S-class is not really a safe car

[dragon]

Been watching Sky three tonight about Diana.

The S-class is a real mangle, cars like these are over engineered, too heavy and can't coped with accidents. It not a safe car at all.

 

[Stu_CDX]

Been watching Sky three tonight about Diana.

The S-class is a real mangle, cars like these are over engineered, too heavy and can't coped with accidents. It not a safe car at all.

Would rather be in an S-Class compared to a Ford Granada or a Vauxhall Omega :mrgreen:

In ALL cases...

 

[television]

And the Driver ran away after doing this to a CLK

 

[ant500sl]

Wasn't the only survivor the security guy who just happened to be the only one wearing a seatbelt?

Are the rich and famous beyond using a bit of common sense?

 

[S500al]

Been watching Sky three tonight about Diana.

The S-class is a real mangle, cars like these are over engineered, too heavy and can't coped with accidents. It not a safe car at all.

Can' really think of any cars myself that would stand up very well to being driven into a solid concrete post at 100 MPH and definately none that you would walk away from if you decide not to use its saftey features (e.g Seatbelts).
Having owned a few of these cars and about to get my 1996 CL500 (w140) in the next few days I can only say that I totally disagree, I trust these cars whole heartedly but I have the common sence to realise they are not actually milled from solid steel so they are not indestructable.

 

[simon_wall69]

Been watching Sky three tonight about Diana.

The S-class is a real mangle, cars like these are over engineered, too heavy and can't coped with accidents. It not a safe car at all.

I'm grateful to my old w124 as I walked away from a crash that destroyed a brand new Clio. It absorbed the impact, all the safety stuff worked and I walked away - that was a car that had done over half a million miles.

 

[doversole]

Wasn't the only survivor the security guy who just happened to be the only one wearing a seatbelt?

Are the rich and famous beyond using a bit of common sense?

Have to agree although it's an old debate. None of these gizmos will help you if the driver is over the limit.

Selected Mercedes Benz S Class Safety Standard Safety Features

* Alarm system with immobiliser and interior protection
* Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Brake Assist (BAS)
* Automatic child seat recognition sensor
* Works in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz child seats fitted with transponder
* Automatically dimming rear-view mirror and driver door mirror
* Electronic Stability Programme with Acceleration
* Skid Control (ASR)
* Front passenger seat with Pre-Safe
* Head restraints, rear (3) electrically folding
* Headlamp Assist utomatic headlamp activation
* High-level third brake lamp
* Locking wheel bolts
* Neck-Pro active head restraints front seats
* Pre-Safe anticipatory safety system
* Rain-sensing wipers two-stage
* Remote central locking
* Seat belts, rear three-point (3)
* Seat belt pre-tensioners, belt force limiters and automatic belt height adjustment front and uter rear seats
* Tyre pressure loss warning system
* Adaptive Brake System with hold function and Hill Start Assist
* Adaptive brake lights
* Airbags driver and front passenger, front and rear sidebags, windowbags

DoverSole

 

[dragon]

Immediately after the crash in 97, Merc made the S-class slimer, and tip-toed to get rid the old model, that was involved in the accident. Merc are luck to get away without blame because there are so many Merc fans.

Merc cars are still too heavy and as Malcolm said stodgy. To cope with such a heavy car, it needs better brakes and big wheels like those American four wheels drive with giant tyres, then I will consider safe.

 

[Stu_CDX]

Immediately after the crash in 97, Merc made the S-class slimer, and tip-toed to get rid the old model, that was involved in the accident. Merc are luck to get away without blame because there are so many Merc fans.

Merc cars are still too heavy and as Malcolm said stodgy.

IIRC, the W140 was in production until 1999.

Malcolm hasn't said the word stodgy once in this thread

And as heavy as it may be, if people aren't going to wear their safety strap, the Pre-Tensioners aren't going to be of any use, the airbags are just going to break ribs and puncture lungs and so on.

To be honest, you say you've been hearing all this crap on Sky programs?

Says it all.

A car is as safe as you make it. I mean, how often are you racing through tunnels at 100+ mph trying to help aristocrisy escape french paps trying to get a snap of a white princess with an arabian businessmans kid?



EDIT:

And why are Mercedes lucky to get away with the blame?

Do you see ME for blaiming Peugeot for not fitting ABS to my 106 after I crashed in the rain?

Pfft... You sign your own death warrant if you expect to be protected when you haven't belted up.

 

[doversole]

If it's any consolation, I can recommend a very safe car.

Audi TT.

