Chinese made C-class, bmw, and audi contains excessive Carcinogenic materials
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 296
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From: Shanghai, China
2012 C200 CGI
Chinese made C-class, bmw, and audi contains excessive Carcinogenic materials
To save on production costs of just 200 rmb ($25) excessive traces of carcinogenic materials were found to be used in the production of Mercedes C-class, BMW, and audi A6L assembled in China. Customers complained of strong odors and health issues such as coughing, headache, swelling after driving these cars. Pretty ****ty because I own one ... 
for those that understand mandarin:
http://video.sina.com.cn/p/news/s/v/...762184713.html
If this is true, I hope MB does something about this, it's stupid that they would allow such a thing to slip through quality control and business practices.
for those that understand mandarin:
http://video.sina.com.cn/p/news/s/v/...762184713.html
If this is true, I hope MB does something about this, it's stupid that they would allow such a thing to slip through quality control and business practices.
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From: Montreal
2009 C300 4Matic Sport + Premium 2
why oh why in the name of Benz would they be made in China?
I would never buy a benz made in China. China does make some good products but for me a Benz is made in Germany. I checked my option codes and mine was made in Bremen. Does the Chinese Govt only accept chinese-made benz?
I would never buy a benz made in China. China does make some good products but for me a Benz is made in Germany. I checked my option codes and mine was made in Bremen. Does the Chinese Govt only accept chinese-made benz?
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From: Bay Area, CA
2011 C300 Sport, P1, MM, Wood, Heated FS, DIY rearview camera.
That will hurt those brands' reputation. Does MB or other brands really control their product quality? Each engineering change should go through very strict qualifications.
I enjoy my US version C300 also make in Bremen. Been two years now it still smells new but less strong. No issue at all...
BTW Shanghai is my home town. I never imagine I would live there again.
I enjoy my US version C300 also make in Bremen. Been two years now it still smells new but less strong. No issue at all...
BTW Shanghai is my home town. I never imagine I would live there again.
Last edited by C300CA; Mar 19, 2013 at 12:07 PM. Reason: details
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2020 C300 and 2014 Explorer
I was bummed when I saw mine was made in East London... South Africa.
For some reason I thought all MBs were made in Germany.
Oh well, 7 weeks and 1800 miles and no problems. lol.
For some reason I thought all MBs were made in Germany.
Oh well, 7 weeks and 1800 miles and no problems. lol.
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From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
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History has shown that the cars coming out of East London have better fit and finish.
There's nothing wrong with a SA built C class. If you have a German built C in the US, you are a minority.
There's nothing wrong with a SA built C class. If you have a German built C in the US, you are a minority.
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Any chemical that expires from vinyl will be carcinogenic . Every vinyl expires chemicals as you see on the inside of your windscreen. This could be a beat up or over stating normality. Alcohol & cigarette smoke are too.
Don't believe everything you read on facebook or the press.
Don't believe everything you read on facebook or the press.
Last edited by Carsy; Mar 19, 2013 at 03:32 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 296
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From: Shanghai, China
2012 C200 CGI
foreign car makers joint venture with local enterprises in order to get their cars in china, for cost (my china made C200 cost almost as much as a C63 in the US) and also political reasons. Most of the joint ventures are government owned. MB, BMW, audi, honda, toyota, buick, etc etc are all joint ventures.
In the past for MB, all parts were imported and only assembled in china, including the painted body panels. But nowadays, aside from the main drivetrain and chasis, all plastic parts are sourced and locally made, hence the slack in quality. I can tell the difference in quality in my chinese made C-class vs my dad's imported E350. After just 8 months of owning the car, dash and trim noise is very noticeable in my '12 C, whereas in my dad's 06 E and my old 1996 C220 was flawless.
Unfortunately with all things made in china, slack in material and labor is inevitable as company executives make decisions on cost cutting to put the money in their own pockets..
This was reported numerous times and already a well spread issue. MB china obviously won't do anything about it but hopefully MB international will pick up on this and really regulate and formulate a resolution. Regardless of how the rest of the world think of china, it's undoubtedly still a HUGE market to any manufacturer.
