Author Topic: MK2 crash safety (Read 5409 times)

aidan · « **on:** January 04, 2009, 11:27:21 am »

The mk2 golf is obviously going to be poor in a crash with modern cars and lamposts etc.

How close would crash performance be to say a mk4 if the mk2 had a full rollcage fitted? Yes I know it'll look a bit strange in a daily, but its not really viable really otherwise

spencebm · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2009, 11:34:46 am »

I think the mk2's were pretty safe in their day but yeah I would like to have a caged beast to tool around town for sure.

clbanman · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2009, 12:48:09 pm »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyzCswJ_tkk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGiqVOG9pIY&feature=related

There doesn't seem to be a tremendous amount of difference. I'd say either one is going to hurt your feet.

Op-Ivy · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2009, 03:00:06 pm »

That's a HUGE difference. The A pillar doesn't even move on the mk4!!

The IIHS has the mk4 rated much better than the mk3 so I'm sure it would be even better than the mk2. For some reason I remember seeing mk2 ratings somewhere but I can't find it now. I remember them being poor.

Mk4 ratings: http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=113

Mk3 ratings: http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=83

jtanguay · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2009, 03:17:56 pm »

i got into a practically head on collision with a van... my car was going approx 50 km/h... my car didn't sustain that much damage (considering the speed), but i think that was in part due to my car pushing the van a considerable distance. a tree however would definitely be more destructive!

my injuries were to my foot and elbow from stamping on the brakes & bracing the wheel... i know i shouldn't have stamped on the brakes, but there wasn't really any time to react. a bit of a weird situation in which someone blocked the turning lane and the driver opposite motions for her to complete the turn as he slows to a stop, meanwhile i'm driving in the slow lane, she turns, and theres nothing i can do :cry: poor jetta!

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2009, 03:26:22 pm »

Glad you're ok man... phew that sounds scary as hell. I'm sure you took "some" kinetic energy out of the equation by stamping the brake. Better than stamping the gas... :roll:

Those two videos posted by clbanman I think there is a huge difference between the two also.

Look at the top half of the mk2 just crush inwards towards the drivers face... scary...

Op-Ivy · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2009, 06:15:09 pm »

I think that because of newer standards (so I've heard) with automotive safety, that newer cars will stand up to crashes a lot better. Maybe not to be in working condition after, but to give the occupants the best chance possible of walking away after.

As to the OP's original post, I'm sure that adding in braces or support for the interior would help.

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2009, 06:41:17 pm »

Quote from: "Op-Ivy"

I think that because of newer standards (so I've heard) with automotive safety, that newer cars will stand up to crashes a lot better. Maybe not to be in working condition after, but to give the occupants the best chance possible of walking away after.

As to the OP's original post, I'm sure that adding in braces or support for the interior would help.

Is there a slight hint of sarcasm i sense in the first paragraph? :roll:

I think that's a very valid point ahahahha

unless.... safety standards went down?
Aaaaaaaaw im just kidding! of course they wouldn't.

cyrus #1 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2009, 07:11:59 pm »

I feel pretty good in my MK2 after watching this video. :shock:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ukq-UUQAcZs&feature=related

aidan · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2009, 07:40:38 pm »

That last video is shocking, really if I had one I would sell it. With a family/dependants its almost selfish owning one.

I once had a crash in a Ford Fiesta (I don't think its the same as the US one, more like a mk1 golf in strength), I skidded in ice at less than 10mph into the back of a B5.5 Passat. The passat had a scratch, and thats it, bumper hadn't moved a cm, the alarm didn't even go off! My car however needed a new front bumper, the front panel, the inner and outer wing were bent so I couldn''t turn the wheels. It was easily repaired with a strap hooked one end onto the damaged wing, and the other end to my dads Landcruisers tow bar.

I drive max 60mph on the motorways, very rarely over the speed limit on any other road, but as you all know its the other idiots

aidan · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2009, 07:45:17 pm »

The mk2 i'm looking at is a van, i.e no rear seats or windows, it'll be carrying a maximum of 70kg of tools and materials at any time, but with at least a half height bulkhead. If it has a cross bar type roll cage behind then it'll have 18mm ply screwed to it.
Total would be equivalent to maybe 2 rear passengers.

The alternative is a much newer Vauxhall/Opel/GM Astra van, its basically a 3 door estate with no rear windows or doors.
The crash test for the 5 door hatch is here http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ULQsef7-krQ

These are around the same price for 10 years newer! They just aren't a VW thats the problem

smutts · « **Reply #11 on:** January 05, 2009, 04:51:00 pm »

In fairness to the Orange Beetle, Mk2 Golf, and T3, Allegedly, these were to test the new test rig at VW, the T3 was doing about 60mph with 2000lb in the back. If so then small wonder the driving cab vanished. But that said, the mk2 golf do look a bit soft. Well what would you do with several scrap cars and a fortune of remote controlled wall when the boss isn't looking? :twisted:

There was a good video on youtube of VW T3s being zonked into lots of other cars by VW comparing real life performance. One was a big 1970's 2 ton yank tank sedan being rear ended at 50mph. T3 barely dented, The other car and potential occupants decapitated, I'd post a link, but youtube is down.

smutts · « **Reply #12 on:** January 05, 2009, 05:23:52 pm »

Ah, it works now, of course I exaggerated a tiny bit!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGKlWqSadlQ&feature=related

jtanguay · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2009, 06:30:36 pm »

so the moral of this thread is... either don't speed, or don't hit a stationary target!!!!

cyrus #1 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2009, 08:35:53 pm »

And don't carry 2000lbs in the back of your car. :lol:

Author Topic: MK2 crash safety (Read 5409 times)

aidan

aidan

aidan