|
Naomilla2.0
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Pre 1996 Model year air bag survey
The airbag brochure reminded me of this nagging question I have regarding the status of airbag in my 1988 560SEL. On the driver side door post, there is a tag that reminds the owner to have the airbag inspected 10 years after the production of the car - in mine, it's September 1998 and it obviously hasn't been inspected. I'm sure the 10-year expiry is the same for all models across the board. So what is the most sensible thing to do? I'm sure many W126, W124, and W201; and now W140, some W202 and W210 owners are coming to face the same issue. In my particular case, there is no trustworthy MB dealer nearby and I have no faith in their service department as the mechanics are all weak of mind -- meaning that they can only perform tasks they are trained to do and once something they are not familiar with rolls in, they have no imagination nor do they have application skills. There is no way I am going to entrust something as intricate and crucial as SRS system to them. On the other hand, if I have it inspected or replaced (most dealers would probably insist) either by dealer or by an indy shop, would the sevice then become this 'stigma' where it potentially indicates that the car had the airbag deployed? Like many pharmaceutical products and engineering calculations, I'm sure the airbag expiry has quite a substantial safety factor incorporated. Perhaps it is actually good for 25 years or the life of a car... What are your thoughts and has anyone had airbags inspected/replaced as stated in the owner manual? |
|
| |
|
1996_S500
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: Pre 1996 Model year air bag survey
I remember seeing the same thing on my W126. My W140 says that I dont have to check it until 2011, or something, But my W126 must be overdue. |
|
| |
|
W126
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: Pre 1996 Model year air bag survey
I am getting ready to have the airbag and seatbelt tensioners in my 560SEL inspected and replaced.
If I ever sold my vehicle, I reckon it will fetch a higher price than a similar vehicle with safety systems that are expired. It also shows an obsessive and meticulous owner.
Also, I can imagine insurance companies playing games on vehicles that have expired safety systems during an accident.
T |
|
| |
|
NZ Benz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: New Zealand
Vehicle(s): 1993 300SEL/S320
Posts: 2555
| RE: Pre 1996 Model year air bag survey
Don't crash? How much to inspect I wounder and I would put money on being told, Hmmmm this is not looking good along with this this this and this that will be $5000.  |
|
| |
|
jdc1244
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: Pre 1996 Model year air bag survey
I have a 21 y/o airbag that I fully expect not to work and don’t plan on replacing.
As far as the car being saddled with a stigma - I assume if one has the appropriate paperwork showing the inspection/replacement was done in the interest of safety, the car would not be cast in a negative light.
|
|
| |
|
AndrewAZ
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: Pre 1996 Model year air bag survey
I think on my ML it says to replace them after 15 years or something crazy like that... |
|
| |
|
1996_S500
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: Pre 1996 Model year air bag survey
AndrewAZ - 5/1/2006 7:05 PM
I think on my ML it says to replace them after 15 years or something crazy like that...
yea, I believe that what it is for my S500 as well. It says replace in 2011. I just checked. it must be 15 years for the later cars..  |
|
| |
|
NZ Benz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: New Zealand
Vehicle(s): 1993 300SEL/S320
Posts: 2555
| Re: Pre 1996 Model year air bag survey
1996_S500 - 5/2/2006 1:07 AM
AndrewAZ - 5/1/2006 7:05 PM
I think on my ML it says to replace them after 15 years or something crazy like that...
yea, I believe that what it is for my S500 as well. It says replace in 2011. I just checked. it must be 15 years for the later cars.. : )
If all w140 are the same I will have to do mine in the next 2 years. Also makes you worry about how they sell used air bags. |
|
| |
|
1996_S500
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: Pre 1996 Model year air bag survey
NZ Benz - 5/1/2006 11:15 PM
1996_S500 - 5/2/2006 1:07 AM
AndrewAZ - 5/1/2006 7:05 PM
I think on my ML it says to replace them after 15 years or something crazy like that...
yea, I believe that what it is for my S500 as well. It says replace in 2011. I just checked. it must be 15 years for the later cars.. : )
If all w140 are the same I will have to do mine in the next 2 years. Also makes you worry about how they sell used air bags.
possibly. I think it is because the W140 airbags, as well as the airbags that came after the W140, were a little more advanced than the W126's airbags.
I dunno though... |
|
| |
|
AsianML
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: Pre 1996 Model year air bag survey
NZ Benz, you bring up a good point. Selling of old airbags. How do we know that the airbag being put in out car is brand new? Black market these days... |
|
| |
|
1996_S500
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: Pre 1996 Model year air bag survey
AsianML - 5/2/2006 5:16 PM
NZ Benz, you bring up a good point. Selling of old airbags. How do we know that the airbag being put in out car is brand new? Black market these days...
well AML,
If you think that is a big deal, then you also have to look at the other stuff that goes on nowadays. I was watching this story on the news, and they were saying that some repair places don't even put in a different air bag, (new or old) , but instead, they use the same air bag, and just stuff it with stuff. Like socks, etc.  |
|
| |
|
Roch207
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Palmetto State
Vehicle(s): 2005 E320 CDI, 2010 Silverado 2500HD
Posts: 3749
| RE: Pre 1996 Model year air bag survey
I remember the first time I responded to an airbag accident. It was 1989. The car was one of those K-car derived convertibles that iNeon probably lusts after. The patient was sitting on the curb white as a ghost. I thought she was dead...turned out she was covered in the talcum type powder they packed the airbag in. She actually had more respiratory issues from breathing in the stuff than trauma. Fortunately, I don't see the thick powder anymore, although I am scared to death of cutting into a airbag actuator while cutting a door off. |
|
| |
|
BenzDieselTuner
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: Pre 1996 Model year air bag survey
i have yet to ever be in an accident where the airbags deployed..... |
|
| |
