my most recent misadventure (long)

[gforbess at attglobal.net (Gordon Forbess)]

On Sun, 23 May 2004 08:52:46 -0400, tomc <tomc@satx.rr.com> wrote:

>I think about this subject every time I see a MB C230 or C320 Coupe.
>IMHO I think these 
>cars capture the essence of a modern Scirocco the best. 
><http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/kevinP1052001PM.jpg>
><http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/4779255103121200364312PM.JPG>

It's a similarity that has been noted by some on various Mercedes
forums, but not as a compliment. The C coupe has concessions to market
pricing that don't go over well with many contributors.  And, it still
costs at least $30k, which is double (adjusted for inflation) what my
new Scirocco cost in 1975.  

Of course most of the Benz groups consist of guys who own older cars
(like mine) which were basically engineered without regard to cost
targets.  MB or, now DC doesn't do (much) business that way anymore
and most of their current product line gets the same flack.

There is always the "they don't build 'em like they used to" factor in
almost any car group.  A German engineer I know maintains the last
"real" Mercedes was hand-built in 1982 (by Black Forest elves,
maybe?).  Since then they have, as he says, automated the body welding
and the quality has suffered.

Body welding is what my Benz coupe is getting at this moment.  Wifes
brief encounter with a little old lady who ran a red light in her Jeep
Liberty is getting expensive for her insurer.  What looked to be a
simple new grill, headlight and bumper cover has turned into ten hours
of frame rack time, fender r & r, new rad support, paint, alignment,
etc.  The original $1800 estimate is probably going to be more like
$3500.  And I get to drive an Enterprise (Daimler)Chrysler Sebring
ragtop for another week.  Talk about quality issues..

Gordon

75 Mk I/Drake 1.9 & (bent)Mercedes Benz 88 300CE
http://pws.prserv.net/gforbess/scirocco/scirocco.htm