350SDL killed by 2006 Chevy truck - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

banshee350 · #1 05-25-2006, 04:57 PM

Last night a guy turned left in front of my son and wife in our car.Flattened the nose fronm the center of the grill to the drivers door shoved the tire back to the rear of the wheel well.Drivers door would not open due to fender but did unlatch,pass door opened and shut okay as do both rear doors.Air bag saved my son from any bad injuries but my wife is pertty sore from the seat belt. they were doing about 35mph. any one know how the later model diesels are most likly the late 350's not just motor but car over all quailty.

Jim B. · #2 05-25-2006, 05:28 PM

I am so happy to hear no one was hurt badly. In lesser (flimsier) cars this could have been a lot worse!!

I hope you will contemplating the car with another W126 Mercedes.

The W126 like you have, is a real tank by comparison to the econoboxes out there, and the W140 (92-99) is a tank too, but the pre '96 ones generally more problem prone.

Try to document your losses (BI) as you go, it will help. I hope you can find another good big diesel Benz at a fair price, to protect you and the family you love.

I hope too, you have little trouoble finding a good replacement car!

You have just experienced the ultimate, inarguable reason for owning a big Benz. They are very very safe, in the large accidents.

Good luck to you!!

sixto · #3 05-25-2006, 07:52 PM

The 350SDL engine carried over into the 92-95 300SD/S350. I imagine a 140 is one of the few places safer to be in than a 126. The 140 is a much more complex beast. It's known for fragile and expensive to replace AC evaporator cores and closing assist pumps but a 140 Diesel is no more likely to leave you stranded than a 350SDL.

The 96-99 E300 NA and turbodiesels have more safety features than a 350SDL but not the mass. I'm inclined to think your family would have been no worse off in a 210.

Sixto

Hatterasguy · #4 05-25-2006, 08:54 PM

Glad to hear everyone is more or less OK. Impressed that the almost 20 year old air bag worked as designed. I see our faith in MB was properly placed. They know how to be extremly reliable systems.

The later S class diesels were dud's. If you want a newer S class buy an S320, simply an all around better engine then the 603.971.

Hit Man X · #5 05-25-2006, 08:55 PM

Well damnit, I remember you just picked it up recently too. At least you have some good parts to remove and sell if you wish.

TheDon · #6 05-25-2006, 09:34 PM

another 350 off the road.. what a shame.. id get that chevy owner for everything they have.. do i smell a brand new E320 CDI?

DslBnz · #7 05-25-2006, 09:47 PM

Glad everyone is OK. That's why it is important to ensure your loved ones are protected with a car designed as well as a Mercedes.

Don't waste your time with the S350. They are overvalued, and we all have a new well-earned disrespect for the sleeveless 22:1 CI engine.

Get an S320 instead as Hatterasguy previously mentioned. The fuel economy will average in the low - maybe mid 20's, its more powerful by about 4 seconds to 60, and a fun car to drive. Only thing about W140's I find, is that they tend to isolate the driver from the road. It is not as communicative as the W126. Around town, the W126 requires the "HEAVE-HO", while the W140 simply requires one hand to cock the steering wheel in the desired direction.

Good luck, however you choose.

banshee350 · #8 06-01-2006, 11:51 PM

Here are some pics of the car.I a in the portland Ore area I may have a chance to buy the car back if any one is interested in parts let me know.If I have enough intrest I will get it back.I had put 5k on it ,it used no oil I had just changed it afew days before the wreck.It has a new vac pump and mono valve every thing worked but the power antena it would not go up all the way.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/wvopowered/album?.dir=/e4c1re2

Hatterasguy · #9 06-01-2006, 11:57 PM

Their isn't much left!

OMEGAMAN · #10 06-02-2006, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Their isn't much left!

All that matters is the passenger compartment!

Hatterasguy · #11 06-02-2006, 12:08 AM

Correct, and as usual MB did a good job.

sailor15015 · #12 06-02-2006, 12:27 AM

Sorry to hear about your loss. I went through the same thing last Thanksgiving. My W123 was hit in the rear by a lady who was doing 65+ and wasn't paying attention to the rest of us that had slowed down to 30ish to make room for a moving trailer house that was taking up most of the road. My trunk is comletely smashed but, like in your pics, everything caved in around the passenger compartment, leaving it intact. It makes me feel really safe in my "tank".

pawoSD · #13 06-02-2006, 12:41 AM

Wow, the passenger compartment is indeed unscathed, very impressive, and another reason why I will continue to drive W126's as long as I possibly can. Sad to see that one die though, it looked like a VERY nice car.

I hope that stupid chevy truck was totaled too.