dodew11

anyone with 207 or 212 experienced passenger floor mat rolling up on both ends? especially with 207.
I got couple customers complaining about this.
I work at the MB service in Korea and seems no warranty campaign scheduled for this.
any solution or home-made-remedy for this?
much appreciated.

Happy Holiday~

220S

So does the W212 and 207 no longer have the snap down buttons at each corner?

golfster

The 212 has snaps for the driver's side mat only. The passenger's side is without snaps.

I haven't experienced the OP's observed issue as of yet, but just switched to the "winter" mats for the rainy season in CA. I put these in my cars in Chicago as well, as they wear like iron and show little to no wear over the long haul.

scfishnman

The front passenger floor mat in my car bunches up in the middle because there is nothing to keep it from sliding forward.

I was extremely surprised to discover that there were no clips or snaps to hold it in place. Even much lesser expensive cars have that simple feature.

steelgrey

How about a little quick fix suggestion...use some velcro on the back side of the mat.

RNBRAD

Have them buy the winter mats, I think they roll up cause they get wet, at least that's what happened from my experience. They dry from the outside in causing the edge to curl in the process.

220S

That's not good to hear. More cost cutting. My W211 has the snaps on both driver and passenger sides.

This really pisses me off. MB has been slowly decontenting and cost cutting stuff like this assuming nobody notices.

I think my 2009 W211 E63 is my last MB. I was reading the owner's manual of the new BMW F10 and it's almost as though BMW studied all of the decontenting that MB has been doing lately and added that stuff to their own product. Maybe the only hope is that MB will be forced to up the ante and once again add stuff they removed. Although I doubt that will happen......

golfster

I was a bit surprised and disappointed to discover there weren't snaps or hooks for the passenger mat. My other (past and/or current) vehicles, from Porsches, Audi's and BMW's to VW's had/have them. Even the MB's winter mats seem a bit flimsy compared to others. Sufficient to do the job, but not as substantial.

ngerstman

It may be annoying that MB has overlooked some issues but don't loose sight of how good a car the new E's are. I just traded up from my 2000 e320 4matic that had 162,000 miles on it. I test drove the e350 luxury(actually had it for 3 weeks but that is a longer story) and now have a e550 4matic. Great car!!!! I also would point out that my 2000 e320 cost $55,000 in 1999 and a new e350 would cost less now in actual dollars!!!!!!! And the new one blows away my old one. On an inflation adjusted basis the new car cost way less. Amazing!!! These cars are great and you can pick your flavor, sport or luxury suspension for no additional cost. Even though I ended up with the e550 sport, I thought that the e350 engine and tranny were fabulous, seemed more than 268hp to me.

golfster

True, it is a minor complaint, more of an observation. The car is a good value overall, and few vehicles meet perfection.

ngerstman

I would also point out that the fit and finish on the new E's seem superb. I will hopefully still be saying that in 10,000 miles!!

220S

Sorry, but newer models should always be better. Every new model should be expected to perform better and have better technology. Come on, that's just a given.

But to say that they're better and therefore it doesn't matter that they are doing cost cutting is just being complacent. And that's what MB is hoping; that people don't notice or won't say anything.

When they cut the alcantara headliner out on the 2010 W212 E63, people complained. And loudly. The 2011 W212 saw a return to the alcantara headliner. If nobody says anything, then MB will keep on cutting out stuff. To say it's minor is just looking the other way.

K-A posted a pic of his trunk a while back. The springs and hinges are no longer covered up with trunk liner. It looks ugly to have them exposed and also easier to get stuff hung up in the springs. Yeah, okay call it a minor issue. Who cares because the car itself is still better than the E Class from 10 years ago. Well, I care. And I'm willing to say something just to get MB to listen.

Anyway, Happy New Year! Time to open the champagne.

will4iron

the floor mats came with my new vehicle look so cheap even it is made in germany. I replaced it with all weather rubber mats. I bought them at MB dealer

ngerstman

I hear you!!! I guess in my case I moved from a 2000 e320 4matic to the current model and am still impressed by the upgrade in so many ways. I did not personally experience the transition from the 210 body to the 211. I know that one expects improvements new model to new model but to have 11 years pass and get such a dramatic upgrade in interior and fit and finish with more standard features for what is probably 20-25% less in REAL dollars is impressive. There is no doubt in my mind that this a better vehicle in every way from my 2000 e320. For much less money. They are doing most things right but I do see your point about not letting them rest on their laurels. Thanks. Ned.

