The Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a symbol of luxury and engineering, underwent a significant redesign for the 1996 model year. For those considering a pre-owned Mercedes 1997 E Class, understanding its safety features is paramount. Notably, models manufactured between January 1997 and February 2000 incorporated structural enhancements aimed at bolstering frontal crash protection. Let’s delve into the frontal offset crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) on a 1997 Mercedes-Benz E 420, equipped with these initial structural modifications.
This evaluation provides crucial insights into the mercedes 1997 e class safety aspects during a frontal collision. The test, performed at 40 mph into a deformable barrier, assessed various critical factors, providing an overall safety rating and detailed evaluations of structural integrity and potential driver injuries. It’s important to remember that these ratings are specific to 1997-2000 mercedes e class models produced within the aforementioned timeframe. Later 2000 models, built after January 2000, received further structural updates and are not covered by this particular rating. Vehicle manufacturing dates can typically be found on the certification label located on or near the driver’s side door.
The IIHS crash test of the mercedes 1997 e class yielded the following results:
| 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 | P |
The mercedes 1997 e class demonstrated a commendable “Acceptable” overall evaluation in this frontal offset crash test. The structural design and safety cage were rated “Good,” signifying robust protection of the occupant compartment. Furthermore, driver injury measures for the head/neck, chest, and legs/feet were all assessed as “Good,” indicating a low risk of significant injuries in these areas during a frontal impact.
However, the evaluation for “Driver restraints and dummy kinematics” received a “Poor” rating. The test revealed that dummy movement was not adequately controlled. During the rebound phase of the crash, the dummy’s head made contact with the window sill. Additionally, excessive upward movement of the steering wheel was observed. A concerning issue arose late in the crash sequence: the driver door opened. While this door opening did not substantially alter dummy movement in this specific test, it represents a potential safety hazard. In real-world collisions, a door opening could lead to partial or complete ejection of occupants, increasing the risk of injury.
Despite some buckling observed in the roof rail, the critical survival space for the dummy was effectively maintained. This underscores the robust construction of the mercedes 1997 e class cabin. However, the positive structural performance was compromised by the driver door opening incident, highlighting a potential vulnerability in certain crash scenarios.
An important safety feature of the mercedes 1997 e class is the inclusion of energy-absorbing padding strategically placed between the footwell and floor carpet. This design element is intended to mitigate forces on the driver’s legs during severe frontal crashes, further contributing to occupant safety.
Technical Measurements Overview
Detailed technical measurements were recorded during the crash test to quantify occupant compartment intrusion and driver injury measures. These measurements provide a deeper understanding of the mercedes 1997 e class crash performance and are valuable for automotive engineers and safety researchers.
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 |
Conclusion
The 1997 mercedes e class models produced between January 1997 and February 2000 demonstrate solid frontal crash protection, achieving “Good” ratings for structural integrity and driver injury measures. However, the “Poor” rating for driver restraints and the issue of the driver door opening during the crash test are important considerations. Prospective buyers should weigh these factors when evaluating the overall safety performance of a mercedes 1997 e class. While offering robust structural safety, the potential for door opening in a frontal crash is a point to be mindful of.
