When did MB start "learning" from Chrysler???

[mespe]

Hi,

I've started parting out a 1994 C280 and I'm simply amazed at the construction technique used by Mercedes for this car. I mean power window regulators that are riveted in??? Arm rests that are riveted,,, plastic snap in overhead light,,, and the best I've seen, and I don't know if this is a engineering joke or some form of humor from an overly bored assembly line worker, but the small plastic piece inbetween the steering wheel and the steering column, the plastic piece that holds the airbag wires. Well on the car I'm currently parting, there's like 10 feet (OK 3 meters for you die-hards) of the 4 conductor ribbon all spooled up inside it. What is this some kind of last minute engineered inductor? I 'm gonna hafta take a picture of the insides to let you all see what I'm talkin' bout.


Marty

Proud owner of BenzBonz Quality Pre-Owned Mercedes Parts available on eBay.

[sixto]

I replaced a power window regulator in our Caravan and it's held on by bolts :p

Don't all cars have a similar clockspring mechanism for the airbag? I'm sure it's more reliable in that service environment than a series of roll rings or multiple sliding contacts like the horn uses.

Sixto

[Gilly]

The "Merger" didn't happen til 1998, and the 202 was designed way before that.
The part behind the airbag is the contact spiral (also called the clock spring), it's coiled up in there so the steering wheel can turn and not tighten up the wire ribbon, pretty common, lots better than the old contact points they used to use.
Gilly

[Hatterasguy]

Thats how they mount controls on the wheels with that tape thing. All car makes do that.

It is a C class.

[mespe]

Yeah but 10 feet???AND I am not exagerating when I said 10 feet.

[Gilly]

Yes. You have to cram it all in the small space behind the wheel, and you have to turn the wheel a couple times to get from one lock, then twice that to get to the other lock, and this thing has to be able to allow that to happen without kinking or stretching, yeah there's alot of it. I don't see how this is a reflection on poor quality, it's an engineering issue. They could go back to the old carbon brush and slip-ring arrangement I guess. Those things never wore out
Gilly

[manny]

I used to think like a smart-ass at one point.
Until I had some face-to-face meetings with Automotive Engineers ( GM, Ford, Chrysler & BMW ).
After talking with these individuals ( and asking them some " trick " questions ),............boy o boy, did I walk away HUMBLE.

[Will_w202]

My 202 is the most solid, dependable car I've ever owned, and has 134k on the clock now. Also only car I've ever owned with no rattles

I'd say they built it right.

[mespe]

Actually I kinda like the riveted window regulators. It really made it easy to remove. Drill, pop, and it's loose. But I guess I'm old school enough to want to be able to torque things down. And not have to find replacement rivets.

[Moneypit SEL]

Who says you have to replace the rivits? I've always used bolt & nut for assembly after drilling out window regulator rivits.

[DR.DIESEL]

I would put any w202 C Class up against any w201 190 at any time.
They are some of the most reliable cars to come from MB in the last
20 years.
Plus the interiors don't warp and fall apart like a 190e.

Give me a 99 C43 any day!

[ILUVMILS]

Originally Posted by manny

I used to think like a smart-ass at one point.
Until I had some face-to-face meetings with Automotive Engineers ( GM, Ford, Chrysler & BMW ).
After talking with these individuals ( and asking them some " trick " questions ),............boy o boy, did I walk away HUMBLE.

I get to talk with MB engineers several times a year, and I've learned that one thing is certain. There's a good reason for every decision they make!!!

[Gilly]

Well, sometimes a good reason. Sometimes not SUCH a good reason, as the bean-counters have their fingers in everything now. Inother words sometimes the reason is "the bottom line", building more to a price now instead of to an engineering ideal. Just some things, not everything.

Gilly

[ILUVMILS]

I never said the reasons were something everybody would agree on. But yeah, sometimes it comes down to a business decision.

[mespe]

Take a good look at this picture. It's the tail light PCboard from a 1994 C280.