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Car Forum / Australian Car Forums / General Car Topics (Australian group) / March 2007German cars
A client dropped in the other day and I walked with him to his car. I noticed he had a C -Class Benz. A C200K. I asked him what it was like. Well, THAT was a good question, let me tell you. He then launched into a 20 minute tirade, explaining how his car had been back to the dealership 37 times in the last five years. He was not a happy camper. He had been spending a goodly chunk of his life, thinking about the time he could afford a Merc and he ends up with a lemon. In the process of dealing with the problems, he has contacted other C-class owners and has uncovered some disturbing trends with the model. They're made in South Africa, which may or may not be part of the problem. I have client with an SL500 and he has not reported any significant issues, with his German made machine. Some of his mates have Beemers and, whilst not experiencing the same number of faults, they have experienced some pretty expensive repairs for relatively recent cars. Ironically, the same client also purchased a Diesel Golf (also South African manufacture) and has not experienced any issues. His next car will likely be an Audi or a Lexus. I can't blame him for that. What's going on? Is VW setting itself up to be Germany's pre-eminent car manufacturer?  SignatureTrevor Wilson www.rageaudio.com.au -- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com On Mar 5, 7:26 am, "Trevor Wilson" <tre...@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote: > A client dropped in the other day and I walked with him to his car. I > noticed he had a C -Class Benz. A C200K. I asked him what it was like. [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > -- > Posted via a free Usenet account fromhttp://www.teranews.com Re South African build - when I used to work closely with Mercs, heard a fair bit about the probs with the sedans, and rarely anything about the SportsCoupe, CLK or C-class wagon, all based on the same platform and running gear. Is it just a coincidence that only the sedan is built in SA while the others are built in MB's 'flagship' factory in Germany? Methinks not. "Trevor Wilson" < > His next car will likely be an Audi or a Lexus. I can't blame him for > that. > > What's going on? Is VW setting itself up to be Germany's pre-eminent car > manufacturer? Except those VW's made in Mexico or Brazillian components, China build too. "Trevor Wilson" <trevor@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote in message news:45eb1f0c$0$16292 > What's going on? Is VW setting itself up to be Germany's pre-eminent car > manufacturer? Volkswagen have always made very good quality vehicles, regardless of whether or not they've been perceived as "high class" or desirable. Benz's, on the other hand, have *always* been one of the most over-rated vehicles on the planet in my opinion. However, I'd add, in the interests of fairness, that with Benz being seen as the prestige maker it is, a lot of "faults" that would normally be accepted with other makes are probably reported and acted on with a Benz or similar, simply because people expect them to be perfect and won't settle for any issues with their baby. If they had a VW with a similar issue that didn't prevent the car from running, they'd probably be less inclined to do anything about it. -- Regards, Noddy. > "Trevor Wilson" <trevor@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote in message > news:45eb1f0c$0$16292 [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > If they had a VW with a similar issue that didn't prevent the car from > running, they'd probably be less inclined to do anything about it. There is an awful lot to that. I can imagine how much harder my job would be if the VE wore a Mercedes badge... :-O > There is an awful lot to that. > I can imagine how much harder my job would be if the VE wore a Mercedes > badge... :-O Lol :) When I worked for Honda we had one (then) prominent Melbourne doctor who bought a brand new Legend for himself, and a Concerto for his wife. For those who don't know (or don't care to remember), the Concerto was basically a Civic with a tiny little extension added to the tailgate, and "gayed out" to the max with fake wood trim and the like. A classy car :) Anyway, this Doctor couldn't give a rats about what happened to the Concerto, and every time it came in for it's routine servicing it had sh.t wrong with it. Muffler hanging down, bumper corner snapped off, broken mirror, that kind of sh.t and fixing it was never an important issue. However, his f.ck ugly Legend got the *real* treatment, and the whole world stopped if anything ever happened to it. I remember once he rang through to say he'd had an "accident", and was quoting the paint code over the phone so some touch up paint would be available ready for him when he arrived in a little while. He was told we didn't do accident repairs, but he insisted. When he got there, he had a f.cking *scratch* on his bumper the size of an ant's dick someone had left behind with the most minor of bumps, and he wanted it seen to immediately as it "detracted from the car's appearance". f.cking idiot, it rubbed off with cutting compound :) I remember thinking at the time "Jesus. This neurotic c.nt does heart surgery".... -- Regards, Noddy. >> There is an awful lot to that. >> I can imagine how much harder my job would be if the VE wore a Mercedes [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > I remember thinking at the time "Jesus. This neurotic c.nt does heart > surgery".... **Yeah, well, that kind of perfectionist prick is just the kind of guy you want working on your ticker. SignatureTrevor Wilson www.rageaudio.com.au -- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com > "Trevor Wilson" <trevor@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote in message > news:45eb1f0c$0$16292 [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > If they had a VW with a similar issue that didn't prevent the car from > running, they'd probably be less