W212 AMG Discuss the W212 AMG's such as the E63

Who builds the best engines?

Old Jan 9, 2016 | 10:10 PM
  #1  
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Who builds the best engines?

AMG makes a big deal of their "One engine, one (wo)man" philosophy.

Obviously, despite best processes, there has to variation among humans. Some may work faster and some may be more careful. Does anyone (even MB) have statistics of engine issues per engine builder? I think it'd be very interesting data to see.
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Old Jan 9, 2016 | 11:11 PM
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Originally Posted by CliffJumper
AMG makes a big deal of their "One engine, one (wo)man" philosophy.

Obviously, despite best processes, there has to variation among humans. Some may work faster and some may be more careful. Does anyone (even MB) have statistics of engine issues per engine builder? I think it'd be very interesting data to see.
This Data absolutely does not exist

And if this information IS tracked it is not available to us
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 12:01 AM
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Originally Posted by PeterUbers
This Data absolutely does not exist

And if this information IS tracked it is not available to us
I don't know if it's available, but it must exist, right? I'm sure if they had a rogue builder put in the mechanical version of an "Easter egg" or worse into his engines, they probably have a way to get that list of VINs immediately. They do far more complicated things for recalls. It can't be that far of a step to do the reverse and see if there are any patterns to engine failures.

Also, I wonder if they use that day to have "better" builders work on more expensive engines, or if it's all the same. Wouldn't they have their "master" builders focused on the 65 or 63 engines versus the 55 or 45 engines since those engines go into more expensive cars?
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 12:40 AM
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The data exists in some form, the same as in any large corporation's employment records I'm sure. But when it comes to AMG I think the components and process are more important than the builder. Ze germans, after all.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 08:04 AM
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So far in 17k miles my engine has been bulletproof.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 08:19 AM
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Originally Posted by CliffJumper
AMG makes a big deal of their "One engine, one (wo)man" philosophy.

Obviously, despite best processes, there has to variation among humans. Some may work faster and some may be more careful. Does anyone (even MB) have statistics of engine issues per engine builder? I think it'd be very interesting data to see.
Why would an Audi owner be interested in this? Are you looking to bu an MB?
In general, i would not be worried too much about individual builders. It is not that difficult to train a group of skilled individuals to produce consistent results. Don't forget the level of automation, available tools, testing and measurement devices. I would be more concerned with engineering mistakes, especially on the first year models.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Lenin
Why would an Audi owner be interested in this? Are you looking to bu an MB?
Well, I'd be curious about this as a general car enthusiast regardless, however, I have a 2016 wagon on the way.

Originally Posted by Lenin
In general, i would not be worried too much about individual builders. It is not that difficult to train a group of skilled individuals to produce consistent results. Don't forget the level of automation, available tools, testing and measurement devices. I would be more concerned with engineering mistakes, especially on the first year models.
i'm not necessarily worried, but do think that humans are humans and they cannot all be the same. Otherwise, they could get any kid off the street to build their AMG engines, which I hope is not the case.

I just think it'd be interesting data to see.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by sdg1871
So far in 17k miles my engine has been bulletproof.
Lol, I don't drive that much either, but and I know your cars are modified, but 17k miles is a drop in the bucket. I'd hope even a "kid off the street" could build an engine that lasts 17k miles with MB's engineering process. (Hope you don't take this the wrong way b/c I've found several of your posts extremely useful during my 6+ months of research before buying this car)

My parents' cars (all Toyota/Lexus-based cars) have 350k, 250k and 175k miles with simply routine maintenance (oil, spark plugs, timing belt). Obviously, I don't expect AMGs to last that long with as little maintenance, but it would be nice.

For AMG cars, I wonder if engines built by "Klaus" only average 125k miles while engines built by "Stefan" average 250k miles.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 11:10 AM
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Originally Posted by CliffJumper
Well, I'd be curious about this as a general car enthusiast regardless, however, I have a 2016 wagon on the way.

i'm not necessarily worried, but do think that humans are humans and they cannot all be the same. Otherwise, they could get any kid off the street to build their AMG engines, which I hope is not the case.

