Is this crash test rating correct? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

winmutt · #1 11-10-2006, 04:39 PM

Quote:

The Results below are listed in the following left to right order: (F=Frontal impact; S=Side impact)
(All impacts are measured in the front seats except passenger side impacts which are measured in the rear seat.)
Year--- |Make and Model |Doors| Weight | Driver (F) Pass | Driver (S) Pass |

1990--- Mercedes Benz 190E--- 4Dr-- 3058 (*** ) (*** )
1980--- Mercedes Benz 240D--- 4Dr-- 3714 (** ) (* )
1984--- Mercedes Benz 300SD-- 4Dr-- 4270 (*** ) (**** )
1994-97 Mercedes Benz C220--- 4Dr-- 3190 (**** ) (**** )

W123 only gets 2 and 1? WTF?

midenginev8 · #2 11-10-2006, 04:46 PM

all crash test on all domestic and import cars sold in the us are conducted though the NHTSA. thats the rating it was given from them. so thats correct.

Hit Man X · #3 11-10-2006, 05:08 PM

Horray for the 126

winmutt · #4 11-10-2006, 05:13 PM

This is disappointing to say the least. I have a hard time believing these figures to be correct.

DslBnz · #5 11-10-2006, 05:35 PM

I don't care who they are, I don't believe them.

They also state a 1984 GMC pickup gets 5 star ratings for both driver and passenger cars. I hardly think that's credible.

The W126 was rated the safest car in the world during its entire production run, FWIW.

The W123 is also one of the safest Mercedes ever made in regards to passenger safety cage rigidity.

jcyuhn · #6 11-10-2006, 06:00 PM

MB and the NHTSA don't agree on what constitutes a typical real-world crash. As a result the MB is not engineered specifically to perform well in the NHTSA test.

NHTSA is a "full frontal" crash. The car is run into a large, solid barrier, deforming the entire front end of the vehicle.

MB has argued that a typical frontal crash is offset; the entire front end of the car is not involved. The 123 was designed to protect its occupants in that type of crash.

As a result the front structure of a 123 is too stiff to perform well in the NHTSA test. Doesn't mean the car isn't safe, just that MB chose a different set of compromises.

FWIW, the IIHS - the other crash test people in the U.S. - run offset tests. So apparently they agree with MB.

- JimY

d.delano · #7 11-10-2006, 07:58 PM

Anybody ever have the inside door panel off of a w123 and happen to notice the steel bar running across? Whenever somebody posts that some idiot totaled their w123 they always thank the engineers. I feel pretty safe in mine.

Veloce300DT · #8 11-10-2006, 08:22 PM

YEARS ago my grandma was T-boned in her 240D by a semi truck that ran a red light... the truck was traveling 32-33mph, hit both passenger side doors.. the 240D spun out of control and over a 6 1/2 foot embankment, rolling the car.

Grandma got out with a broken arm

jwhughes3 · #9 11-10-2006, 09:14 PM

My Dad sold Mercedes Benz for over 35 years from 1955-1991 and I spent alot of time hanging out with him around the dealership getting to know everyone including the body shop folks. I saw some God awful cars come into the shop sometimes .... some they could fix (amazingly) and others not - but I don't remember ever seeing one with intrusion into the passenger compartment and I always felt safe riding in one. I'm glad to see the SD rating because I'm thinking of getting one.

John