south african made?!!!
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On this very forum, posted as a sticky in the W163 area, is this post which outlines close to fifty known 'issues' with the ML's 'outstanding quality':
https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w163/88443-list-stuff-watch-out-163-a.html
Gotchya'
https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w163/88443-list-stuff-watch-out-163-a.html
Gotchya'
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From: Vancouver
C350 4Matic
Sorry, I should have been more precise. Im talking about the 2006 and up ML.
Not 05 and down. I made a comment about MB past so I assumed everyone would know I was talking about the new ML.
But ya I couldnt agree more about the older ones.
Not 05 and down. I made a comment about MB past so I assumed everyone would know I was talking about the new ML.
But ya I couldnt agree more about the older ones.
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Mercedes-Benz
actually the 05 MLs had pretty high quality. Out of the 10 or more 2005s I've driven none of them rattled and all drove very smooth. Every 2006 model I drove has had some pretty nasty rattles.
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
mine's SA built. sun roof switch relay broken in 2 wks owning the car. fixed.
my C32's in the shop for some problems for 3 wks, so they gave me a C350 loaner also made in SA. the trunk won't open using either button on the key or in the car yesterday while out with some friends. tested again this morning now it's working. not my car, so don't really care.
my C32's in the shop for some problems for 3 wks, so they gave me a C350 loaner also made in SA. the trunk won't open using either button on the key or in the car yesterday while out with some friends. tested again this morning now it's working. not my car, so don't really care.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
You have a choice - W204s built in East London with South African labour or built in Germany with Turkish labour.
The South African plant frequently beats the German build cars in the QC round robin. The RSA cars are about 47% local content by weight and frequently use more durable materials. South African leather for one. Body pressings also better.
I'm sitting in my hotel room in Saudi Arabia. There is a new German assembled S Class on display in the foyer (white one) - I would not want it. Paint job is suspect & fit & finish average. Front doors have pressing ripples in both of them at the fender shut line & lower valences are out of alignment.
I think the best finished Mercs come from the CKD plant in Vietnam. The Vietnamese are fanatical about the assembly - run around all gaps with a dial gauge
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From: Mission Viejo, California
2008 c350 SG - 2004 c240 Wagon BS
The new car's material is almost like rubber. Very annoying and not so luxurious. I don't know if it's a 2004 -v- 2008 thing or a Germany -v- South Africa thing.
If I wanted a taxi I would have bought a Camry.
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Mercedes-Benz
I posted this on the W203 thread
You have a choice - W204s built in East London with South African labour or built in Germany with Turkish labour.
The South African plant frequently beats the German build cars in the QC round robin. The RSA cars are about 47% local content by weight and frequently use more durable materials. South African leather for one. Body pressings also better.
I'm sitting in my hotel room in Saudi Arabia. There is a new German assembled S Class on display in the foyer (white one) - I would not want it. Paint job is suspect & fit & finish average. Front doors have pressing ripples in both of them at the fender shut line & lower valences are out of alignment.
I think the best finished Mercs come from the CKD plant in Vietnam. The Vietnamese are fanatical about the assembly - run around all gaps with a dial gauge
You have a choice - W204s built in East London with South African labour or built in Germany with Turkish labour.
The South African plant frequently beats the German build cars in the QC round robin. The RSA cars are about 47% local content by weight and frequently use more durable materials. South African leather for one. Body pressings also better.
I'm sitting in my hotel room in Saudi Arabia. There is a new German assembled S Class on display in the foyer (white one) - I would not want it. Paint job is suspect & fit & finish average. Front doors have pressing ripples in both of them at the fender shut line & lower valences are out of alignment.
I think the best finished Mercs come from the CKD plant in Vietnam. The Vietnamese are fanatical about the assembly - run around all gaps with a dial gauge
It's not really about the labor at the MB plant... its about the local suppliers. They are newer and don't have the experience that the German suppliers have. This is much more difficult to control. The ethnicity of the people building the car has nothing to do with this. The stamping shop in south africa may be better because they have newer equipment, but I'd bet the Germany shop is better.
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2014 C250 sport
Has anyone compared the two (S.A. and German) side by side? Driven both? On the dealer lots I couldn't tell one bit of difference honestly. Maybe I wasn't looking hard enough though.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Is the South African MB-tex different from the German? Because the MB-tex material in my 2008 South African built car is way worse than the MB-tex in my 2004 German built car.
The new car's material is almost like rubber. Very annoying and not so luxurious. I don't know if it's a 2004 -v- 2008 thing or a Germany -v- South Africa thing.
If I wanted a taxi I would have bought a Camry.