inclined to do anything about it. **The faults this guy was complaining about ranged from minor (the mirrors stopped folding in) to the major (brake failure). His other grumble related to warranty service costs. The Merc cost $600.00 (+$120.00 extra for oil!!!!). The Golf was $230.00 (Oil included). SignatureTrevor Wilson www.rageaudio.com.au -- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com "Trevor Wilson" <trevor@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote in message news:45eb6b42$0$16277 > **The faults this guy was complaining about ranged from minor (the mirrors > stopped folding in) to the major (brake failure). His other grumble > related to warranty service costs. The Merc cost $600.00 (+$120.00 extra > for oil!!!!). The Golf was $230.00 (Oil included). There's no such thing as "warranty service costs". Like most Mercedes owners, your friend doesn't know his arse from his adenoids. -- Regards, Noddy. > "Trevor Wilson" <trevor@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote in message > news:45eb6b42$0$16277 [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > There's no such thing as "warranty service costs". **Did I phrase it wrong? I've never owned a new car (never will). It's when you take your car to the dealer and he/she changes the oil and tighens the spark plugs (or whatever) and sticks it to you for the priveledge. $120.00 for oil! I wonder what kind of oil they use? > Like most Mercedes owners, your friend doesn't know his arse from his > adenoids. **Well, that's a given. 100 Grand for a Supercharged 2 Litre car. Hmmm. I drove a mate's C 320K and it left me underwhelmed. I was expecting M3 type performance. The engine felt 'agricultural' (kinda like my Dunnydore) and reasonably torquey, but the M3 would run rings around it easily. SignatureTrevor Wilson www.rageaudio.com.au -- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com "Trevor Wilson" <trevor@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote in message news:45eb785e$0$16269 > **Did I phrase it wrong? I've never owned a new car (never will). It's > when you take your car to the dealer and he/she changes the oil and > tighens the spark plugs (or whatever) and sticks it to you for the > priveledge. $120.00 for oil! I wonder what kind of oil they use? Just regular cheap-arsed oil like anyone else. The difference is they charge like wounded bulls for it. I used to be a service manager at a Honda dealership, and on a good month we'd make 25 grand *profit* just in oil sales :) You don't have to take *any* new car to a dealer for servicing to keep your warranty, and it's actually illegal for anyone to suggest you do. Provided the servicing work is done to a reasonable standard, it doesn't even have to be done by a qualified mechanic most of the time. Dealerships would have you believe otherwise of course, but then the service department of any dealership makes more money than all the other departments combined. > **Well, that's a given. 100 Grand for a Supercharged 2 Litre car. Hmmm. I > drove a mate's C 320K and it left me underwhelmed. I was expecting M3 type > performance. The engine felt 'agricultural' (kinda like my Dunnydore) and > reasonably torquey, but the M3 would run rings around it easily. The M3 (any M3) is one of the best cars ever made period. Most Benz's, on the other hand, are about as exciting as a tea cosey. -- Regards, Noddy. > "Trevor Wilson" <trevor@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote in message > news:45eb785e$0$16269 [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > Provided the servicing work is done to a reasonable standard, it doesn't > even have to be done by a qualified mechanic most of the time. The book needs to be stamped and services carried out by the book though or it may affect warranty. > Dealerships would have you believe otherwise of course, but then the > service department of any dealership makes more money than all the other > departments combined. My department alone had a GP of 91% last month... >> **Well, that's a given. 100 Grand for a Supercharged 2 Litre car. Hmmm. I >> drove a mate's C 320K and it left me underwhelmed. I was expecting M3 [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > The M3 (any M3) is one of the best cars ever made period. Most Benz's, on > the other hand, are about as exciting as a tea cosey. Yep, I would love an M3 if only I could justify paying that kind of cash for a car ;-) > Yep, I would love an M3 if only I could justify paying that kind of cash > for a car ;-) If I was head over heals for a couple of Euro rockets it would be an M3 or an Audi RS4 or even both. And the mrs will still potter around in a Camry. ;-) SignatureRegards Dan > If I was head over heals for a couple of Euro rockets it would be an M3 or > an Audi RS4 or even both. I like the RS4, but suspect the upcoming V8 M3 will be even better again. It will be interesting to see which is better - Audi's combination of engine way out front of the front wheels and AWD, or BMW's approach with the engine as far back as possible and RWD. Marco >> If I was head over heals for a couple of Euro rockets it would be an M3 >> or an Audi RS4 or even both. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > engine way out front of the front wheels and AWD, or BMW's approach with > the engine as far back as possible and RWD. Yup also it comes to if you want a 2 door or a 4 door. Even though the BMW M5 has an awesome V10 but its just too friggen ugly compared to the M3. Then there is the interior space of the RS4 but in a whole its an excellent package but again I don't really want to spend up to $100,000+ for a car really. I guess the VE SSV is the best package for under $60 grand. :-) SignatureRegards Dan > On Mon, 05 Mar2007 15:31:38 -0800, Marco PCM code reading says : > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Even though the BMW M5 has an awesome V10 but its just too friggen ugly > compared to the M3. [[snip]] I was initially very disappointed with the new (E60?) 