My fan switch just fell off! Would that happen in an MB?
The rocker switch to increase/decrease the blower fan speed just fell in my hand! I tried to "snap" it back on somehow, but no go. It looks like it was held only by a small plastic tab in the center and that has broken off. I was travelling with a friend (an MB fan) who remarked, "see, that's the thing about BMWs. The build quality of the interior components has always seemed a little cheesy compared to MB. A Benz switch would never just fall off like that." Anyone have both BMW and MB with an opinion?
Re: My fan switch just fell off! Would that happen in an MB?
Quote:
Originally posted by racerX The rocker switch to increase/decrease the blower fan speed just fell in my hand! I tried to "snap" it back on somehow, but no go. It looks like it was held only by a small plastic tab in the center and that has broken off. I was travelling with a friend (an MB fan) who remarked, "see, that's the thing about BMWs. The build quality of the interior components has always seemed a little cheesy compared to MB. A Benz switch would never just fall off like that." Anyone have both BMW and MB with an opinion?
That could happen to anyone. Never happened anything like that to me and my E34 is already 13 years but runs like the first day.
.Interesting, this must be somewhat of an issue with E39's - maybe other models as well.
My sister arrived the other day in her '99 540. The switch was lying below on the little black self. I took it and easily snapped it back on. In fact I didn't feel a snap but it seems to be fine. The car hasn't seen much use since though.
My own '98 540 had a similar problem when the switch was askew. With a few repeated pushes during the day, the switch reseated itself.
Check the rocker switch underside tabs for any breakage. If it's fine then who knows. It may snap back in on a subsequent the try. Good luck
Ps. I think I asked myself the same question regarding the quality of the two great German marques
B.S. - The fan button in my wifes former car (1995 MBZ E320 Wagon) would not just fall off, it would "eject" itself at ~25 mph, hit the center armrest, and end up hidden under one or another front seat so you had to crawl around and hunt for it! I would list all the other problems the car had, including 3 head gaskets, but it would exceed the limits of the server on this web site! Quality control in newer MBZ's has fallen drastically - hence their lowly rankings in J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction rankings (well below BMW'S and even Cadillac!!!)
Does this guy have a fleets of Mercedes and BMWs that he has done actual testing on, or doesn't he believe the market research that shows BMW ahead in quality?
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-Bart
2002 Bluewater/caramel
Any other car is a compromise
RacerX, does your MB friend frequent MBNZ.ORG much?
I loved how the left hand turn signal / windshield wiper / high beam stalk snapped away on our '97 E420. I wasn't sure what was worse as we drove to the dealer to get it fixed - flashing people for no reason, squirting water until there was no more, or random turn signals staying on while driving straight. (Ok the last one is normal for Florida drivers...)
If I remember correctly it even needed a fan regulator put it in as the fan speed decided to stay constant one day. Of course the dash had to be removed to get at it, so that meant I got the added bonus of a "speedometer cable squeal" after it came back to us. It was kinda cool though I guess, as it would alter it's pitch the faster you would go! Sounded like a hamster on a treadmill.
Believe it or not, my wife & I feel our Alabama built ML430 is a better built vehicle than the german E420. Not sure if it means we got a lemon or what, but in our expierience, our '97 & '99 540i's were much better made cars than the Mercedes Benz E.
first off, relative to most cars either MB or BMW are excellent choices.
now as between the two.
I used to believe MB had better quality. But when I checked them out in the mid 90s I discovered that MB was beginning to make cars more towards what customers wanted and less to what their engineers thought their customers wanted. As a result I found that BMW interiors had better materials- and I believe this to this day. I also found out that BMW had actually better safety!
Wow ME, very informative! I know those tests are always there for looking, but I for one forget to go back to them for several years. I especially liked the Trailblazer test as I really liked the look of that thing with it's I6 engine. Oh well, now I know it's off my list.
Last edited by Aussie2U; 18th February 2002 at 02:46.
I agree with ME and aussie2u about the comparisons, many repeat MB customers I've talked to over the last few years have commented on the decline in quality of the Mercedes.
I've owned both and the older mercs were built better than the technology of their times and the new ones are not. When I look at a merc today I see a nice car but not the great car it once was.
The quality is on the level of any other expensive luxury car like Toyota or Cadillac. I think Lexus(I don't like saying this) is probably better.
At the same time BMW has been increasing quality, design, materials, safety and growing as a car company, surpassing IMHO Mercedes.
I think Mercedes is aware of this and the next generation E-class may be better but it surely will cost more. I like their wagon and would like to get one. Their wagon is better than BMW in design.
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Jim
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