The new car's material is almost like rubber. Very annoying and not so luxurious. I don't know if it's a 2004 -v- 2008 thing or a Germany -v- South Africa thing.
If I wanted a taxi I would have bought a Camry.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Sep 4, 2008 at 03:13 AM.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
It's not really about the labor at the MB plant... its about the local suppliers. They are newer and don't have the experience that the German suppliers have. This is much more difficult to control. The ethnicity of the people building the car has nothing to do with this. The stamping shop in south africa may be better because they have newer equipment, but I'd bet the Germany shop is better.
Merc & BMW plants here are excellent & BTW we used to manufacture the S Class here for many years. Only moved for scale issues & plant rationalisation globally
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From: Mission Viejo, California
2008 c350 SG - 2004 c240 Wagon BS
The interior is way cheaper in appearance and feel. Besides the MB-tex, the dashboard, door panels, and carpeting is far below the W203.
The exterior paint is abhorrently orange peeled. It looks like it was applied from a spray can.
The road and wind noise is much worse on the W204 and the seats are harder than rocks.
All that said, my 350 is obviously much more enjoyable to drive than the 240 and I absolutely love the built-in bluetooth system.
I didn't buy leather because I took an end-of-year special from dealer stock and they had none with leather.
I made a mistake of only investing 30 minutes in my shopping experience. I walked into the dealer, presented a price I found on the internet and chose a color from the book.
That's what happens when you buy in a hurry but I needed a new car on that day. I don't hate my C350 but I am disappointed in myself for not doing more research. ---oh well
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
That in itself is a subjective statement. My W204 is INferior to my W203 in finish and materials.
The interior is way cheaper in appearance and feel. Besides the MB-tex, the dashboard, door panels, and carpeting is far below the W203.
The exterior paint is abhorrently orange peeled. It looks like it was applied from a spray can.
The road and wind noise is much worse on the W204 and the seats are harder than rocks.
All that said, my 350 is obviously much more enjoyable to drive than the 240 and I absolutely love the built-in bluetooth system.
I didn't buy leather because I took an end-of-year special from dealer stock and they had none with leather.
I made a mistake of only investing 30 minutes in my shopping experience. I walked into the dealer, presented a price I found on the internet and chose a color from the book.
That's what happens when you buy in a hurry but I needed a new car on that day. I don't hate my C350 but I am disappointed in myself for not doing more research. ---oh well
The interior is way cheaper in appearance and feel. Besides the MB-tex, the dashboard, door panels, and carpeting is far below the W203.
The exterior paint is abhorrently orange peeled. It looks like it was applied from a spray can.
The road and wind noise is much worse on the W204 and the seats are harder than rocks.
All that said, my 350 is obviously much more enjoyable to drive than the 240 and I absolutely love the built-in bluetooth system.
I didn't buy leather because I took an end-of-year special from dealer stock and they had none with leather.
I made a mistake of only investing 30 minutes in my shopping experience. I walked into the dealer, presented a price I found on the internet and chose a color from the book.
That's what happens when you buy in a hurry but I needed a new car on that day. I don't hate my C350 but I am disappointed in myself for not doing more research. ---oh well
Road & wind noise measures a lot better
SA seats are initially harder. Same on the SA produced 203. German built 203s were criticised for the seats going flat. See all the moans on the forum. South Africa fixed this. My seats are like new and I'm heavy. Seems you can't satisfy people
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Sep 4, 2008 at 03:20 PM.
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From: Mission Viejo, California
2008 c350 SG - 2004 c240 Wagon BS
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Member
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From: MIAMI VICE CITY
I own 2008 C-350 2008 E-350 2005 C -230 Kompressor 2006 FORd F-350 6.0
OOOO you get what you pay for 4 African cars with big defect in car alarms System
If built in africaI want my money back my label on the door trim say built in germany.. for sure. I sure wouldnt want a car built in africa... You never know if a lion or snake might come out of theses cars ............ Plus inside tip I heard that the cars built in africa have a problem that mercedes benz hasnt been able to fix with the car alarm.......
Its a language issue.............. When someone is trying to break in your car a tribal indian pops out with a spear out of the trunk. A few owners
have been killed by it due to language. The tribal indian doesnt understand english the owners tell him just testing the alrm system ......the owners get stab with spear and die. ID rather stick to the german made car mine has a chirp alarm no one has to pop out of the trunk jejej jejeje
If built in africaI want my money back my label on the door trim say built in germany.. for sure. I sure wouldnt want a car built in africa... You never know if a lion or snake might come out of theses cars ............ Plus inside tip I heard that the cars built in africa have a problem that mercedes benz hasnt been able to fix with the car alarm.......
