What parts are Mercedes?

**TorRed** · 04-30-2009, 02:49 PM

I'm in a discussion with a member of a Mustang forum about what parts of my 2006 Charger R/T are derived from Mercedes. Anyone have a list?

**Super T** · 04-30-2009, 02:53 PM

The entire suspension, the differential, the transmission, and a good chunk of the electronics.

**JarZ** · 04-30-2009, 03:08 PM

In other words, you have a Benz in Chrysler or Dodge clothing (save for the interior lol). All of the above from MB, Hemi out front and badass design = way better than a Mustang

**MikeEast** · 04-30-2009, 03:12 PM

Almost all the steering column parts have Mercedes parts numbers on them too..

Mike

**carchitect** · 04-30-2009, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by Super T

The entire suspension, the differential, the transmission, and a good chunk of the electronics.

To the OP you might want to mention that our suspension assemblies are made of stamped steel or cast iron vs. the aluminum components used in the Mercedes. Part of why we weigh so much, but it was done for cost savings.

Other than that Super T and MikeEast got pretty much got everything.

**65535** · 04-30-2009, 03:37 PM

Steering column had a mercedes logo and part number.

**65535** · 04-30-2009, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by carchitect

To the OP you might want to mention that our suspension assemblies are made of stamped steel or cast iron vs. the aluminum components used in the Mercedes. Part of why we weigh so much, but it was done for cost savings.

Other than that Super T and MikeEast got pretty much got everything.

Has anyone tried a swap to aluminum parts?

**carchitect** · 04-30-2009, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by 65535

Has anyone tried a swap to aluminum parts?

Some have talked about it. I think at one point someone even bought an aluminum rear cradle out of a mercedes. Nothing came of it as I recall.

**Super T** · 04-30-2009, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by carchitect

To the OP you might want to mention that our suspension assemblies are made of stamped steel or cast iron vs. the aluminum components used in the Mercedes. Part of why we weigh so much, but it was done for cost savings.

Other than that Super T and MikeEast got pretty much got everything.

Did we ever find out for sure which parts were AL on the Mercedes? I doubt it was all of them... the cradle itself, for example - I'd be surprised if they didn't at least do that out of steel. I could see some of the other smaller components though.

**MattRobertson** · 04-30-2009, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by JarZ

In other words, you have a Benz in Chrysler or Dodge clothing (save for the interior lol)

BZZZZZ! :-)

The steering column and its internals as someone mentioned already (remember all the paddle shift kits that wire right up to our cars)

The various stalks on the steering column are straight out of the Benz parts bin (minor, I know) although they work differently (takes me a day to re-figure-out the cruise control when I switch cars; I have a C280).

and... drumroll... The front seats are straight out of the E class. Early 05's were identical full leather and later on DCX/CHR cheaped out with cloth and vinyl.

**carchitect** · 04-30-2009, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by Super T

Did we ever find out for sure which parts were AL on the Mercedes? I doubt it was all of them... the cradle itself, for example - I'd be surprised if they didn't at least do that out of steel. I could see some of the other smaller components though.

No, and I don't think someone has taken a magnet to a Mercedes suspension assembly (front or rear) side by side to an LX assembly.

I agree with you 100% though. There has got to be some steel in there. As great a metal AL is I don't think there is a *normal* (read: not a secret military or spacecraft alloy) that can take the repeated stress that steel can.

What does Audi make their suspension components out of?

In the end I wonder how much would be saved by swapping out what could be swapped. Even then, I remember someone asking Pedder's if their bushings would fit in their E-class (whichever year the LX's share) and they said no as there are differences. The drag pak challenger saves 1000 lbs by ripping out practically everything that isn't attached to the unibody and critically important. I doubt we would save more than 200-300 lbs. Short of using height adjustable coilovers to mess with the center of gravity and weight distribution I wouldn't want to lighten the rear any as we (the HEMI sedans, it may not be an issue for you HEMI wagon types

) already biased to be nose heavy.