Any difference between Germany and South Africa builds?
09-11-2008, 07:09 PM
#101
Super Moderator
Every Apple product is assembled in China but I don't see anyone complaining about their iPhones / iPod. Its the trust in the brand that matters. No matter where a product is built, it is the company's Quality Control division that is responsible for checking if an individual product is worthy of putting the company logo on it.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; 09-11-2008 at 07:11 PM.
09-11-2008, 07:14 PM
#102
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'85 190E 2.3-16 '99 C280 '11 GLK350
Actually, there have been numerous issues with the iPod . . . batteries . . . sync problems . . . it's not exactly the "Mercedes" of portable audio devices . . . 
09-11-2008, 07:32 PM
#103
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My complaint is not racially based. It is economically based.
The only reason I think a German car demands a higher price than an American car is the cost of labor in Germany is much higher.
Then they send off their assembly to a lower cost nation yet they charge the same price to the customer.
If they are paying German labor rates for South African labor then I will shut up and applaud MBz.
Somehow I feel they are NOT paying German labor rates.
The only reason I think a German car demands a higher price than an American car is the cost of labor in Germany is much higher.
Then they send off their assembly to a lower cost nation yet they charge the same price to the customer.
If they are paying German labor rates for South African labor then I will shut up and applaud MBz.
Somehow I feel they are NOT paying German labor rates.
09-11-2008, 07:34 PM
#104
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Agreed it's crap. A fashion statement. That's why at this lowly level I own a Sony. My High End Audio gear is American - the best!
09-11-2008, 09:27 PM
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MB
I read this in an article about MB's East London plant in South Africa:
Mercedes Press Release:
Mercedes-Benz marks production of new-generation C-Class sedan in South Africa.
- Thabo Mbeki visits production facility of Mercedes-Benz in East London
- Rainer Schmückle, COO Mercedes Car Group: “South Africa is an important part of our global production network."
East London/Stuttgart - Mercedes-Benz has launched series production of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan in its plant in East London, South Africa. Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa, visited the plant on Thursday to celebrate the production start and investments into the new facility. Together with the President, Rainer Schmückle, Chief Operating Officer of the Mercedes Car Group, Dr. Hansgeorg Niefer, Chairman of the Management Board of DaimlerChrysler South , Joachim Follmann, East London Plant Manager and numerous stakeholders gathered at the plant to commemorate the occassion.
East London joins and to complete the global ramp-up process for the global supply of the new C-Class. The vehicle will also be produced in for sales in the local market.
“South Africa has been an important component of our global production network for one and a half decades now”, said Rainer Schmückle, Chief Operating Officer of the Mercedes Car Group.
Series production of the first Mercedes-Benz C-Class in started in 1994. The latest model of the C-Class is already the third generation to be produced at the Eastern Cape. Since 2000, the plant exports C-Class sedans to right-hand drive markets. With the production start of the new C-Class, the facility starts to deliver vehicles to left-hand drive markets.
“The fact that we decided to expand capacities and add production of left-hand drive models with this latest generation C-Class demonstrates that we are confident in the capabilities of as a manufacturing location”, added Schmückle.
To upgrade the plant for production of the latest-generation C-Class, Mercedes-Benz invested continuously in its facilities over the last two years.
“Our products must deliver top quality, no matter where they are built; that is why we apply the same manufacturing targets and requirements around the world”, Mr. Schmückle pointed out. For example, a completely new assembly line was installed in order to implement the standard assembly concept of the Mercedes-Benz global production network.
In addition to state-of-the-art technologies, Mercedes-Benz also conducted comprehensive training programs for its team members during the launch preparation. As part of this program, more than one hundred employees from spent three month of training at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen, Germany."
Mercedes Press Release:
Mercedes-Benz marks production of new-generation C-Class sedan in South Africa.
- Thabo Mbeki visits production facility of Mercedes-Benz in East London
- Rainer Schmückle, COO Mercedes Car Group: “South Africa is an important part of our global production network."
East London/Stuttgart - Mercedes-Benz has launched series production of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan in its plant in East London, South Africa. Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa, visited the plant on Thursday to celebrate the production start and investments into the new facility. Together with the President, Rainer Schmückle, Chief Operating Officer of the Mercedes Car Group, Dr. Hansgeorg Niefer, Chairman of the Management Board of DaimlerChrysler South , Joachim Follmann, East London Plant Manager and numerous stakeholders gathered at the plant to commemorate the occassion.
East London joins and to complete the global ramp-up process for the global supply of the new C-Class. The vehicle will also be produced in for sales in the local market.
“South Africa has been an important component of our global production network for one and a half decades now”, said Rainer Schmückle, Chief Operating Officer of the Mercedes Car Group.
Series production of the first Mercedes-Benz C-Class in started in 1994. The latest model of the C-Class is already the third generation to be produced at the Eastern Cape. Since 2000, the plant exports C-Class sedans to right-hand drive markets. With the production start of the new C-Class, the facility starts to deliver vehicles to left-hand drive markets.
“The fact that we decided to expand capacities and add production of left-hand drive models with this latest generation C-Class demonstrates that we are confident in the capabilities of as a manufacturing location”, added Schmückle.
To upgrade the plant for production of the latest-generation C-Class, Mercedes-Benz invested continuously in its facilities over the last two years.
“Our products must deliver top quality, no matter where they are built; that is why we apply the same manufacturing targets and requirements around the world”, Mr. Schmückle pointed out. For example, a completely new assembly line was installed in order to implement the standard assembly concept of the Mercedes-Benz global production network.
In addition to state-of-the-art technologies, Mercedes-Benz also conducted comprehensive training programs for its team members during the launch preparation. As part of this program, more than one hundred employees from spent three month of training at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen, Germany."
09-15-2008, 03:11 PM
#106
Super Moderator
This orange peel issue keeps coming up regarding paint. Well go and have a good look at a new German built S Class and you will see it's also full of orange peel.
The reason is the new environmentally friendly, carcinogen free solvent paint & process, introduced in Germany to meet the latest European regulations.
Mercedes have spent yet another fortune on the East London plant and part of that was a new paintshop to use the new technology, environmentally friendly painting process.
So guess what? South African production Mercs now have orange peel paintwork just like German ones. My older South African car has zero orange peel because it was built using the old technology paints. Chinese cars like Chery are garbage but they have beautiful paintwork because they use even older technology paint.
The reason is the new environmentally friendly, carcinogen free solvent paint & process, introduced in Germany to meet the latest European regulations.
Mercedes have spent yet another fortune on the East London plant and part of that was a new paintshop to use the new technology, environmentally friendly painting process.
So guess what? South African production Mercs now have orange peel paintwork just like German ones. My older South African car has zero orange peel because it was built using the old technology paints. Chinese cars like Chery are garbage but they have beautiful paintwork because they use even older technology paint.
09-15-2008, 08:37 PM
#107
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2009 C350W on EDP
What a Mess...
I picked-up my C350 in Sindelfingen last Monday and the paint was perfect, ditto the ~ 2 dozen other cars in the delivery hall.
09-16-2008, 03:12 AM
#108
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2008 c350 SG - 2004 c240 Wagon BS
I looked closely at 2 dozen w204's at the dealer last weekend comparing paint finish between German and South African builds.
I could tell no difference of "orange peel" in the paint. Both were horrible.
Now I don't feel quite so bad for getting a South African build.
It is a bit disappointing that Mercedes lets paint out of the plant like this. I guess I got spoiled by my Jaguars?
Other than the paint I do love this C350.
Next car will be a diesel on the European delivery.
I could tell no difference of "orange peel" in the paint. Both were horrible.
Now I don't feel quite so bad for getting a South African build.
It is a bit disappointing that Mercedes lets paint out of the plant like this. I guess I got spoiled by my Jaguars?
Other than the paint I do love this C350.
Next car will be a diesel on the European delivery.
09-16-2008, 04:06 AM
#109
Super Moderator
That certainly looks terrible. I wonder if it was damaged and improperly repainted; is the rest of the car like this? If so, you should never have accepted delivery.
I picked-up my C350 in Sindelfingen last Monday and the paint was perfect, ditto the ~ 2 dozen other cars in the delivery hall.
