Re: [ihc] Trusting homework

[Steven Stegmann <steve.stegmann@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Greg,

Sounds like you know more details about Europe than I
do.

I will make an observation about the engineering in MB
cars.  I personally think any engineering problem is
*much* easier to solve if you don't have to worry
about how much you're spending on the solution.

And, is it really better or do they just do a better
job where we can see it.  I'm reminded of the MB
diesel in which they increased the stroke but not the
connecting rod length and at around 80-100k miles they
wallow out the cylinder bores.  I guess they're just
as cheap as anyone else.

Steve

Steve
--- Greg Hermann <bearbvd@domain.elided> wrote:

> At 5:10 PM 8/6/04, Steven Stegmann wrote:
> >The problem isn't with the german engineering. 
> That's
> >fine.  But something like a Tourage [or however you
> >spell it] isn't really a trailer puller.  Nothing
> that
> >short really is.  Not if you want to be comfortable
> >and safe.
> >
> >Steve
> 
> I, on the other hand, think that the german
> engineering tends to be rather
> poor !! For GOOD  engineering on the continent, you
> need to go to northern
> Italy, Czechoslovakia ( I know, it's TWO places
> now), or Hungary !!! For
> example, Ducati, MV, CZ. Czech out who designed and
> built all the torpedo
> engines !!!
> 
> The Poles, Finns, and Swedes tend to do better, as
> well !! (Wartsila,
> Nokia, Scania, for examples)
> 
> Greg
> 
> >--- Joel M Brodsky <jmbrodsky@domain.elided> wrote:
> >
> >> Jim,
> >>       Actually, I would be inclined to trust
> them.
> >> When VW is testing new
> >> models, usually about a year or two before they
> came
> >> out with the New
> >> Beetle, the Passat, the TDIs, the new Jetta/Golf
> and
> >> BMW with many of their
> >> car/motorcycle models, they (Chermans) often
> bring
> >> them out this way
> >> (during the summer, it's the closest thing to
> hell),
> >> and they often take a
> >> trip to Death Valley and back just for fun. 
> Towing?
> >>  Well, I can't say
> >> I've seen them towing, but I do see lots of
> >> Manufacturers license plates
> >> around these parts, and they seem to be just
> driving
> >> around, in traffic,
> >> and such.  I've wondered if they don't select
> people
> >> to drive their cars
> >> for a while to see what
> breaks/overheats/burns-out.
> >> I'd love that job in
> >> addition to a daily.
> >>
> >>       I'm more inclined to trust them than not,
> is
> >> all.  I've been highly
> >> impressed with the Cherman Enchineering so far.
> >>
> >>
> >> JoelB
> >>
> >> Grammer writes:
> >> The vehicle's so new, and so few people are
> likely
> >> using them to tow with
> >> that I expect you won't find a lot of data yet.
> Do
> >> you trust VW to have
> >> done
> >> their homework?