K-A

Actually that was someone else's car, but I'm sure mine looks the same way.

The removing of the passenger clip-on is just another sneaky little decontenting tactic by M-B. Very sneaky, and very lousy to pull this on buyers (like the POS $15K Chevy-esque Alarm-honk).

The floor mats are also thinner, I guess one can say they're lighter, but they're not as substantial as the W211's. That said, they still feel pretty good and quality to me. The passenger mat seems to be huge enough, and fitted enough to hold in place in my car, but I don't have passengers in the car much, so no real rigorous testing of it.

Fit & finish in the W212 is superb, everything feels granite solid, panel gaps are laser thin and sharp, etc. But there are sneaky downgradings applies. And I think the 2011 has a few more than the 2010 even (alarm for one, removing the "ESC Off" button... But actually leaving a blank dummy-button, which looks unrefined IMO).

220S

Things like better technology are paid for through the R+D budget and then paid back as profit over time based on number of units sold. Fit and finish is something that also falls under R+D (production methods and enhancements) and labor costs (training and quality control.)

But things like eliminating snaps, finding a vendor for less substantial and less expensive floor mats, wiring the alarm to the horn, etc., is a huge savings over years of production runs. It's economy of scale and saving even a few bucks is major over that many produced cars. It's what the bean counters are hired for and it's what mfgs aspire to do (unless they're super high end where the end product is so high priced that the expenses are well covered for max profitability.)

btw, Porsche has the highest profitability per car built of all the pedestrian brands; it's around 19%, whereas MB is around 10% and BMW is around 8%.

Daimler is such a huge corporation. The biggest investors are now from Kuwait and Abu Dhabi. Recently they sold a lot of shares to a Chinese investor (who has yet to be disclosed because the level of investment is under what German law requires for disclosure.) And the Mercedes division of Daimler is now partnering with Nissan/Renault.

I just hope it doesn't end up like the dark days when Jurgen Schrempp (aka Jumbo Shrimp) was CEO. He just about destroyed Daimler with Chrysler and Mitsubishi as part of his "Three Pillars" strategy. And his focus was on maximum profitability while appeasing shareholders and finding new investors. Well, we all know what happened there. It almost sounds like Daimler is going in that same old direction...... I hope not.

K-A

Considering the Scrempp era is finally being phased out, and M-B is putting so much effort into reminding and informing people that the new Benzes are "back to the old Benzes", it does seem like some Schrempp era ideals are being incorporated: Mass, mass, mass, and partnering with lower-end brands to share your "superior" components with.

I think with VAG building an empire to take over the world, and having the ability to slyly share random parts from each manufacturer in their repertoire with each other (from Audi to Lambo, even), it's got M-B and BMW jealous, and scrambling.

No doubt, building an Audi, costs a ton less to build an equally priced, and competitive Benz or Bimmer, considering an Audi is a mishmash of so many VAG corporate parts, as are many of VAG's cars. Profitability for them is ridiculously high. BMW is starting to build practically identical cars (on the same chassis' at that), just with different sizes, and barely sheetmetal and styling gimmicks here and there, while M-B is starting to do the same, but throws in this Nissan thing. Personally, I think BMW's on a better track, in terms of not diminishing and demolishing their good name. Share with yourself, NOT with a brand like Nissan.

220S

BMW is still primarily held by the Quandt family. It makes me nervous when Daimler sells so much of the company to investors all over the world. Sure it brings in needed capital, but who ends up calling the shots? Plus you have to always give those investors a big return on their investment.

When Volvo was sold to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, the Chinese promised to let Volvo remain a "Swedish company." That didn't last too long.

rovermark

How so? Volvo under Geely is better than Volvo under Ford. At least Geely values the brand.

Back to Mercedes: while I await mine to arrive, does that mean the floor carpet on the passenger side is not held by anything?

What about the winter mat /rubber mat: does Mercedes sell more than one plastic mat then?

WGB

I arrived home from overseas holiday in Singapore last night and the first thing I did was check my floor mats.

RHD uses the same system of a single clip on drivers side and no clip on passengers side. Mats are decidedly thinner than previous factory mats on previous new M-B cars I have owned.

?cost cutting or another part of the "Blue efficiency" palaver and weight reduction.

At least if we have problems we can order each others drivers mat!!!

Bill

K-A

Yeah, one has to wonder how selling company shares to so many investors around the world will play out. Let's hope their Contracts are AIR TIGHT, in not allowing the investors a centimeter of management related decisions.

