Which is really sad, because Mercedes cars used to be renowned for
their build quality and long term reliability. My grandfather owned a
1979 350SD and a 1990 560SEC as new cars - great machines. More
revently he's owned a 1998 500SL "Sport" and a newer E500 wagon. I
liked both, but the rock solid build isn't there anymore, nor is that
"special feeling" the older ones gave off. An uncle recently traded in
his E500 sedan and went back to Lexus, apparently his E had to many
niggles for his comfort. Hopefully they'll get back on track, but I
think the company is spread thin - they're trying (very, very slowly)
to fix all of Chrysler's problems while getting back on track with
their own products.

Another family member recently purchased a BMW 530i, and while it
drives well, it's interior feels cheap, especially the back of the
center console where the rear a/c controls are and the door panels -
it's cheap plastic that feels much like that of a firend's 2006 Honda
Accord. I'm not impressed.

"Filmophile" <Filmophilia (AT) aol (DOT) com> wrote

My dad had an '88 300 SEL - had a leaky sunroof and needed top end motor
work at 65K miles while on a trip. The day after he sold it to the mechanic
who had worked on the car most of its life, the tranny suffered a major
malfunction. I talked him out of an E wagon in favor of a Lexus RX330 about
18 months ago. I'd be very leery of buying a MB right now.

BMW makes some nice cars, but I haven't seen a 300 series where the door to
fender creases weren't off a bit. Saw the same on a brand new 750iL
today...........when we took delivery of our Carrera I went over that car
with a microscope - the fit and finish were perfect. Of course, BMW makes
about 10 times the number vehicles Porsche does annually, but you'd think
they could at least get the fenders on straight.

Porsche tried to stop making the 911 before but popular demand prevented it.

DAS

For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
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"Filmophile" <Filmophilia (AT) aol (DOT) com> wrote

[...]
admit that the model has probably gotten as good as it's ever going to

No. The only real Mercedes is always the last model but one...

DAS

For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
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"Jim Keenan" <jimkeenan (AT) cox (DOT) net> wrote

[...]

Which one was the hairdressers' car?

DAS

For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
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"Richard Sexton" <richard (AT) news (DOT) vrx.net> wrote

[...]

"Dori A Schmetterling" <ng (AT) nospam (DOT) co.uk> wrote

That would be all those three-pointed star cars that can't even surpass
Chevrolet and Ford on the JD Power Initial Quality and Reliability
surveys..................

The only time Porsche executives ever gave serious consideration to
discontinuing the 911 was when they were developing the 928, thinking
that it would eventually replace the Carrera. Unfortunately for
Porsche, the 928 never sold real well, partly the by product of it's
high price. During the 1980s when the company was nearing bankruptcy,
the 911 was the only thing keeping them alive, and it stuck around for
a few more years. Enthusiasts certainly love it, but profitability is
what;s kept the 911 in the lineup, not demand. Keep in mind that there
are many Porsche lovers out there, but only so many who can continue to
buy new vehicles for such high cost.

Today, the Cayenne and Boxster sell enough units on their own to
finance the company, and the Cayman is almost sure to follow. The
compact, mid-engined design of the Boxster and Cayman are inherently
superior to that of the 911, which although amazing in it's
capabilitites will always be limited by it's rear engined design.
Notice that most of the world's best sports cars (Pagani Zonda, Ferrari
F430, Ford GT, Lotus Elise, Lamborghini Murcielago and Gallardo, Ariel
Atom, etc...) are mid-engined, it's for good reason. Given the same
level of suspension tuning and power output that the 911 benefits from,
the Boxster and Cayman models would easily surpass the 911 in
performance.

I *love* the 911, every model of it they've produced since 1964
(although I have special soft spots for the 964 RS 3.8, 993 GT2 and 996
GT3). It's an icon, an incrediblly well versed automobile, and despite
it's flaws, one of the best sports cars in the world. I was on board
when Porsche went to liquid cooling in the 996, even while other self
proclaimed "purists" were yelling and screaming that the "real" 911 was
dead. Nonetheless, 52 years is a long lifespan, and Porsche is facing
increasingly stiff competition. The Corvette crawls ever closer in
terms of performance and agility to the 911, and although the Porsche
will always win for build quality and prestige, that's not always
enough.

The company needs to grow beyond pandering to enthusiasts who want to
keep the marque locked into the past. They need to be able to look
forward, not backward. The rear-engined revolution was well fought, but
destined to end. We've proven our point - the layout can work, and work
well, even in race cars. All hail the 911, but the 911 is nearly ready
to die.

Agreed. I think that was the reason Porsche wanted to ditch the 911,
knowing very well the limitations of the rear engine. But they have done
well with it, as you say.

DAS

For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
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"Filmophile" <Filmophilia (AT) aol (DOT) com> wrote

[...]

"Filmophile" <Filmophilia (AT) aol (DOT) com> wrote

Porsche makes several variants of an SUV, soft and hardtop mid-engined
two-seaters and is designing a four door front-engined sedan for
introduction in 2009 or so. How is this pandering to enthusiasts who want to
keep the marque locked into the past?

The 911 is still a formidable vehicle no matter where the engine resides,
and market demand is strong. Porsche doesn't lose money on the 911 - its not
like they keep it around out of sentiment. I don't think it goes away until
market demand goes away,

"Jim Keenan" <jimkeenan (AT) cox (DOT) net> wrote
Sadly, on my way back from Hood River, OR to Seattle last week,
I saw a small camp trailer (caravan for you EU guys) being hauled
by a Cayenne. ;-( The horror, the horror.

FloydR