I've seen the new ads for a $30K Mercedes. What's different to allow them to compete at this price? Cloth seats, ???? They must have removed some content somewhere.

Curious

Dan

FWD, probably a lighter chassis (alowing for lighter suspension), fewer options(?) Just a few guesses. Maybe carried over existing parts form other models to cut down on tooling?

It looks like your average small car. I wouldn't compare it to the older tanks.

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

Buy now, pay later.

Try and get a VIN for one and then telephone MB to ask how much for a water pump or fuel injector

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1995 E300 Diesel

It'll look like a regular benz but Yugo suspension and chassis will be supplied.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

It's another attempt by MB to go "down market" and put a Mercedes in every garage. History has not been too kind to that effort.

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'83 300D, 126K miles.

Will this become another 190e?

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Nothing wrong with 190e's.
They are probably talking about the A series benz ~ total junk ! They cant give away second hand ones down here.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

Far worse, think 230C "Coupe" Kompressor

Probably more plastic parts, less quality, less craftsmanship, more like an Asian car. Basically, everything Mercedes is not supposed to be. My SD probably has more standard features even at 30 years old.

I always believed that a new Mercedes is something only the wealthy could obtain. If you were not wealthy but wanted a classy car, you bought a used Mercedes. Part of the reason the re-sale value of a Mercedes goes down so fast is because the wealthy elite have $80K to spend on a new car. Why would they buy a used car? The people buying the used Mercedes are not willing to pay anywhere near what a new one costs. People somewhere in the middle go for a BMW or Lexus, etc.

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1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge

Front wheel drive, a lot cheaper to produce.

They know something about our economy that we dont?

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Satan creates nothing: he only ruins everything. He does not invent: he tampers. And his followers are no different ~ Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigaṇ

Reduce price, particularly if they're concerned with safety. Offer an E220 or E230 with manual AC, fabric upholstery and hubcaps. Assemble it in Alabama even. Removing X-matic and X-tronic will knock the MSRP down to Accord-Camry level and won't compromise passive safety or reliability.

Sixto
87 300D

That is a good idea sixto. I'd like to see the 2014 2.1 liter turbo diesel 4 cyl in an E class with 5 speed manual transmission, seats, a/c control, no sunroof but power door locks and windows.

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Jim

I got an up close look at a CLA this weekend at a MB owners event. The CLA owner didn't know anything about cars, so I popped the hood to give him a brief intro and point out things. The hood isn't held open with gas charged supports like other MBs. Instead, it has a plastic rod to hold the hood open like you'd see on a mid 90s Honda Accord. I didn't check to see if there was another slot to put the hood into the vertical service position. It might not be a bad car overall, but the small things like that stick out. I wasn't expecting that on a MB, not even on a base model.

The CLA also has no spare and comes with run flat tires. I think the reason is that the trunk is just too small, unlike the diesels which don't have a spare because the Urea tank inhabits that space in those models.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

Less is more. De-contenting is the new normal.
Fortunately, my diesels all have spares!

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW