WRITEOFF!
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 42
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From: Edmonton, Alberta
Mercedes C350 4matic Luxury
WRITEOFF!
I haven't been on here in a while. Just been busy with work, but sadly my 2007 C350 4 matic is officially a writeoff 
. I loved my car and it will truly be missed. I was sitting at a red light when a Nissan Pathfinder rear ended my car at full speed from behind.
So guys what should I get next? I know I want a sport sedan, something good on gas. Let me know what you all think.
. I loved my car and it will truly be missed. I was sitting at a red light when a Nissan Pathfinder rear ended my car at full speed from behind.So guys what should I get next? I know I want a sport sedan, something good on gas. Let me know what you all think.
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From: Cali
2006 C230 Sedan
Well I ruined my acura at full speed prior getting what I have now. Was at the fast lane on the freeway. Wasn't paying attention for a split second and bam! that was it. All I remember is seeing the rear bumper in my windshield for a second. Stepped out and my car was ruined while the car in the front just had a bumper misaligned.
Full speed for me was pretty much 65 mph.
Full speed for me was pretty much 65 mph.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
It always frustrates me how people grossly overestimate speeds. Front and rear bumpers are designed to take impacts up to 5mph. Even this slow of speed can ruin the pretty bumper covers, though. The forces in car crashes are extreme and it's the laws of physics, not my opinion. 04mbC230 I'm gonna call you out and use your 65mph example:
Using the calculations of force a 3100lb car striking an object and coming to a full stop from 65mph to 0 in 10ft would be 22 tons of force. You're not going to misalign a bumper. You're going to smash the car to hell. Lengthen it to 25ft to fully stop and it's still 9 tons of force. You're not going to smash that kind of force into the back of a car and misalign a bumper.
Front impacts at 40mph will totally destroy a car. Here is what a W204 will look like after a 40mph crash into a parked or sitting-still car or other object that deforms (we're not even talking brick wall here):
If your car doesn't look similar you weren't doing even close to 40mph. 40mph to 0mph in 1ft with a 3300lb C-class = 88 tons of force.
This is a new E-class in a 31mph side impact:
There will be the lucky ones, but even today's safest cars aren't equipped or designed to be able to protect you at impact speeds much above 40mph. Fact.
Using the calculations of force a 3100lb car striking an object and coming to a full stop from 65mph to 0 in 10ft would be 22 tons of force. You're not going to misalign a bumper. You're going to smash the car to hell. Lengthen it to 25ft to fully stop and it's still 9 tons of force. You're not going to smash that kind of force into the back of a car and misalign a bumper.
Front impacts at 40mph will totally destroy a car. Here is what a W204 will look like after a 40mph crash into a parked or sitting-still car or other object that deforms (we're not even talking brick wall here):
If your car doesn't look similar you weren't doing even close to 40mph. 40mph to 0mph in 1ft with a 3300lb C-class = 88 tons of force.
This is a new E-class in a 31mph side impact:
There will be the lucky ones, but even today's safest cars aren't equipped or designed to be able to protect you at impact speeds much above 40mph. Fact.
Last edited by LILBENZ230; Aug 7, 2010 at 04:54 AM.
Thread Starter
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From: Edmonton, Alberta
Mercedes C350 4matic Luxury
My car was hit from the rear and the person driving the pathfinder was going above 55mph. All I remember was a big bang and some pedestrians looking at me with their jaws dropped and than looking in my rear and noticing what had happened.
Yeah I got quite a bit of whiplash. I have to say the benz held up pretty well. If it was a domestic I know for sure it would not have held up that well. However to fix it the adjuster is saying over 26,000 grand.
Yeah I got quite a bit of whiplash. I have to say the benz held up pretty well. If it was a domestic I know for sure it would not have held up that well. However to fix it the adjuster is saying over 26,000 grand.
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At 55mph there will be carnage on the W203. Then again if the Pathfinder's driver cited 55mph it's probably more like 25mph. Waiting for the photos!
Also - domestic cars are perfectly safe, as are Japanese cars and even Korean ones "for sure". A 21mph collision in my last car, a 2007 Civic Si Sedan, resulted in $7,800 in damages including a wheel being ripped off the car. Judging by how well people on forums think cars hold up in crashes (misaligned bumpers @ 65mph) I must have been doing, IDK.. 400mph or so.
Also - domestic cars are perfectly safe, as are Japanese cars and even Korean ones "for sure". A 21mph collision in my last car, a 2007 Civic Si Sedan, resulted in $7,800 in damages including a wheel being ripped off the car. Judging by how well people on forums think cars hold up in crashes (misaligned bumpers @ 65mph) I must have been doing, IDK.. 400mph or so.
Last edited by LILBENZ230; Aug 7, 2010 at 05:37 AM.
