I'm considering purchasing a 1994 350TD which has had a factory rebuilt engine installed. As has been well described on this forum, the W140 is built like a tank. However much engineering design and safety features have been developed over the past decade. Side airbags, traction control, electronic stability control. So which is the safest car: The newer S class Mercedes (W220) or the well-built W140? Which would you choose?

Di would probably disagree that the 140 is safe.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

Well, she wasn't wearing her seatbelt was she.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

Gotta say the 220 is much safer. Does the 140 have any side airbags? I don't think you can overvalue side and head airbags. Don't think traction control affects safety. Stability control is nice to have, but I've not seen any studies as to how it affects safety or accident rate in passenger cars.

- JimY

Talking diesels: How about the W140 vs. the current E320CDI? The latter does have side airbags and the latest safety technology.

I rolled a BMW 528i 6 times, 300' down a mountainside a couple of years ago and climbed out and was able to walk back up to the road after it came to a stop after 45 seconds.

I'm a firm believer in side door AND side curtain air bags; preferably two each as they deflate 15 or 20 seconds after deployment and occassionally one's not enough.

I'd say newer is safer.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Nothing is safe when hitting a concrete wall at 150+mph.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Didn't the driver of Di's car survive?

Henri - a drunk with a seat belt.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

No, it was the body guard in the front passenger seat that survived.

Steve

And who was the only one of the four wearing his seat belt.

Side air bags might give a very well built car an advantage over another equally well built car that does not have them. So the 220 might be safer in that respect than the 140 but given the chassis lightening and quality control issues after the accountants took over I'm not sure it's an inherently safer vehicle than the w140. If it is I doubt it's by much.

I dont much like the idea of balloons taking over the job of structure. But maybe that's just me.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

That was either an S280 or 300. It wasn't going any 150mph.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

It was an S280 and I think it was going at 120mph.

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With best regards

Al

Note: W140's did add side airbags. Not certain of the year, buy my '97 S320 has side air bags.

Steve

It was an S280, i dont even think its capable of 120mph but i guess they could have been going downhill.

Anyway, she should have worn her seatbelt like the driver was and she would have survived.

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Current:
05 E320 CDI
07 GL320 CDI
08 Sprinter
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Previous
2004 E55 AMG
2002 C32 AMG (#2)
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1978 300D
1987 300D
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2002 Jetta TDI
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1993 190E 2.6
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