Didn't Mercedes used to be different? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

blackmercedes · #1 07-13-2003, 12:32 AM

Think back some decades, even years. Think about luxury cars. They were enormous floaty devices with poor handling, an overabundance of gadgets and no more real engineering than their economical siblings.

Mercedes was different. They had stiffer suspensions and technologically advanced engines. All wheel disc brakes and other "sports car" goodies. They had somber interiors and a form-follows-function kind of mentality.

Someone getting out a Caddy would wonder where the heck they had ended up.

Simply put, a Mercedes was not for everyone. And Mercedes not only knew it, they embraced it. They put up with lower sales volumes and higher prices and refused to compromise.

Then the Japanese came about and pointed their guns. BOOM.

I find it more than a touch ironic that after 100 years of steadfast refusal to follow, Mercedes suddenly became the ramora on the Lexus Dolphin. Now, there was trouble. Mercedes had laughed off the shot, and ended up hit right in the magazine. They had to adapt, and do it fast. Suddenly their products looked dated and their prices bloated. The early 1990's brought poor sales and poor reviews from people that had once adored the brand.

Instead of charting their own course, they laid one in straight for Lexus. The W140 was a huge disaster while the LS was taking off. The W124 E looked old next to newer products, and the price seemed astronomical in the recession of the 1990's.

Now with all that said, what should Mercedes do? Do they return to their roots and produce bullet-proof automobiles with relative simplicity? Would this even work? Would it fail and send them into bankruptcy? I would buy a C-Class diesel sedan with the most basic equipment for our times (no ESP, no Comand, no NAV, etc) if I thought it would be trouble free and last for 20 years without major surgery. But, am I enough? IS there enough of us out there for a car company to make it?

Anyone have any idea of where we enthusiasts would really like the company take the Star? If we had to write a letter to Jurgen, what would we ask for?

suginami · #2 07-13-2003, 12:50 AM

I would by a brand new W124 if they would still make it.

I would buy it with the same inline-6 M104 engine and with the following:

1. a head gasket and cam seal that wouldn't leak oil
2. an engine wiring harness with insulation that wouldn't deteriorate
3. an HVAC system with manual controls without the vacum actuated flaps and an evaporator that would last the life of the car without failing.

DuckMuck · #3 07-13-2003, 02:35 AM

As much as I like the old fashion concept of "building cars that will run forever"...and "if it doesn't break, why get rid of it", that is not how the world is headin'...this is the only forum I have visited on the internet where people still want to keep the same old car...today's attitude is "new is cool"...why would Mercedes-Benz devote money into making cars that last, when the new generation of potential customers don't even understand the concept!?!? You lease a car for a few years, show it off to your friends, get rid of it, and get the next model...same applies to computers, cell phones, televisions, stereos, etc. nowadays...

So if you think Mercedes-Benz is goin' to do a full 180 and go back to what they use to do...think again...it won't happen...

The Godfather · #4 07-13-2003, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by suginami
I would by a brand new W124 if they would still make it.

I would buy it with the same inline-6 M104 engine and with the following:

1. a head gasket and cam seal that wouldn't leak oil
2. an engine wiring harness with insulation that wouldn't deteriorate
3. an HVAC system with manual controls without the vacum actuated flaps and an evaporator that would last the life of the car without failing.

I am so with you on that one!!!

I had the HG job the week I bought the car. I Got some wires losing insulations and fixing them up as I can....and the A/C stuff still A-OK

#5 07-13-2003, 08:32 AM

DR ///AMG,
What's the body styling of your merc? W12*?

I wish I could buy a W108 brand new. 280SE will do. a 6.3 would kill the petrol bill. As i've found with my W108 it starts everytime, hell, it even starts right now and it has a blown HG. HG was probably somthing on the way out anyway, since the car has been sitting for the last 7years. Though it did survive 8months of my driving

TX76513 · #6 07-13-2003, 08:53 AM

building cars that will run forever
That kills the service department and service departments (at any dealership) keep the lights on. Vehicles that last are almost becomming the scruge of the industry.
My neighbor just bought a new MB C class $74K - hey it's nice but it doesn't ride any better than my 86SDL and I definately have more cabin room. OK - he can take me at the light. But looking over this car I can see mega $$'s of things to fix as time goes on. He says he won't keep it that long - I am thinking he will, with his 84 month note, as he will be in backwards in that car for years.
Car's that last are around much anymore - my 86 Isuzu T/D - I have had since new. It has 212K on the clock and other than things that wear out I have only replaced rear wheel bearing, alternator and an idler pulley - Most people that I have run into that owned these have had similar results -- wonder why Isuzu doesn't make these anymore??

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