Any difference between Germany and South Africa builds?
07-25-2008, 03:35 AM
#51
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mine was build in 2001, my 10th character is a 1 ........
07-25-2008, 11:18 PM
#52
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W204 C230
my car is Vietnam built .?? whats a problem ??..they import all parts from germany and build it here with skill workers. Vietnam MB plant just won a green certificate ( top MB quality for their factories ) . They also export alot of W204 for asia-pacific market ...
my car manual is german version ..so i cant read it ..
my car manual is german version ..so i cant read it ..
07-26-2008, 02:04 AM
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2014 C250 sport
07-26-2008, 03:41 AM
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07-26-2008, 06:53 PM
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MY2001 C320
07-27-2008, 02:19 AM
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Isn't it a little arrogant and perhaps ignorant to assume that the German-built vehicles would be of a higher quality than the South African assembled cars? J.D. Powers has ranked the BMW plant in South Africa consistently among the best in the world, and it would be Mercedes' shortcoming if the quality was not equal. If there is one group of car owners that would be expected to be more educated about the world (not measured by the number of designations in front or after your name) it would be benz owners.
While reading this thread I had to constantly check to see if I hadn't inadvertently strayed onto a F150 forum...
While reading this thread I had to constantly check to see if I hadn't inadvertently strayed onto a F150 forum...
07-27-2008, 09:40 AM
#62
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'14 GLK250 Diesel
Isn't it a little arrogant and perhaps ignorant to assume that the German-built vehicles would be of a higher quality than the South African assembled cars? J.D. Powers has ranked the BMW plant in South Africa consistently among the best in the world, and it would be Mercedes' shortcoming if the quality was not equal. If there is one group of car owners that would be expected to be more educated about the world (not measured by the number of designations in front or after your name) it would be benz owners.
While reading this thread I had to constantly check to see if I hadn't inadvertently strayed onto a F150 forum...
While reading this thread I had to constantly check to see if I hadn't inadvertently strayed onto a F150 forum...
07-27-2008, 10:06 AM
#63
When I ordered my c350 in June I was told it would be made in Germany. It made me feel better knowing it came from an established, proven and awarded assembly location rather then a new one with no track record. Just because you duplicate something doesn't mean it would be better or worse. It all comes down to the person's who run it.
07-28-2008, 02:40 PM
#64
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Isn't it a little arrogant and perhaps ignorant to assume that the German-built vehicles would be of a higher quality than the South African assembled cars? J.D. Powers has ranked the BMW plant in South Africa consistently among the best in the world, and it would be Mercedes' shortcoming if the quality was not equal. If there is one group of car owners that would be expected to be more educated about the world (not measured by the number of designations in front or after your name) it would be benz owners.
While reading this thread I had to constantly check to see if I hadn't inadvertently strayed onto a F150 forum...
While reading this thread I had to constantly check to see if I hadn't inadvertently strayed onto a F150 forum...
Mercedes-Benz owns and runs the plant in South Africa. I think Mercedes is not stupid enough to make a factory in Germany really good and a factory in South Africa really crappy, when essentially, they are selling the same product in American showrooms...
Tee_Tz.
07-28-2008, 03:10 PM
#65
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2009 C350
Isn't it a little arrogant and perhaps ignorant to assume that the German-built vehicles would be of a higher quality than the South African assembled cars? J.D. Powers has ranked the BMW plant in South Africa consistently among the best in the world, and it would be Mercedes' shortcoming if the quality was not equal. If there is one group of car owners that would be expected to be more educated about the world (not measured by the number of designations in front or after your name) it would be benz owners.
While reading this thread I had to constantly check to see if I hadn't inadvertently strayed onto a F150 forum...
While reading this thread I had to constantly check to see if I hadn't inadvertently strayed onto a F150 forum...
Do they make the S, CLS, E, or AMG's in South Africa plant? No...? I didn't think so. There's a reason for that... Mercedes implemented the SA plant to meet the ever increasing demand for the C-Class models. And just because BMW has an award winning plant in SA doesnt mean that the MB SA plant automatically conforms, after all just look at all the differences between the C and the 3...
As for implying that many of us here on this board are arrogant, ignorant or just uneducated because they prefer their vehicle to be built at one plant over another... you fail to realize that perception is reality. So saskbenz2, why did you buy a MERCEDES anyway?
Last edited by jorantes; 07-28-2008 at 05:00 PM.
07-28-2008, 04:27 PM
#66
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2008 c350 SG - 2004 c240 Wagon BS
I wish MBz would boost production of B-class in S.A. and start importing them to the US.
I would buy a B-class instantly if it were on sale here. Especially the diesel.