Fact is, Mercedes-Benz, down to its simple logo, is one of the most recognizable brands in the world, has perhaps the highest premium/status cache in the car world, etc., etc. This is thanks to the people who came before the Company heads today, so it's beyond paramount to keep that from diminishing as best they can.

That's funny, 'cause that's exactly what I was saying. If you ask M-B, they'll certainly say it's part of the new "weight reduction" plans, i.e; thinning out the mats, the thinner and less luxurious/lighter sunvisors, the thinner chrome door handles, etc. etc. All can be considered less luxurious, as luxury usually comes with a certain weight and substantiality. At the same time, the material construction and tactility of these materials are still of good quality and premium feeling to me.... they're just lighter, and more utilitarian (sunvisors are a drastic downgrade in feel, though).

golfster

Rovermark: There is only one winter mat option from MB that I am aware of. They are of the same size and outter dimensions as the standard, carpeted mats, but in rubber. They are sufficient to protect against wet, dirty feet, but if you live in the snow belt, you may want to consider the Weathertech winter floorliner:

http://www.weathertech.com/store/mvp...ustomerVehId=0

220S

You're right that Ford never properly marketed Volvo. But how Geely "values the brand" will remain to be seen. Already there's an argument going on between the new Volvo CEO (Stefan Jacoby) and the head of Geely (Li Shufu.) Shufu wants a luxury model (like a stretched S80L Royal ) to compete with the S Class and 7-series, and Jacoby wants to concentrate on a business plan with functional (and high quality) cars similar to "Apple's model." The two CEOs have totally different philosophies. Jacoby goes one way, Li Shufu goes another.

Also when the Chinese government financed the purchase, Geely said they'd "keep Volvo Swedish." Already they've announced a Shanghai factory, and just recently more factories in China. We'll have to see if Ghent, Gothenburg, and Torslanda remain open in the future. (btw, Ghent was the world's first carbon-dioxide free vehicle plant. I kind of doubt Geely cares much about that sort of stuff.)

Anyway, Volvo lost it idiosyncratic appeal when Ford bought it. Where it will position itself in the automotive market is up for question. But that question is already causing friction. I may be wrong but I'm guessing Geely will just make it whatever they want it to be. Hey, it's their baby now.

London
Published: December 2 2010 22:13
Differences have arisen between Volvo and its new Chinese owners, Geely, over a planned expansion of the Swedish carmaker’s business in China.

While Geely wants to build up to three Chinese plants to profit from that country’s rocketing car sales, Volvo’s Gothenburg-based management want to build a solid business case before expanding, according to several people close to the discussions.

“The board will not decide about investing if they don’t have a business case with black figures and good margins,” said one of these people, who requested anonymity. “We need to walk before we run.”

The debate over strategy marks the first major test for the biggest acquisition yet of an overseas brand by a Chinese carmaker.

When Geely agreed to buy Volvo from Ford Motor in March, its chairman Li Shufu – who now chairs the Swedish carmaker’s board – vowed to protect its managerial independence and premium image.

Two Chinese cities – Dacheng and Jiading near Shanghai – helped Geely to finance the $1.5bn deal in expectation that Volvo would build car or engine plants under discussion in their regions.

In China, Volvo currently makes its compact S40 and a long-wheelbase version of its S80 midsize model in a joint venture with Ford and rival carmaker Chang’an under agreements due to lapse later this decade. It will sell slightly more than 30,000 cars in China this year – about half of which are imported and so face steep duties – making it a relatively small player in the booming market.

Stefan Jacoby, Volvo’s chief executive, wants to more than double global sales to 800,000 within a decade, partly by expanding in China, now a larger vehicle market than the US. However, he wants to form a clear business case for the plants, and know how they will be financed before proceeding.

One of the people briefed on the deliberations described the tone of the discussions inside Volvo over China strategy as “heated, not acrimonious”.

Volvo declined to comment on the discussions. Geely referred questions to Freeman Shen, the Swedish carmaker’s new head of China operations.

“Definitely we would like to go to China – this is the target,” Mr Shen told the Financial Times. “We just need to make a plan that includes the possibility to get the financing and the right product for the Chinese customer.”

scfishnman

A $70k car should not need a DIY fix for something that comes in an average car.

HB230

My mat rolled up on my w212 at the top and kept flopping over on top of itself after about 7 months. Took it in and they replaced it. New one seems to be holding up... We'll see.

Jason