View Poll Results: 70% of US W204 will come from South Africa... does it change your buying decision?
Voters: 114. You may not vote on this poll
Germany vs. South Africa...
Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 201
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From: Colorado
2008 C350 Sport, 2007 ML320 CDI
Whoa!
We might have a misunderstanding here. Based on what I've just read, Mercedes-Benz South Africa owns / controls the London plant that builds the C-Class. So, MBSA, according to the site listed below, is actually the London plant.
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/art...hp?a_id=107352
Based on everything I have read, there are only three C-class plants: two in Germany and one in London. There doesn't appear to be a C-class factory in South Africa.
Let me know if I am wrong.
As a side note, the South African currency is incredibly strong against the dollar (what isn't these days), which would make importation from S.A. very expensive.
We might have a misunderstanding here. Based on what I've just read, Mercedes-Benz South Africa owns / controls the London plant that builds the C-Class. So, MBSA, according to the site listed below, is actually the London plant.
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/art...hp?a_id=107352
Based on everything I have read, there are only three C-class plants: two in Germany and one in London. There doesn't appear to be a C-class factory in South Africa.
Let me know if I am wrong.
As a side note, the South African currency is incredibly strong against the dollar (what isn't these days), which would make importation from S.A. very expensive.
Last edited by Kieffer; Oct 2, 2007 at 07:53 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: San Antonio
2008 C350
You are not wrong...but I don't understand your confusion?? MB made it known a while ago that many W204's sold in the US would be built in SA.
Production of the new C started in SA on Oct. 1.
There will be no price difference. Just where the car is made.
Production of the new C started in SA on Oct. 1.
There will be no price difference. Just where the car is made.
Last edited by MBTex; Oct 2, 2007 at 09:06 PM. Reason: spelling
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From: Toronto
2008 C300 Sport 4matic
many VW Golfs/GTI and Jettas are built in Mexico, but dispite that the build quality and materials/finishes were class leading and were comparible to many European luxury cars. Likewise, some BMW, Mercedes, Toyota and Honda models are made in the U.S.A. but they are nowhere near as bad in quality as Fords, GM or Chryslers.
The quality is really dependant on the company it is built under as they designed, engineered, and set the production specs and standards for their cars.
Though it would be cool if you could do the delivery program in South Africa, one of the few places I haven't been and would definately would like to visit!
The quality is really dependant on the company it is built under as they designed, engineered, and set the production specs and standards for their cars.
Though it would be cool if you could do the delivery program in South Africa, one of the few places I haven't been and would definately would like to visit!
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
African build
<<We might have a misunderstanding here. Based on what I've just read, Mercedes-Benz South Africa owns / controls the London plant that builds the C-Class. So, MBSA, according to the site listed below, is actually the London plant. Based on everything I have read, there are only three C-class plants: two in Germany and one in London. There doesn't appear to be a C-class factory in South Africa. Let me know if I am wrong.>>
Well, where do you think the South London plant is, anyway? The link you posted reads clearly that the MBSA plant is in South Africa.
Well, where do you think the South London plant is, anyway? The link you posted reads clearly that the MBSA plant is in South Africa.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: NYC Metro Area, NJ
2000 BMW X5
I am kind of weird, in that I think that is pretty chill that car companies are putting factories in less industrialized nations to spur an economy into becoming specialized. From what I have learned, South Africa is by no means 3rd world, but it can used the job boost.
On the other hand, I want MINE built in Germany. I'm 22... It's my first one... gimme a break! I need something to brag about.
On the other hand, I want MINE built in Germany. I'm 22... It's my first one... gimme a break! I need something to brag about.
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From: US
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From: San Antonio
2008 C350
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From: Colorado
2008 C350 Sport, 2007 ML320 CDI
You hit the nail on the head, Tex! Four degrees and I never managed to take any kind of world geography. Yes, I saw "East London" just assumed that was the UK. I just checked Wikipedia and found out that I was dead wrong. Sorry for the confusion, everyone.
