Ferrari Mailing List: Re: MB reliability and a litte F content (warning: long)

[LtWacko (ltwacko]

Am I the only one that thinks this?  MB's pretty much went to crap in the 90's 
and only have recovered in recent years.  It wasn't only the Diamler/Chrysler 
deal that did them in.  It was the pricing war with Lexus.  MB didn't know how 
to build a price competitive car.  Finally said screw it, we're MB and made a 
better car which cost more but worth it.  With Toyota's manufacturing 
capability, Lexus put up a serious contender for awhile but dare I say they now 
have to worry about Hyundai?  MB finally recovered, but then chased 
profitability and then, now back on track.  In it's best financial years, the 
CEO was fired because the board didn't think profitability was worth the 
sacrifice in quality and image.  In a home country survey, BMW and Audi were 
perceived leaders in their industry and MB in a paltry third.  That survey was 
the CEO's final undoing.  The "merger" with Chrysler was suppose to bring 
design capabilities.  Wasn't the Viper 16 months paper to production?  MB 
perceived this "speed" was needed to keep up with Lexus at the time this was 
cooked up. Too bad the quality came with it too.

Even though the R class was a product of the marriage, it's actually quite 
good.  I had one as a loaner and so did a friend.  I had the 500 while he had 
the AMG.  His S55 was getting serviced and after spending a couple of days in 
the R, he said that it would be his next car as it was "more practical" than 
the S.  Definitely a product of need rather than want.

I do miss the family's old W123 300D Turbo's - we had two.  My favorite MB's 
along with my 92 500SL.  Loved all of my BMW's except for the 740iL.  It's 
okay.  Once I started learning how to wrench on my own a few decades ago 
(yikes!), I thought MB's pretty much sucked in simplicity and technology 
compared to BMW's of the same era.  Family and extended family has owned nearly 
every MB model made from 1976 to 2005 so I hope I know what I'm talking about.  
Don't think I'm biased.  BMW's are hitting a nerve with me now too.  I 
attribute part of this to me getting old.  MB is now on track with marketing 
and product line.  Maybe not for the enthusiast, but definitely for the mass 
market.

Every generation has their favorite generation of car.  My problem of old MB is 
that they made 1 generation of technology for 3 generations.  No wonder they 
were so reliable.  How do you screw up 30 years of making the same thing over 
and over again.  Porsche 911 is a perfect example.  They finally changed things 
up when BMW made them look slow for awhile on the track (Thanks Jim C. and 
Prototype!)  One of my criteria in judging engineering is hp/performance vs. 
mpg.  Anyone can make hp but doing it with an eye on mpg is very difficult.  
BMW's amazed me compared to competition.  Honda was surprisingly disappointing 
with their V6.  What's even more surprising?  The Corvette.  Props to GM for 
that.  No guzzler tax on C6, right?

Oh yeah, the F-car content.  NSX made Ferrari look at better reliability among 
other things.  Ferrari added a little and then the NSX went away for this and a 
few other reasons.

We wish new cars did what the old cars do.  Companies churn out products for 
those that "will" buy, not those that "have" in the hopes of "surviving".  
Finding the right balance is key.

Sorry for the rant.

Rodney
Most reliable car ever owned - Camry.  Favorite?  Still trying to find it.  I 
will let you know on my death bed.