[raul]

I think this is a deeply flawed comparison, apples to oranges. You are comparing hi-performance top end German cars to entry level low performance cars/suvs with the exception of Montero that are likely to be detuned for India to draw a conclusion about German engineering. That too easy.

A more fair comparison would be these German cars to higher end Japanese SUVs sold abroad that are in their segment like Lexus, Accura, or even a segment lower at Rav4 V6, Highlander, Murano, Mazda CX-7 etc.

Then we will be better placed to evaluate the technological superiority if any.

[vabs78]

There is a big difference in the terms 'engineering' and 'technology'.

'Engineering' mostly refers to the fineness and quality of manufacturing, where as 'technology' provides you with an application or solution using these manufactured components. For a good end product both engineering and technology should be good.

IMO germans are good at both.

[elfhelm]

Originally Posted by vabs78

There is a big difference in the terms 'engineering' and 'technology'.

'Engineering' mostly refers to the fineness and quality of manufacturing,

engineering should mean the fitness and quality of the car overall. Case in point - 5th Gear (im not sure about the name but this is the program that airs on Discovery T&L) bought a 20 yr old merc station wagon which had done lakhs of kms (dont remember the exact number, this saw this about 2 months ago).
Anyway they put this car through the normal tests that NEW cars go through. So driving around on really bumpy test tracks. The car still worked. So then they submerged it in 4ft of water. Guess what after drying the car out completely, it still worked!

Now thats quality.

Later on the got the car smashed by a monster truck. The entire front of the car had gone wonky, but the passenger cage was still intact.
Guess what again. Despite leaking fluids big time the thing still started and went on for a few metres.

Now thats a heroic car. Thats quality.

When merc builds a car they build it to last. This theory was being tested in that show.

So if I had a choice of buying only 1 car to last the rest of my life, Mercedes would be assured of yet another customer.

[abhinav.gupta88]

Man see their smaller engine models which cannot be imported here. You wont find much a difference. Also the Indian specs are lower due to the poor fuel quality

Like for instance s Skoda octavia Rs outside is 180 bhp while in India is 150 bhp ( Detuning due to poor quality fuel )

[directinjection]

Originally Posted by elfhelm

Case in point - 5th Gear (im not sure about the name but this is the program that airs on Discovery T&L) bought a 20 yr old merc station wagon which had done lakhs of kms.


When merc builds a car they build it to last. This theory was being tested in that show.

The results of the show would have been different had they tried an 8 year old Merc!

Much has been written about Merc's quality problems in recent years as also its falling rank in quality/customer satisfaction surveys:

Mercedes Hopes to Buff Its Image
Mercedes Benz Problem Complaints
Auto Beat Measuring Mercedes' Quality - BusinessWeek
Resurrecting Mercedes: while the marque may have been blemished by recent quality problems, there is a dedication to making that badge shine with improved processes and new products | Automotive Design & Production | Find Articles at BNET.com
Are Mercedes-Benz cars really as unreliable as a lot of people claim them to be? - Yahoo!7 Answers
Interesting reading. - Benzworld.org - Mercedes Benz Discussion Forum

although, post the divorce with Chrysler, things seems to be improving:

Mercedes Gains, But Still Lags Rivals

[vabs78]

An example of what German engineering can achive:

YouTube - Volkswagen Phaeton W12

[srh]

German cars, especially the earlier generation ones were over engineered. In comparison, Japanese cars are just made good enough so that they are fit for their use. In today's world where resources are scarce and a car is a mass market item, the Japanese approach obviously works better.