Interesting topic, firstly I will say that there is such thing as metal weakness, over the years the crystal cells are destructing, thus making even well built car weaker.

But as a amateur smash repairer ( lol ) I will say that the old cars are built way better in terms of security, its too much plastic now, especially in interior, and if the collision is strong enough, all that plastic is breaking in million small pieces, which harms to the passengers of course.

Nowadays, producers invest more in preventative systems, rather than protection in case of collision.

 

This a dark road to go down....nobody should be claiming that 124's are as safe(or safer) then new cars of the same dimensions. They were extremely safe in the day with features like lightweight, high tensile steel in the doors. A frontal crash design that allows the engine to drop down before it can slide back and kill its occupants. Plus, you have the added weight of the cars themselves which put physics in your favor; heavier mass colliding with a smaller mass will absorb more impact before killing occupants etc.

The 124's were so safe back in the day that many auto manufacturers copied their safety innovations. So better put; 124's were some of the safest cars made(if not the safest) in their day.:thumbsup:

Kevin

 

The new cars deform better (than a W124) to protect the occupants. Computers have designed cars that can withstand horrific crashes.

But the W124 was the safety standard of it's day. And it's simplicity and integrity are key selling points for me.

 

I'd hate to be a large person driving a Smart car..... How much crumpling can that car really handle, shudder to think about it.

 

Exactly...even smaller new cars deform to save their occupants in highly unique ways. That is, if the smaller cars deform exactly the way the computer designs them to. Personally, I'd always rather have the heft of a heavier, well designed car in my favor in a cash, versus a smaller car that's designed to contort in specific ways.

Kevin

 

Yeah, I don't think it's fair to compare against new models out there, but if I were considering buying a used car for my kids, an old tank like this would be at the top of the heap.

 

To echo what everybody else already said.

The W124 and Volvo 740 were in a class of their own. In Germany the airbag and seat belt pretensioners were optional hence the dummy's impact with the steering wheel.

 

I'm surprised that big BMW deformed as much as it did. Years ago when my eldest daughter turned 16, we bought her a used Volvo 740 wagon for safety and reliability reasons, though thankfully we never had to find out if it would protect her. When it eventually died, we passed on our '84 300D. I like strapping young "learners" in cleverly designed tanks. Lest you think that mass always trumps cleverness, give this a gander:

 

I'm sure a W124 would perform far better against another vehicle of its era but not as favorably against a modern vehicle.

 

There are several aspects of safety.
The Bel Air video made several rounds over the net and I figured it out very biased. Not only video shows good side on newer car v/s bad side of the Bel, but corner crash is just one of endless options for crashing. I would love to see those cars after head on crash. With the weight of Bel Air, especially it engine it would really shine.
Most of my life I was driving small cars, when my favorite was 1400 lb VW Scirocco. That car offered extremely good handling and European version was a 6 second car, what at the era was extreme performance.
So cars like that make it hard to get involved into accidents, while protecting occupants pretty well in single car accidents like roll-over or hitting a tree.
Still would not like to see it head on with Bel Air.
Than no doubts the air bags make whole World of the difference and even 2003 Jetta I used to own had them like 12, not to mention that original W124 bags are not likely going to work because of age.

 

Very few vehicle to vehicle crashes are directly head on.

Offset crashes are much more common than head on, this is why there has been so much more emphasis on offset crashes in the last ten or so years.

 

Just a sample that newer cars don't have to mean safety

 

Just a sample that newer cars don't have to mean safety
? Toyota Camry VS Toyota Yaris - CRASH TEST - YouTube

Opposite end of the spectrum, playing devil's advocate here:

When my sister wrecked her 190E, she was fine. Her new 190E saved her too, with exceptionally good brakes, for a car of its age. I remember reading a few years ago there was a young female who tried to commit suicide in a 300E, and ran on the opposite side of the freeway towards incoming traffic. She eventually collided with another vehicle, at a high rate of speed, and survived. I think she caused a fatality too.

W124's are pretty strong cars, but a lot of safety technology has come a long way. I feel safe in any of my MB's. This is also why I recommended my sister to get a 190E, and my mother to get a 300TE. Safety, practicality and cheap running costs. They don't cost an arm or leg to insure either.

 

Seen This?

Or W124 desecration?

Or this?

 

The Lack of side airbags significantly reduces the W124s safety compared to the newer vehicles. however it,s still likely much safer than small ecomy model such as a Yaris, Corolla etc. Due to the structural deformation when hit by bigger heavier vehicles.

 

Sorry guys, but I will take having a high speed crash in my R32 over any 124 any day of the week. I dont give a damn if my car deforms more if I can walk away from it. Cars are getting more safe, not the other way around, don't kid yourselves.

It was said best: The 124 was a very safe car, for its day.