I picked-up my C350 in Sindelfingen last Monday and the paint was perfect, ditto the ~ 2 dozen other cars in the delivery hall.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; 09-16-2008 at 04:14 AM.
09-16-2008, 11:23 AM
#110
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C300 Sport/Palladium Silver on Black/P2
They're pretty much all like this though huh? Maybe especially this color?Mine was Bremen.
09-17-2008, 11:56 PM
#113
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'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
MB=Perfection?
If you are suggesting that MB and perfection are related in some way, I would say that your requirements are somewhat relaxed. Flaccid, even.
09-29-2008, 04:41 AM
#114
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C350 black/black
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 ..
Just wondering, how much did u get ur c320 for?
The reason I am asking this is my family might move back to vn to work. So, is it better to import the car i am driving right now or just buy another 1 overthere?
Last edited by cuoinon07; 09-29-2008 at 05:42 AM.
10-03-2008, 01:04 PM
#116
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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 ..
10-03-2008, 01:10 PM
#117
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06-22-2009, 09:40 AM
#118
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2009 c350 blk on blk
Difference between German or SouthAfrican build c350 2009
Does any one have any info on the differance between the c350 built in germany as per the ones from South Africa.
Also does one have extra items to the other?
Also does the depreciating value matter where it was built.
I just took delivery of a c350 2009 blk on blk last monday and noticed this wekend that my vehicle was made in South Africa.
Thanks guys - This by far is one of the best forums I have discovered.
Own - c350 2009
had c230 2007
c240 2005
Also does one have extra items to the other?
Also does the depreciating value matter where it was built.
I just took delivery of a c350 2009 blk on blk last monday and noticed this wekend that my vehicle was made in South Africa.
Thanks guys - This by far is one of the best forums I have discovered.
Own - c350 2009
had c230 2007
c240 2005
06-22-2009, 04:10 PM
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'14 GLK250 Diesel
The latest JD Power Initial Quality survey singled out the M-B South Africa plant for a "Gold Award" based on their survey results.
I've maintained all along that the location of the final assembly plant is the least important part of any new car decision....either the manufacturer knows how to design and build them, anywhere, or they don't. The Power survey results would seem to confirm this axiom, one more time....
(Mine was built in Bremen in June of '07, and is the best, tightest, least troublesome MB we've ever had. I see no differences between the cars built in the EU and SA.)
I've maintained all along that the location of the final assembly plant is the least important part of any new car decision....either the manufacturer knows how to design and build them, anywhere, or they don't. The Power survey results would seem to confirm this axiom, one more time....
(Mine was built in Bremen in June of '07, and is the best, tightest, least troublesome MB we've ever had. I see no differences between the cars built in the EU and SA.)
Last edited by jrct9454; 06-22-2009 at 04:13 PM.
06-22-2009, 05:00 PM
#122
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Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
Guys, this has been discussed at length before. Please search.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ca-builds.html
Edit: Threads merged. Thanks mods
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ca-builds.html
Edit: Threads merged. Thanks mods
Last edited by Azn_C300; 06-23-2009 at 01:42 AM.
06-22-2009, 08:33 PM
#123
Super Moderator
SA build is just fine. SA troubleshoot a lot of problems for Benz. All but the cold weather endurance testing was done here & Namibia & learnings immediately implemented prior to production. Better leather on SA cars.
06-22-2009, 10:39 PM
#124
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2009 C350 Sport, 2004 ML350
I could be mistaken but the sheet metal on my SA built unit appears to be thinner than the EU ones. I noticed when I was waxing the hood, it gave way slightly when I pressed on it whereas the loaner I had which was made in EU did not despite how hard I pressed it ... trust me, I did press pretty hard since it was a loaner!
06-22-2009, 10:46 PM
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C-300, XC70, Wrangler
I could be mistaken but the sheet metal on my SA built unit appears to be thinner than the EU ones. I noticed when I was waxing the hood, it gave way slightly when I pressed on it whereas the loaner I had which was made in EU did not despite how hard I pressed it ... trust me, I did press pretty hard since it was a loaner!