Here's the Wikipedia post:
East London (Afrikaans: Oos-Londen, Xhosa: eMonti) is a city on the southeast coast of South Africa, situated in the Eastern Cape Province at 32.97°S and 27.87°E.[1]. The city is situated on the Indian Ocean coast, between the Buffalo River, and the Nahoon River, and is the country's only river port. East London today has a population of 250,000, with over 700,000 in the metropolitan area.
Here's the Wikipedia post:
East London (Afrikaans: Oos-Londen, Xhosa: eMonti) is a city on the southeast coast of South Africa, situated in the Eastern Cape Province at 32.97°S and 27.87°E.[1]. The city is situated on the Indian Ocean coast, between the Buffalo River, and the Nahoon River, and is the country's only river port. East London today has a population of 250,000, with over 700,000 in the metropolitan area.
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From: durban. south africa
02 W203 C32 AMG, 00 W202 AMG, 98 W202 C23K, 98 W202 3.0T, 97 W202 C23T, 93 W201 AMG
south africa is a very good location in terms of labour costs, shipping costs etc.
it has taken the germans a long time to get the standards where they should be and for that reason, all MB's prior to 2000 were fully imported into SA.
toyota has done the same in SA.
so has BMW.
so has VW.
the NOBLE M400 is built in SA...about a 120 kms from the MB plant.
you can be rest assured that the build quality will be up there with the best.
having said that, ze germans are still ze germans.
it has taken the germans a long time to get the standards where they should be and for that reason, all MB's prior to 2000 were fully imported into SA.
toyota has done the same in SA.
so has BMW.
so has VW.
the NOBLE M400 is built in SA...about a 120 kms from the MB plant.
you can be rest assured that the build quality will be up there with the best.
having said that, ze germans are still ze germans.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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South African Merc's
Hi all,
I will try to put the south african build mercs into perspective. I live in Pretoria about 1200Km from East London.
Mercedes has a plant in East London RSA (Republic of South Africa). Most Left hand drive w203 were build in RSA for the world market. I bought one in 2002 and the face lift in 2004. No problems with both cars good quality. RSA won a quality award for its exeptional high quality.
I then bought a BMW330d also build in RSA (Rosslyn plant near Pretoria).
NO problems very good quality, BMW RSA builds left hand drive for the world market.
Mercedes RSA had to tender for the manufacture of the new C Class. Won the tender and modernized the east London plant.
RSA W204 models were on the production line in June/July and launched in August.
I received my 320 cdi Avantgarde on the 22nd August with Advanced Agility Control and 7Gtronic is standard here on the 320 cdi and 350
I have now done 9400km some on very, very, very bad sand roads. No rattles no squeeks or noises.
RSA will also build about 70% of c classes for the american market.
Fuzzzzy
I will try to put the south african build mercs into perspective. I live in Pretoria about 1200Km from East London.
Mercedes has a plant in East London RSA (Republic of South Africa). Most Left hand drive w203 were build in RSA for the world market. I bought one in 2002 and the face lift in 2004. No problems with both cars good quality. RSA won a quality award for its exeptional high quality.
I then bought a BMW330d also build in RSA (Rosslyn plant near Pretoria).
NO problems very good quality, BMW RSA builds left hand drive for the world market.
Mercedes RSA had to tender for the manufacture of the new C Class. Won the tender and modernized the east London plant.
RSA W204 models were on the production line in June/July and launched in August.
I received my 320 cdi Avantgarde on the 22nd August with Advanced Agility Control and 7Gtronic is standard here on the 320 cdi and 350
I have now done 9400km some on very, very, very bad sand roads. No rattles no squeeks or noises.
RSA will also build about 70% of c classes for the american market.
Fuzzzzy
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: San Antonio
2008 C350
Just my opinion, but I doubt you would know the difference unless you looked to see where it was actually made. The car is the same and it is made the same way with the same materials. It is just a different assembly plant.
So, unless you just HAVE to have an MB made in Germany you will love the car just as much. And if you HAVE to have a German built one...there's always Euro Delivery.
So, unless you just HAVE to have an MB made in Germany you will love the car just as much. And if you HAVE to have a German built one...there's always Euro Delivery.