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Good read.. source: MotorAuthority.com
The standard EuroNCAP testing procedure requires a 40mph (64km/h) frontal crash test speed, and performance at that level is the basis for the tested car's rating. However, Germany's ADAC testing body wanted to find out what happens if the speed is raised just 10mph (16km/h) to 80km/h (50mph), and did so by testing the Renault Laguna sedan, a top performer in the standard tests. The results are surprising.
Raising the speed by just 10mph (16km/h) resulted in nearly 50% more energy to be dissipated by the car's crumple zones, effectively exceeding their capacity. The increased energy resulted in a significant increase in risk of injury to all occupants, especially the driver, reports Autobild. The testing showed that the driver's chest impacted the steering wheel despite the use of seatbelt and airbags due to the added speed, while the crumpling body of the car pushed the dashboard into the driver's knees, risking injury there as well.
The front-seat passenger fared better, with the Laguna's soft plastics minimizing the damage of the dummy's head striking the dashboard despite the presence of an airbag and being seat-belted in as well. The child-sized dummies in the rear seat showed increased risk of injury, but due primarily to the increased force with which they were thrown against the restraints.
All of this was from testing of a car that scored a full five-star rating in the 40mph (64km/h) EuroNCAP testing procedure, which is as rigorous as any in the world. The same speed is used in U.S. by the IIHS, while the NHTSA uses a speed of just 35mph (56km/h) in their testing programs, highlighting the potential for cars around the world to require revised accident ratings that more accurately reflect real-world speeds, and also illustrating the effect speed has on the force of an accident.
The ADAC recommends wider application of active safety equipment such as traction control and braking aids to help avoid accidents and reduce speeds when accidents are unavoidable as the most realistic way to reduce the risk of high-speed travel. Sufficiently strengthening a car to withstand high-speed collisions is likely not practical due to manufacturing, costs and fuel-efficiency considerations.
Raising the speed by just 10mph (16km/h) resulted in nearly 50% more energy to be dissipated by the car's crumple zones, effectively exceeding their capacity. The increased energy resulted in a significant increase in risk of injury to all occupants, especially the driver, reports Autobild. The testing showed that the driver's chest impacted the steering wheel despite the use of seatbelt and airbags due to the added speed, while the crumpling body of the car pushed the dashboard into the driver's knees, risking injury there as well.
The front-seat passenger fared better, with the Laguna's soft plastics minimizing the damage of the dummy's head striking the dashboard despite the presence of an airbag and being seat-belted in as well. The child-sized dummies in the rear seat showed increased risk of injury, but due primarily to the increased force with which they were thrown against the restraints.
All of this was from testing of a car that scored a full five-star rating in the 40mph (64km/h) EuroNCAP testing procedure, which is as rigorous as any in the world. The same speed is used in U.S. by the IIHS, while the NHTSA uses a speed of just 35mph (56km/h) in their testing programs, highlighting the potential for cars around the world to require revised accident ratings that more accurately reflect real-world speeds, and also illustrating the effect speed has on the force of an accident.
The ADAC recommends wider application of active safety equipment such as traction control and braking aids to help avoid accidents and reduce speeds when accidents are unavoidable as the most realistic way to reduce the risk of high-speed travel. Sufficiently strengthening a car to withstand high-speed collisions is likely not practical due to manufacturing, costs and fuel-efficiency considerations.
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From: SF Bay Area, San Diego
C320 coupe
At 55mph there will be carnage on the W203. Then again if the Pathfinder's driver cited 55mph it's probably more like 25mph. Waiting for the photos!
Also - domestic cars are perfectly safe, as are Japanese cars and even Korean ones "for sure". A 21mph collision in my last car, a 2007 Civic Si Sedan, resulted in $7,800 in damages including a wheel being ripped off the car. Judging by how well people on forums think cars hold up in crashes (misaligned bumpers @ 65mph) I must have been doing, IDK.. 400mph or so.
Also - domestic cars are perfectly safe, as are Japanese cars and even Korean ones "for sure". A 21mph collision in my last car, a 2007 Civic Si Sedan, resulted in $7,800 in damages including a wheel being ripped off the car. Judging by how well people on forums think cars hold up in crashes (misaligned bumpers @ 65mph) I must have been doing, IDK.. 400mph or so.
facepalm
Which part?
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From: Atlanta, GA
'02 C230 Coupe (Me) '03 SLK320 6MT (Wife)
Matt, you are very correct. Remember the burning Crown Vics? The Crown Vic is *certified* for a 70 mph rear end collision - however, that just means that it will protect the occupants to some degree and not rupture a fuel tank. It pretty much demolishes everything behind the rear doors. The biggest problem (and uncontrollable factor) is what is in the trunk. Most fuel tank ruptures on them are caused by object in the trunk puncturing the fuel tank. (Think floor jack driven through the tank by the impact, etc.)
