DukeBoy27

When my wife and I were test driving the c230 last weekend, we noticed that the window sticker said the car is assembled (final) in Brazil. Is that the way all c230 comes in? Or are there c230's that are assembled completely in Germany?

Also, the finance offer now stands at 2.9% APR, is that good? Or were there better offers?

BadAssC230k

check the thread:

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ghlight=brazil

DukeBoy27

Thanks for showing me the thread. That helps but is the entire car assembled in Brazil then? In essence, my question is the c230 Sport no longer "Made in Germany"?

While I share the view that since the Brazilians can make good thongs, they can make good MB's. My wife will probably not share that view. One important factor she is picking MB is the "Made in Germany" label, that's why I am asking if anyone knows the full story on what is going on.

k_lundquist

Maybe check out an 05?

http://carpictures.carjunky.com/New-...sticker?full=1

(Not my actual sticker)

DukeBoy27

Well, wife also wants a brand new car. So that rules out the 05's.

DukeBoy27

The only c230's available at the dealership are assembled in Brazil.

The salesman says there is absolutely no difference and would not hurt resale value.

What do you guys think? Is there a difference? Anyone here with a Brazilian c230?

nlpamg

No.

I only thought the new coupes were being made in Brazil, I didn't know the sedans or even the current models were being made there already.

I guess if they transfer all of the C-Class assembly to Brazil, then this will be the last C-Class I own.

DukeBoy27

Would that be a matter of opinion, or is it that there is hard evidence in the difference in quality? Thanks for replying.

nlpamg

that's a matter of opinion. but in terms of common sense, how good do you think the resale value will be on the car when people find out that instead of being made in germany like they thought, that it's made in Brazil? it's ok to assume that it's made in the US like the M-Class, but Brazil? I dunno.

however, the Right Hand Drive C-Classes are made in South Africa, so that may infer that a car being made in Brazil is really not a big deal...

BadAssC230k

lets jsut hope they dont turn out like the early MS Xbox that were made in Mexico... Reported cases of ****roaches nesting in the internal shell of the xbox itself.

EEP! which further leads me to lean towards an 04.5 and that'd be it for ownin the c series. lol

amdeutsch

I merged your threads. They are both dealing with the same subject matter; Brazil. Lets try and keep the search function semi-clean.

DukeBoy27

Thank you Mr. Moderator!!

BlackLiquorish8

stupid question but does neone know if my 2003 C320 4matic sports sedan is made in Germany???

DukeBoy27

There is a link somewhere that leads to a website that decodes your VIN. Search for that and you will be able to look up where your c320 is made.

I *think* yours is in Germany. As far as I know, only the c230 is made in Brazil and the rest of the line is in Germany. But don't quote me on that!

nlpamg

you don't even need to do that. just open your drivers side door and look for the label there. and yours is most likely germany.

BlackLiquorish8

thanx i'll check tomorrow morning when i go pick up my car and return the loaner 280

anonymouse

I think this comment stands out head and shoulders above any other as the stupidest comment of the week. Maybe the most ignorant too

DukeBoy27

So you do not think a MB made in Brazil will hurt its resale value? That is what the dealership guy says. But if I am in the market for a used MB, it would certainly matter to me whether it is all German or not.

Anyhow, so do you think MB's made in Brazil would have equal quality (in terms of the good things) to those made in Germany?

k_lundquist

In terms of a consumer's impression of quality I believe the C-Class brand will suffer. Personally I made it a point to see where my C was manufacturer prior to purchasing it. Seeing "Made in Brazil" over Germany would certainly have put me off about the car. Would it make or break the deal on the vehicle? Depends on the buyer, but it is certainly is a less favorable perception than "Made in Germany".

In reality will it be less reliable? Time will tell, but I doubt it. Manufacturing processes have become so advanced that it really doesn't matter how skilled the operator is. As long as the factory is well maintained, and the product itself is engineered to the highest German standards, who cares if the guy pushing the button is Brazilian or German?

That being said, my advice would be to wait on the car. With a new engine in the C230 and a new manufacturing facility, I’d wait till the bugs are all worked out. If you have any experience with VW’s “German Engineered” Mexico manufactured, you know what I mean.

anonymouse

I have bought more than a coupe of cars over the years, some new, some used, and I have never stopped to look to see where the car was assembled. And for the life of me I can't think of anyone who has done so either.

You consider a German car that was assembled somewhere outside of Germany somehow not "all German"?


If they are being assembled using identical parts, identical machinery and identical QA procedures why should there be any difference in th final product other than the human quotient? And I'm confident you are not suggesting that the quality of humans in Germany is superior to the ones in Brazil



Or are you? *snicker*

k_lundquist

The first time you own a car that's been a lemon due to where it was made you'll start checking. I've had some experience with a family member and a friend both owning VWs that were Made in Mexico and were riddled with problems vs. thier German made counter parts.

I'd totally agree with you on this if the facility follows the above criteria you listed. Plenty of companies go for cheaper labor in different countries.

And anonymouse, there's no need for some of the scathing comments you've posted just cause your 2006 is made in Brazil. Why don't you tell DukeBoy about your experience with the car so far since you already drive what he's thinking about getting?

guhvies

You folks do realize that in addition to assembling cars, Brazilians also design and build aircraft. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embraer & http://www.embraer.com/english/content/home/ for more info. But, please, do not let this get in the way of a good arguement.

DukeBoy27

I hope no one thinks I am bashing the Brazilians.

And while I do not doubt Brazilians make some great things (thongs!!), my only concern is how well are the c230's made down there. Boeing makes great airplanes, but for one reason or another, that did not translate into great American cars (for the most part).

Anyhow, I imply absolutely nothing negative about the Brazilians, and I do not doubt their ability to do great work. I am simply wondering how c230's made down there stack up to the ones made in Germany.

My wife will be paying the same $$ for one that is made in Brazil, and I would like for her to get her money's worth.

DukeBoy27

Moderator, if this topic has been discussed before, please move this post. I am not very good with searching, so I apologize in advance if I am asking questions that have been asked before.

The situation is that my wife really wants a c230 made in Germany, but the local dealership does not have one (all of its c230's are from Brazil). However, another dealership about 150 miles away does have a German-made one. My concern is how will buying from this dealership affect services and warranty work.

Will my wife still be able to service her MB at the local dealership, even though she did not purchase from there? And will she still have access to the MB loaners and all the nice things associated with owning a MB?

Will the local dealership be less willing to help her out with warranty work? Especially in cases where courtesy repairs are needed?

I am just not sure if buying a MB, but not from the local dealership, is a good idea.

e1000

you can have your local dealership get the car you want. If you deal correctly, they might even waive the transportation cost. You will be buying the car from your local dealership, but they will get the car from the other dealership.