OPINION:Quality and Passion Declining in European Automakers
#181
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: OPINION:Quality and Passion Declining in European Automakers
In the UK the Merc-owned garages in the metro areas (London, Birmingham,
Manchester) are offering free MoT tests (the annual compulsory
roadworthiness test for cars 3+ years old). This year did our 2001 CLK Cab
and 1993 190E. The 15-min drive is well worth it, and it's done while you
wait if you ask for an appointment. In my case (Park Royal, West London) it
is not actually done by Merc but by a nearby official test station, so I
went straight there.
Saves GBP 41/USD 70...
Great wheeze to drag clients back from the independents. Last year an
independent charged me -- for the 190E -- the mandatory test fee plus GBP 20
(USD 35) labour that was never properly specified.
In the UK I think Merc has recognised the workshop problem and is doing
something about it, though I have personally never experienced sustained
dire service in all the years I have had Mercs.
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
"Class 1" <Class1@fastmail.fm> wrote in message
news:1123058233.644320.64920@g43g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> Interesting topic - my views:
>
> Mercedes - Quality atrocious, plasticky, nasty, V6s instead of I6s,
> etc. Where's the quality engineering gone FFS?! The last true Mercedes
> were built in the early 90s. The only Mercedes currently even remotely
> desirable as a private buy is the SL, but then you still have to deal
> with the truly dire Mercedes garages.
[....]
Manchester) are offering free MoT tests (the annual compulsory
roadworthiness test for cars 3+ years old). This year did our 2001 CLK Cab
and 1993 190E. The 15-min drive is well worth it, and it's done while you
wait if you ask for an appointment. In my case (Park Royal, West London) it
is not actually done by Merc but by a nearby official test station, so I
went straight there.
Saves GBP 41/USD 70...
Great wheeze to drag clients back from the independents. Last year an
independent charged me -- for the 190E -- the mandatory test fee plus GBP 20
(USD 35) labour that was never properly specified.
In the UK I think Merc has recognised the workshop problem and is doing
something about it, though I have personally never experienced sustained
dire service in all the years I have had Mercs.
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
"Class 1" <Class1@fastmail.fm> wrote in message
news:1123058233.644320.64920@g43g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> Interesting topic - my views:
>
> Mercedes - Quality atrocious, plasticky, nasty, V6s instead of I6s,
> etc. Where's the quality engineering gone FFS?! The last true Mercedes
> were built in the early 90s. The only Mercedes currently even remotely
> desirable as a private buy is the SL, but then you still have to deal
> with the truly dire Mercedes garages.
[....]
#182
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: OPINION:Quality and Passion Declining in European Automakers
Similar comments about US-made Mercs (ML), at least in its early years...
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
"Matthew Maddock" <matthew.maddock@nospamplease.mmaddock.com> wrote in
message news:dcot4i$puc$1@nwrdmz02.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com...
> thor wrote:
>> Worst thing I did was to buy a Z3.
>> US manufactured with burrs under the hood and everywhere there's an edge.
>> Hoses too short to fit with the nipples, Inverted wheels (V drawingd
>> turned
>> towards the rear !!!)
>>
>> Fortunately Other Bimmers are made in Europe.
[....]
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
"Matthew Maddock" <matthew.maddock@nospamplease.mmaddock.com> wrote in
message news:dcot4i$puc$1@nwrdmz02.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com...
> thor wrote:
>> Worst thing I did was to buy a Z3.
>> US manufactured with burrs under the hood and everywhere there's an edge.
>> Hoses too short to fit with the nipples, Inverted wheels (V drawingd
>> turned
>> towards the rear !!!)
>>
>> Fortunately Other Bimmers are made in Europe.
[....]
#183
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: OPINION:Quality and Passion Declining in European Automakers
Similar comments about US-made Mercs (ML), at least in its early years...
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
"Matthew Maddock" <matthew.maddock@nospamplease.mmaddock.com> wrote in
message news:dcot4i$puc$1@nwrdmz02.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com...
> thor wrote:
>> Worst thing I did was to buy a Z3.
>> US manufactured with burrs under the hood and everywhere there's an edge.
>> Hoses too short to fit with the nipples, Inverted wheels (V drawingd
>> turned
>> towards the rear !!!)
>>
>> Fortunately Other Bimmers are made in Europe.
[....]
