Factory Visit Report
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: El Segundo, CA
2006 SL 500
Very Interesting Thread
As a new forum member here and a potential SL500 purchaser I found Blue SL's article a great read and it reminded me of something funny.
In 1979 I was doing the backpacking thing around Europe thing and having a great time. I was in Munich for Oktoberfest and decided to tour the BMW plant there. The tour was about 3 hours long with a lunch break. The guide asked if there were any questions and I said that I noticed that most of the workers were drinking beer from spill proof cups refilled by women on little golf carts and I said that drinking on the job - especially a factory job is not allowed in the US. The guide preceded to tell everyone that beer was declared a nutritional necessity in Bavaria in the year 1613 or somewhere around that and that Germans were able to consume lots of beer with no decline in their quality of work. I then said that I had noticed that most of the workers seemed to be Turkish - she just smiled and shrugged her shoulders all of which got a big laugh out of the crowd. I wonder if they still drink beer on German assembly lines in this enlightened year of 2005?
In 1979 I was doing the backpacking thing around Europe thing and having a great time. I was in Munich for Oktoberfest and decided to tour the BMW plant there. The tour was about 3 hours long with a lunch break. The guide asked if there were any questions and I said that I noticed that most of the workers were drinking beer from spill proof cups refilled by women on little golf carts and I said that drinking on the job - especially a factory job is not allowed in the US. The guide preceded to tell everyone that beer was declared a nutritional necessity in Bavaria in the year 1613 or somewhere around that and that Germans were able to consume lots of beer with no decline in their quality of work. I then said that I had noticed that most of the workers seemed to be Turkish - she just smiled and shrugged her shoulders all of which got a big laugh out of the crowd. I wonder if they still drink beer on German assembly lines in this enlightened year of 2005?
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sl and M-class E320 4Matic SLK350
As a new forum member here and a potential SL500 purchaser I found Blue SL's article a great read and it reminded me of something funny.
In 1979 I was doing the backpacking thing around Europe thing and having a great time. I was in Munich for Oktoberfest and decided to tour the BMW plant there. The tour was about 3 hours long with a lunch break. The guide asked if there were any questions and I said that I noticed that most of the workers were drinking beer from spill proof cups refilled by women on little golf carts and I said that drinking on the job - especially a factory job is not allowed in the US. The guide preceded to tell everyone that beer was declared a nutritional necessity in Bavaria in the year 1613 or somewhere around that and that Germans were able to consume lots of beer with no decline in their quality of work. I then said that I had noticed that most of the workers seemed to be Turkish - she just smiled and shrugged her shoulders all of which got a big laugh out of the crowd. I wonder if they still drink beer on German assembly lines in this enlightened year of 2005?
In 1979 I was doing the backpacking thing around Europe thing and having a great time. I was in Munich for Oktoberfest and decided to tour the BMW plant there. The tour was about 3 hours long with a lunch break. The guide asked if there were any questions and I said that I noticed that most of the workers were drinking beer from spill proof cups refilled by women on little golf carts and I said that drinking on the job - especially a factory job is not allowed in the US. The guide preceded to tell everyone that beer was declared a nutritional necessity in Bavaria in the year 1613 or somewhere around that and that Germans were able to consume lots of beer with no decline in their quality of work. I then said that I had noticed that most of the workers seemed to be Turkish - she just smiled and shrugged her shoulders all of which got a big laugh out of the crowd. I wonder if they still drink beer on German assembly lines in this enlightened year of 2005?
YES! So I have been told by recent European Delivery visitors to the BMW factory.
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C32 AMG 2002, C 63 AMG 2009
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
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C32 AMG 2002, C 63 AMG 2009
Factory was closed
But I did get to visit the MB Museum, and the dealership next door. All in all it was a good time.
