jstaneff

Here is a low quality shot of a 1987 Honda Accord showing how Honda managed manual unlocking of the driver's door. Note that when the door was locked, the surface was flat. Compare that to the 2008/9 C. Notice anything?

Why is Mercedes persisting on a design from the 40s? The idea of having a door pin is an archaic throwback to earlier, and much worse, times.

What would it take to reform the top panel of the door to include something more modern. If a 21 year old Honda can have a better solution, why not a new Mercedes?

Just asking ...

Ron Jr

And why is the parking brake a pedal instead of a lever?

Diesel Benz

That Honda design is not safe at all. It takes a few seconds for a thief to unlock the door with a wire hook. The MB design makes it impossible to use a hook.

I've only seen a 2007 204 at a showroom, I assume it is using the old and proven MB design (proven, except that I understand that there was an issue with the durability of the buttons, that was fixed later).

newtonlaw

as far as i know, only the North American MBs uses the "door lock pin sticks out" design. All MB sold in Asia has a flat surface when the doors are locked. That means, the door lock pin actually goes all the way down into the door when the door is locked.

yxc145

I know the door lock pin stinking out is really ugly.. but Maybe... just maybe it serves this one purpose, if we can't push the unlock bottom to open the door, we can manually pull it out? I don't know. that's just my assumption.

Star & Laurel

Pins sticking out of the door are just as easy to break into as the Accord image. There are many tools out there to gain access to a car.

I am sure the MB engineers have a reason for the pin sticking out. A lot of the cars have aspects in mind for saftey and saftey alone. So possibly it is just as was mentioned in case you can't access the unlock button you or someone else can unlock the door.

webada

maybe back in the 80s this argument would have made sense but not with today's ignite disables, electronics , etc. not to mention the thief no longer uses hook.... except in the movies....

webada

ya, its the ONLY reason that I can think of (or the only excuse I can forgive MB on this design) its quite possible during a state of panic or emergency, door pin is the first thing ppl look for when the door is locked...

but if that's the case, why is it made out of cheap plastic.... hmmmm

451/443=EW

Personaly I think some of you are WAY to fussy. I dont understand why this is an issue? reliabilty can be an issue but to fuss over flat vs out door pins? Some of the guys here have already said it, im sure MB has there reasoning. We all know Germans are design focused. After all just look at the car!! I can understand making a point of saying I dont like it, but to question it?
Personaly im glad they made the car with a .29 drag vs worring about some silly door pins. I think they spent there money in the right places.

Oh and iv never had a chick tell me what nice door pins my car has!!!
So dont worry it wont hurt any chances you my have of gettin some.

jstaneff

So, when you pull up to the drive-in bank, take out window, or any other place where your arm is extended out the window, do you feel those door pins?

For me, it's not about appearance. Sure it might be about safety, but anyone who mounts them so they are flush with the door when locked isn't thinking about safety. For me it's about comfort while using the car.

thanks

norb

Its stupid to have these type pins on a car that only comes with power door locks. When was the last time someone actually used the pins to unlock the doors. My E55 didn't have them.

webada

wow, so we are suppose to be sheeps and lambs to germans?!

451/443=EW

Ya I guess I can feel them but it is not enough of a concern for me I guess. See you make an interesting point about comfort, I can understand that as an issue. As for them looking crappy out is just something to pick at.
Comfort is a valid complaint as MB are know for just that.

Some people will just never be happy, (im not talking about you) MB could build the best car and people would still say I dont like this or that. To them I say enjoy your Accord with its flush mounted door pins!

myinternetsucks

Holly Shiiiit, and so are blacks and mexicans.....

451/443=EW

HAHAHa..... I dont get it.

myinternetsucks

well i know a german guy and hes a lazy piece of shiza.... so i dont think all germans are designed focused....plus im a little buzzed right now so thats why i wrote it.

451/443=EW

Hahaha iv posted buzzed too.

FrankW

only in the USA and Canada (probably not canada...not sure) they stick out due to bogus safety regulation that the passenger has to be able to escape the vehicle in case of emergency when power fails.

just go to the dealership and get the w209 door pin for $1 each or just ask your SA to see if he can give you some for free.

also because of regulation we have the stupid looking side marker.

RLE

Well, 451, (pardon me for using your first name) but I am at a loss to understand "design focused". I have been buying German cars for a lot longer than you have and the number of badly designed components over the years is inexcusable. In fact, the W204 is the first one any normal person would call reliable.

And I thought "focused" had two Ss.

But, I too am amazed at the panic level over trivialities.

tategoi

Door pins are so passe. In Asia, Volkswagen/Audi do not have any, instead there are this slow-blinking red LED lights to tell drivers that the doors are locked. In the USA, do VW/Audi have door pins?

C300Kid

VW/Audis have the blinking red LEDs here in North America too..SO much nicer.

Diesel Benz

I see, another US specific design (market requirement probably) that I was not aware.

Our cars open doors from inside even if the lock pin is down, just open the door normally from the handle. An exception is the rear door if child locks are activated from the door (separate from the rear window child lock).

jstaneff

So that suggests that the purpose of the lock pins is not to unlock the door, but rather to LOCK it. I guess that if you've turned off the auto-locking at X mph, and you don't like having doors locked, then a passenger might want to lock his door? Is that the requirement? Kind of dumb with automatic locks.

They're still an uncomfortable design. Just yesterday I saw an older MB driving down the street in the snow, driver's window open and arm on the door top. Maybe he didn't have our pins?

tategoi

Then what is this safety regulations or emergency escape that people are discussing about?

SebringSilver

I don't mind the door lock pin sticking out. But maybe that's just me.