Mercedes part interchange and reuse, almost zero?

[Hirnbeiss]

Interesting...I don't usually think of unionization contributing positively to the design of a product. Assuming that the brackets are of a superior design =)


cheers,
dan r.

[t walgamuth]

sorry hernbeiss,

even with the illustration i dont get your point.

and a union doesnt have anything to do with design, does it? are the engineers in a union? if so that is a first for me.

tom w

[Hirnbeiss]

It's more political and social pressures in Germany that keep DCAG from trimming its salaried German workforce.

[300SDog]

I think interchangability problems mostly began after the notorious German labor strikes that ended at/near 1979, so its really a question of which generation Vintage MB you're talking about regarding how interchangable the parts are. And this is also about the time they started throwing junk accessories into the cars.

Meanwhile Fintails, 108's and 114/115's are each mostly standardized and uniform with swapable parts among each chassis type. Yet the variations among 123's are amazing. My 1979 and 1983 240's are filled with dissimilarities. And alot of these "upgrades" are NOT improvements.

Dunno anything about newer models of the last 20 yrs. But it was interesting to read on the thermostat thread that modern 560 V-8 'stats will drop into 450's and improve cooling capabilities.

[autozen]

Originally Posted by Hirnbeiss

That means basically "busy work for job security". It's common at huge German companies, where they can't easily let excess employees go. It's relevant to the topic because Mercedes takes the attitude: "Why re-use the part if you can design a new one?" It keeps engineers employed redesigning brackets.

Every part number on your car that starts with the car's model number (e.g., A124 or A210) was designed first for that car. I'm sure it's a higher percentage for MB than any other carmaker.

As a 30 year veteren of the trenches as a professional MB mechanic, I agree with and I disagree with you. I am amazed how many parts are interchangeable between all the different models. Control arms and brake calipers, etc swap all around. The same basic V-8 engine was used from 1971 through 1990. Did you know that a diesel timing chain fits the 220, 240, and 300 engines. That is the same chain ror 4 cyl and 5 cyl engines. Here's the part that p*sses me off and I agree that there must be an engineers union. Little things like wind shield washer pumps have been designed and redesighed several times. If they can design a chassis like the 107 to span 20 years with no design change, why can't they they design a freakin windshield washer pump once. It isn't like items like that are on the cutting edge of technology. I've seen this many times on small parts.

[jahawk]

Chilton's, Mercedes-Benz 2, Repair & Tune-Up Guide 1968-1973 shows in Clutch and Transmission Chapter the following transmission type vs. Model application:

K4C025 (3 planetary gearset)---220D/8,220/8,230/8,250/8,250C,280S/8(fromMay1969),280SE/8(from May 69),280SEL(from May 69),300SEL/8(from May 69),280,280C.

Does anyone have any information/experience contradicting/confirming this data?

[t walgamuth]

the parts that are well refined dont change.

the parts that are not well refined they change to improve.

like in a 126, my 90 has many improvements over my 84, but from looking at it from the outside you only would notice the wheels. which the newer ones show a lot less brake dusting. an improvment.

seems logical to me. dont change what works weill do change the weak points.

tom w