The cabin deformation on the W210 (as shown above) is shocking, but hey it was the first product of the "accountants in charge" @ MB a.k.a. acceptable losses

 

I don't see any cabin deformation in the original video, but it's BAD in the one above. These are even worse:

 

Clips can be deceiving. Looks like all non 124 have serious deformation. But thats the point. The structure absorbs the force, not you.
As long as the cabin area remains intact ( all look like winners...210 might have busted legs/ ankles though) its doing its job.

 

Yeah, W210 (where favoring mass production against made for people all started) among them all caught my attention... Negatively.

Collision absorption is good, true, but if the structure is good to keep more than the cabin safe, it's even better. That's more intact parts for us in the junkyard (j/k).

 

Here's some real world crash testing. My wife walked away; a little bruised, but otherwise fine...

 

Ouch ^. Lucky. Presumably that was in no way the fault of the driver!!!???
Here is my wife's no fault (apparently it was the hail stones covering the road that caused it) accident Again only a few scratches after rolling it twice before hitting the rock face. Luckily she was in the Passat and so didn't damage the 4Matic....!

 

No, she was hit basically head on by a kid in a late model GM midsize. It basically disintegrated and he was taken away by the EMS...

 

Remind me to not get a wife for myself. Good to hear things above went okay with you.

Personally never had frontal bad accidents, only got rear end-ed badly once by a Nissan Sunny that turned into dough and pushed me into the front car breaking the grill into the aux fans obstructing them. I just drove back home after pulling the grill and fixed it later. A W210 once rear ended me too and shook me hard but nothing happened other than bumper scratches. A crown Victoria once as well and shook me and the family so hard that made the reading light switch change position, but again it went fine. I saw the driver hitting the steering wheel on the rear mirror. I guess I shouldn't jinx it (further) cuz I drive highways almost daily.

I wonder how these cars fare with accidents from different angles. With my above experience and the design of having the spare tire strategically located (for sedans at least), the rear seems formidable.

Stay safe, y'all.

 

Well, the 124 looks like it did as well, if not significantly better, than the other newer models. We have to remember that vehicles went from heavy gauge steel to thinner gauge steel, plastic and aluminum to reduce weight in the search for better mph numbers. My 86 is parked outside and was in a nasty hail storm last year. All the newer vehicles parked near it had serious hail dents, but I had to look really closely to find a couple of minor dings on the roof of my MB to see any damage at all. Good old fashioned high quality steel (i.e., not Chinese crap) and built like the tanks that the Germans were so famous for in WW2. Even the windshield only had one little chip, whereas some of the other vehicles around it had shattered windows.

 

The 210 is a better vehicle than the 124. As far as the accountants being in charge, they are anyway. Economic realities exist in our world.

The 211 is better than the 210, the 212 better than the 211, the 213 better than the 212.

 

of course.

better* = accountants/ bean counters = cheaper materials** = more corp profit


*- broad term

**- based on members past comments and others

 

If better means more features, lower price then yes.
Satellite radio, backup cameras xentry coded parts..

If better means less quality materials, and less diy able, then not better.

In the north east, 124 to 210 meant going from driving durable heavy sheet metal to one made of recycled datsuns with self separating spring perches. But drivelines were better and would last while returning better mpg.

I drive 124 because cheap (now) durable and well engineered is my preference. Son has 2007 w203 and besides intake replacement at 200k has been reliable, albeit made of recycled ladas. ( I can hear it rusting as I type)

 

Change is always tough. Some worship the 124 and regard this model as the pinnacle of all things Mercedes. When you look at the facts, while those were great cars in their time, they are not comparable to modern vehicles.

Yes, they are simpler and easier to service. So was a lawn mower in 1985.

 

Surely the model that has character, remains durable, is useable in today's world with little compromise, is repairable without a degree in computer science AND outlasts the newer models is the best...!
And we all know which model that is...!!!

 

Yes, it is a toss up between the 1977 Chevrolet Nova with an inline 6 and a 1977 Ford Maverick with an inline 6. Glad we agree!

 

Hmm...carburetor vs injection...
abs/traction vs...maybe posi and vacuum boost brakes.
Crumple zones, vs...not crumple body on frame.
Center (sedan) vs rear hanging fuel tank
Airbags vs solid plastic and steel steering wheel
5 link rear suspension vs leaf springs and solid axle.
These cars were built to higher standards, think 100+ mph crash rollover on highway.

Point is, w124 has many safety and convenience features some cars didn't get until 20 years later. Perfect, no. Efficient long lasting....heck yeah. Ever see what modern rubber bits look like after 10 years?
Yes, eco manufacturing and post life recycling demanded compromise in durability, but i dont want to compromise. I want to buy something once and wring every bit of utility out it.

