What does "quality" really mean?
Question:
I have been driving cars for forty years now and have often wondered about this: Take two engines for instance: 1. a plain jane GM 3.1 liter V8 (like the one that is in my new Buick) a $20000 car. 2. a Mercedes Benz V8 like the one that is in their 600 series sedans. a $80000+ car. Considering only the build quality, and not the design-I.E. whither DOHC or simple OHV or power or displacement etc and considering only basic internal engine parts such as crankshaft, rod and main bearings, camshafts, timing chains, connecting rods wrist pins, rings and pistons etc. If one were to objectively evaluate these different components in a lab for materials used, tolerances etc would it be obvious which basic engine components came from a $20000 car and which came from the $80000 car? If so what would these obvious differences be and what would be the practical difference in day to day driving for the average driver? Just a question I have wondered about for years. Beowulf
Response:
I have thought about these things myself. I have a freind, he is very wealthy, works hard and enjoys his life… He has two cars. 1. 2003 MB, top of the line cost him $80G’s. 2. 2003 Chevy Silverado extended cab. He drives the Silverado more than the MB. He has more use for the Chevy but when he goes out with the wife or when he gets the urge to go to FLorida for Red Sox spring trainiing games he takes the Benz…. Engines and drivetrains are all pretty much the same, they have to be.. Maybe the Benz uses better metals or what not.. But the main thing is, you have to maintain these rides or just like a $15000.00 Hundia it will crap out….. What does this mean… I don’t have a clue….. Jake
Response:
Well, first of all, it’s pretty unlikely that an $80,000 Benz costs 4 times as much to make than a $20,000 Buick, the Benz is going to be a lot more profitable for the manufacturer. As far as the engine, though, I would think you would likely notice a difference in the clearances or surface finish, although it’d be hard to separate what was by design from build quality. The thing about German cars in particular is that they want them to be able to drive around at speeds like 120 mph on the autobahn for extended periods, so there’s some things they have to take into consideration there, like the engine cooling, oil system, etc. whereas GM doesn’t have to worry so much about that on a Buick.. — Robert Hancock Saskatoon, SK, Canada Home Page: http://www.roberthancock.com/
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have been driving cars for forty years now and have often wondered > about this: > Take two engines for instance: > 1. a plain jane GM 3.1 liter V8 (like the one that is in my new Buick) > a $20000 car. > 2. a Mercedes Benz V8 like the one that is in their 600 series sedans. > a $80000+ car. > Considering only the build quality, and not the design-I.E. whither > DOHC or simple OHV or power or displacement etc and considering only > basic internal engine parts such as crankshaft, rod and main bearings, > camshafts, timing chains, connecting rods wrist pins, rings and > pistons etc. > If one were to objectively evaluate these different components in a > lab for materials used, tolerances etc would it be obvious which basic > engine components came from a $20000 car and which came from the > $80000 car? > If so what would these obvious differences be and what would be the > practical difference in day to day driving for the average driver? > Just a question I have wondered about for years. > Beowulf
Response:
>>The thing about German cars in particular is that they want them to be able >to drive around at speeds like 120 mph on the autobahn for extended periods, >so there’s some things they have to take into consideration there, like the >engine cooling, oil system, etc. whereas GM doesn’t have to worry so much >about that on a Buick..
At least since they stopped producing the Grand National…
Response:
Does Mercedes have stainless steel exhaust system and body galvanized steel like Buick. I think not…
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>The thing about German cars in particular is that they want them to be able >>to drive around at speeds like 120 mph on the autobahn for extended periods, >>so there’s some things they have to take into consideration there, like the >>engine cooling, oil system, etc. whereas GM doesn’t have to worry so much >>about that on a Buick.. > At least since they stopped producing the Grand National…
Response:
Talk about long lasting. We had a 86 Bonny, when it died it went to the Boneyard with the ORIGINAL exhaust system….. 210,000 on the ticker…. Of course when I washed the car I used a stainless steel pad on the parts that showed cause it looked so cool to have the system look so good.. I miss that car….. Jake
Response:
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