident is not as badly deformed as the opposite side, the 617 was forced down and into the transmission tunnel, buckling the floor and pitching the driver seat up and over. Who knows what speed this happend, but the body of the car was mostly straight still. The front doors would even latch. The cars are tough, but improvements in passenger protection are far beyond the mercedes of this era.
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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr. |
#63
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so its activated when the airbags go off?
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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. |
#64
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Pretty much, many of them (at least early) were explosive just as airbags are, and are single use. When they kick in they kick in hard. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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TC Current stable: - 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL - 2007 Saturn sky redline - 2004 Explorer...under surgery. Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth |
#65
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They are activated a few milliseconds before.
-J
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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. |
#66
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkX16uDkHm8 Quote:
https://www.youtube.com/user/iihs/videos Epidemiological data on real world mortality rates also backs this up.
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CENSORED due to not family friendly words Last edited by tjts1; 06-29-2014 at 01:38 PM. |
#67
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The solution is simple. Just buy a newer Mercedes. I wouldn't trust any other manufacturer (except Porsche simply because I'm biased).
Probably W203 on up, imho. I've seen the hits they take. And I've gone from a "I hate W203 and newer Mercedes cars. To I love W203 and newer Mercedes cars" because of how well they, and all the newest Benz' fare in real world crash situations. But structurally, I don't see the old stuff much differently from the new. Except I really don't care to be picking glass shards out of my brain after a significant side-impact collision. I would only trust Mercedes for safety. Unlike the others, they DON'T play into automotive politics when it comes to saving lives.
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1987 300SDL (324000) 1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000) 1978 Porsche 924 (99000) 1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000) |
#68
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If safety is your concern, buy a brand new car. Safety tech has come a long long way in 15 years, there is a reason they keep upping crash test standards. Heck, look at the tesla.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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TC Current stable: - 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL - 2007 Saturn sky redline - 2004 Explorer...under surgery. Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth |
#69
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It is my understanding that Mercedes Benz created the idea of a "tethered air bag". This prevents the air bag from deploying off to one side. Cars with non-tethered airbags have allowed the driver or passenger to completely MISS the airbag and hit the steering wheel, windshield, dashboard, etc. I was told by a Mercedes representative that many car makers do NOT tether their airbags.
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#70
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In the end, in any severe accident most folks will not walk away and have a high chance for death. I rather drive something I enjoy and die happy then to drive one of these blobs with no personality and live miserable. I would figure most folks on here feel the same way, right? You only have one day and live it to the fullest!
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Current fleet: 1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery. 1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home. 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out. 1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration. 1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration. 1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health. |
#71
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W123-300TDT-Abmessung/en Notice the kerb weight is 1600kg (3570LB) but max payload is 610kg (1344LB) in Europe. You could load your US car to that 1344LB limit but if something mechanical should go wrong, don't expect any sympathy from MB. Quote:
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CENSORED due to not family friendly words Last edited by tjts1; 06-30-2014 at 10:39 PM. |
#72
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I wish I had known as could have found out why my air bags were defective. Bummer...
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Current fleet: 1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery. 1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home. 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out. 1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration. 1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration. 1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health. |
#73
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Frontal crash tests The 20% test is much more recent. They were also the first to do side impact tests against a fixed pole. This forced manufacturers to introduce head airbags. You can also look at euro NCAP crash tests which are just as brutal and also independent from gov influence. https://www.youtube.com/user/euroncapcom/videos Prior to NCAP and IIHS there was this German clip which was probably one of the first examples of a offset crash test. Its long but worth watch. The W124, E34 and Audi are the only ones that do well. The German market cars didn't have standard airbags at the time which could have helped a lot in this case. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaiMUM0XVZk Old NCAP from late 90s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=847AtiO5kkg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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CENSORED due to not family friendly words Last edited by tjts1; 07-01-2014 at 12:57 AM. |
#74
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LMAO When did an insurance company become any better then the government....
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#75
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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. |
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