I just think it'd be interesting data to see.
Congrats on your order of the 2016 Wagon. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I'm enjoying mine.
Humans are humans but you must have missed my comment about "trained skilled individuals". So, no, you can not just bring any kid from the street to build these engines. The info you are looking for may be interesting, but it is not actionable since you can not pick an engine builder when you are ordering your car. This may also be what is known on wall street as a trailing indicator where if a pattern has been detected, it would already be fixed by MB management.
Good luck with your wagon.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 11:23 AM
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would be cool to know if there is a 'super builder' - but everything is so automated at the factory it may just be subtle changes with each engine...
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Toadster
would be cool to know if there is a 'super builder' - but everything is so automated at the factory it may just be subtle changes with each engine...
What he said ^^^
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by CliffJumper
Lol, I don't drive that much either, but and I know your cars are modified, but 17k miles is a drop in the bucket. I'd hope even a "kid off the street" could build an engine that lasts 17k miles with MB's engineering process. (Hope you don't take this the wrong way b/c I've found several of your posts extremely useful during my 6+ months of research before buying this car)

My parents' cars (all Toyota/Lexus-based cars) have 350k, 250k and 175k miles with simply routine maintenance (oil, spark plugs, timing belt). Obviously, I don't expect AMGs to last that long with as little maintenance, but it would be nice.

For AMG cars, I wonder if engines built by "Klaus" only average 125k miles while engines built by "Stefan" average 250k miles.
True

I am easy on my car except at speed events. 99% of the time it is in comfort as opposed to sport or sport plus and I used to commute.
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 03:43 PM
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 05:47 PM
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FF. W212 E63 M156 non-pano 18" P2 ParkT NightV (gone but will be missed).
See who are the ones building the V12 for Pagani's--probably the highest end cars with AMG engines.
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Old Jan 12, 2016 | 03:34 AM
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I'm also curious if there is variation between assemblers. After all, don't the tuners say that the stock AMGs vary in power output (on pre-tune dyno)? Is it because they are hand assembled or because there are variations in the parts themselves?
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Old Jan 12, 2016 | 09:46 AM
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Originally Posted by otakki
See who are the ones building the V12 for Pagani's--probably the highest end cars with AMG engines.
V12s are now being build in Mannheim, not Affalterbacch where V8s are built.

I would still be more concerned with design things like Pressed On Cams and Coolant leaking into the Radiator on the early C32, Fuel Leak on E55, Head Bolt issues on M156s.
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Old Jan 12, 2016 | 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by rediesel
Jonas Lechner obviously!
I really wish these guys are on Instagram...
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Old Jan 13, 2016 | 09:31 AM
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Uhh ohh....my engine was built by Klaus
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Old Jan 13, 2016 | 08:07 PM
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Jonas Lechner engine in my 2016 wagon as well!
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Old Jan 18, 2016 | 04:00 AM
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Michael Kubler, has built those V12 Pagani engines

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Old May 8, 2016 | 08:45 PM
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Old May 8, 2016 | 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by rediesel
Jonas Lechner obviously!

Jonas Lechner built mine also! Wow! This means he must be the best!
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Old May 8, 2016 | 09:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Tonypw
Jonas Lechner built mine also! Wow! This means he must be the best!

Or the least expensive. Lol jk
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Old May 8, 2016 | 10:56 PM
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Rafael Dobler. I got to meet him during my AMG factory tour. He has been working for AMG for 3 years. Before that he used to build Renault diesel freight truck engines. Quite a change!

I took a picture with him, but obviously don't want to post a pic of him w/o permission.

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Old May 8, 2016 | 11:12 PM
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I only trust Hans Zuftacker for the big block engine kit !
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