Progress?

[MercedesRover]

Just serviced an ’05 C240 this morning….

First of all, it’s a “240” but the car has a 3.2Lin it?

But ya want to know the best thing? No dipstick!! You have to fill the engine with oil, start it up, shut it down to let the oil settle and the computer checks the oil level on the next start-up.

[stayalert]

makes me shudder just thinking about it.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by MercedesRover

But ya want to know the best thing? No dipstick!! You have to fill the engine with oil, start it up, shut it down to let the oil settle and the computer checks the oil level on the next start-up.

Some of us would not consider that such a good thing.

What else does "Hal" do for you that you could otherwise do for yourself?

[SYRacing]

thats pretty neat...
yea i've never understood why benz does that...90% of the cars have the displacement in the model...190s are unique like that..they are all 190E or D but have a range of engines that go in them..none of which are 1.9L

[83mercedes]

Here's the problem with introducing such complex electronics into combustion engines:

1. Electronics fail...they always do at some point or another, whether it is tomorrow or ten years from now seems pretty much arbitrary in my experience.
2. Electronic diagnostics are only as accurate as the electronics which are making the diagnosis...if the electronics are damaged, then you're even further back than you would have been having to make the diagnosis on your own because now you have something else to repair and no idea what the problem is.
3. Since the main reason for making everything computerized and electronic is easier repairs/diagnostics (the other being increased efficiency, the only legitimate use in my opinion), isn't it counter-intuitive to build a system which requires special tools, electronics, and personnel to service?

You pay the huge extra money to have all the car systems computerized, you pay the huge extra money for special tools to use in conjunction with the system, you pay the extra money for technicians, and in the end all you wind up with is the same result which could have been achieved via standard tools, skilled mechanics, and a mechanical engine. Why? People say technology makes our lives so much easier, but it seems to make things more complicated. It's just another branching out in the economy to provide more jobs/goods/trade.

[MercedesRover]

Maybe my sarcasm didn't ring through. The electronics in cars today is ridiculous. The truck I drive and the one you see in my avatar was built from scratch from the ground up. If there’s one thing I can’t stand is a car you can’t work on yourself. I work in an independent body/repair shop and it’s getting harder and harder for us every year.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by MercedesRover

Maybe my sarcasm didn't ring through. The electronics in cars today is ridiculous. The truck I drive and the one you see in my avatar was built from scratch from the ground up. If there’s one thing I can’t stand is a car you can’t work on yourself. I work in an independent body/repair shop and it’s getting harder and harder for us every year.

Ahaaaa.............and I thought you serviced your own C240.

[MercedesRover]

I've got a couple 240s, yes....A 240D and the 616.912 2.4L that's in my Rover. But there'll be no C240s in my future. Of that I can assure you!

[Johnhef]

Dont even get me started on the no dipstick thing. One of the dumbest things MB has ever done. 2006 models are starting to bring the dipstick back thankfully.

[JimmyL]

Manufacturers want to be the only option for service, and lots of things nowadays is to hinder the independent.

[Hatterasguy]

I think you can order dipsticks for them. One of the people I work with just bought a new C240, almost the same color as my SDL. It is a pretty nice little car; not worth almost $40k though.

[Larry Delor]

No dipstick?? That is the one of the most obsurd things I have heard in a long time!

Whoever thought of this idea, ought to be one of the first ones up against the wall when the revolution comes.

[83mercedes]

Originally Posted by Larry Delor

Whoever thought of this idea, ought to be one of the first ones up against the wall when the revolution comes.

That might be going a little far, but I agree with you in spirit.

[andersbenz]

First we lost the analog clock. We go from a big clock face to 3mm tall numbers.

Then we let take away our oil pressure gauge. The one in my ’74 240D saved my a$$.

Next, the automatic transmission is sealed.

Now Mercedes presents us with a car that has no dip stick.

Where are the mechanical engineers? Have the Bosch and Siemens people completely taken over?

[DR.DIESEL]

First we lost the analog clock. We go from a big clock face to 3mm tall numbers.

The analog clock is back! Just look at the cluster in a new C,E, ect
and you will see a clock as big as the tach. You just had to give up the full size coolant temp gauge to get it! Ha.
Damn marketing guys!
P.s. - Dipsticks are coming back. All the new 4-cam motors have them which will be in most of our line for 2006.
Dr.D