The 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W210 generation, is often lauded for its blend of luxury and engineering. For prospective owners and automotive enthusiasts focused on safety, understanding its crash test performance is crucial. This article delves into the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) evaluation of a 1997 Mercedes-Benz E 420, which serves as a relevant benchmark for the 1998 models within a specific production timeframe. It’s important to note that these ratings specifically apply to models manufactured between January 1997 and February 2000, incorporating particular structural enhancements designed to improve frontal crash protection.
Examining the Frontal Offset Crash Test
The IIHS conducted a 40 mph frontal offset crash test on a 1997 Mercedes-Benz E 420. This test is designed to simulate a common type of real-world collision where a vehicle impacts another vehicle or a fixed object on a corner of its front end. The evaluation provides valuable insights into how well the vehicle protects its occupants in such a scenario.
Overall Safety Performance: An Acceptable Rating
The 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, as represented by the tested 1997 model within the specified build dates, achieved an Acceptable overall evaluation from the IIHS in this frontal offset crash test. This rating reflects a generally competent level of occupant protection, but with areas identified for potential concern.
Structural Integrity and Occupant Compartment
A critical aspect of crashworthiness is the structural performance of the vehicle. The 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class demonstrated Good performance in Structure and Safety Cage evaluation. This indicates that the fundamental structure of the vehicle effectively maintained its integrity during the impact, providing a solid foundation for occupant protection. The survival space for the driver was reported to be well-maintained, which is a positive indicator of structural design.
Action shot from the frontal offset crash test of a 1998 Mercedes Benz E Class, highlighting vehicle deformation upon impact.
Driver Injury Measures: Good Protection in Key Areas
The crash test dummy, representing a driver, was assessed for potential injuries across several body regions. The 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class earned Good ratings for Driver Injury Measures in the following categories:
- Head/Neck: Protection for the head and neck was deemed to be good, suggesting effective restraint and energy management in these critical areas.
- Chest: The chest region also received a Good rating, indicating adequate protection for the driver’s chest in a frontal impact.
- Leg/Foot (Left & Right): Both left and right legs and feet of the driver were well-protected, achieving Good ratings. This suggests effective design in minimizing lower extremity injuries.
Close-up view of the energy-absorbing padding in the footwell of a 1998 Mercedes Benz E Class, designed to mitigate leg injuries during frontal collisions.
Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: A Point of Concern
Despite the positive ratings in structural integrity and injury measures, the evaluation for Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics was rated as Poor. This less favorable rating was attributed to several factors observed during the crash test:
- Dummy Movement Control: The dummy’s movement was not well-controlled, indicating potential issues with the effectiveness of the restraints in managing occupant motion during the crash.
- Head Contact with Window Sill: During the rebound phase of the crash, the dummy’s head struck the window sill. This contact suggests a potential risk of head injury due to inadequate restraint or excessive movement within the occupant compartment.
- Steering Wheel Movement: There was excessive upward movement of the steering wheel. This movement could potentially increase the risk of chest or facial injuries.
- Driver Door Opening: Critically, the driver door opened late in the crash sequence. While this specific instance did not significantly affect dummy movement, the report emphasizes that door opening during a crash is undesirable. In real-world scenarios, it could lead to partial or complete occupant ejection, significantly increasing the risk of severe injuries.
Image showing the maintained survival space inside a 1998 Mercedes Benz E Class after a frontal crash, contrasted with the concerning issue of the driver’s side door opening.
Detailed view of the opened driver door on a 1998 Mercedes Benz E Class post-crash test, highlighting a potential safety risk of occupant ejection.
Technical Measurements: Quantifying Intrusion and Injury Data
The IIHS crash test also involved precise technical measurements to quantify occupant compartment intrusion and potential injury levels. Key measurements from the test (Test ID: CF97005) include:
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side):
- Footwell Intrusion: Ranging from 13cm to 19cm across different points in the footwell.
- Instrument Panel Rearward Movement: 5cm (left) and 3cm (right).
- Steering Column Movement: 10cm (upward) and 3cm (rearward).
- A-pillar Rearward Movement: 9cm.
These measurements provide objective data on the extent of deformation in the driver’s side occupant compartment.
Driver Injury Measures:
- Head: HIC-15: 305, Peak gs at hard contact: 29.
- Neck: Tension: 2.0 kN, Extension bending moment: 19 Nm, Maximum Nij: 0.37.
- Chest: Maximum compression: 35 mm.
- Legs: Femur force (Left: 5.5 kN, Right: 3.2 kN), Knee displacement (Left: 5 mm, Right: 2 mm), Maximum tibia index (Left: 0.33, Right: 0.43), Tibia axial force (Left: 0.6 kN, Right: 0.6 kN).
- Foot Acceleration: Left: 76g, Right: 68g.
These detailed measurements allow for a comprehensive assessment of potential injury risks to various body regions. The values are used by safety experts to evaluate and compare vehicle crashworthiness.
Conclusion: Safety Considerations for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, based on the IIHS frontal offset crash test of a comparable 1997 model, demonstrates a generally Acceptable level of safety performance. It excels in structural integrity and provides good protection against injuries to the head, neck, chest, and lower extremities in frontal crashes. However, the Poor rating for driver restraints and dummy kinematics, particularly the issue of the driver door opening, raises a noteworthy safety concern.
Prospective buyers and owners of a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (manufactured within the specified timeframe) should be aware of these findings. While the vehicle offers robust structural protection and good injury measures in key areas, the potential for door opening in a crash is a factor to consider. It is always recommended to ensure that any vehicle, including a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, is well-maintained, especially concerning door latches and restraint systems, to maximize occupant safety. Understanding these safety aspects contributes to a more informed perspective on the overall ownership experience of a classic Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
