Mercedes part interchange and reuse, almost zero?

[gmog220d]

Yep - I found the other thread about engine interchange.

Thanks!

[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.

[t walgamuth]

percentage of what?

sorry, i dont understand your point.

tom w

[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.

[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.