Now MERCEDES is recalling for steering

[Nick R]

I thought we perfected this technology! How many manufacturers are going to recall over power steering issues! It boggles the mind
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/10/mercedes-recalls-85000-cars-over-steering-problem/?hpt=T2

 

[d00df00d]

Like most parts of a car, steering systems are under constant improvement. That means they subject to change, which means they are subject to mistakes. No big deal IMO.

In other words, stuff happens.

 

[Vizzy]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Like most parts of a car, steering systems are under constant improvement. That means they subject to change, which means they are subject to mistakes. No big deal IMO.

In other words, stuff happens.

Translation:" We're letting you, the customer be our beta tester, even though you are paying through the nose for that luxury car. "

Stuff happens....really? You must be a service writer at a dealership. Right?

The current crop of servo electric steering plain SUCKS for feedback, feel, and responsiveness
I'll gladly take good car with old school hydraulic power steering or better yet... NO POWER STEERING AT ALL!

The best steering I ever had on any car I owned was on my 84 Rabbit GTI...it was manual, nonassisted, and AMAZING !

Great responsiveness, feedback, feel, precision, and of course it never failed or leaked fluid..what is if you can buy a car that is less than 2700 lbs it would be nice to get manual steering on it. The Mazda 2 would be a perfect match for some good old fashioned manual racks.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: Vizzy
Stuff happens....really? You must be a service writer at a dealership. Right?

No. Just someone who doesn't squeal bloody murder every time a company makes a quality mistake, and who feels it's counterproductive to do so.

Glad you're happy with your Flintstones steering, by the way. I'm a bit confused as to what your opinion of unassisted steering has to do with a Mercedes recall, but... whatever floats your boat, sir.

 

[Vizzy]

Quote:


Glad you're happy with your Flintstones steering, by the way. .


Of course you've invoked the last refuge of scoundrels, "the cheap shot".

So you admit that manual, unassisted steering in a small light weight car is perfect? Most folks that understand cars and engineering would agree too.

1) Rarely fails
2) Excellent feedback
3) Precision
4) low cost to produce
5) no maintenance costs usually.

 

[d00df00d]

Do you have a point relevant to the discussion of this recall? If so, please make it. I'd be happy to discuss.

 

[Vizzy]

Originally Posted By: Vizzy



Translation:" We're letting you, the customer be our beta tester, even though you are paying through the nose for that luxury car. "


The customer shouldn't be a "beta" tester when spending this kind of money for a car. No wonder Mercedes reputation has been sullied for over a decade or more now. They deserve it too.

Quote:

The current crop of servo electric steering plain SUCKS for feedback, feel, and responsiveness
I'll gladly take good car with old school hydraulic power steering or better yet... NO POWER STEERING AT ALL!

.


If I'm paying top dollar I want steering that is REALIABLE, and performs with a degree of accuracy. Electro servo steering does neither most of the time.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: Vizzy
The customer shouldn't be a "beta" tester when spending this kind of money for a car. No wonder Mercedes reputation has been sullied for over a decade or more now. They deserve it too.

In what sense does a single recall mean that the entire QA department isn't functioning?


Originally Posted By: Vizzy
If I'm paying top dollar I want steering that is REALIABLE, and performs with a degree of accuracy. Electro servo steering does neither most of the time.

Agreed. Again, I don't see how this pertains. These cars have hydraulic assist, not electronic servo assist.

 

[Vizzy]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: Vizzy
The customer shouldn't be a "beta" tester when spending this kind of money for a car. No wonder Mercedes reputation has been sullied for over a decade or more now. They deserve it too.

In what sense does a single recall mean that the entire QA department isn't functioning?


For a century old luxury car maker like MB to not get something like the steering, nearly PERFECT, is almost outrageous! If it was the 20 speaker sound system I would give them that. It ain't life threatening if it stops working.


Quote:

Agreed. Again, I don't see how this pertains. These cars have hydraulic assist, not electronic servo assist.


They are electro-hydraulic, a hybrid if you wish. Obviously not a good move on their part.
New is not always better, especially new and more complicated, when it comes to controls that could mean life or death.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: Vizzy
For a century old luxury car maker like MB to not get something like the steering, nearly PERFECT, is almost outrageous! If it was the 20 speaker sound system I would give them that. It ain't life threatening if it stops working.

In other words, you have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to defects in safety-related systems, yes? And even one recall is enough for you to condemn the entire company as irresponsible?

If that's the case, that's a difference of opinion between you and me. I would simply suggest that you're going to run out of car companies not to hate pretty quickly.


Originally Posted By: Vizzy
They are electro-hydraulic, a hybrid if you wish. Obviously not a good move on their part.
New is not always better, especially new and more complicated, when it comes to controls that could mean life or death.

Ah, I see. So in what way is this defect related to the system being an electro-hydraulic hybrid?

 

[SteveSRT8]

EVERY single manufacturer has issues, every one.

Mercedes is simply pushing the envelope a bit here, and a failure/fault is no reason to crucify. As long as they fix it.

There have been MANY safety related recalls. As dOOdfOOd says you will quickly run out of car companies if you cannot tolerate an occasional recall!