In the past for MB, all parts were imported and only assembled in china, including the painted body panels. But nowadays, aside from the main drivetrain and chasis, all plastic parts are sourced and locally made, hence the slack in quality. I can tell the difference in quality in my chinese made C-class vs my dad's imported E350. After just 8 months of owning the car, dash and trim noise is very noticeable in my '12 C, whereas in my dad's 06 E and my old 1996 C220 was flawless.
Unfortunately with all things made in china, slack in material and labor is inevitable as company executives make decisions on cost cutting to put the money in their own pockets..
This was reported numerous times and already a well spread issue. MB china obviously won't do anything about it but hopefully MB international will pick up on this and really regulate and formulate a resolution. Regardless of how the rest of the world think of china, it's undoubtedly still a HUGE market to any manufacturer.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Shanghai, China
2012 C200 CGI
here's another article on the dampers this time U_____U"
http://www.newsking.us/news-4128072-...-10-years.html
http://www.newsking.us/news-4128072-...-10-years.html
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IS
According to China Central Television's latest followup, they also send some german made BMW/MB/Audi models for testing, including a 2010 MB E300, 2012 BMW 520i and 2010 Audi Q5, test results are the same, they all contain the same excessive carcinogenic materials.
So basically speaking, similar models sold in US will probably have the same issue. I checked both European/US laws, cannot find any regulations about this (I am not an expert about this area so I may overlook something), hence in my opinion, yes, technically speaking those manufactures are *legal* to use such materials in their product even in US market.
Currently I cannot find any proof that these carcinogenic materials are not used in US bound product. On the other hand which make me quite worry: MB China officially replied that the C/E class produced in China are using that same material in cars build in other MB factories globally - I assume that also includes Germany.
So basically speaking, similar models sold in US will probably have the same issue. I checked both European/US laws, cannot find any regulations about this (I am not an expert about this area so I may overlook something), hence in my opinion, yes, technically speaking those manufactures are *legal* to use such materials in their product even in US market.
Currently I cannot find any proof that these carcinogenic materials are not used in US bound product. On the other hand which make me quite worry: MB China officially replied that the C/E class produced in China are using that same material in cars build in other MB factories globally - I assume that also includes Germany.
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From: Jakarta, Indonesia
Mercedes Benz C300
To save on production costs of just 200 rmb ($25) excessive traces of carcinogenic materials were found to be used in the production of Mercedes C-class, BMW, and audi A6L assembled in China. Customers complained of strong odors and health issues such as coughing, headache, swelling after driving these cars. Pretty ****ty because I own one ...
for those that understand mandarin:
http://video.sina.com.cn/p/news/s/v/...762184713.html
If this is true, I hope MB does something about this, it's stupid that they would allow such a thing to slip through quality control and business practices.
for those that understand mandarin:
http://video.sina.com.cn/p/news/s/v/...762184713.html
If this is true, I hope MB does something about this, it's stupid that they would allow such a thing to slip through quality control and business practices.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 296
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From: Shanghai, China
2012 C200 CGI
I highly doubt this is possible nowadays. Unless you don't buy any major brand name products, clothes, electronics, day to day items such as toothbrush, towels, computer, mouse pad, office chairs, etc etc, you're using a chinese made product. It's literally IMPOSSIBLE to not buy anything made in china without making a huge sacrifice in the way you live.
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From: Jakarta, Indonesia
Mercedes Benz C300
I highly doubt this is possible nowadays. Unless you don't buy any major brand name products, clothes, electronics, day to day items such as toothbrush, towels, computer, mouse pad, office chairs, etc etc, you're using a chinese made product. It's literally IMPOSSIBLE to not buy anything made in china without making a huge sacrifice in the way you live.
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From: Los Angeles, CA
2011 C300 Sport 4MATIC
I meant i TRY not to buy anything in china ..... i work in afghanistan and not lived in US for 10 years ... i live in bangkok .... they make most of their stuffs there ... and no i do not own a celfon ... lol
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2011 C300 Sport, P1, MM, Wood, Heated FS, DIY rearview camera.
Things made in China is very questionable, including their news.
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From: Jakarta, Indonesia
Mercedes Benz C300
yes, i also agree with you. i've use mercedes benz since 3 years ago and now i change to new model but it seems don't have any problem especially like what happen in china (excuse my language my english is poor).
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