Its a language issue.............. When someone is trying to break in your car a tribal indian pops out with a spear out of the trunk. A few owners
have been killed by it due to language. The tribal indian doesnt understand english the owners tell him just testing the alrm system ......the owners get stab with spear and die. ID rather stick to the german made car mine has a chirp alarm no one has to pop out of the trunk jejej jejeje
Last edited by ATSOBE; Sep 4, 2008 at 08:31 PM.
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From: West Michigan
2007 E63
OOOO you get what you pay for 4 African cars with big defect in car alarms System
If built in africaI want my money back my label on the door trim say built in germany.. for sure. I sure wouldnt want a car built in africa... You never know if a lion or snake might come out of theses cars ............ Plus inside tip I heard that the cars built in africa have a problem that mercedes benz hasnt been able to fix with the car alarm.......
Its a language issue.............. When someone is trying to break in your car a tribal indian pops out with a spear out of the trunk. A few owners
have been killed by it due to language. The tribal indian doesnt understand english the owners tell them it was just t......the owners get stab with spear and die. ID rather stick to the german made car mine has a chirp alarm no one has to pop out of the trunk
If built in africaI want my money back my label on the door trim say built in germany.. for sure. I sure wouldnt want a car built in africa... You never know if a lion or snake might come out of theses cars ............ Plus inside tip I heard that the cars built in africa have a problem that mercedes benz hasnt been able to fix with the car alarm.......
Its a language issue.............. When someone is trying to break in your car a tribal indian pops out with a spear out of the trunk. A few owners
have been killed by it due to language. The tribal indian doesnt understand english the owners tell them it was just t......the owners get stab with spear and die. ID rather stick to the german made car mine has a chirp alarm no one has to pop out of the trunk
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
OOOO you get what you pay for 4 African cars with big defect in car alarms System
If built in africaI want my money back my label on the door trim say built in germany.. for sure. I sure wouldnt want a car built in africa... You never know if a lion or snake might come out of theses cars ............ Plus inside tip I heard that the cars built in africa have a problem that mercedes benz hasnt been able to fix with the car alarm.......
Its a language issue.............. When someone is trying to break in your car a tribal indian pops out with a spear out of the trunk. A few owners
have been killed by it due to language. The tribal indian doesnt understand english the owners tell them it was just t......the owners get stab with spear and die. ID rather stick to the german made car mine has a chirp alarm no one has to pop out of the trunk
If built in africaI want my money back my label on the door trim say built in germany.. for sure. I sure wouldnt want a car built in africa... You never know if a lion or snake might come out of theses cars ............ Plus inside tip I heard that the cars built in africa have a problem that mercedes benz hasnt been able to fix with the car alarm.......
Its a language issue.............. When someone is trying to break in your car a tribal indian pops out with a spear out of the trunk. A few owners
have been killed by it due to language. The tribal indian doesnt understand english the owners tell them it was just t......the owners get stab with spear and die. ID rather stick to the german made car mine has a chirp alarm no one has to pop out of the trunk
Member
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Posts: 174
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From: San Diego, CA
2008 BMW 335i Coupe (Six-speed Manual)
OOOO you get what you pay for 4 African cars with big defect in car alarms System
If built in africaI want my money back my label on the door trim say built in germany.. for sure. I sure wouldnt want a car built in africa... You never know if a lion or snake might come out of theses cars ............ Plus inside tip I heard that the cars built in africa have a problem that mercedes benz hasnt been able to fix with the car alarm.......
Its a language issue.............. When someone is trying to break in your car a tribal indian pops out with a spear out of the trunk. A few owners
have been killed by it due to language. The tribal indian doesnt understand english the owners tell them it was just t......the owners get stab with spear and die. ID rather stick to the german made car mine has a chirp alarm no one has to pop out of the trunk
If built in africaI want my money back my label on the door trim say built in germany.. for sure. I sure wouldnt want a car built in africa... You never know if a lion or snake might come out of theses cars ............ Plus inside tip I heard that the cars built in africa have a problem that mercedes benz hasnt been able to fix with the car alarm.......
Its a language issue.............. When someone is trying to break in your car a tribal indian pops out with a spear out of the trunk. A few owners
have been killed by it due to language. The tribal indian doesnt understand english the owners tell them it was just t......the owners get stab with spear and die. ID rather stick to the german made car mine has a chirp alarm no one has to pop out of the trunk
Don't forget to breathe.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
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From: MIAMI VICE CITY
I own 2008 C-350 2008 E-350 2005 C -230 Kompressor 2006 FORd F-350 6.0
Dudes no sense of humor in this thread..... but it true i almost paid about 47k to be exact i think with extended warranty. The last thing is i want a german car be built not in germany. WHere is my pride when i say it german built when someone in some other country assembles it. Id would be very disappointed for sure. 50k car next thing you hear it build in china. Com on i got pride for my car and proud of were it built ,, I would never have bought it it it not german built.. I myself buy all my electronic made in Japan.. sony, panasonic, I never buy anything in mexico or tawain at least that me Im very **** about all that I buy. You get what you pay for example in high audio is the same thing 30k movie projector from sony is built in japan 2k projector from sony is built in mexico big difference in part and quality.. For me if I got 50k to whip out for a c class I sure do research on it and get it german made... if it cost 15k well it understandable but at 50k no way.....
it be german for sure .....
