Is merecedes too troublesome ? - Page 14 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

zafarhayatkhan · #**196** 10-09-2003, 11:21 AM

Very Well put Jim B+

zero4588 · #**197** 10-09-2003, 12:52 PM

"Other legs of DaimlerChrysler's global empire also are in trouble. At luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz, sales and profit are holding up but quality has slipped. Mitsubishi Motors Corp., the company's Asian affiliate, is racking up losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars."

Thank you, Alber Champion for this insightful article. My hands are sweating in that I almost considered purchasing a Mitsubishi EVO, another Mercede-plagued company. No wonder Mitsubishi has so many quality issues too.

blackmercedes · #**198** 10-09-2003, 12:59 PM

They need to stick to doing what they do best: making high quality, superbly engineered cars. MB thought that the quick way to enter the US market with respect to trucks and low-mid end cars was to buy ailing Chrysler. Well, things are bad for Chrysler. Their products look sharp, but suffer from bad reps with respect to quality. That was the last thing MB needed when havin problems fo their own.

Now, the red ink looks like it's just going to flow at a faster rate as car sales cool in the next two years. What has merger-mania done for the Germans?

Benzwood · #**199** 10-09-2003, 01:05 PM

No matter how much you are paying now, you're still not getting much more than a gold-plated Accord or Camry, IMHO.

Whaaaaa....??? I thought that's what Acuras and Lexii were.

Have you driven an Accord or Camry as compared to the "equivalent" MB from the "sucker" era? Let's say, even an old clunker like my 1992 300E?

If you have, and still feel that way, commit yourself to the nearest mental institution. Or at least move over to the slow lane.

suginami · #**200** 10-09-2003, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by zero4588
[B
Thank you, Alber Champion for this insightful article. My hands are sweating in that I almost considered purchasing a Mitsubishi EVO, another Mercede-plagued company. No wonder Mitsubishi has so many quality issues too. [/B]

Actually,

Mitsubishi does not have quality problems.

The point of the article is that they are losing money.

They were losing money before Daimler Chrysler purchased a controlling interest in the company, and they still are.

Nothing's changed.

goldenbear · #**201** 10-09-2003, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by zero4588
zafarhayatkhan- Then, I35 is your car. Much quieter car than Mercedes. Or ES330 is the quietest of the bunch.

Couldn't disagree more with this statement. Drove a friends brand new I35 on a 40 mile drive on freeway and city roads. The road vibration was significant at only 60 mph, and intolerable much above that. I wouldn't dare compare it to either of my vintages.

zero4588 · #**202** 10-09-2003, 03:14 PM

We have a 98 I30 too, my wife's car. Compared to my 98 E, in my opinion, I30 is much queiter and has much precise steering, not to mention no squeaky and creaky seats. I couldn't think why after so much money spent on scheduled and mostly unscheduled service visits and efforts invested in troubleshooting and fixing thier Mercedes do people still say that Mercedes is a trouble free car? Why are people so reluctant to come the realization that Mercedes needs an overhaul, not minor but major? If it's not for our own good, it should be for the good of prospective buyers.

Hawk180 · #**203** 10-09-2003, 04:11 PM

The way I see it guys, this is a Mercedes group. If all you can do is log on and deride the MB brand, go someplace else. Also if you own a Mercedes and all you can do is complain about it. Sell it and buy a Japanese car. I will never drive anything else but Mercedes. I have driven many other brands of car and for my comfort, driving style and satisfaction, The MB brand fits. MB's are not for everyone nor do they try to be. So if you have nothing good to say about our chosen auto, say nothing.....And go away.

goldenbear · #**204** 10-09-2003, 04:31 PM

Well stated. I wouldn't rather be in any other vehicle.

#**205** 10-09-2003, 04:40 PM

before everything became so computer-infested, airbagged, complicated and...finite.

Expect mid-'80s M-Bs to be what I drive for the rest of my life.

blackmercedes · #**206** 10-09-2003, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hawk180
So if you have nothing good to say about our chosen auto, say nothing.....And go away.

