Norway_driver

Hello all.
Car safety has become important to me, after I was involved in a car crash and even more after I did become a father.
The W126 is to me a superb looking car, what a S class is all about, style and elegance.
Back in the days it was a big safe car, but that was back in the days.
How is it today? Just a big old car?
Or, can it keep up with more modern cars when it comes to crash safety?
I am not thinking of equipment like pre-safe and so, more down to breaks and the overall construction of the car/passengers cell.

Is it madness to use one as a long trip car today, when keeping car safety in mind?

Jim's500E

I don't have one (yet) but with respect to all the plastic and aluminum cars today....this chassis has to rank high (still) in terms of safety and reliability.

...provided the right one is purchased (ie: maintained properly).

The one I am looking for with be used on a daily 90 mile commute on the highway.

Norway_driver

Yes, that is what I am hoping to.

atikovi

Newer cars with front airbags, side airbags, head curtain airbags, knee airbags, seatbelt pretensioners make up for what previously was viewed as inherent safety from size. If you worry that much about picking a car for a long trip, there are other issues that come into play.

sliver 126

Hands down old heavy steel wins. You could smash through a dozen of todays cars with an old merc sedan but you would likely run out of coolant before you got home.