Lunch with Audi/VW sales manager... - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jsmith · #31 02-04-2003, 12:09 PM

yeah i know, it was just so annoying to have the aroma of burnt 5w-30 wafting in through the vents. it got so bad that my vents had a coating of oil and my recirc button was on all the time. it was a running joke with other afflicted owners that when you coasted to a stop you just automatically reached for the recirc button...

dieseldude · #32 02-04-2003, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikemover
Why? It had the same styling, build quality, and reliability of all the other MB models, in some ways moreso! It just had less "bells and whistles".

Mike: Because the 240D was a considerably down-market auto (albiet with bulletproof reliablity and design). It was increasing Mercedes's visability in the market place by catering to a different customer demographic.

Guess I'm just saying not to count the new C out. It has won accolades for it's tight chassis and improved handling and safety systems over the previous generation. I do agree that lower quality interior materials are being used - I've driven a '99 E320 as a direct comparision to my '95 E420, and can say that interior finishes are subpar. But the car has the same rock-solid cruising character, steering is more repsonsive, handling is great, and the power (and fuel efficiency) of the six is very impressive - quicker off the line than my M119. If you look at torque and hp specs vs. fuel economy you'll find MB beating just about any other car manufacturer - that's superior engineering.

I'm sad to see the trade-off in quality too - which is why I'm going to hold on to my older cars as long as possible. However, if yout consider the current car market and worldwide advances in manufaturing and engineering, MB couldn't hope continue to stay as far ahead of the pack as they have been in the past.... maybe they will prove us wrong though...

Regards,
- Ryan

blackmercedes · #33 02-04-2003, 04:01 PM

The real problem is that the $55K+ Passat is priced at/above MANY really desirable cars.

Don't need four doors? A 350Z or G35 coupe is way less. The G35 sedan is $15K less.

Like VW interiors? Then you probably like Audi interiors even better! The A6 2.7T is priced just a couple thou more than the W8. The entire A4 line is less.

Like German cars? The entire C-Class line (save the C32) is less. The entire BMW 3-series line (save M3) is less. The BMW 525i and 525iT are the same price.

And that's his point. He's loosing most W8 sales because it's just too much money, especially when he's got A6's in the next showroom for the same/less.

pentoman · #34 02-05-2003, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SHYNE
The brand new W211 is full of new hardware but, is still beat by the old E39 BMW 5 series.

Pah! how so

Agreed, I would never ever ever replace my 190E with a W203 C-class, just not good enough. And maybe the W211 E-class isn't as good a car as the W124 was. In fact I wouldn't buy any new Mercedes, I'd take an old one and keep the cash!

But I still think it's fair to say the W211 has the E39 5-series beat, certainly the consensus in Europe. I've never found the 5-series anything like as hot a car as everyone (mainly magazines) makes out. Bear in mind BMW have a special production line just for the magazine test models..

#35 02-05-2003, 05:51 PM

Quote:

I've never found the 5-series anything like as hot a car as everyone (mainly magazines) makes out. Bear in mind BMW have a special production line just for the magazine test models..

It seems like both the '90 and '89 325iX's that a friend of my owned and owns came off that line....

Are you serious about this, or just kidding? I wouldn't be surprised if press cars had a little factory tuning beforehand...

Jaguar did this with the first XKEs to be provided to the magazines, to get 150 mph top speed figures for the car magazines. I think reality was more like 140 to 145 mph.

-Sam

jcyuhn · #36 02-06-2003, 10:12 AM

Read in yesterday's WSJ that VW has finally recalled all the cars with the plug coil problem. It's 850K cars worldwide, most of which are in the U.S. Customer pressure & complaints is ultimately what drove them to initiate the recall.

They have known about the problem for 2 years, but would only address the failures on an individual basis. Guess it finally dawned on them that making thier customers flatbad the car to the dealer three times a year wasn't going to generate much future business. They're right - I've taken VW off my list of candidate cars to replace the E300.

- Jim

jsmith · #37 02-06-2003, 10:31 AM

TDI's seem to be in an altogether different category and have their own following. it's one Veedub i would consider. i know you can even chip that car to run 0-60 in 8 secs! not shabby...

Lance Allison · #38 02-06-2003, 11:36 AM

I'm beginning to think I'm the exception to the rule here. I purchased a 98 Jetta TDI, A3 body style, in November of 97. Since then, I've used it exclusively for commuting to and from work and have racked up almost 220k miles. Most of those miles have been put on with the drivetrain putting out about 30-50% more power than stock.

Aside from needing a grabbier clutch at 150k miles and some nagging power window issues, the car has been flawless. The clutch problem can be written off as a want more than a need. The car simply had too much power causing the clutch to slip, so either I needed to dial it down or put in a new clutch. New clutch it was.

I know 3 other locals who also own VW TDI's...two A3 Jettas and one B4 Passat. Both Jettas have ~110k miles and the Passat 170k. Largely trouble-free on all 3 accounts.

pentoman · #39 02-06-2003, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mbz380se

Are you serious about this, or just kidding? I wouldn't be surprised if press cars had a little factory tuning beforehand...

-Sam

Yes BMW have a special production line for the press cars. I was told by Colin Goodwin, a journalist for Autocar magazine.