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May 16, 2006 14:36:08 GMT
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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May 16, 2006 14:48:51 GMT
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token retro pics
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,417
Club RR Member Number: 52
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What happened to Mercedesqwerty
@qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member 52
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May 16, 2006 14:59:19 GMT
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I've always loved the look of the Vito. Shame about the poor reviews. But think of it this way loads of awesome retro cars have been given curse word write ups! But they're still cool and you'd still drive one.
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May 16, 2006 15:00:04 GMT
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a lot of me say the W123 was the last of the 'real' mercedes. People i have spoken to with newer models have still been very impressed though, its their after sales and support that is supposed to be shocking
those comments on that site don't seem too bad, after all its always people with negatives who are likely to say something. Thats the trouble with this country, people always want to jump up and down when something is wrong but never when something is right and they are happy.
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May 16, 2006 15:02:48 GMT
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They gave their accountants free reign who did a really complicated sum along the lines of... if they made cars that were 20% less expensive to construct to make they'd only be 5% less reliable. The statistics are plucked from the air but it went along those lines. Before they were more about making cars first and money second, now they are about making money first and cars second. The best illustration is next time you're at a scrap yard have a look at the bits of a 190 you can't normally see and a newish C-class. Outside they look the same but once you take them apart the 190 is better finished (IMHO)
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May 16, 2006 15:11:39 GMT
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One of my mum's friends is a McLaren engineer, so he gets a new Mercedes every 6 months. Most of them have been fine, but their V-Class (Vito with windows) was appalling. Bearing in mind it was a £30k car, it broke down, on average, every 1500 miles. I think they managed to finish bottom of various reliability surveys quite regularly.
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May 16, 2006 15:19:08 GMT
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Seems its the modern way to do this; cut costs and worry about the concequences later. Rather than work with their original ideals, to build quality cars whatever the cost (i'm guessing BTW). I still like the shape, at least the designer was on the ball, and they will get cheaper. It just may be a future modern project then. fancied a turn key modern petrol diesel RWD(if they are) van to start with. I do agree people do complan plenty about minor stuff though. The 'Keefy shape' Mercs do seem to be amazing quality, I know a landlord who also uses his to drag stuff about on the trailer, they seem to be well built old things.
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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May 16, 2006 15:30:44 GMT
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fancied a turn key modern petrol diesel RWD(if they are) van to start with. I do agree people do complan plenty about minor stuff though. The older shape ones (like the one you posted a picture of) are FWD. And the things going wrong on the V-Class were not minor (two new ECUs in the first 2 months? New gearbox in the first 4?).
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May 16, 2006 17:03:48 GMT
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don't do it man.
I work on these things for a living and there bleeding horrible. Nice to look at, terrible to work on, even worse to drive and they're made of cheese. The vitos are all put together in spain and it shows. Compared to a sprinter i don't know why people ever bought them. And the V class is even worse considering the extra cash you pay for a few leather seats and some windows.
As for the new RWD vito's I've heard some nasty stories about them from people who work for mercs but as yet havent seen any evidence of it. They're put together in germany and the chassis is based on the E class so should be a much nicer motor.
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May 16, 2006 17:21:51 GMT
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Interesting stuff, thanks for those insights. Its bizarre they went fwd and now rwd, maybe they listened to the damning feedback.
I did notice the lists of stuff falling to bits, I just meant people complain anyway, but theres sure something to complain about here. Back to the drawing board then!
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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May 16, 2006 17:57:47 GMT
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cack
buy a 308 or a sprinter
same as the cars the later - the worse they are
after the 124 they started cutting costs in 96 merc said profit went from 3 billion to 1 billion and 2 billion went into the production and its only starting to sort itself now
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2001 HONDA CT110 (NOT RCV)
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May 16, 2006 18:33:07 GMT
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my mate is the service manager at MB Peterboro'
in his words "Daimler Chrysler have screwed Mercedes Benz up, they've cut costs in so many ways they've ruined everything Mercedes have ever stood for, buy an Audi."
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The lurker formerly known as Cappuccinocruiser.. or wedgedout..
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May 16, 2006 18:41:01 GMT
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in his words "Daimler Chrysler have screwed Mercedes Benz up, they've cut costs in so many ways they've ruined everything Mercedes have ever stood for, buy an Audi." yep i agree to that!!! i think most manufacturers aren't making cars that last anymore. not like they used to. especially mercedes. if you want a strong reliable car, go retro. get an old one.
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1986 Audi Coupe quattro
you need only two things in life: WD40 and duck tape. if it moves and it shouldn't use the duck tape, if it doesn't move but should then use the WD40. Genius!
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Jenn
Part of things
Posts: 929
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May 16, 2006 18:50:06 GMT
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Yup Merc have gone for the money, beware buying new as some dealerships will screw you soon as look at you ( not in a good way ), my Dad has worked for a few, both recently and 20 years ago and the state of them now explains his quick exit into the truck trade- he was forced to leave due to refusing to be dishonest and invoice customers for work that had never been done. Get an Tranny van, so much history!
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May 16, 2006 19:30:13 GMT
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Get an Tranny van, so much history! don't get me started on the new Transit
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May 16, 2006 19:32:26 GMT
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I actually wanted an old van anyway, back to that plan then. I will make the welding worthwhile Its sad nothings as it was; a quality product last would last as long as you looked after it. No wonder we're all looking to the past.
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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May 16, 2006 19:50:26 GMT
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you want a van thatll run and run buy a vw lt (same as sprinter)
vw dealer i worked for never serviced it in 40k and it never went wrong and they were thrapped to death........
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2001 HONDA CT110 (NOT RCV)
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May 16, 2006 19:58:02 GMT
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The LT to go for is the one with the brazilian engine. They go like the clappers and hardley ever break down. Which is just aswell cos VW's cant get the bits for them ;D ;D ;D
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What happened to MercedesBenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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May 16, 2006 22:40:19 GMT
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I've driven a lot of Sprinters and I reckon they're great. I managed to break them a few times but they take a hell of a lot of abuse! Quick too - I could out-drag a lot of other vans... except a new Tranny which gave me a good run for my money!
As for Mercedes cars, anything after the W123, W126 and maybe the W124 aren't worthy of the three pointed star. Buy a BMW. Buy a VW. F*ck it, buy a bloody Kia! Their customer service is supposed to be improving. I've never had any problems but I've heard horror stories in the past.
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Last Edit: May 16, 2006 22:40:51 GMT by BenzBoy
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May 16, 2006 22:59:58 GMT
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ive used sprinters in the past and they have been fantastic. I keep thinking about picking one up to haul parts around in.
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