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
"Matthew Maddock" <matthew.maddock@nospamplease.mmaddock.com> wrote in
message news:dcot4i$puc$1@nwrdmz02.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com...
> thor wrote:
>> Worst thing I did was to buy a Z3.
>> US manufactured with burrs under the hood and everywhere there's an edge.
>> Hoses too short to fit with the nipples, Inverted wheels (V drawingd
>> turned
>> towards the rear !!!)
>>
>> Fortunately Other Bimmers are made in Europe.
[....]
#184
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: OPINION:Quality and Passion Declining in European Automakers
Similar comments about US-made Mercs (ML), at least in its early years...
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
"Matthew Maddock" <matthew.maddock@nospamplease.mmaddock.com> wrote in
message news:dcot4i$puc$1@nwrdmz02.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com...
> thor wrote:
>> Worst thing I did was to buy a Z3.
>> US manufactured with burrs under the hood and everywhere there's an edge.
>> Hoses too short to fit with the nipples, Inverted wheels (V drawingd
>> turned
>> towards the rear !!!)
>>
>> Fortunately Other Bimmers are made in Europe.
[....]
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
"Matthew Maddock" <matthew.maddock@nospamplease.mmaddock.com> wrote in
message news:dcot4i$puc$1@nwrdmz02.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com...
> thor wrote:
>> Worst thing I did was to buy a Z3.
>> US manufactured with burrs under the hood and everywhere there's an edge.
>> Hoses too short to fit with the nipples, Inverted wheels (V drawingd
>> turned
>> towards the rear !!!)
>>
>> Fortunately Other Bimmers are made in Europe.
[....]
#185
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dehydration kills
Urinate frequently and check the colour... if bright yellow you need an
infusion...
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in message
news:Up-dnSJnSqjC_W7fRVn-1w@sedona.net...
[...]
>
> If you are coming to arid country learn the cardinal rules of survival:
> drink before you are thirsty, and stay in the shade as much as possible.
[...]
infusion...
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in message
news:Up-dnSJnSqjC_W7fRVn-1w@sedona.net...
[...]
>
> If you are coming to arid country learn the cardinal rules of survival:
> drink before you are thirsty, and stay in the shade as much as possible.
[...]
#186
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dehydration kills
Urinate frequently and check the colour... if bright yellow you need an
infusion...
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in message
news:Up-dnSJnSqjC_W7fRVn-1w@sedona.net...
[...]
>
> If you are coming to arid country learn the cardinal rules of survival:
> drink before you are thirsty, and stay in the shade as much as possible.
[...]
infusion...
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in message
news:Up-dnSJnSqjC_W7fRVn-1w@sedona.net...
[...]
>
> If you are coming to arid country learn the cardinal rules of survival:
> drink before you are thirsty, and stay in the shade as much as possible.
[...]
#187
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dehydration kills
Urinate frequently and check the colour... if bright yellow you need an
infusion...
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in message
news:Up-dnSJnSqjC_W7fRVn-1w@sedona.net...
[...]
>
> If you are coming to arid country learn the cardinal rules of survival:
> drink before you are thirsty, and stay in the shade as much as possible.
[...]
infusion...
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in message
news:Up-dnSJnSqjC_W7fRVn-1w@sedona.net...
[...]
>
> If you are coming to arid country learn the cardinal rules of survival:
> drink before you are thirsty, and stay in the shade as much as possible.
[...]
#188
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: OPINION:Quality and Passion Declining in European Automakers
Here's my tuppence-worth: in my CLK Cab I have TWO cupholders, no less,
which I chose as a no-cost option over a storage shelf or something. One
swings out, and it is to the right, which means (in the UK) the cup is
practically in my lap. This is the holder I tend to use more as it is
wider...
In the old days I bet Merc would have had it swing the other way in RHD
countries, so it is more bothersome to the passenger.
In the 190E there is no cupholder other than the two depressions in the open
glovebox lid and I recall managing quite well even when I was using it as my
business car and driving great distances..
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
<gcmschemist@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1123258098.122434.123240@g14g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>
> Guy King wrote:
>> The message <ecCIe.182838$tt5.107520@edtnps90>
>> from "cp" <asdf@asdf.com> contains these words:
>>
>> > Don't know; of the 7 cars I've had I've just realized only one had a
>> > cup holder, don't remember using it.
>>
>> Mine's got a cupholder. I pass the cup to the wife and say "Hold that".
