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Mercedes-Benz CLK (2005 and earlier)

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What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class, Coupe, Convertible

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#606 of 1627 I repeat... by jrct9454 Nov 13, 2001 (12:05 pm)
...Mercedes does not cut costs on safety. If the wiper were an issue, it would already be a scandal in Europe.   What everyone forgets is that the things that American customers consider "cheap" about this car are routinely left off of ordered cars in Europe. Leather is rare in this class of car in EU - the cloth upholstery is what most people order. Same with wood, where it is an option, it is ordered by a minority of people. Safety equipment is another story - Mercedes simply doesn't cut corners here...they spent money on standard ESP, headbags, etc. If the wiper were necessary to safe driving, it would be there.   Look, I think there are a lot of things to criticize about the way MB is doing business these days - this is not one of them.
#607 of 1627 wipers... by huntzinger Nov 13, 2001 (12:18 pm)
I believe that Mercedes deemed rear wipers unnecessary on their hatchbacks because of the way aerodynamics work.   Yes, but this is incomplete: the fluid mechanics of non-inviscid compressible flow to apply as a tangential clearing force are only applicable when the car is moving at or above a threshold velocity.   ...we have folk who know better than the engineers...   Or perhaps some of us are Mechanical Engineers ourselves.   Using a semi-laminar flow to blow rain off your rear hatch works fine when its rain. But when accumulated snow blows off your roof, you're pretty much hosed, unless you have a nuclear powered rear window defogger.   -hh
#608 of 1627 not an engineer but have had MB in the past, and have c230 on order.... by mlsphd Nov 13, 2001 (1:14 pm)
If you take a look at the C230 option list, one thing becomes glaringly obvious. MB does not consider safety an option. All of the safety & handling features are standard. Differing from other makes, especially at this price point, MB made a decision about what they felt was important to include. IMHO, I feel more confident when side airbags, skid control, etc. are considered essential parts of the vehicle, and the CD changer, leather seating, etc. are options. I'm fine with that hierarchy of priorities.   My MB station wagon had a standard rear wiper which was needed to clear the window at highway speeds. I agree with earlier posts that if window visibility was a problem, this relatively inexpensive item would have been included.
#609 of 1627 Convertible C230??? by rbraver Nov 13, 2001 (6:15 pm)
Take a look at this URL: http://gallery.mbnz.org/gallery/pics/MBenz1055058_PM.jpg Is this real?
#611 of 1627 Rear wiper by abc246 Nov 13, 2001 (6:26 pm)
This part does not cost $15! It has a motor, linkage, arm, switch, ect. I feel they left it off to cut cost. My last hatch, a Toyota Supra, had a wiper. If you live where it snows all winter long this is a nice feature. Sometimes snow from the roof slides off on the window. If the car is outside overnight or at work the wiper will clear light snow. During heavy wet snow the wiper can help keep the rear window clean. In spring and fall the wiper can clear frost using the washer. I will miss it.
#612 of 1627 more extended warranty discussion by chowchow3 Nov 13, 2001 (6:27 pm)
I saw two messages (#568 and 569) talking about extended warranties. I talked to my neighbor who is on her 3rd MB. She never knew there was extended warranties. (A fine example of educated consumers) However, she did repeated said how expensive repairs are and for the price she would definitely buy it if she plans to keep her cars longer than the original warranty period.   I conducted an unscientific poll by walking around 2 MB lots - most of the newer used cars have around 45K miles on them. I wonder if there is any coincidence - sell them before warranty runs out.   However, here's the most important thing - is the warranty price negotiable? The brochure said $2500 for the 4yr/50K but I think jjpeter said he got it for $2200. Don't tell me - it also depends on which area of the country you are buying your car.   Thanks guys. This board ROCKS!!!   P.S. My car will be born next wk. Just in time for Christmas.
#613 of 1627 Warranty by jrct9454 Nov 14, 2001 (5:38 am)
The cost of the warranty is up to the dealer - he pays a certain level of $, and is then free to charge whatever the local market will bear. On the mainline C forum board, you'll find a number of references to the dealer in Chico, CA, who has built a reputation for selling the warranty at reasonable prices.   The warranty can be purchased from any dealer in the country...all same-o. Make a few phone calls and save some money.
#614 of 1627 Wiper vs. Safety by huntzinger Nov 14, 2001 (6:04 am)
Strictly speaking, so long as a vehicle is equipped with dual outside mirrors, the vehicle's rear window can be blocked, but it is not considered to be a safety deficiency. Otherwise, no one would ever be allowed to tow a trailer.   And for a cost estimate, Porsche charged $307 for their rear wiper option on last year's 911. IMO, this is not out of line.   -hh
#615 of 1627 Strictly speaking... by jrct9454 Nov 14, 2001 (6:22 am)
...there is no reason for ABS, ESP, head bags, or side bags, either, to make a vehicle that is considered "safe".   Clearly, if this item is a show-stopper for some of you, then this is the wrong car for you and should be crossed off your list.   It's on my list for a lot of good reasons. And my only argument with this thread is that in 35 years of dealing with Mercedes, I have never known them to short a particular model on the basic safety list to "save money". They sincerely believe that the angle of the window and characteristics of the wind flow over this car make the wiper unnecessary. It's not as if it didn't come up - it was specifically discussed in the press interviews at the time of the car's intro in Germany. If there are real-world complaints about this [as opposed to theoretical objections from non-owners], you can believe DB will react appropriately. I've never heard this issue raised in any of the English-language reviews [or translated articles] I've read.   I've been a tough critic of this company and some of its recent missteps...I continue to believe this issue isn't one of them, but if it is to you, then this car won't be right. Vive la competition...

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