The Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a symbol of luxury and engineering, underwent a significant redesign for the 1996 model year, setting new benchmarks in automotive excellence. For those considering a classic like the 1998 Mercedes E, understanding its safety features is paramount. Notably, models manufactured between January 1997 and February 2000, including the sought-after 1998 Mercedes E, incorporated crucial structural enhancements aimed at bolstering frontal crash protection. These improvements are vital for assessing the safety of a 1998 Mercedes E-Class.
To provide clarity on the safety performance of these models, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted a rigorous 40 mph frontal offset crash test on a 1997 Mercedes-Benz E 420. This evaluation offers valuable insights into the structural integrity and occupant protection offered by the 1998 Mercedes E and similar models within the specified production timeframe.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | A |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics Dummy movement wasn’t well controlled. During rebound, the dummy’s head hit the window sill. There was too much upward movement of the steering wheel. Late in the crash, the driver door opened. This opening didn’t significantly affect dummy movement during the test but shouldn’t happen because, in some crashes, it could allow partial or complete occupant ejection. | P |
The 1997 Mercedes-Benz E 420, representative of the 1998 Mercedes E-Class models with the initial structural upgrades, achieved an “Acceptable” overall evaluation in the frontal offset crash test. This rating is a composite score reflecting various aspects of vehicle safety performance.
Structural Integrity and Occupant Compartment
A critical component of vehicle safety is the structural design, which dictates how well the car can withstand crash forces and protect the occupants. In this aspect, the 1998 Mercedes E-Class demonstrated commendable performance. The evaluation of “Structure and safety cage” earned a “Good” rating, the highest possible. This “Good” rating signifies that the structural modifications implemented in the 1998 Mercedes E and similar models effectively maintained the integrity of the occupant compartment during the forceful frontal offset crash. Despite some roof rail buckling, as observed in the test, the survival space for the driver was largely preserved.
Driver Injury Measures: Excellent Protection
The primary objective of safety enhancements is to minimize the risk of injury to vehicle occupants during a collision. The 1998 Mercedes E-Class, as assessed through the 1997 E 420 test, excelled in protecting the driver from potential injuries. All driver injury measures received “Good” ratings. These “Good” ratings across the board for head/neck, chest, and leg/foot injuries indicate a high level of protection for the driver in a frontal offset crash scenario in a 1998 Mercedes E. This suggests that the energy-absorbing design and safety features of the 1998 Mercedes E-Class are effective in mitigating crash forces and reducing injury risks.
Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: A Point of Concern
While the structural integrity and injury protection were rated highly, the evaluation of “Driver restraints and dummy kinematics” received a “Poor” rating. This lower rating stems from issues observed with the dummy’s movement during the crash test. Specifically, the dummy’s head made contact with the window sill during rebound, and there was excessive upward movement of the steering wheel. Furthermore, the driver door opened late in the crash sequence.
The opening of the driver door is a notable concern. Although it did not significantly impact dummy movement in this particular test, it represents a potential safety risk. In real-world crashes, a door opening during impact could lead to partial or complete occupant ejection, significantly increasing the risk of severe injuries. This aspect is important to consider when evaluating the overall safety of a 1998 Mercedes E-Class.
Technical Measurements: Intrusion and Injury Data
Detailed technical measurements from the crash test provide a deeper understanding of the vehicle’s performance and the forces experienced by the driver.
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CF97005 |
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 14 |
| Left (cm) | 19 |
| Center (cm) | 17 |
| Right (cm) | 13 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 15 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 5 |
| Right (cm) | 3 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | 10 |
| Rearward (cm) | 3 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 9 |
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CF97005 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 305 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | 29 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 2.0 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 19 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.37 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 35 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 5.5 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 3.2 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 5 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 2 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.33 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.43 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 0.6 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 0.6 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 76 |
| Right | 68 |
These measurements quantify the extent of intrusion into the occupant compartment and the forces exerted on the driver dummy. For instance, footwell intrusion measurements indicate the degree of deformation in the footwell area, while driver injury measures like HIC-15 (Head Injury Criterion) and femur force provide data on potential head and leg injuries. These technical details offer a comprehensive view of the crash performance of the 1998 Mercedes E-Class.
Conclusion: Acceptable Frontal Crash Protection for the 1998 Mercedes E-Class
In conclusion, the 1998 Mercedes E-Class, represented by models manufactured between January 1997 and February 2000, offers an acceptable level of frontal crash protection. It achieved “Good” ratings for structural integrity and driver injury measures, indicating robust occupant compartment protection and effective injury prevention in frontal impacts. However, the “Poor” rating for driver restraints and dummy kinematics, primarily due to the door opening issue, is an area that warrants attention.
When considering a 1998 Mercedes E or similar models, it’s important to weigh these safety findings. While the vehicle provides strong structural protection and injury mitigation, the door opening issue highlights a potential vulnerability. Prospective owners should ensure that any 1998 Mercedes E-Class they consider has been well-maintained and that door latches are in proper working order to maximize safety. Understanding these crash test results empowers informed decisions regarding the safety aspects of the 1998 Mercedes E-Class.
