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"A Mercedes-Benz product"
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Hey everyone I am Jason I just got over the worst car pehaps ever made: a 2001 BMW 325i. Ugggggg was this a nightmare! everything never worked, including the sunroof the manual part of the "steptronic" transmission, to leaks whenever it rained. Not worth the $34,000 paid. On the other hand, I am very happy with my 2002 MB coupe (C-230) no problems. not even when i got into a very large accident (flipped over a mini-van) Also, very safe I walked out w/o a bruse...I was not even wearing my seatbelt. Anyways I am in Fort lauderdale, so if any of you are in the aera drop me a line and we go driving! By the way, do you guys know when the "face-lifted W203 is comming...I am thinking upgrading to a sports sedan....but want to wait to see the changes......thanks, Jason
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From: US
"A Mercedes-Benz product"
....Your Benz wasn't totaled?
No, it wasn't a total. When I hit the mini-van (@ like 35Mph) I hit it on the rear-driver quater pannel and fliped it over twice (landing on it's side). The damage to my car was not that major, it did not even go to the core support. The headlights where broken and bumpers, Etc... Although my accident was not very major, I expected my airbag to deply,but it did not. When I called Mercedes, they said there is a preset threshold before the airbag(s) deploy. I guess where I got hit it did not intrude that much. But still is that normal ? 35 mph, and no airbag ? The car behind me was a black Ford Taurus, and she avoided hitting the minivan and slamed into another car. Her airbag went off though, and from where I saw her hit, I thought she was way under the speed I went. Anyone else had an accident with a mercedes and no airbag deployed ? I took it to Mercedes to get a safety check and the said everything is "A-OK". I only had the car for about a month. Ugg...It could be worse.... Anyways does anyone know if there is a facelift due to the w203 sedan soon?
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
There are ways to make your car much faster so that when you do get into accidents the airbags will deploy. Check out my new website www.Buellwinkle.com there are several performance mods listed. I just put it up Sunday so I'm still working on content.
Had a friend get into a pretty bad accident in a Lexus GS300, a fairly large car. The car was t-boned and the driver's side of the car was pushed in about 8-10", of course it was totalled. None of the airbags, including side impact bags went off. He walk away but was very dissapointed in the side airbags not going off.
Had a friend get into a pretty bad accident in a Lexus GS300, a fairly large car. The car was t-boned and the driver's side of the car was pushed in about 8-10", of course it was totalled. None of the airbags, including side impact bags went off. He walk away but was very dissapointed in the side airbags not going off.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Charlotte, NC
Had: 1987 300TD, Had: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, Have: 2014 E350 Sport, Have: 2019 S450
The airbags deploy at a specific force of impact, not at a specific speed.
Hitting a van in the rear 1/4 panel is much different than dead-centering a stopped car. As you saw, the van moved significantly due to your impact. This movement decreased the force on your car - most likely below the deployment threshold. The fact that your damage was minor also supports this premise.
Speed is not the same as force. Had a friend who hit a concrete light reinforcement in a parking lot at about 10mph. He wound up unconcious, and stayed in the hospital for a couple of days with head injuries (before days of airbags). Simply put, the concrete didn't move, so 100% of the impact force was absorbed by his car (head).
Glad you're ok. And, at you saved at least $2k by not popping the bags!
Hitting a van in the rear 1/4 panel is much different than dead-centering a stopped car. As you saw, the van moved significantly due to your impact. This movement decreased the force on your car - most likely below the deployment threshold. The fact that your damage was minor also supports this premise.
Speed is not the same as force. Had a friend who hit a concrete light reinforcement in a parking lot at about 10mph. He wound up unconcious, and stayed in the hospital for a couple of days with head injuries (before days of airbags). Simply put, the concrete didn't move, so 100% of the impact force was absorbed by his car (head).
Glad you're ok. And, at you saved at least $2k by not popping the bags!
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: US
"A Mercedes-Benz product"
Mods
I was thinking about doing some mods to my car but I have to take into affect that the car is a lease, and that I really want the C-230 sports sedan. If I were to do anything to my car now, I would change the pulley, as seen on a really good, informative website by Buellwinkle (buellwinkle.com) My friend has a 2001 Pontiac grand Prix GTP and he has a pulley change it the results to accelleration are dramatic. I used to kill him on take offs but now, I can only beat him past 95mph. Would I notice a big change in acceleration? Remember, my friends' supercharger is larger then mine which is an Eaton ME 45 (his is an Eaton ME 90) or is it all proportional? Also, I am looking sports sedans accept the BMW!!!!! I hate that car with a passion!!!!!!!!!UGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Audi A4 1.8t. Does anyone have any experiences with Audi or know if they are good as Mercedes ?
Let me know...J
Let me know...J
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Battle Creek, Michigan
1988 560SL (Sold)
No Seat Belt???
Hey, MeanBenz, welcome!!! You indeed will find tons of great info from a lot of (mostly) very friendly individuals. You will also love your car. Now, without trying to sound TOO fatherly, if you were too (pick your favorite word that ends with -ing here) lazy to put your (pick your favorite word that ends with -ing here) seatbelt on, how can you complain that the (pick your favorite word that ends with -ing here) airbag didn't go off??? C'mon, my friend, we want to read your posts for a long time! Please put it on every time.
Enjoy your new car!
Tim
Enjoy your new car!
Tim