I would buy a B-class instantly if it were on sale here. Especially the diesel.
07-28-2008, 05:05 PM
#67
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C300
We've had our 2008 W204 for a just a few weeks. The car was built in SA and I just noticed that the hood is not sitting right when closed. The left front is flush with the left head light while the right front sits about 1/4 of an inch above the right head light. I can in fact fit my pinky finger between the hood and the finder on the right which I can't do on the left.
We're going to try and resolve the problem at our 1K free MB check up but the problem is a craftsmenship issue. We didn't notice when we purchased because the car had all the white platic wrap on it (only 7 miles on the odometer).
I don't care what people say, I would have preferred German made.
We're going to try and resolve the problem at our 1K free MB check up but the problem is a craftsmenship issue. We didn't notice when we purchased because the car had all the white platic wrap on it (only 7 miles on the odometer).
I don't care what people say, I would have preferred German made.
07-28-2008, 05:35 PM
#68
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We've had our 2008 W204 for a just a few weeks. The car was built in SA and I just noticed that the hood is not sitting right when closed. The left front is flush with the left head light while the right front sits about 1/4 of an inch above the right head light. I can in fact fit my pinky finger between the hood and the finder on the right which I can't do on the left.
Regards,
Paolo
07-28-2008, 08:53 PM
#69
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2008 Arctic White C300 Sport 6M
Though I've never experienced this crooked hood problem, I've read many reports of the same problem from both German and SA build C-classes on this forum.
BTW, mine's SA. Go Africa.
I was upset at first, but then I wasn't willing to wait another 3 months for a German build, so here I am. I've since gotten over it. My car's just fine, and I don't even think about it unless I come to this forum and see this thread. So much drama over nothing. Sheeeeeeeesh.
07-28-2008, 08:57 PM
#70
the SA plant previously built only RHD cars, so that would be the main issue regarding production line worker skills - assembling LHD models for the US was a big change for them. I imagine by now they have had enough practice.
07-29-2008, 01:42 AM
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2008 Arctic White C300 Sport 6M
I'm wondering the same thing.
Don't read if you don't like super boring stories.
The Saga:
1. I originally posted a groupbuy thread a month ago for clear/smoked side markers.
2. A mod deleted my thread and warned me that all groupbuys must first be approved by a mod. He didn't approve it himself, but just told me that I had to get it approved.
3. I PM'ed Mr. Vanos (the mod who wrote the groupbuy FAQ) about an approval.
4. A month later (a week ago) Mr. Vanos PM'ed me back, asked a few questions, and then approved it. Green light!
5. I contacted the supplier, secured special pricing, and then made new threads about the deal in the W204, C63, and Group Buy forums. Maximum exposure, I thought.
6. The same moderator from #2 above again deleted all threads, and then PM'ed me saying that I had been warned about securing an approval before initiating groupbuys. He put me on probation for "one week." On probation, I cannot send/receive PMs, cannot search the forum, and cannot do whatever else I don't know about.
7. I explained to him that I'd already gotten the approval from a different mod. It's been more than a week now (I think). I stay on probation.
I'm now thinking this group buy deal is just too much of a hassle. I may just go ahead and buy a side marker by myself. It only comes out to a saving of $20 or so anyway. But it wasn't the money, really. I just wanted to participate in a groupbuy, as I've never done one. Bummer.
Don't read if you don't like super boring stories.
The Saga:
1. I originally posted a groupbuy thread a month ago for clear/smoked side markers.
2. A mod deleted my thread and warned me that all groupbuys must first be approved by a mod. He didn't approve it himself, but just told me that I had to get it approved.
3. I PM'ed Mr. Vanos (the mod who wrote the groupbuy FAQ) about an approval.
4. A month later (a week ago) Mr. Vanos PM'ed me back, asked a few questions, and then approved it. Green light!
5. I contacted the supplier, secured special pricing, and then made new threads about the deal in the W204, C63, and Group Buy forums. Maximum exposure, I thought.
6. The same moderator from #2 above again deleted all threads, and then PM'ed me saying that I had been warned about securing an approval before initiating groupbuys. He put me on probation for "one week." On probation, I cannot send/receive PMs, cannot search the forum, and cannot do whatever else I don't know about.
7. I explained to him that I'd already gotten the approval from a different mod. It's been more than a week now (I think). I stay on probation.
I'm now thinking this group buy deal is just too much of a hassle. I may just go ahead and buy a side marker by myself. It only comes out to a saving of $20 or so anyway. But it wasn't the money, really. I just wanted to participate in a groupbuy, as I've never done one.
Bummer.
