Read this thread http://site.aol.com/autos/article/5.adp

Wow, after I read this I am now sort of scrared driving my 420 and 560 respectively with airbags. Has anyone had airbags pop out on them for no reason while driving in a benz? My 420 is 18yrs old and my 560 is 14 yrs old. The airbags in those cars are way past the recomended air bag replacement. WOW! Replacing the airbags with new ones and new control units mean big bucks...

Wow, when I was looking for a 84-85 Mercedes S-Class, I was really wanting one with the airbag option. The 85' 380SE I bought does not have the option. After reading that, I am glad that it does not.

My old 90' Lexus LS400 had a sticker on the sunvisor that said the system needed service "10 years" after date of manufacture. This was also the label in my old 93' Toyota Camry LE V6 sedan.

Well if you can't get em replaced, remember to keep your hands at 10 and 2 o'clock on the wheel at all times, and don't wear spikey jewelry!

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

thx for the tip! As my car gets older, although with low mileage and great condition, i am always afraid that something bad might go wrong with it, for ex- the airbags deploying for no reason and without any warning!

There was a guy @ work the other day complaining about airbags. He said that whenever he gets a car with airbags, that he "stabs" the steering wheel hub (airbag) with a knife! I was busy and did not get a chance to tell him that they sell for about $1000 each for most cars.

The air bags in MB's before 2000 are rated for 15 YEARS of service!

THE only MB's that I have seen with abnormal air bag deployment came from BROKEN flex disc & the DRIVESHAFT hitting the tunnel OR broken MOTOR mounts and or their arms that allow the trans to hit the tunnel.

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Just stabbing through the airbag - whilst making sure it won't inflate - is not going to stop the detonation, which if it did fail and go off while tootling down the highway is sure enough of a bang to scaare the crap out of you and probably have an accident anyway!!!

That said, I think these systems are pretty reliable - doesn't stop urban myths.

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1988 W126 420 SE

beware of fundamentalists!

That's interesting. My '85 380SE was originally a Kentucky car, and I wasn't aware the steering wheel airbag and seatbelt restraint system was optional (mine has the full SRS system).
However, the procedure to deactivate the airbag isn't at all complicated. Junkyard guys do this all the time. If anyone is concerned, just remove it.
I do agree that this will be a worsening problem for future old car owners though, MB or otherwise. IMO, just another example of the downside of regulatory efforts to save us from ourselves.

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

Yep, yours has it as an option then. I think it was about a $1000 option on the 84-85 models. Not too many of the 300SD or 380SE had them. It was more often seen in the 500SEL and 500SEC, but even in those, it was optional. It was also optional in the 84-85 190E and 190D. It was not available on the 84-85 300D, 300TD, 300CD or even the 380SL convertible. ALL had them for 86'. I think ABS was also optional in 84-85. Mine does have that option however.

Just called my friendly dealership...

$2200 list, $1700 or so wholesale for me. YUCK!


Michael

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Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E

So, my question is...I have a 90 300E and when is the last time they made the air bag for this car? 92 when they went to a new model. I could be buying a new airbag that has sat on the shelf for fifteen years right?!? 3000 for another airbag that will blow up in my face. I am wearing my football helmet from now on and I think I will have my girl steer from the passanger side incase it goes. I guess that takes out fun time if she is steering instead of shifting. I should sue just for that fact in itself. Ha
Chris

I don't concern myself with them as I always wear a seatbelt and don't know what good they will do me in an accident if I am belted in, but lets say that absolute airbag paranoia has set in, and airbags wind up disabled. Has anyone tried to replace the passenger side bag with a glovebox?
I really liked having a glovebox in my '89 W124, my '92 has an airbag instead.

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Fourings

84 Audi Coupe GT with Turbo engine, EFI (buh-bye CIS), Jamex seats, Koni's/H&R's, e-code lights. 210k and counting.
1992 Anthracite 400E, 161k, "Grey Ghost".
1986 VW Quantum Syncro, 192k, gone to the crusher in the sky.
1989 300TE 172k. (Was mine, now also Mom's car)
72 280SE 4.5 (Mom's car)

I think that model was made until 1995. Changed to the new model in 96'.