I might go to the Porschse museum on Monday. I really have enjoyed my time here in Germany. I am trying to get an assignment here
But I did get to visit the MB Museum, and the dealership next door. All in all it was a good time. I might go to the Porschse museum on Monday. I really have enjoyed my time here in Germany. I am trying to get an assignment here
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sfdg
Much thanks for a most interesting post. Having had the opportunity to watch the C Class assembly last summer when I was in Sindelfingen to pick up an SL at the European Delivery Center, it was not difficult to see each step as you described it. Are there regulary scheduled factory tours in Bremmen or only special groups? You mention that the CLK is also assembled in Bremmen. I understand that the new cabriolet version is outsourced (to Karmann?). Are body shells, however, made in Bremmen and shipped out for the final assembly of the cabriolets? The reason I ask this is in the British press there appears to have been reported a noticeable difference in build quality between the CLK coupes and CLK Cabriolets, with the latter much improved in that department.
Last edited by slacaspi; Nov 3, 2009 at 03:55 AM.
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From: Canada
05 CLK 500 cab
It's the wrong thread for this question, but northbenz post quoted just above (from 2003) refers to the last generation CLK convertible. They were, indeed, assembled at Karmann and when the last one rolled off the line late this summer, Karmann shuttered their doors and laid off their workers. VW is now negotiating to buy the assembly plant, which is still closed. So where will the E-cabriolet be assembled? Magna-Steyr?
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From: So. CA
S550
The grindings and old tools are collected for re-cycling and the huge emphasis on the environment in the plant means that more than 95% of waste from the production process and more than 60% of general waste is re-cycled.
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1986 500 SL
Is seems like everyone on this thread has an extensive knowledge of Mercedes-Benz. I am looking for some information. I recently inherited a 1986 500SL Euro Roadster. It has around 150k miles on it. It has been redone inside and out. Heads, guides/valves and suspension redone. I unfortunately cant afford to keep it because one thing I do know is if something would happen to break on the vehicle I would not be able to afford to fix it. I am trying to find out how much this car is worth? Is there a market for the car in the US or would I need to look in Europe? Any information you can provide to me about the car I would really appreciate it. Thank you!
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From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
One of the visitors was from Canada, another one from the US (Denver, Colorado if I remember right). Anyone from the forum?
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C300
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C300
Mercedes and Bosch
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C300
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From: Arkansas
2003 CLK 320 convertible
A great write up of the tour. Thanks for sharing it.
I've toured the US plant in Alabama. Interesting and certainly worth the time, but apparently not as close up as you get in the European plant tours.
I've toured the US plant in Alabama. Interesting and certainly worth the time, but apparently not as close up as you get in the European plant tours.
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190e
Help trying to post new item on site on w123 300td
I know in the past I could find tab to post new item on my W123 question and in this case looking at Diesel with old fuel and seller after 9 years has started and it runs with fuel additive. starts on turn of key with new battery but only goes 5 klm/h.
Would adding 1/2 tank of new fuel be beneficial or should drain and add new fuel. Would like to drive it to my place about 20 minute drive???
Thanks or should simply not buy the it 84 300td
thnaks
sorry but this tech worlds for my old brain can find tap to post add
thanks for the help
dkoug
Would adding 1/2 tank of new fuel be beneficial or should drain and add new fuel. Would like to drive it to my place about 20 minute drive???
Thanks or should simply not buy the it 84 300td
thnaks
sorry but this tech worlds for my old brain can find tap to post add
thanks for the help
dkoug
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CLA250
Had the chance to get a guided tour of the Sindelfingen plant during the European Delivery Program.
Of the many Q&A queries I could muster (hell why not right?) the one that stuck out was positioning accuracy under the laser guided robotics systems ... pertaining to all that machine positioning and welding for the core chassis etc etc.
The claim was <250 microns (about 0.01") ... wonder if that's gotten better ... 8-)
Then the other one was paint mass (everything not just outer coats) ... typically 20kg (~44lbs) !!!
Can't wait to go back someday to see the new stuff.
Of the many Q&A queries I could muster (hell why not right?) the one that stuck out was positioning accuracy under the laser guided robotics systems ... pertaining to all that machine positioning and welding for the core chassis etc etc.
The claim was <250 microns (about 0.01") ... wonder if that's gotten better ... 8-)
Then the other one was paint mass (everything not just outer coats) ... typically 20kg (~44lbs) !!!
Can't wait to go back someday to see the new stuff.
