Austrian built ML vs. American built ML quality ??????
I was wondering if anyone here can comment on the quality of the austrian built MLs from Graz vs. the quality of the american built MLs. Ive noticed several detours from the coventional Mercedes build techneques. Stamped door hinges as opposed to forged like found on the other german built models. Window switches, guages and other things that might seem trivial but add to the total sum in terms of the quality built into the car. It would be interesting to see how many american sub-ed parts found their way into the austrian built models and the occurance of defects found in said parts[problems] vs. the occurance of any problems having them being made by the standard Mercedes sub contractors for the austrian built model. The Graz production run was short but it would be interesting to hear some feed back on this topic.
Re: Austrian built ML vs. American built ML quality ??????
Yep,
My ML 270 CDI was one of the last ML's built in Graz. I was told by a MB spokesman (head of sales in Belgium) that Austrian built quality was better than Alabamas, but I am not quite sure about that :
-> I've had the same problems as Alabama built ML's
-> I've noticed that a lot of parts come from US-subcontractors, or even Mexican... "Made in..."
It's kind of funny, although I had several problems that I have never experienced with my E-classes, I still love that car !
Dealer tries to fix everything, without discussion.
BTW :
I had a gear shift problem. Sometimes, once in a month, the car would not shit in 4th gear of up.
That problem seems to be known now by MB. I will get new electronics for my gearbox. Warranty of course...
Re: Re: Austrian built ML vs. American built ML quality ??????
Quote:
Sometimes, once in a month, the car would not shit in 4th gear of up.
That problem seems to be known now by MB. I will get new electronics for my gearbox. Warranty of course...
Greetings !
Why would you expect your car to "shit" in 4th gear? I don't get it, but I am glad the issue is known to MB.
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Almost as if all Graz made W163 were sold in Belgium...
A friend of mine who lives in BXL has a Graz ML270CDI as well.
I have seen internal memos concerning this issue and the memos were stating that there was a statistically significant difference between the two. However, earlier this year, I have seen internal memos denying the fact that it was significant, alledging a lack of data on Graz production skewed the first results.
What I can tell you is that yes, there are shared issues between the two, as you have all experienced through reading this board. However, I have to say that there are subtle differences between the two that I have experienced first hand having driven a few MLs here in the US and 2 MLs produced in Graz, so keep in mind that as the MB memo said, my sample may not be adequate, it is just my experience.
The rattles and fitment issues are a lot less prevalent in the European models. One area that drives me nuts is the console, I readjust and use semi-solid lubricant on the hook to limit the noise, the 2 Graz I drove were not doing it, and they had been tempered with for the addition of GSM phones and other anti-theft goodies.
The rubber strips were slightly different, but since I drove a 270CDI and a 400CDI, and even though these are very quiet, I can't tell you that it did anything for road noise, especially since (except for downtown driving in BXL where the streets litterally suck) the pavement is usually less noisy than TX concrete slabs in the first place. There were other very small differences. I think that mechanically, we are in the same boat though, but knock on wood, I have had no issue in that arena with the 163.175
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