W123 safety - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#31 10-22-2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sev

later model w123's did have optional ABS

you'd be wise to buy her a 190e if you care about her safety, plus you'd be getting a really nice car for a cheap price

I would consider a w201; or maybe a newer C or E-class, depending on what I can find at the moment. Maybe even a used 3 or 5 series would be OK. None of those would really interest me, but any of them work as a "learn to drive" car (not too sporty, good safety, reasonable price). We'll see what I can find when the time comes.

In the mean time, I should really find a winter (ski) car to replace my POS jeep. I've been semi-looking around for a decent ML320, but I don't know if that's what I (meaning my wife) really want.

MBeige · #32 10-22-2009, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerkebi

I find this photo to be shocking and very disturbing. Who would put those stupid looking chrome wheel arches on such a beautiful car?

Maybe the car did not hit hard enough so these chrome trim arches would fly off?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sev

later model w123's did have optional ABS

you'd be wise to buy her a 190e if you care about her safety, plus you'd be getting a really nice car for a cheap price

In Europe, yes, W123s had optional ABS. In the US, it was not an option.

A 190E would be good, but if you get a cheap one chances are things are in need of work/repair. These are not as easy as W123s to fix, but the chassis is absolutely a fun one to drive around in. That might actually promote spirited driving.

JordaanDMC-12 · #33 10-23-2009, 12:16 AM

I really like w124's I mean there still really fun to drive, especially the rare manuals and they have the reliability of the old Mercedes with the addition of safety features such as traction control, ABS and a driver air bag. To me it's the perfect car for a teenager. Has a good amount of speed, safe, looks great and carries that three pointed star for the same if not even less than a 123...

The only real difference is much more simplicity on the 123 of course. I LOVE w123's also I miss my 240D and wish I would have kept it but I was very satisfied in high school with my 300E.

t walgamuth · #34 10-23-2009, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

They do have side impact beams for that purpose.

My concern was the head hitting solid things on the side of the car.

75Sv1 · #35 10-23-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

Horses are dangerous, as in motorcycle dangerous. You're right about a 240D being safe, though it probably has a higher probability of getting rearended than some other cars

I think a large part of this, is due to no 'third brake light' and poor tail lights. Both of these are upgradeable. I like my 240D with manual trans. It is my daily driver or work car. Many hear say they are slow. I drive flat land, so no big hills. I do keep with up with traffic. I don't have any highway miles on my way to work. I have had mine on the highway. It does OK, but really needs a 5spd.
Mine does very good on dry pavment. In rain, it becomes a bit twitchy. I think a good set of tires would really help that. Also, possibly some new shocks.
Tom

matthias08 · #36 10-23-2009, 11:39 AM

I drove my 240D my Senior year in High school...
I was rear ended once, at a relatively low speed...
the only thing on my car i had to replace were the bumper shocks, this woman (in a chevy venture) replaced hood, both headlights, bumper, grille, and anything internal that might have snapped, although her airbags did not deploy, the van was towed away.

that being said... I've purchased 2 W124's in the last 10 months... and for a daily driver, probably wouldn't go back to a 123...

my '87 300D does promote spirited driving...

but my '95 E300 Diesel might be something to look for!

ABS, ASD, both front pass. have airbags, and its "Slow"

like people have said... its not how the car ends up after the accident... its how it handles it (or avoids it)

so far i've only had to avoid 1 accident in my 124's (aside from deer) and I have a feeling, that if i would have tried that in my stock set up in my 123... i might not have come out as well...

I've seen LOTS of post-update W124's out there, with moderate mileage in both gasoline & diesel combo's in pretty decent shape for just about what a nice W123 would bring... ($5k) give or take my '87 I got for $3500

t walgamuth · #37 10-23-2009, 04:36 PM

The 124 has superior handling and ride.

The 123 is much simpler and more service friendly.

#38 10-23-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

The 124 has superior handling and ride.

The 123 is much simpler and more service friendly.

Very true.

Also, the W123 looks like it was designed in the 70s and the W124 looks like it was designed in the 80s (not the high point of automotive design, IMHO).

Yak · #39 10-23-2009, 07:01 PM

Maybe I missed it, but I can't believe no one cited the Autoweek article from September '09 on 10 safe rides for teens. It included the 300D wagon, but the 240D can't be far behind.

"1979-81 Mercedes-Benz 300TD

AVERAGE PRICE RANGE: $6,000-$14,000

Nothing will make you cooler and keep you safer than a vintage Mercedes wagon."

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090903/CARNEWS/909039994

#40 10-23-2009, 07:09 PM

Wow, the W123 wagon is the only car on that list that I would allow in my driveway. What a collection of junk, the W123 would be embarrassed to be included in that group.

71inka02 · #41 10-23-2009, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthias08

... and for a daily driver, probably wouldn't go back to a 123...

I've said that twice in my life...my daily driver is yet another W123! The passion runs deep, and they get in your blood......a really tough habit to beat - so don't try to beat it...Drive what feels good, and the W123 feels "oh so good"!

Sev · #42 10-23-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

That might actually promote spirited driving.

spirited.

understatement of the century for my style of driving a 190e

Mark DiSilvestro · #43 10-23-2009, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

Maybe the car did not hit hard enough so these chrome trim arches would fly off?

In Europe, yes, W123s had optional ABS. In the US, it was not an option.

A 190E would be good, but if you get a cheap one chances are things are in need of work/repair. These are not as easy as W123s to fix, but the chassis is absolutely a fun one to drive around in. That might actually promote spirited driving.

Actually the late Euro E123s (at least the 300D) were availible with ABS, AND a driver's airbag.
See my thread 'Safety First, but not for US' about the Euro 300D I recently found in the Virginia Beach 'Pick-N-Pull'.

Happy Motoring, Mark

#44 10-23-2009, 11:33 PM

Glad we missed the ABS/airbag here, or I would probably be driving a W115/116.

Mark DiSilvestro · #45 10-23-2009, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

Glad we missed the ABS/airbag here, or I would probably be driving a W115/116.

FWIW, those devices may no longer work after 25 years. That Euro 300D had been hit pretty hard in front but the airbag didn't go off!

Happy Motoring, Mark