5-series, especially as there is a beautiful last-of-the-line E38 530i Sport in the family that really looks the biz, but I've definitely come around. Although very wheel dependent, the overall stance of the vehicle is spot on. The rear three quarter view looks great (e.g. when one turns off the road ahead of you). Some of the minor detailing may seem a bit fussy, but it still looks a heap better than the 7 series (the recent update has helped though) or the 3 series (the sedan just looks dumpy, and the coupe looks pretty boring in my eyes). Regarding the M5, well, it obviously looks like it's trying pretty damned hard, and I reckon the 20" chromed wheels and quarter vents are a bit OTT. > > Yep, I would love an M3 if only I could justify paying that kind of cash > > for a car ;-) [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Regards > Dan I would rather the new 6.3 V8 powered AMG C-Class coming out, Benz has the best badge-snob-value of the lot, but like the other German mini- rockets, way overpriced for what u get, makes the VE HSV range look a real bargain @ less than $80,000, and the SS even more so which is not all that slower really. Wonder if HSV will get the 7L engine thats in the Corvette? Cheers M/P On Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:53:04 -0800, Michael.Pasturi PCM code reading says > I would rather the new 6.3 V8 powered AMG C-Class coming out, Benz has the > best badge-snob-value of the lot, but like the other German mini- rockets, > way overpriced for what u get, makes the VE HSV range look a real bargain > @ less than $80,000, and the SS even more so which is not all that slower > really. Yeah the AMG C-class sounds great although I am not into badge snobbery really since I just clearly don't see the point of it. Would be interesting to see what the V8 C-class does in performance wise and I know it wouldn't be at all slow. The Euro's really know how to produce large and fast and powerful cars and god bless em for it. :-) But thankfully so can Australia that make fast powerful large cars that is more affordable. :-) > Wonder if HSV will get the 7L engine thats in the Corvette? Dunno but I know the HSV's sent to the UK known as the Vauxhall VXR8 has a supercharger option. Pity HSV does not offer such a kit. :-( SignatureRegards Dan >> Yep, I would love an M3 if only I could justify paying that kind of cash >> for a car ;-) > > If I was head over heals for a couple of Euro rockets it would be an M3 or > an Audi RS4 or even both. Gotta be a M5 for me. Love my big sports sedans! Reaper > Yep, I would love an M3 if only I could justify paying that kind of cash > for a car ;-) Yeah, me too. -- Regards, Noddy. >> Dealerships would have you believe otherwise of course, but then the >> service department of any dealership makes more money than all the other >> departments combined. > > My department alone had a GP of 91% last month... I'd love to see a P&L and balance sheet for a typical dealership. A GP that high sounds great but it depends on how much debt and other overheads that are below the line which completes the story. I think it is without doubt that the service departments that are the cash cows of most dealerships though. As a by the by - do you know how to get rid of the annoying seatbelt chime on a VE? It is driving me f.cking nuts! Cheers, Reaper > I'd love to see a P&L and balance sheet for a typical dealership. A GP > that high sounds great but it depends on how much debt and other overheads > that are below the line which completes the story. I think it is without > doubt that the service departments that are the cash cows of most > dealerships though. Without a doubt. Most of them make bugger all money actually selling cars, and see the selling of them as a means to getting them into the service department. That's where the *real* money is, and it's why every dealership in the country has one. -- Regards, Noddy. >A client dropped in the other day and I walked with him to his car. I >noticed he had a C -Class Benz. A C200K. I asked him what it was like. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >of faults, they have experienced some pretty expensive repairs for >relatively recent cars. Yep, a lot of it has to do with compromising the mechanicals to allow for the addition of extra safety devices and emission control equipment without the car ending up weighing over 2 tonnes. I have heard of many BMWs of only 7 or 8 years of age with < 200,000km on the clock burning oil so badly they needed new blocks. The previous generation models with CI block routinely ran to 300,000km without even needing looked at. Lightness is what's it's all about. When you stuff 14 airbags into something and fill it full of nannyware you have to take the weight out of something else and they're doing that to the hardware. They don't care though just as long as it makes it out of the warranty period, which the previously over-engineered models did with ease. On Mar 5, 7:26 am, "Trevor Wilson" <tre...@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote: > What's going on? Is VW setting itself up to be Germany's pre-eminent car > manufacturer? slightly related story, this reminds me of when a friend told me of his boss walking around at some after work function dropping the line "i just had to upgrade to a 4-W-D (prounounced as written)" into conversation repeatedly, looking for a bite. the fact is, mercedes and BMW could put lawnmower engines and bed spring suspension into their vehicles and some buyers would still roll up and pay the asking, hardly containing their patience for the opportunity to drive past their friends and neighbours' houses to impress them. On Mar 5, 6:26 am, "Trevor Wilson" <tre...@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote: > A client dropped in the other day and I walked with him to his car. I > noticed he had a C -Class Benz. A C200K. I asked him what it was like. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > What's going on? Is VW setting itself up to be Germany's pre-eminent car > manufacturer? LOL! why would you buy one of shiteboxen. A used Smurf from Japan will be better. |
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