PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Is the C-class really garbage??

pj67coll · #27 03-17-2012, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiveTurkey

Frankly the fact they are building Nissan engines in Tennessee for a Mercedes Benz is a bit disgusting.

More incredible is the fact that there are actually people out there who would pay for such a thing.

Regarding the quality of foreign (non German) produced Benz's. I can comment on the ones produced in the South African plant up till I left the country in 2000, As the first three cars in my sig were South African. Of course there is no such thing as a Mercedes, or any other kind of car for that matter "made in South Africa" at least at that time. They were all SKD, ie semi knocked down cars where the components almost all of which were made in Germany were shipped to SA where they were assembled in the factory. The quality control was for the most part up to the German standard until apartheid induced labor relations issues and the infestation of the plant with ANC allied communist trade unions started causing trouble including actual acts of sabotage.

I well recall seeing a brand new 560SE in the dealer in Durban with a foot long cut from what appeared to be a razor blade in the rear seat leather.

All three of the SA assembled Mercedes I had, the 108 280S, the 116 280S and the 123 200 were essentially indistinguishable in any way from the German assembled 123 240D I owned here in Phoenix. In fact I distinctly recall that the 108's tire pressure info on the trunk sticker was still in German as were many other stickers in the car.

As to the OP's question. I really cannot comment, as I've never ridden in a newer Mercedes than a 140 S500, But I would have doubted that Mercedes would make a conscious distinction between it's model ranges in terms of quality. That is until I heard of them using Nissan or Renault engines or what have you in the new C, at which point I cannot see any reason to a, pretend the car is a Mercedes any longer or b, pay the obscene price for it.

- Peter.