Anyone been to the Dealership lately? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BAd124 · #1 05-19-2002, 11:49 AM

I was in my local dealership the other day and I must say I left quite depressed. Has anyone taken a good look at the new cars there in terms of fit and finish? The newest E-Class in there (2002 210) had huge gaps in the center console and the armrest/storage unit didnt work right either. Also I could not tell if they use real wood anymore. I know this may be a dumb question but with all the recent cost cutting lately it wouldnt seem too far out there. If you flip up the cup holder cover , you can not see any type of seperation along the edges where the wood should meet the metal. Maybe they just perfected the process, I hope. Also the new C-Class IMHO has an interior fit/finish level that would not pass for a Honda or Toyota. The HVAC control unit is horrible and feels like its going to break any minute. The best was the sliding hatch in the center console. It had about 1/4 inch of play from side to side. The new "the sole remains the same" comercial about the C-Class is great but a bit misleading especially when they compare it to the 123. Maybe I am being anal and nitpicking but in the area that I spend the most time in I expect very good attention to detail. VW/Audi may share parts but at least they are of top quality reguarding interiors.

irianjim · #2 05-19-2002, 12:13 PM

I actually went yesterday. I keep trying to convince myself that I need a new E320, but I keep looking at it and all I see is bland. I also see a $50k price tag that looks overinflated for what you get.

On the plus note, I checked out Volkswagons yesterday as well. I really liked the Jetta TDI - a WORLD of difference between it and my 123. I love my 123, but they have come a long way in 20 years with diesels. With a manual it actually felt quick! Drove the Passat also and thought highly of it as well.

After looking at the Benzes and checking out BMW's last week, I am coming to the conclusion that the VW's are best value for dollar. Really like the TDI and it is less than half the cost of the E320. Yes, I know, it isn't a Benz, and all the standard arguments about longivity, etc., but I am not sure that a Benzs is a Benz anymore.

Now I am trying to talk myself out of buying the TDI.....

Jim

MBKid · #3 05-19-2002, 12:54 PM

My family has owned nothing but german cars. Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, and Porsche. I must say that the new VW are not made well at all. If you think the fit and finish on the new benz is bad check out the cheap interior from the golf or beetle. The cars just do not hold up. My sister has been through 2 VWs recently and will never buy another. Service is horrible and every little knob, button, and belt seems to have only a 5k mile life. I would definately stick to MB or BMW Just my $.02

Lebenz · #4 05-19-2002, 01:21 PM

But do you like the car?

I picked up my 400E yesterday from a dealer after a minor tweak and a fix. While there, my SO and me looked at a new ML500 – as good as my ML320 but with a number of improvements, plus a big assed engine, an E320 4-matic wagon, very nice, a SL500 – both the 02 and the 03. Ohhhh baby! And an E430 sedan. Also very nice. IMO they are all as well built a vehicle as one can buy for the cost.

Are standards eroding? I don’t think so, rather the areas of priority have changed while the price points try to maintain about the same area. In the past more emphasis was placed on quality leather and plastic finish, and while it is still there, some notable amount of the vehicle cost is going towards air bags, ESP, enhanced ABS, BAS, ABC, new, more efficient and long-lived engines, the Command system, dual or multi zone climate control, and a large number of other safety, comfort and performance related improvements. If a company wants to add these features, even at the result of slightly lowering some tactile issues it is no biggie to me. The beauty of a MB is in performance, longevity, safety, and luxury, to mention nothing about the fairly low cost warranty option to provide the owner 100K miles or 9 years of fairly inclusive warranty coverage.

Other brands of manufacturers juggle these same issues. The result? – Audi = nicer fit and finish, and more finish choices than anyone else, BMW = performance sedans and coupes, Porsche = Sports cars (upper case “S” intended), VW = a commuter car. They are all nice and well built to a price point.

BenzOnline · #5 05-19-2002, 04:50 PM

I have also noticed the quality fit and finish on some new Benzes. I have that part time job at a car wash and we get a lot of benzes coming in and it's mostly new leases. When comparing them to my w126 it is like night in day in terms of quality. The cheapest quality ones I have seen is the ML, C and S classes. On the S class I pushed down on the back bumber and it was bending, so was the grill and the doors are much lighter. If I pushed down on my 126 back bumper I would injure myself, it is so strong. The way I see it, I dont know if it is still worth the money. I mean, I know its a Benz but, its not the same anymore. They have to change.