Theres a reason w124 cost more than comparable later generation e class. Inflation adjusted a 1995 e320 costs $84k.
2021 e350 sold for….$55k.
These are relics of a different era, and thats a good thing. Best car ever ...maybe not..best bang for my buck that i can rely on.....yessir.

( You do love your maverick, I get it.)

 

The W210 is a MBA (Made By Accountants) product.

The most important and realistic crash test any vehicle will endure is the frontal offset crash. The W210 simply does not perform well and the cabin deformation is excessive not counting the failure of the driver door. End of story.

 

At the risk of being the "WELL ACKTUALLY" guy, the frontal offset crash standard was implemented in 1995. W210 design was frozen by then and sales started in 1995 for 1996 model in the US. So it's a no surprise that the W210 failed the offset but performed well in frontal crash (first view). Notice that the windshield didn't even crack, which does show that the collision didn't penetrate into the cabin. I can tell you from experience that W210 windshields are thin as balls, and it doesn't take much to crack them.

The offset crash, well, lots of cars failed the test at the time. I think the very first car that actually passed the test with flying color was the 2003 Volvo XC90 for all crash results, including the frontal offset and small frontal offset crash....which was interesting because the small frontal offset was implemented in 2012.

But yes, that is slightly concerning. I have three W210's. 😬

 

That's mental. I had thought the W210 would be amazing in its crash protection.

Regarding the offset thing, didn't W126 start that ball rolling?

 

Speaking of Volvo, now there's a brand that is reliable. At the dealership, they accounted for 70% of the sales volume.

 

Not anymore. AND now owned by the ******

 

Well, better is subjective, I believe. I sometimes wanna manually shift to 2nd on a highway and I wanna know at what speed that can be done (don't hate, I've been doing this for ages). W124/6 have those markings on the speedo (still can't memorize them in mine). I'm not sure yet if newer MB's have a similar feature. Members mentioned other qualities too, be it for W124 or other W's. Personally I really love how fast spark plugs can be replaced.

Anyway, better can be really subjective, and posts here speak it loudly.

 

Members mentioned other qualities too, be it for W124 or other W's. Personally I really love how fast spark plugs can be replaced.

Not judging. Just curious why you need to change plugs so fast.
Now, if only they had used lug NUTS instead of lug BOLTS, think how fast you could change a tire!!!

 

Frankly, I have to say, whether it's the heavier gauge steel or just sitting a little higher than later models or whatever, the 124 does as well in these tests as vehicles 20 years newer than it.

 

Once the dynamics of vehicle crashes were understood, any vehicle after that has that type of engineering. The later advances are technology to AVOID the accident.

I believe that a lot of 124s are favorites because today they are dirt cheap and easy to service. With that, I can understand why they are preferred based upon the owner's available resources.

 

Once the dynamics of vehicle crashes were understood, any vehicle after that has that type of engineering. The later advances are technology to AVOID the accident.

Which "advances" we talking about? Blind spot radar? Front cameras, or lidar to slam on the brakes for me if the car " thinks" im too close for the momentary coasting before reestablishing speed when someone merges on front of me? Thanks, ill pass. Dont need gimmicks to jack up the price of my car, or associated repairs.

I believe that a lot of 124s are favorites because today they are dirt cheap and easy to service. With that, I can understand why they are preferred based upon the owner's available resources.

Hmmm...not quite. But I applaud your odor of superiority. Im just a slightly above median wage earner who choses to allocate resources to something other than transport during my 4 mile commute to the office. But I thank you for establishing your Carlos Slim-ishness and putting us plebs in our place.

 

humblejoe

I am not certain the origin of your hostility toward my post. Those "advances" are actually credited with saving lives. Imagine the number of distracted drivers who were saved when the vehicle found them running off the road or on a collision course with another object.

You can make the same huff and puff arguments about a coal stove versus our dual oven system in our home with sensors and wifi ability. Yes, we can keep a coal stove hot all day and cook around the heat, or we can use technology to enhance our lives.

As far as the 124 chassis, my comments are accurate. They are now 37 years of age, the oldest models, with the newest models 28. They are also very inexpensive to purchase and service. All factual statements.

But, as I have mentioned many times, do what you "feel" is best.

 

Technology, especially German tech is the curse and ultimately the death of cars. It's essentially a smartphone on wheels, and looks/feels outdated as soon as the next model is out.

Hence why I don't recommend anyone buy a modern German or Euro vehicle of any kind.

Only lease, and toss it back as soon as the factory warranty is about to run out because you don't want to be the guy holding the bag when that electronic sh!tbox goes t!ts up which they all will at some point.

Case in point, my S211 is the most expensive in the fleet on a yearly basis and it pales in comparison to the modern Euro trash heaps.

 

Opinions vary...