Will the hitch affect rear end crash safety and crumple zone?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 326
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300D Turbo 1984
Will the hitch affect rear end crash safety and crumple zone?
Hi All,
I am about to order the 2012 ml bluetec. The most beautifully made SUV ive ever driven. We test drove over 40 vehicles before picking this one.
This is a question that stumped the dealers and the techs. Apparently the crash tests are not conducted with optional equipment, hitch, panoramic sunroof etc etc.
Common sense tells me yes. (Rigid, non mobile, non crumple-ing)
Please provide your input. If there are any engineers who have worked these projects please do share.
I am about to order the 2012 ml bluetec. The most beautifully made SUV ive ever driven. We test drove over 40 vehicles before picking this one.
This is a question that stumped the dealers and the techs. Apparently the crash tests are not conducted with optional equipment, hitch, panoramic sunroof etc etc.
Common sense tells me yes. (Rigid, non mobile, non crumple-ing)
Please provide your input. If there are any engineers who have worked these projects please do share.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 416
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From: NS, Canada
2023 E53 AMG, 2024 EQE AMG SUV
I will just put in my 2 cents and say that no, it will not affect rear end crash safety. This is definitely not based on my knowledge of vehicle engineering but purely based on Mercedes-Benz's track record for safety. I don't think they would allow an option on the ML that would make it unsafe compared to an ML without that option.
40 vehicles? Is that an honest number? Seems like a lot of test driving. Regardless, you made the right choice
40 vehicles? Is that an honest number? Seems like a lot of test driving. Regardless, you made the right choice
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: East Texas
2004 Volvo XC70; 2012 GLK 350 4matic
If you get rear-ended by something little, Toyota Corolla-like comes to mind, the little car will take the worst of the encounter. Based on our 1989 Tropper II with a solid steel rear bumper and steel pan around the fuel tank being rear-ended twice by little cars. The hitch on the ML will act like the bumper on the Tropper. The little car will look like a safe fell on it.
Wayne
Wayne
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 326
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300D Turbo 1984
I will just put in my 2 cents and say that no, it will not affect rear end crash safety. This is definitely not based on my knowledge of vehicle engineering but purely based on Mercedes-Benz's track record for safety. I don't think they would allow an option on the ML that would make it unsafe compared to an ML without that option.
40 vehicles? Is that an honest number? Seems like a lot of test driving. Regardless, you made the right choice
40 vehicles? Is that an honest number? Seems like a lot of test driving. Regardless, you made the right choice
YES it is true +/- 2, everything from Jag to Jeep Grand Cherokee this expedition for a car almost led to me losing what is left of my sanity.
top 3:
1) 750 I X DRIVE
2) ML BLUE TEC
3) GX 460 tie X5
(BTW Is the chasis of the jeep grand cherokee have any shared parts with that of the ML. They may have shared components prior to the divorce? Pacifica and that mercedes version of the pacifica come to mind.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 416
Likes: 1
From: NS, Canada
2023 E53 AMG, 2024 EQE AMG SUV
thanks for the reply!
YES it is true +/- 2, everything from Jag to Jeep Grand Cherokee this expedition for a car almost led to me losing what is left of my sanity.
top 3:
1) 750 I X DRIVE
2) ML BLUE TEC
3) GX 460 tie X5
(BTW Is the chasis of the jeep grand cherokee have any shared parts with that of the ML. They may have shared components prior to the divorce? Pacifica and that mercedes version of the pacifica come to mind.
YES it is true +/- 2, everything from Jag to Jeep Grand Cherokee this expedition for a car almost led to me losing what is left of my sanity.
top 3:
1) 750 I X DRIVE
2) ML BLUE TEC
3) GX 460 tie X5
(BTW Is the chasis of the jeep grand cherokee have any shared parts with that of the ML. They may have shared components prior to the divorce? Pacifica and that mercedes version of the pacifica come to mind.
I believe the Cherokee may have a few parts from the ML in it. But I wouldn't sweat it. The shop foreman (at my dealer) and I were talking about the W166 and he had only but positive things to say about it's build quality and design (this coming from a guy who's been working with Mercedes for over 32 years, and someone who I've trusted with my vehicles for over 7 years) I've owned and driven many different Mercedes in my short life, and the new ML just exudes quality and craftsmanship.
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
I will just put in my 2 cents and say that no, it will not affect rear end crash safety. This is definitely not based on my knowledge of vehicle engineering but purely based on Mercedes-Benz's track record for safety. I don't think they would allow an option on the ML that would make it unsafe compared to an ML without that option.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 326
Likes: 2
300D Turbo 1984
I would agree that the engineers are fanatics, as my 300D starts the same today as the day we drove it off the lot.
However, my confidence was rocked at its foundation by the 1st generation ML. Which was a despicable disgrace to the MB name.
However, my confidence was rocked at its foundation by the 1st generation ML. Which was a despicable disgrace to the MB name.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,034
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From: Toronto
MY17 E43 Matte Selenite/Macchiato Beige, MY16 GLE350d Tenorite/Crystal Grey, MY17 B250
The Pacifica and the R-Class have nothing in common except both being 4-door vehicles with a rear hatch.
Benz invented the luxury SUV segment with the ML. By today's standards it is not a great vehicle, but look at the competition that existed in 1997. If it wasn't for the success of that "despicable disgrace", you'd still be out test-driving.
Last edited by YYZ-E55; Nov 30, 2011 at 10:52 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 326
Likes: 2
300D Turbo 1984
Thank you for the input.
It should be known that the '12 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the '12 ML350 are in fact a joint venture and share portions of the Chassis and Design. This is the last vehicle that MB and Chrysler had a joint venture in.
Similarly if you do the research on the Pacifica you will see the similarities go FAR beyon 4 doors and a hatch.
It should be known that the '12 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the '12 ML350 are in fact a joint venture and share portions of the Chassis and Design. This is the last vehicle that MB and Chrysler had a joint venture in.
Similarly if you do the research on the Pacifica you will see the similarities go FAR beyon 4 doors and a hatch.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 20
From: Toronto
MY17 E43 Matte Selenite/Macchiato Beige, MY16 GLE350d Tenorite/Crystal Grey, MY17 B250
Thank you for the input.
It should be known that the '12 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the '12 ML350 are in fact a joint venture and share portions of the Chassis and Design. This is the last vehicle that MB and Chrysler had a joint venture in.
Similarly if you do the research on the Pacifica you will see the similarities go FAR beyon 4 doors and a hatch.
It should be known that the '12 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the '12 ML350 are in fact a joint venture and share portions of the Chassis and Design. This is the last vehicle that MB and Chrysler had a joint venture in.
Similarly if you do the research on the Pacifica you will see the similarities go FAR beyon 4 doors and a hatch.
And actually, the last vehicle impacted by the Daimler Chrysler situation is the MFA series (A/B-Class).
