Re: Side impact beams? (and head restraints)

[Michael Williams <daserde@ucla.edu>]

Kennon Hines decided to speak these words:

>I saw a '90 900 that had been t-boned by another car.  No idea what the
>impact vehicle was or speed, but it looked like the 900 had been hit by
>a train.  Entire right side crushed to the center line.  All four
>occupants KIA.  Saabs are safe cars, yes, but I'd rather take my chances
>in one of our fine Ingolstadt machines.

Ok, lets be reasonable here, the thing may have been hit by a train...who 
knows.  Also, every car has its limits, and alot of times that is limited 
by the human body itself...so, dont say that it isnt as safe as anything 
else unless you know the circumstances...

>
>On the head restraint issue, my CQ did a perfect job protecting me from
>a hard rear-end hit two years ago.  The striking vehicle was an early
>80s mid-size (+/- 3,200 lbs.) droF travelling (actually sliding in rain
>with four locked) in excess of 35 mph.  I was at a complete stop, it was
>a square hit, and I was pushed about 12 feet into the intersection.  The
>back of my head was a little sore from hitting the restraint, but I had
>ZERO neck or back pain.  The guys at the body shop couldn't believe I
>was able to get out of bed the next day, much less feel fine.


Lets see, i have been in 3 accidents in my audis, not a bruise or sore 
anything after any of them.  the first one was where a big ole bronco hit 
me, pretty much broadsiding me in the front drivers side fender.  She was 
going about 40 at least, hit me so hard that she knocked me into a side 
street...i didnt geta bruise, the car was still driveable, although 
obviously damaged, only slight frame work needed, but it drove just as 
well afterward...no problems..this was my 85 Coupe

Again in my 85 Coupe, wierd situation i wont go into, but i hit this girl 
in her acura, i broadsided her, maybe at about 15mph or a little bit 
more...Anyway, my car is barely damaged, bent fender, pushed in and 
slightly torn bumper cover, and crushed corner lamp...her whole door was 
crushed...she was fine, but you could see the exact outline of the side 
impact beam of that acura integra.  It was placed a little high, ligned 
up with my headlight, not my bumper, seems a little odd to me...i dunno

And finally this one in my 4kQ, again, not a bruise, and this may be just 
as bad as the first one in terms of collision force...again, the car held 
up remarkably well...i dont know if there is any frame damage though...

lesson, audis are safe...amazingly so...

gotta love em,..sorry for the WOB..

later

Michael Sheridan Williams

My new one: 1985 4000 S Quattro
175,000+ miles, and going like a new car
Well, went like a new car.....right into a guard rail :o(

http://members.aol.com/daserde2