One of the best reasons to drive a 'Benz (w123 in particular) - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mark DiSilvestro · #31 02-27-2015, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Doner

The pillars inside the doors should have been added as part of the federalization process done on the majority of euros. If it says Imported by (so and so) and meets all federal motor vehicle safety standards it has been federalized. If you see a euro without this plate or sticker, beware. It could be non federalized, which can cause issues in some states as far as registration goes.

Yes, my Euro TD doesn't have an import sticker. Several years ago, I did have some difficulty registering this car in Virginia - not because of the non-US VIN - but because Washington DC and Maryland failed to include the first three letters (WDB) where the vehicle was previously titled & registered - leaving the recorded VIN with less than the minimum number of characters required by Virginia DMV. (One might think that DC and MD would have had the same VIN requirement and should have corrected this situation before I had to)
A Virginia DMV supervisor also told me there MIGHT be an issue with some of the other numbers in the VIN, but he said if Maryland was willing to issue a corrected title to the seller, the information would go on the NCIC database and Virginia would then accept it.
Since this vehicle is now well over 25 years old. hopefully the Feds aren't trying to track me down!
Though it has been 'federalized' so far as the lights & bumpers.

Happy Motoring, Mark

pj67coll · #32 02-27-2015, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjts1

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.

Yeah. Other manufacturers are starting to make cars like Mercedes used to.

- Peter.

pj67coll · #33 02-27-2015, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro

OTOH, one of the worst vehicles to be inside during an accident is probably an '80s Japanese pickup.

Not just their pickups.

Quote:

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.

Before I left South Africa a cousin of mine's husband had a minor accident in their mid 90's Toyota Cressida. The damage to the front was ugly but not enough to stop the car from being driven. Smashed lights, grille, radiator and bent hood. But after a new radiator and was put in it was immediately drivable.

What stunned me however was the fact that the passenger compartment had buckled in the middle of the front doors. Doors themselves were OK but you could see a slight buckling in the roof directly above the center of the doors.

My cousin seemed to think this was a good thing as it indicated the car was "absorbing the impact" I never really did manage to explain the reality to her which was basically that the car was crumpling exactly where you "dont" want it to do so. Her husband was indeed lucky that this was a minor accident because had it been a bit worse he would have been very much the worse for wear.

Modern cars may be safer than 123's given the advances in safety over the last forty years but I have no problem whatever in using a 123 as my daily driver and will happily do so for the rest of my days.

- Peter.

Mark DiSilvestro · #34 02-28-2015, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Not just their pickups.

Before I left South Africa a cousin of mine's husband had a minor accident in their mid 90's Toyota Cressida. The damage to the front was ugly but not enough to stop the car from being driven. Smashed lights, grille, radiator and bent hood. But after a new radiator and was put in it was immediately drivable.

What stunned me however was the fact that the passenger compartment had buckled in the middle of the front doors. Doors themselves were OK but you could see a slight buckling in the roof directly above the center of the doors.

My cousin seemed to think this was a good thing as it indicated the car was "absorbing the impact" I never really did manage to explain the reality to her which was basically that the car was crumpling exactly where you "dont" want it to do so. Her husband was indeed lucky that this was a minor accident because had it been a bit worse he would have been very much the worse for wear.

Modern cars may be safer than 123's given the advances in safety over the last forty years but I have no problem whatever in using a 123 as my daily driver and will happily do so for the rest of my days.

- Peter.

Many import/Japanese cars used to be pretty lousy, but the trucks were worse because, unlike passenger-cars in the US, they weren't even required to have basic safety technology like energy-absorbing steering columns or impact-beams inside the doors!

Happy Motoring, Mark

Fattyman · #35 02-28-2015, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjts1

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.

OMG!
Is that a 300TD under all that crumpled metal?

MBeige · #36 03-01-2015, 11:05 AM

I'm glad your friend is okay. For a moment I thought it was your 300D

The W123, compared to cars of the same vintage, will usually fare better. In some cases, much better.

But compared to modern cars, that becomes a "maybe". The pillars are also thicker because that's where the curtain airbags reside. Side airbags are usually on the seats or door panels.

ROLLGUY · #37 03-01-2015, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

I'm glad your friend is okay. For a moment I thought it was your 300D

Good eye. Ben traded wheels with my brother, so the wheels you see on the car above are on the car (280E) that Ben has.

MBeige · #38 03-02-2015, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

Good eye. Ben traded wheels with my brother, so the wheels you see on the car above are on the car (280E) that Ben has.

Ah, I thought that was your car.

What a coincidence, nonetheless.

whunter · #39 03-02-2015, 02:37 AM

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

Focus on the topic, not......

??? What a shocking thought, if the other driver had been FOCUSED on driving = there would be no damage to focus on.

Blast it, now I am out of Focus.
"Going off to clean my glasses, and have an adult beverage to improve Focus".

.

t walgamuth · #40 03-02-2015, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjts1

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.

That car looks like it may have been cut up with the jaws of life.