SL/R230: Why do car manufactures make cars with design flaws that kill people?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Memphis
SL500 and A-CLASS
Why do car manufactures make cars with design flaws that kill people?
For the last 10 years FORD has made car with serious design flaws that kill people. The FORD trucks burned in garages because the cruise control was always on by designed when the car was off. Ford made 3 models of cars that caught on fire when hit from behind. We also know about FORD SUVs tipping over.
I hate FORD cars with a passion. I will never rent another FORD. In Janesville WI, I almost tip over on a cloverleaf going about 30 miles an hour. Next day I took that SUV back and got me a GMAC SUV. I almost hit cars from behind 3 different times because the brakes suck on the FORD Taurus rental.
FORD knows about the design flaws and will not do anyting to correct them.
I never heard anything about Mercedes, BMW, or Porsche killing people because of a design flaw. Maybe they do a great job of hiding the design flaws.
I hate FORD cars with a passion. I will never rent another FORD. In Janesville WI, I almost tip over on a cloverleaf going about 30 miles an hour. Next day I took that SUV back and got me a GMAC SUV. I almost hit cars from behind 3 different times because the brakes suck on the FORD Taurus rental.
FORD knows about the design flaws and will not do anyting to correct them.
I never heard anything about Mercedes, BMW, or Porsche killing people because of a design flaw. Maybe they do a great job of hiding the design flaws.
Last edited by tiggerfink; Jan 24, 2006 at 03:07 AM.
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From: Irvine, CA
2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
FORD = Fix Or Repair Daily
FORD = Found On Road Dead
I think bankruptcy and a poor image will teach them a lesson or two. Hopefully a scare like that taught MB a thing or two about poor build quality, and hopefully it will do the same for Ford.
FORD = Found On Road Dead
I think bankruptcy and a poor image will teach them a lesson or two. Hopefully a scare like that taught MB a thing or two about poor build quality, and hopefully it will do the same for Ford.
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From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
Originally Posted by tiggerfink
I never heard anything about Mercedes, BMW, or Porsche killing people because of a design flaw. Maybe they do a great job of hiding the design flaws.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
Originally Posted by Vik888
Ask Microsoft .. they're good at that. They just call them "features" 
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Memphis
SL500 and A-CLASS
Originally Posted by benzmodz
How do you hide a flaw ?
I guess that is an example of FORD hiding a design flaw.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Greenville, SC
2003 SL55 AMG, 2001 S430
Originally Posted by Vik888
FORD = Fix Or Repair Daily
FORD = Found On Road Dead
I think bankruptcy and a poor image will teach them a lesson or two. Hopefully a scare like that taught MB a thing or two about poor build quality, and hopefully it will do the same for Ford.
FORD = Found On Road Dead
I think bankruptcy and a poor image will teach them a lesson or two. Hopefully a scare like that taught MB a thing or two about poor build quality, and hopefully it will do the same for Ford.
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s320cdi /SL350/Slk 230
You don't have to buy a Ford to get killed! Just buy a SL! Mine was something like that where my transmission simply lost power and on one occasion left me in an almost life threatening position. Then I discovered that MB have know of their transmission problems since 1996 whilst at the same time telling me that I was at fault in the manner which I drove the car - what crooks. Anyway I sued them and in the course of my case they tried to interfere with one of my witnesses but failed. I won my case and had 3 other SL owners with the same problem giving evidence.hope you have survived to tell your tale in the meantime!
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From: Bonita Springs, FL
2021 Cirrus Silver S580 AMG, 2020 Polar White GLE350
First time I've heard of that problem with the R 230 SL. When you say the trans lost power, did it shift into neutral by itself or did you loose all gears? Why did Mercedes say the problem was your fault? Both the 5 speed and 7 speed Mercedes automatics have been very reliable transmissions. Sorry to hear about your bad experience.
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
You don't have to buy a Ford to get killed! Just buy a SL! Mine was something like that where my transmission simply lost power and on one occasion left me in an almost life threatening position. Then I discovered that MB have know of their transmission problems since 1996 whilst at the same time telling me that I was at fault in the manner which I drove the car - what crooks. Anyway I sued them and in the course of my case they tried to interfere with one of my witnesses but failed. I won my case and had 3 other SL owners with the same problem giving evidence.hope you have survived to tell your tale in the meantime!
I can't speak about your issue but have driven R230 SL's for 10 years with zero transmission issues or on any R129 (had 3 of those). I did have have a problem on the R231 going into neutral, which was resolved by a software update...
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06 SL65AMG, 13 Tesla Model S 60kwh, 02 Jaguar S-Type 3.0, 12 S550 4 Matic, 07 E320 Bluetec, 06 LX470
Yeah I noticed that too, I have owned 6 MB after the 1996 period you mention
1999 SL600
2001 S500,
2002 E320
2004 SL55 AMG
2006 SL65 AMG
2007 E320 Bluetec
I have had no issue with transmissions and I have taken some of these cars to 150k miles and pushed these cars hard with ECU/TCU tunes and driving very aggressively with no issue. My MB transmissions work a lot better then my stupid Jaguar which was made by Ford lol and that transmission broke three times. Maybe it's a UK thing or something but out of all the parts on a MB, esp the R230, I would say your more likely to have a bad strut before your transmission goes out. Which is why I'll be looking to buy an 09-10 S65 next year before I buy the equivalent XJS any day
1999 SL600
2001 S500,
2002 E320
2004 SL55 AMG
2006 SL65 AMG
2007 E320 Bluetec
I have had no issue with transmissions and I have taken some of these cars to 150k miles and pushed these cars hard with ECU/TCU tunes and driving very aggressively with no issue. My MB transmissions work a lot better then my stupid Jaguar which was made by Ford lol and that transmission broke three times. Maybe it's a UK thing or something but out of all the parts on a MB, esp the R230, I would say your more likely to have a bad strut before your transmission goes out. Which is why I'll be looking to buy an 09-10 S65 next year before I buy the equivalent XJS any day