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Just trying to give sense of laugh joke...........
Dudes no sense of humor in this thread..... but it true i almost paid about 47k to be exact i think with extended warranty. The last thing is i want a german car be built not in germany. WHere is my pride when i say it german built when someone in some other country assembles it. Id would be very disappointed for sure. 50k car next thing you hear it build in china. Com on i got pride for my car and proud of were it built ,, I would never have bought it it it not german built.. I myself buy all my electronic made in Japan.. sony, panasonic, I never buy anything in mexico or tawain at least that me Im very **** about all that I buy. You get what you pay for example in high audio is the same thing 30k movie projector from sony is built in japan 2k projector from sony is built in mexico big difference in part and quality.. For me if I got 50k to whip out for a c class I sure do research on it and get it german made... if it cost 15k well it understandable but at 50k no way..... it be german for sure .....
Dudes no sense of humor in this thread..... but it true i almost paid about 47k to be exact i think with extended warranty. The last thing is i want a german car be built not in germany. WHere is my pride when i say it german built when someone in some other country assembles it. Id would be very disappointed for sure. 50k car next thing you hear it build in china. Com on i got pride for my car and proud of were it built ,, I would never have bought it it it not german built.. I myself buy all my electronic made in Japan.. sony, panasonic, I never buy anything in mexico or tawain at least that me Im very **** about all that I buy. You get what you pay for example in high audio is the same thing 30k movie projector from sony is built in japan 2k projector from sony is built in mexico big difference in part and quality.. For me if I got 50k to whip out for a c class I sure do research on it and get it german made... if it cost 15k well it understandable but at 50k no way.....
it be german for sure .....
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Just trying to give sense of laugh joke...........
Dudes no sense of humor in this thread..... but it true i almost paid about 47k to be exact i think with extended warranty. The last thing is i want a german car be built not in germany. WHere is my pride when i say it german built when someone in some other country assembles it. Id would be very disappointed for sure. 50k car next thing you hear it build in china. Com on i got pride for my car and proud of were it built ,, I would never have bought it it it not german built.. I myself buy all my electronic made in Japan.. sony, panasonic, I never buy anything in mexico or tawain at least that me Im very **** about all that I buy. You get what you pay for example in high audio is the same thing 30k movie projector from sony is built in japan 2k projector from sony is built in mexico big difference in part and quality.. For me if I got 50k to whip out for a c class I sure do research on it and get it german made... if it cost 15k well it understandable but at 50k no way..... it be german for sure .....
Dudes no sense of humor in this thread..... but it true i almost paid about 47k to be exact i think with extended warranty. The last thing is i want a german car be built not in germany. WHere is my pride when i say it german built when someone in some other country assembles it. Id would be very disappointed for sure. 50k car next thing you hear it build in china. Com on i got pride for my car and proud of were it built ,, I would never have bought it it it not german built.. I myself buy all my electronic made in Japan.. sony, panasonic, I never buy anything in mexico or tawain at least that me Im very **** about all that I buy. You get what you pay for example in high audio is the same thing 30k movie projector from sony is built in japan 2k projector from sony is built in mexico big difference in part and quality.. For me if I got 50k to whip out for a c class I sure do research on it and get it german made... if it cost 15k well it understandable but at 50k no way.....
it be german for sure .....To start with if you want high end Audio/Theatre gear you should buy American. It's the finest available with a few exceptions.
Regarding made in Germany - and this applies to Kar don's post as well regarding component suppliers. The best you can hope for is ASSEMBLED IN GERMANY. Many, many of the components in a modern Benz are made in Eastern European countries such as Poland for cost reasons. The same applies to Audi & BMW. Even Audi's Lambo Gallardo has components made in Poland. I know suppliers to the plant.
So get real people - This is globalisation in action
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From: Scottsdale, Arizonai
'85 190E 2.3-16 '99 C280 '11 GLK350
What's even funnier is when you read some of the other threads in this forum where Mercedes owners are not shy about swapping out parts and systems to customize their cars . . . that aren't made in Germany.