I had the unfortunate experience six years ago, of having a nearside blowout at 60mph on a busy road. To cut along story short, major tank-slapper - mounted the grass verge - hit a concrete structure - rolled it twice and ended up on the opposite footpath, right way up but facing the wrong way. Car was mullered, I escaped with a grazed elbow and a broken mobile phone in my pocket. Driver and passenger compartment was still in one piece.

Seat belt on, of course!

DoverSole

 

[Quick Silver]

Merc Safety

Been watching Sky three tonight about Diana.

The S-class is a real mangle, cars like these are over engineered, too heavy and can't coped with accidents. It not a safe car at all.

If you don't have faith in the safety and build quality features of a Merc why drive one ? I have had many accidents in many different models of Mercs including commercials and walked away, admittedly some of the accidents wern't severe but in all cases the Merc came of best and not one of the accidents was my fault just in case you think otherwise. Its just the nature of the business that I'm in and the very high mileage that I clock up, an average of around 65K a year for the last 34 years. Also no one has been severly injured either, and no one travelling in the Mercs have been injured to date. The pictures shown of the S Class were after the emergency services had chopped the car open for the medics and their equipment to gain access to the occupants.

 

[S500al]

well said quick silver, I know the S class is the safest I have ever felt in a car which is why I am buying another...... ooooooooooooh I'm so exited

 

[brandwooddixon]

The S class is as safe as it needs to be.

Statistically you're more likely to survive a major accident in a leger vehicle than in a smaller one, purely because you have more metal around you to absorb the impact.

Tyre size bears no relevance to car safety. Larger wheel sizes allow you to fit larger diameter brake disks, but you'll find that those fitted to SUV/4x4s are no larger, in fact probably smaller, than those fitted to an S class.

As already pointed out the only person to survive was wearing his seatbelt.

As back seat passengers Diana and Dodi were in the most protected part of the car. In fact Diana was in the safest place of all, being furthest away from the impact.

In my opinion Dian's death should have been used as a safety campaign to convince all those who still insist on not wearing a seat belt to do so.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

As already pointed out the only person to survive was wearing his seatbelt.

As back seat passengers Diana and Dodi were in the most protected part of the car. In fact Diana was in the safest place of all, being furthest away from the impact.

In my opinion Dian's death should have been used as a safety campaign to convince all those who still insist on not wearing a seat belt to do so.

This is an excellent point. As I recall, Gordon Banks was also involved in a car crash which cost him the sight of one eye and ended his goal keeping career.

Whether he was wearing a seatbelt or not was never published. I am sure there were many reasons not to publish this (reputation, admission of contributory liability, effects on compensation) but had he not been wearing a seatbelt, that information would have had a massive impact on people's perceptions and behaviours.

And as I have said many times, it is not speed that kills, it is behaviour.

 

[dragon]

What the NCAP rating for the S-class for that year said it all?

I remember seeing a pic in Rod Stewart Maybach, his girl friends were all crawling on the floor during Prince Charles celebration party.
The illusion it safe that why they didn't wear seatbelts.

For a W202 the NCAP is just 2 and in an accident, the engine will land on the driver chest and the pedals will end up on the knees even seat belt is worn.

For a R170, there is no NCAP.

 

[mercglas]

Been watching Sky three tonight about Diana.

The S-class is a real mangle, cars like these are over engineered, too heavy and can't coped with accidents. It not a safe car at all.

I can't believe Dragon is too serious about this - seems like he has "thrown a stone in the pool to see how far he can get the ripples to spread"

 

[colechelle]

some people have too much time on there hands!!!!!!!

 

[dragon]

some people have too much time on there hands!!!!!!!

If you have customers needed STAR diagnosis I would be pleased to do it, I am getting one today.

Waiting in the freezing room coming from Bury's St. Edmunds.

I spent days like that waiting for deliveries. The postman was here last Friday and I didn't hear the door, I have to collect it at the post office 4 hours later.

What to do in this kind of lousy weather, there are millions of OAP like me ?

You are lucky to have a job to keep busy, am I right, Malcolm?

 

[stumpy]

I don't read too much into NCAP results seeing as they take into account pedestrian impact safety which has chuff all to do with those inside. That said, I remember being surprised that some top flight german exec cars don't get full marks straight away. And as for the 140 S Class - the fact that Trevor survived says more about the car than the fact that Diana etc. didn't.

 

[jibcl500]

I can't believe Dragon is too serious about this - seems like he has "thrown a stone in the pool to see how far he can get the ripples to spread"

I think dragon needs to buy a Renault espace.

jib