I have noticed Chryslers quality going up. Is Benz helping them or what? They have really nice designs and looks. The reliability is fairly good now comparing to a few years back. We used to have a 95 Grand Cherokee and you cannot compare it to the newest one we have now (pic below). This thing is a tank! The feel of it is strong and the materials they have used is very strong. Also, the audio systems in the Jeeps are far more superior to those ML ones I have heard, BOSE or not!

Ken300D · #6 05-20-2002, 07:26 AM

The Chrysler - Mercedes relationship works the same way as the USA - Mexico relationship works under NAFTA.

One goes up, the other goes down, and they meet in the middle.

Buenos Dios!

Ken300D

Champa · #7 05-20-2002, 01:25 PM

I guess people had these same conversations 20 years back on those cars (W124, 201, 126) came into the market. I see what you guys mean, the materials used to look (and provably were) tougher and better (ex. W124's aluminum dashboard shell). But new technologies have made new products as good, through more economical materials and processes.

So, what is all the whining about new MB's? They sure are as nice as the older models, have tons of new functionalities and features while maintaining a good fit and finish. Sure the ML is not a good example, but the C-class is not bad at all. I didn’t see any defects on our ’02 C240 and saw tons of improvements over our older cars. You will have to drive and play with one (new MB) for a couple of hours and you’ll see what I am talking about. The amount of resources that go into designing all these features must be enormous. I still love the indestructible W124’s (’86 300E) and W126’s (’87 300SDL), they are still as capable as any new car on the market and were designed some 20 years back, but we must move on.

my .02

P.S.

BenzOnline- I'm confused, you love the rigidness of your W126s body and complain about the new MB's flexible bodies (bigger and heavier is not always better), but you also praise the Jeep, which is as not rigid at all (or at least as flexible as any new MB).

Also, is 35K spent on a Jeep any better than 35K on a C-class, I don't see your point.

Holson Adi · #8 05-20-2002, 02:40 PM

I think I'm gonna test drive a CLK55/430 or maybe the C-Coupe. Then I can say what I think about them. I think the CLK is an awesome car. It has such a solid feel to it (just sitting in one).

I'd love to try a stick shift C-Coupe though...
we'll see..

ML Dude · #9 05-20-2002, 04:00 PM

Holson,

As the proud owner of a new(used) CLK430 Cab, I can tell you you're right!

I was impressed by the tightness and solidity of the chassis, it felt much more solid than the SL500 of the same year. I was not sure what to expect of a convertible, but the difference was obvious!

Tracy, as usual, well said. I couldn't agree more!

BenzOnline · #10 05-20-2002, 07:54 PM

How can you compare the C class with the Jeep?? The Jeep I have pictured here is top of the line and is around $53 000 canadian. My point I guess was that it is maybe better to by something like this instead of the ML which is more exspensive and has like the same features.

#11 05-21-2002, 12:50 AM

I was disappointed to learn of Chrysler's new relationship to Mercedes. My family and other friends had several new chryslers and jeeps and they had all kinds of problems ranging from electrical to axles and brakes and vibrations. It's not so bad when leasing because the vehicle is new and under warranty, but - major inconvenience. My sister's brakes kept going up every 9,000 miles. The dealership couldn't figure out what was wrong, so every 9-10,000 miles they had to replace the entire braking system on the car.

BAd124 · #12 05-21-2002, 01:00 AM

Benzonline can you please stop posting pictures of your Jeep,seriously...

mikemover · #13 05-21-2002, 03:07 AM

I'm an MB disciple, and will defend any OLD Mercedes to the death!

.....But I have to agree with BenzOnline--I'm very NOT impressed by the ML in any way. Looks and drives like any other generic SUV...A Benz should be a cut above the rest (at least!), and nothing about the ML makes it worthy of the star on the front, IMHO.

I'd take the Jeep instead as well, although it pains me to say that.

Now a G-Wagen....that's altoghether different!

Mike