>
> LOL.
>
> That's the way I do it, too. If I'm alone, I just don't drink anything
> until I stop for fuel, or to off-load what I drank before.
>
> Maybe it's because I never feel comfortable doing anything but
> *driving* when I'm behind the wheel. Eating, drinking, reading,
> chatting on the cell, shaving, etc. - I'll leave all that to other
> folks.
>
> I know, it's weird to hear that from an American. But I guess I'm
> weird in actually enjoying the driving. Maybe if I had a Honda or a
> Toyota, I'd be so bored as to need to do something else while driving,
> just to stay awake.
>
> E.P. "Cupholders? We don't need no steenkeeng cupholders..."
>
which I chose as a no-cost option over a storage shelf or something. One
swings out, and it is to the right, which means (in the UK) the cup is
practically in my lap. This is the holder I tend to use more as it is
wider...
In the old days I bet Merc would have had it swing the other way in RHD
countries, so it is more bothersome to the passenger.
In the 190E there is no cupholder other than the two depressions in the open
glovebox lid and I recall managing quite well even when I was using it as my
business car and driving great distances..
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
<gcmschemist@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1123258098.122434.123240@g14g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>
> Guy King wrote:
>> The message <ecCIe.182838$tt5.107520@edtnps90>
>> from "cp" <asdf@asdf.com> contains these words:
>>
>> > Don't know; of the 7 cars I've had I've just realized only one had a
>> > cup holder, don't remember using it.
>>
>> Mine's got a cupholder. I pass the cup to the wife and say "Hold that".
>
> LOL.
>
> That's the way I do it, too. If I'm alone, I just don't drink anything
> until I stop for fuel, or to off-load what I drank before.
>
> Maybe it's because I never feel comfortable doing anything but
> *driving* when I'm behind the wheel. Eating, drinking, reading,
> chatting on the cell, shaving, etc. - I'll leave all that to other
> folks.
>
> I know, it's weird to hear that from an American. But I guess I'm
> weird in actually enjoying the driving. Maybe if I had a Honda or a
> Toyota, I'd be so bored as to need to do something else while driving,
> just to stay awake.
>
> E.P. "Cupholders? We don't need no steenkeeng cupholders..."
>
#189
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: OPINION:Quality and Passion Declining in European Automakers
Here's my tuppence-worth: in my CLK Cab I have TWO cupholders, no less,
which I chose as a no-cost option over a storage shelf or something. One
swings out, and it is to the right, which means (in the UK) the cup is
practically in my lap. This is the holder I tend to use more as it is
wider...
In the old days I bet Merc would have had it swing the other way in RHD
countries, so it is more bothersome to the passenger.
In the 190E there is no cupholder other than the two depressions in the open
glovebox lid and I recall managing quite well even when I was using it as my
business car and driving great distances..
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
<gcmschemist@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1123258098.122434.123240@g14g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>
> Guy King wrote:
>> The message <ecCIe.182838$tt5.107520@edtnps90>
>> from "cp" <asdf@asdf.com> contains these words:
>>
>> > Don't know; of the 7 cars I've had I've just realized only one had a
>> > cup holder, don't remember using it.
>>
>> Mine's got a cupholder. I pass the cup to the wife and say "Hold that".
>
> LOL.
>
> That's the way I do it, too. If I'm alone, I just don't drink anything
> until I stop for fuel, or to off-load what I drank before.
>
> Maybe it's because I never feel comfortable doing anything but
> *driving* when I'm behind the wheel. Eating, drinking, reading,
> chatting on the cell, shaving, etc. - I'll leave all that to other
> folks.
>
> I know, it's weird to hear that from an American. But I guess I'm
> weird in actually enjoying the driving. Maybe if I had a Honda or a
> Toyota, I'd be so bored as to need to do something else while driving,
> just to stay awake.
>
> E.P. "Cupholders? We don't need no steenkeeng cupholders..."
>
which I chose as a no-cost option over a storage shelf or something. One
swings out, and it is to the right, which means (in the UK) the cup is
practically in my lap. This is the holder I tend to use more as it is
wider...
In the old days I bet Merc would have had it swing the other way in RHD
countries, so it is more bothersome to the passenger.
In the 190E there is no cupholder other than the two depressions in the open
glovebox lid and I recall managing quite well even when I was using it as my
business car and driving great distances..
