Why so many MB's in the Middle East? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

benhogan · #1 02-25-2010, 12:14 PM

They seem to be in every movie set in the middle east? They all seem beat but still running.

I wonder what the perception of MB's is in those countries? Maybe they are cheaper there? I don't see many Hyundai's or Geely's. Just an observation?

davidmash · #2 02-25-2010, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benhogan

They seem to be in every movie set in the middle east? They all seem beat but still running.

I wonder what the perception of MB's is in those countries? Maybe they are cheaper there? I don't see many Hyundai's or Geely's. Just an observation?

They use them as cabs in Europe. The basic models are cheap and reliable. They are like the crown Vic's and ford Escorts of Europe.

compu_85 · #3 02-25-2010, 12:23 PM

When a lot of those cares failed to pass their safety inspections weren't they shipped to the Middle East?

-J

benhogan · #4 02-25-2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

When a lot of those cares failed to pass their safety inspections weren't they shipped to the Middle East?

-J

That might be. It's amazing that they keep them running though. From that movie "BlackHawk Down", that old 220d was still running despite the absence of AutoZone stores in that town. Maybe they just order their parts via in the internet. Who knows.

pj67coll · #5 02-25-2010, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benhogan

That might be. It's amazing that they keep them running though. From that movie "BlackHawk Down", that old 220d was still running despite the absence of AutoZone stores in that town. Maybe they just order their parts via in the internet. Who knows.

The basic vehicles can keep running without the standard US level of maintenance for a very long time because they are extremely robust and reliable. My first Mercedes for example leaked power steering fluid from it's resivoir so bad I had to keep a small box in the trunk permanently stocked with the bottles of ATF. I'd have to fill the resivoir every few days. The valve stem seals where shot so it blew lots of smoke if you let up on the gas pedal from speed, such as on the highway, and speeds there were faster than in the US. I had to keep checking the engine oil and topping it up on a much more regular basis than would be considered acceptable here. In fact it would probably have failed various states "safety" / "emissions" tests and been consigned to the junkyard. But I drove it just fine for several years like that.

- Peter.

Hatterasguy · #6 02-25-2010, 01:53 PM

Its oil money in the middle east.

When you see those SLR 722's pulling up to 300ft yachts remember that at the pump, we bought them.

benhogan · #7 02-25-2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

The basic vehicles can keep running without the standard US level of maintenance for a very long time because they are extremely robust and reliable. My first Mercedes for example leaked power steering fluid from it's resivoir so bad I had to keep a small box in the trunk permanently stocked with the bottles of ATF. I'd have to fill the resivoir every few days. The valve stem seals where shot so it blew lots of smoke if you let up on the gas pedal from speed, such as on the highway, and speeds there were faster than in the US. I had to keep checking the engine oil and topping it up on a much more regular basis than would be considered acceptable here. In fact it would probably have failed various states "safety" / "emissions" tests and been consigned to the junkyard. But I drove it just fine for several years like that.

- Peter.

If that is the case, one could argue that we overmaintain our cars in the US unnecessarily.

pj67coll · #8 02-25-2010, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benhogan

If that is the case, one could argue that we overmaintain our cars in the US unnecessarily.

The US is rich enough, one way or the other, to throw money at things that other parts of the world cannot. (Usually third world contries). Thus the number of older beater Benz's running around in third world countries that would long since have been scrapped in the US.

- Peter.

Carleton Hughes · #9 02-25-2010, 02:39 PM

They do have the reputation of being quite bombproof.

chazola · #10 02-25-2010, 04:50 PM

Most of these cars will be diesels: they're basic, reliable, economical, easy to work on and when western Europe is moving onto the newer models they find a perfect home in the middle east/ eastern europe/ africa, where regulations aren't so tight regarding importing/maintenance/emission standards etc. Mercedes and other good quality diesel cars (like old Peugeots) will always be in demand there especially as taxis and exporters from Europe can make money shipping these old cars out.

They're so popular there were gangs in London specifically targeting w123 and W124 models at one point, stealing them at night by lifting them off the road onto low-loaders, stripping them down same night and shipping them next day.

Mistress · #11 02-25-2010, 04:53 PM

They last forever and gas is 10 cents a gallon over there.

Txjake · #12 02-25-2010, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benhogan

They seem to be in every movie set in the middle east? They all seem beat but still running.

I wonder what the perception of MB's is in those countries? Maybe they are cheaper there? I don't see many Hyundai's or Geely's. Just an observation?

the trunks are bigger than most cars and thus, hold more explosives.....