Re: Side impact beams? (and head restraints)

[Kennon Hines <kwh@bellsouth.net>]

> I've never personally been broad sided in any car. I'm speaking in
> reference to the cars in my salvage yard. Sometimes I get the story,
> sometimes I don't. The SAAB I referred to was my cousin's 87 convertable
> that got blasted in the driver's door by an Explorer doing 40-50 mph and he
> walked away. Not that I'm advocating driving SAABs (they are worse than
> Audi for maintenance) but that's impressive any way you slice it.


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.

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.

That being said, I will agree that the head restraints in my parents' ex
'93 100 did not seem as effective.  I always keep my CQ restraint in its
fully extended position and keep the top tilted forward.  This way my
head will only travel about two inches before contacting the restraint. 
This distance was increased to at least six inches in the 100.  However,
the head restraints on their '98 A6q seem superior to the CQ design.  In
fact, I've never felt safer behind the wheel - the new A6 oozes
security.

Regards,

Kennon Hines
1990 Coupe Quattro
Atlanta, GA