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
<gcmschemist@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1123258098.122434.123240@g14g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>
> Guy King wrote:
>> The message <ecCIe.182838$tt5.107520@edtnps90>
>> from "cp" <asdf@asdf.com> contains these words:
>>
>> > Don't know; of the 7 cars I've had I've just realized only one had a
>> > cup holder, don't remember using it.
>>
>> Mine's got a cupholder. I pass the cup to the wife and say "Hold that".
>
> LOL.
>
> That's the way I do it, too. If I'm alone, I just don't drink anything
> until I stop for fuel, or to off-load what I drank before.
>
> Maybe it's because I never feel comfortable doing anything but
> *driving* when I'm behind the wheel. Eating, drinking, reading,
> chatting on the cell, shaving, etc. - I'll leave all that to other
> folks.
>
> I know, it's weird to hear that from an American. But I guess I'm
> weird in actually enjoying the driving. Maybe if I had a Honda or a
> Toyota, I'd be so bored as to need to do something else while driving,
> just to stay awake.
>
> E.P. "Cupholders? We don't need no steenkeeng cupholders..."
>
#190
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: OPINION:Quality and Passion Declining in European Automakers
Here's my tuppence-worth: in my CLK Cab I have TWO cupholders, no less,
which I chose as a no-cost option over a storage shelf or something. One
swings out, and it is to the right, which means (in the UK) the cup is
practically in my lap. This is the holder I tend to use more as it is
wider...
In the old days I bet Merc would have had it swing the other way in RHD
countries, so it is more bothersome to the passenger.
In the 190E there is no cupholder other than the two depressions in the open
glovebox lid and I recall managing quite well even when I was using it as my
business car and driving great distances..
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
<gcmschemist@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1123258098.122434.123240@g14g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>
> Guy King wrote:
>> The message <ecCIe.182838$tt5.107520@edtnps90>
>> from "cp" <asdf@asdf.com> contains these words:
>>
>> > Don't know; of the 7 cars I've had I've just realized only one had a
>> > cup holder, don't remember using it.
>>
>> Mine's got a cupholder. I pass the cup to the wife and say "Hold that".
>
> LOL.
>
> That's the way I do it, too. If I'm alone, I just don't drink anything
> until I stop for fuel, or to off-load what I drank before.
>
> Maybe it's because I never feel comfortable doing anything but
> *driving* when I'm behind the wheel. Eating, drinking, reading,
> chatting on the cell, shaving, etc. - I'll leave all that to other
> folks.
>
> I know, it's weird to hear that from an American. But I guess I'm
> weird in actually enjoying the driving. Maybe if I had a Honda or a
> Toyota, I'd be so bored as to need to do something else while driving,
> just to stay awake.
>
> E.P. "Cupholders? We don't need no steenkeeng cupholders..."
>
which I chose as a no-cost option over a storage shelf or something. One
swings out, and it is to the right, which means (in the UK) the cup is
practically in my lap. This is the holder I tend to use more as it is
wider...
In the old days I bet Merc would have had it swing the other way in RHD
countries, so it is more bothersome to the passenger.
In the 190E there is no cupholder other than the two depressions in the open
glovebox lid and I recall managing quite well even when I was using it as my
business car and driving great distances..
DAS
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
<gcmschemist@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1123258098.122434.123240@g14g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>
> Guy King wrote:
>> The message <ecCIe.182838$tt5.107520@edtnps90>
>> from "cp" <asdf@asdf.com> contains these words:
>>
>> > Don't know; of the 7 cars I've had I've just realized only one had a
>> > cup holder, don't remember using it.
>>
>> Mine's got a cupholder. I pass the cup to the wife and say "Hold that".
>
> LOL.
>
> That's the way I do it, too. If I'm alone, I just don't drink anything
> until I stop for fuel, or to off-load what I drank before.
>
> Maybe it's because I never feel comfortable doing anything but
> *driving* when I'm behind the wheel. Eating, drinking, reading,
> chatting on the cell, shaving, etc. - I'll leave all that to other
> folks.
>
> I know, it's weird to hear that from an American. But I guess I'm
> weird in actually enjoying the driving. Maybe if I had a Honda or a
> Toyota, I'd be so bored as to need to do something else while driving,
> just to stay awake.
>
> E.P. "Cupholders? We don't need no steenkeeng cupholders..."
>