P.S. I always show people that volvo vs. renault video to show them that old cars arent more safe. The Volvo 9 series was a pinnacle of safety and a lot of people still think they will be fine in any accident in them. Dead wrong.

 

Don't like your chances with airbags here

 

We've gotten to a point where a driver and passengers must feel that the car will protect them....typically leads to a less defensive, preventive, cautionary style of driving which in itself can cause accidents...

Sad that those that require the cocoon like safety miss out in driving some legendary automobiles....!!

 

Sad that those that require the cocoon like safety miss out in driving some legendary automobiles....!!

Is that another description for idiots or ignorant behind the wheel?
It become American standard that slow driver entering 5 lanes freeway zooms to lane #2 or 3 cutting everybody on his way off.
I can have 5 *$^#* like that on 15 miles drive cutting me off. I still drive right lanes.

 

I feel safe enough in my W124s. Research, studies, and accident accounts show they're fairly safe (there's one about a doctor in a head on collision somewhere online). And looking around the junk yards, the one's I've seen that have been in hard collisions looked pretty survivable. Then there's the experts. Look at your insurance premiums and let them do all the math. I promise you, they know which side of an ace is up. Insurance on W124s is cheap, comparatively speaking.

I'll take my chances over any sub-compact or compact, small or even mid-sized sedan. You can do all the planning in the world and drown in a tablespoon of water.

 

When I was looking at my wagon...at the dealer, the salesman showed me some pics of a horrific crash. A '92 300E head on with a pick-up on the hwy. If I remember correctly, it was the typical 'offset' head on. I said those were just pictures; where's the guy driving the 300E? He said, "It was me" and other than some bruising & shock, he was OK.

Well, that pretty much sold me on the TE for my family. But I'll repeat again before it gets convoluted on who said what here...the 124's were some of the safest cars made back in their day...NOT NOW BY TODAY'S STANDARDS.

Kevin

 

This 124 is the safest car I've ever owned in one way, including much newer cars. 124's encourage good driving habits. In my wagon I'm law-abiding and relaxed - no aggressive moves, no competing, no trying to slide the back end out exiting tight turns. I'm patient, considerate and... slower. Not sure if these cars affect you other owners in the same way, but a 124 has pretty much transformed / reformed my driving habits.

I'm not sure exactly why the car has this effect on me, but I am safer on the roads than I've ever been. Age and a young kid help, but I have become an elbow-on-the-armrest, smile-on-the-face kind of driver.

The road presence of the wagon helps, too. People keep out of my way, no-one wants to race me and no-one resents a shiny old car in front of them.

 

You're like me. I drive a w201 but still, driving an old benz did just that, turned me into a "elbow-on-the-armrest, smile-on-the-face kind of driver". I so desperately want a 124 wagon :/

 

You need a safe car with all the idiots on the road texting about their doughnut they just bought and updating their Fb profile pic while cutting you off. Smart phones are cool,but has brought a whole new danger to driving,as bad as drunk driver!

 

Ditto on the search.
Smart has ingenious design with a frame beam that transfers rear engine impact to front bumper. After hitting concrete wall at 60 or so mph - Smart's door did remind closed and it did open without tools. Try that in W124, or any bigger sedan?
Once again, safety has several meanings. While pickup trucks are safer in front end collisions with usually lighter cars, they have the highest fatality records in single car accidents.
As usual - your choice.

 

The tridion safety cell in the Smart is rather ingenious, sure you'll be safer in a giant SUV, duh, but what Mercedes..err smart did with the space that they had is nothing short of impressive, it's also worth noting that when a cars wheels and suspension are shoved to the extreme opposites of the body such as with the fortwo they absorb a great deal of impact acting as a safety feature to compliment the existing bumper impact beam and crumple zones.

 

I believe it is reasonable to assume that new car chassis designs are much more safe than old car chassis designs. Computer Aided Design technology has advanced by several magnitudes during the 3 decades since the W201 and W124 were designed.

Consider the reason why you no longer carry around a large mobile telephone...

 

At least this one will work in cold temperatures.
Have seen a video where father had serious accident skiing and son could not call 911 because his touch screen would not react to cold fingers.
Why keep on generalizing the answer?
Some cars did in fact improved in last decade, but as I posted sample - some few years old cars are way worse than W124

 

This is video of safety of older than W124 Mercedes.
Probably THE most famous add showing MB safety.
Show me a Lexus or BMW or any other brand no matter what year that can match that impression.

 

I prefer this Mercedes commercial from South Africa.

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/D-BCWxCBMgU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

Maybe all the crumple zones, pre-tensioners, air bags etc have been crumpled, tensioned and blown now and this bent up thread can go to the junk yard.

Jim

 

Thought this video would add to this discussion - E-Class Generational Safety Comparison:

http://www.automobilesdeluxe.tv/mercedes-e-class-generational-safety-comparison/