One of the best reasons to drive a 'Benz (w123 in particular) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #1 02-22-2015, 10:31 AM

I sold my first and only gasser (yes I know this is the Diesel forum, but you will forgive me

) MB (1985 280E) to a friend a few years ago, and he traded it to another friend, and he (Ben) was involved in a red light runner "T" bone collision.

Ben called and texted the photos to me and said he is fine. He actually went to urgent care to be checked out, and only has soft tissue damage and pain in his hip. I don't know how bad the other car was (Ben didn't say), but I imagine it was bad as well. This is another testament to the quality and strength that is built into these cars. I am happy that Ben got the W123 to replace his Nissan Stanza. I think he might have been hurt much more......Rich

chronometers · #2 02-22-2015, 10:52 AM

Open a rear door on any car. Push the door gently but firmly toward the front of the car.

On a Mercedes, the B (center pillar) will not flex.

Look at what other car's B pillars do when you do the same test ;-)

Zacharias · #3 02-22-2015, 02:46 PM

I think it would be safe to assume that had he been in the Nissan, Ben would have known no pain at all.

If you catch my drift.

If he got out of that without a concussion I want to know his secret. I was hit with at least that much force on the front driver fender of a w126, by a red runner, and have had serious post-concussion issues since.

Nice wheels.

charmalu · #4 02-22-2015, 04:43 PM

Glad to hear your friend survived w/o any serious injuries.
These W123`s are built tough, but still, the angle of the impact and force will still determine the seriousness of the injuries.

I agree that a Nissan would not be the best vehicle to be in with this type of crash.
My 82 Datsun or 83 Nissan PU`s would fold like a beer can. I have been lucky the past 34 years driving the 82

Shame to see another W123 gone, still lots of good parts to salvage.

I saw a 82 240D in the yards that had a more direct hit to the side, hit so hard, the drivers seat was folded in a V and pushed into the center consul. It looked like it may have been parked when hit ....hope so.

Charlie

Skid Row Joe · #5 02-22-2015, 04:44 PM

Thanks for posting, Rich.

It's good to remind us of how wonderful and safe our MB sedans are from time to time.

ROLLGUY · #6 02-23-2015, 01:27 AM

I found out it was a Ford Focus that hit Ben's car. No details, but I am sure the air bag/s deployed. Ben was lucky that a police officer was nearby and saw the whole thing happen before his eyes. I told Ben not to back down on getting just compensation for his injuries and for replacing the car (a total loss, and not repairable). It is a Euro car with a 4 speed, so quite rare. He may have to find some comps to give the insurance company, but that may be hard. There are not too many 280E's around that are for sale to get a replacement value. And yes Charlie, Ben has already agreed to turn the car over to me (we may make a deal with the SD I have for sale) so I can sell the salvageable parts.....Rich

gatorblue92 · #7 02-23-2015, 06:18 AM

Wow thats a pretty scary place to take a hit. I'm glad he is okay and the car did its job.

charmalu · #8 02-23-2015, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I found out it was a Ford Focus that hit Ben's car. No details, but I am sure the air bag/s deployed. Ben was lucky that a police officer was nearby and saw the whole thing happen before his eyes. I told Ben not to back down on getting just compensation for his injuries and for replacing the car (a total loss, and not repairable). It is a Euro car with a 4 speed, so quite rare. He may have to find some comps to give the insurance company, but that may be hard. There are not too many 280E's around that are for sale to get a replacement value. And yes Charlie, Ben has already agreed to turn the car over to me (we may make a deal with the SD I have for sale) so I can sell the salvageable parts.....Rich

When a Ford Focus get`s into a wreck...it is now....Out of Focus.

OK...I just had to say that.

Charlie

ROLLGUY · #9 02-23-2015, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

When a Ford Focus get`s into a wreck...it is now....Out of Focus.

OK...I just had to say that.

Charlie

And the driver was "Focused" on Ben's "B" pillar.

BillGrissom · #10 02-23-2015, 02:50 PM

Shows that a 4 door is much safer, and I think all they use in demolition derbies. Long ago I drove a 2 dr 1969 Dodge Dart. I saw one hit on the passenger door and it had folded in on the driver, which was unsettling. Next best is a "2 door post" style, but haven't seen those since the 1960's. Racers prefer them since stiffer.

Make sure your friend does not answer "not injured" when the insurance prompts him. They work hard to get you to say that on tape. Once they have that, they say your car was worth $50 and all they will pay. Leave the injury concern hanging and they will be more reasonable. He really doesn't know yet if he will have long-term pain.

My wife was hit on the side at a red light, thus someone ran a red light. Both cars had Geico. They dragged their feet for 6 months then said both were equally at fault, so they didn't have to pay anyone under GA law. We had to sue them to get anything. I hope your friend doesn't have to deal with that crap.

PaulH · #11 02-24-2015, 12:45 AM

Anyone check out the recent NY commuter train / SUV crash? It as a an ML that got hit by the train going about 50mph. The ML was pushed about 1000 feet down the tracks. The ML body held up fairly well. The third rail went through the gas tank, thus the fire/explosion, otherwise the driver would have remained in one piece - maybe........

Mark DiSilvestro · #12 02-24-2015, 07:42 AM

While not up to today's safety technology, I'd certainly prefer to be hit in a W123, than a Nissan Stanza.
OTOH, one of the worst vehicles to be inside during an accident is probably an '80s Japanese pickup. Light-weight construction and lacking most of the safety features that were required on passenger cars at that time.
About 15 years ago, I ran into the rear of a Ford E150 with my '87 Isuzu P'up. No damage to the Ford, but my truck suffered a broken grill & headlight, and crumpled the left front corner of the fender. Didn't really look that bad, but the impact distorted the cabin enough to jam the driver's door. It still sticks a bit when I open it and has an air-leak at speed. (I tell myself "Well anyway, it's probably safer than a motorcycle!")
By the way, the Euro version W123s typically don't have the US DOT-required impact beams inside the doors. Been thinking about adding some to my Euro TD whenever I think I might have too much time on my hands.

Happy Motoring, Mark

83w126 · #13 02-24-2015, 11:00 AM

I have seen some pictures of an accident where a women driving a lexus in a parking lot froze and jumped the car though the (closed) passenger side door of a gto and hit the 39 ford parked on the other side, after that I never liked 2 door hardtops as much anymore.

ROLLGUY · #14 02-24-2015, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro

......................
By the way, the Euro version W123s typically don't have the US DOT-required impact beams inside the doors. Been thinking about adding some to my Euro TD whenever I think I might have too much time on my hands.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Wow, I did not know that. I will definitely compare the doors on the Euro car with a US spec car (I have several parts cars I can look at). Either way, I would say that the 280E held up very well, impact beams or not......Rich

tjts1 · #15 02-24-2015, 12:42 PM

As good as the w123 was for its time, in a high speed crash any modern car (even a Nissan) would just use the w123 as an additional crumple zone and your chance of surviving uninjured would be slim to none compared to the new car. Anecdotes like the above are fun but don't let that give you a false sense if security. Theres a very good reason why modern A B and C pillars are so ridiculously thick, stamped out of a single large piece of sheet metal.

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