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Originally Posted by 97 SL320
I think MB is having a tough time with actual engineering / short design cycles in the sense that " Anyone can build a bridge that lasts forever, but it takes engineering to build something that lasts just long enough and uses a minimum of materials / labor " .
Calling the older cars " Over engineered " is an insult to engineers. I'd call the cars " Over built for the expected life cycle. " I'd think that most older MB were discarded long before they reached expected mileage / age.
As stated in the vid, lots of the tech comes from outside suppliers and they hold the keys to reliability.
If you are speaking of your 83 SL, it is a but unfair to use a 35 year old car as an example. It first must be judged against it's contemporaries and tempered with it being a 35 year old car.
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MB started the cost-cutting and gadget-infusion when the Asian manufacturers showed up on the scene with their luxury models and started making MB look outdated, underequipped, and unreliable. The Asian makes are just better at putting something together, making it hold up for a reasonable period, putting a decent pricetag on it, and developing a reputation. Just look at Lexus for a good example, the brand didn't even exist until 1989 and it's now a more important marque than MB, often with higher resale value.
The old cars definitely aren't over-engineered, they're over-built. There's a difference. The designs were restrained, the build quality was good, the materials were good, and the longevity is good. There's a reason they have a cult following. Look at the 80s American cars for a comparison. Other than the muscle cars, there aren't many from the era that people actually want, and for good reasons.
Most vehicle manufacturers have access to similar technology, materials, parts, etc from various parts manufacturers. What differs is the implementation in the final product. MB has had a number of relatively high profile failings in the last decade or so - balance shafts coming apart, variable intake manifolds breaking, oil coolers failing, transmissions needing software updates to function properly, diesel engines that can't meet emissions without cheating... If other manufacturers can get by without problem after problem, why can't MB if they're pulling from the same parts bins? Implementation.
The '83 SL has been in the family since 1998. At the time, a 15 year old car, 2 owners, well maintained, and just as unreliable back then as it is today (there's a reason it's still pretty low mileage). If it were my only car, it would have been gone long ago, but it isn't. It has character, it's a nice car to drive in nice weather, and it keeps me busy. The SDL is the polar opposite. Add fuel and oil and drive on. It's only issues are due to age and neglect - something that affects any car from any manufacturer.