Every since the announcement I've been quite distressed by the Daimler-Benz/Chrysler merger (cough...buyout...cough). It drives me to no end to see the pursuit of the buck drive Mercedes-Benz into the ground (an exaggeration, but still). I really think a lot of the quality problems (heck--all of them) are to blame on Chrysler. Management lost their focus on their prestige brand (with everyone trying to focus on reviving the Chrysler brand) and their products went to crap, while all they saw were dollar signs flashing in their eyes (well, for a short period in time). I understand that profit is key in business and that they are there to make money, but whatever happened to the passion for creating the best money-no-object cars? A reputation is far more important than some quick money. Heck, isn't it true that Mercedes has had a decrease in sales as of late? It seems as though management shot themselves in the foot.

Let the discussion begin...where do you think everything went awry?

 

Here's a nifty article on the merger...

http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosins...C01-115525.htm

 

I live in Vancouver, WA.

 

vancouver isnt portland

 

I didn't see chrysler putting out anything near 300c quality before the merger

I think that MB has more influence on chrysler than the other way around. I dont think the germans would EVER take car advice from americans.

and i think MB is doing quite well for itself. despite their reliability(which they said they will work on) they drive extremely well. The cup holders in those cars break more than any other car ive seen...

 

MB has had quality problems for some time, try since 1994, some say they are doing even better today

 

iunno bout being better. The new r class has the same materials as the tc which cost 1/3 of the r class thats not too good

 

They take business advice from the Americans however...like cutting corners in the material and supplier department. So the profit margin may be heckuvalot better than it was before, but quality is suffering and image, in turn, suffers worse.

MB quality was far better in 1994 than it is now...check out a W124 E-class or a W140 S-class. Quite possibly some of the best made vehicles on the planet. I guarantee the reliability is far superior to today's current Mercedes products.

 

W00t...moved to Vancouver recently as well...and will be moving again to Battle Ground as soon as our new house is finished. Just got the plans back today. I like Camas way better, but oh well...

 

Says who? Nearly the entire executive board of DCX is German. Dieter Zetche is the CEO of DCX and he takes orders from Eckhard Cordes who is the man over in Germany. The Germans know better than to take advice from the American management who was on the brink of bankcruptcy prior to the buy-out.

Cordes acknowledged quality issues in Mercedes cars and he said he's shifting company priorities to enhance the quality. They've been dumping too much money and paying too much attention on saving Chrysler lately. They are doing a good job, though, I must say. DCX is one of the hottest companies right now on the market. I wouldn't mind a 300C SRT-8 and a Grand Cherokee SRT-8 in my garage.

 

I am no car expert, but Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge all seem to be much nicer than 10 years ago. As far as Mercedes Benz goes, the quality is slipping and was much better 10 years ago IMO.

Close the door on a 97 S Class and then close the door of an 03 S class.
the 97 S Class will feel much more solid, feels like a Mercedes should feel.

Yeah Mercedes Benz's have the looks now-a-days and they also have huge amounts of power, and more technology. but 10 years ago Mercedes Benz's felt more solid and had less technology.

IMO it seems like Chrysler is going more upmarket with much nicer materials than 10 years ago. also they have the SRT's on many cars which are amazingly powerful.

DaimlerChrysler it seems like has been improving the Chrysler brands drastically, while at the same time, the quality in Benzes is slipping.

One good thing for current day Chrysler brands and Benzes, is that they are making powerful engines and higher performance cars available.

 

Nice thread. I am a mercedes owner (i am currently shopping for a 06 TL NavAT or a 06 IS 350 LT18s) and my dad visited me in Boston when i first got it (well, he help me pay for it, he can drive it ) He looked at me, looked at the car, and said: this feels cheap. and it is basically the same sentiment across the board for many mercedes owners. However, Chrysler (which, lets be honest, couldnt go any lower then when it did 10 years ago) is now in better shape then GM or Ford, and is actually posting a profit for a couple of financial quarters.