65 or 70 into a stationary vehicle will result in serious carnage to both vehicles at the very best.
65 or 70 into a stationary vehicle will result in serious carnage to both vehicles at the very best.
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Last edited by 04mbc230; Aug 7, 2010 at 11:30 AM.
Out Of Control!!
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Subaru Legacy 2.5GT Limited. Great combination of effeciency, power, fun, and for your area, 4wd. Much cheaper than the Euro options, and more reliable. Though the extra doodads in your Benz will be missing, it's worth a look.
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From: VA
THE C350
This was from flying off the highway at 70 into mud and using brakes. I would guess we got down to like 40 or 50. into a tree and rolling 2 times. But this was a glancing blow because we hit the tree to the right of the frame. Hit the wheel bending the axle back and then rolling. I think if we had hit the tree dead straight it would have been much worse due to the energy of stooping in a foot vs rolling dispersing energy. BTW both myself and the driver walked away with no more then sore necks, small cuts from glass and bruises from airbags and flying coke cans lol
Last edited by samaritrey; Aug 7, 2010 at 02:39 PM.
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From: Atlanta, GA
'02 C230 Coupe (Me) '03 SLK320 6MT (Wife)
Trey, glad you walked away from that one!
Just for comparison: This was about a 30mph impact into a stationary vehicle. For some reason I never got picture of the other car. The accident occurred during an ice storm at the end of an iced over bridge, so there was very little braking before the impact. The original point of impact was squarely the passenger side of the tail light.
Fortunately there were no serious injuries in either vehicle.
Just for comparison: This was about a 30mph impact into a stationary vehicle. For some reason I never got picture of the other car. The accident occurred during an ice storm at the end of an iced over bridge, so there was very little braking before the impact. The original point of impact was squarely the passenger side of the tail light.
Fortunately there were no serious injuries in either vehicle.
Thread Starter
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From: Edmonton, Alberta
Mercedes C350 4matic Luxury
Any ideas on what car I should go with next? A sport sedan good on gas, preferably with All wheel drive cause I think all wheel drive in Canada is important.
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From: Atlanta, GA
'02 C230 Coupe (Me) '03 SLK320 6MT (Wife)
Yes, we did get a bit off the topic there. 
I think Tommy hit it on the head with the Subaru. They are pretty decent vehicles. Your options for all-wheel drive sedans are a bit limited.
This is MSN's top 11 pick of all-wheel drives for 2010. However, a majority are SUV's. The Lexus IS250 AWD is the only sedan on the list. They have several station wagon types, if you are into those: Audi Q5, BMW 328 Xdrive Wagon, Subaru Outback, Suzuki SX4 Crossover, Volvo V50 T5 AWD.
They also had the one surprise (to me) the Infiniti G37x AWD. That could be fun, but of course, it is a two-door.
I think Tommy hit it on the head with the Subaru. They are pretty decent vehicles. Your options for all-wheel drive sedans are a bit limited.This is MSN's top 11 pick of all-wheel drives for 2010. However, a majority are SUV's. The Lexus IS250 AWD is the only sedan on the list. They have several station wagon types, if you are into those: Audi Q5, BMW 328 Xdrive Wagon, Subaru Outback, Suzuki SX4 Crossover, Volvo V50 T5 AWD.
They also had the one surprise (to me) the Infiniti G37x AWD. That could be fun, but of course, it is a two-door.
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From: VA
THE C350
This is such an easy decision if you want all wheel drive and a lot of fun there is only one vehicle for you.
G500/g550 and or g55 amg lol
back down to earth you could get another 4 matic
and sorry for getting off topic just was trying to show that high speed wrecks are very hard to judge when you are in the wrecks because it happens so fast.
G500/g550 and or g55 amg lol
back down to earth you could get another 4 matic
and sorry for getting off topic just was trying to show that high speed wrecks are very hard to judge when you are in the wrecks because it happens so fast.
Last edited by samaritrey; Aug 7, 2010 at 06:03 PM.
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From: Cali
2006 C230 Sedan
This was from flying off the highway at 70 into mud and using brakes. I would guess we got down to like 40 or 50. into a tree and rolling 2 times. But this was a glancing blow because we hit the tree to the right of the frame. Hit the wheel bending the axle back and then rolling. I think if we had hit the tree dead straight it would have been much worse due to the energy of stooping in a foot vs rolling dispersing energy. BTW both myself and the driver walked away with no more then sore necks, small cuts from glass and bruises from airbags and flying coke cans lol
update: Ohhh.. wait a minute. I see that coke can you were talking about.
Guess it was a coke can. 
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THE C350