Uh, s'up with that? Just because we love MB's doesn't mean we can't be critical of them! The point of the site is to share information. I don't recall reading anywhere about this being a "fan" site. The technical forum is to share information concerning the care and feeding of our Mercedes'. The open forum is to discuss practically anything else. This can include (not limited to) the potential future of the Mercedes brand, and it's history.

The fact that we are willing to be straighforward about the cars is an asset to all members. It can assist someone new to the brand to understand more about the cars, and why we own them. Too many people buy an old fourth-owner Mercedes and then run down the entire brand because their 20 year old car has some problems.

I love Mercedes-Benz automobiles. I have put up with quirks because I love the way they drive and feel. That said, I will continue to talk openly and honestly about the cars, the company, and my experiences with them.

Perhaps instead of encouraging others to go away, you should follow your own advice. You could start your own MB site for people that have nothing negative to say.

albert champion · #**207** 10-09-2003, 10:25 PM

hello,

ok. my info differs. mine says that mitsubishi has had, continues to have, serious quality problems in its passenger car lines. that are not being remedied by daimler chrysler.

i also care to state that i have been a benzophile for 30 years. and i have owned and own a number of benz products.

now, why have i preferred benz autos? until recently, because of the intelligence of the design and the excellence of the construction. and the commitment to supply repair parts for older benzes...a program unlike one practised by any other auto manufacturer.

this has allowed me to retain and operate old benzes.

one aspect of the benz autos that i have appreciated over the years is that up until 1997, most of the benzes that i have owned[own] accommodate me. by the way, i am 6' 2" and weigh 175 lbs.

it always astonishes me how larger autos[cadillacs, lincolns, et alia], though physically larger than my sonderklasse cars, offer less lebensraum. especially leg room. in all of those vehicles other than a benz, i can never get comfortable.

in fact, i find it interesting that my 560sel, 560sec, e320cab furnish more legroom than my 6.9 and my s500coupe. and as a consequence, both of these cars are on my list for divestment.

i conclude by saying what i have said many times before: the w126 benzes are the zenith of automotive design and construction.

the reason i have posted the business articles concerning daimler chrysler is that i worry about the bankers running benz. it strikes me that the wonderful policies that we have enjoyed concerning the supply of parts for our oldsters will be killed by the bankers and their sycophants[zetsche, schrempp].

a votre sante

WANT '71 280SEL · #**208** 10-09-2003, 11:20 PM

Honestly, if you don't like Mercedes, then why don't you buy an older Lexus? I understand what you mean about reliability being down, but act on it and buy the Lexus that you love to praise. They are cheaper in every aspect, from purchase to maintenance. There is something about Mercedes-Benz that I will always be drawn to, I don't think that any other car offers what a Benz does like a Benz.
Thanks I understand if you are just venting.
David

zero4588 · #**209** 10-10-2003, 01:23 AM

I do apologize to those Mercedes Loyalists out there if my criticisms about Mercedes not living up to its reputation somehow hurt your feelings. But I am just trying to state some facts about owning my Mercedes, not accusations, that is if it's allowed in this democratic society.

WANT '71 280SEL- Sorry to disapoint you, won't be getting a Lexus soon. But, will be getting a 2004 Nissan Skyline in a couple of days as my daily transportation, since my 98 E is not a very reliable one, not to mention unsafe to drive without turn signals at night. Please be sure to congradulate me. I meant no harm toward your Mercedes.

suginami · #**210** 10-10-2003, 02:27 PM

I take a middle position on the issue of those who constantly criticize Mercedes.

It should always be o.k. and healthy for those who are unhappy with their cars and unhappy with the state of the direction of the company to be able to openly express thier feelings.

The problem is nobody likes to be around someone who is constantly negative, either at work or in private life. It drags you down.

The other thing that unhappy owners don't realize is that their particular ownership experience is not representative of all owners' experiences and is purely anecdotal. Because their particular car has had troubles, they therefore deride the whole company and every car they make as bad and low quality.

Check out Edumnds.com or MSN cars, pull up a particular model and year and read the consumer reviews. Even for Toyota, Honda, and Lexus. There are customers of every make who feel they have a "lemon", and criticize the whole company and every car they make for lack of quality. It is not exclusive to just Mercedes automobiles.

Unhappy owners just need to have more perspective.