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Are the LX cars rebadged Mercedes E-Class vehicles? *

62K views 49 replies 36 participants last post by  Mac10 
#1 ·
No.

No.

No.

Some parts and systems of the vehicles do use Mercedes sourced or re-engineered Mercedes parts, but the vehicles are not re-badged Mercedes. Some parts that are shared or re-engineered are the transmission used in the V8 and AWD models, steering columns and seat frames. Much of the wiring is common to other DC vehicles as well.

You'll probably notice (and if you are like many owners... dislike) the cruise control stalk that is common on Mercedes brand vehicles. The use of parts bin components like this saves DC millions of dollars over the life cycle of a car.
 
#27 ·
everything i have read other than right here says the magnum 300 and charger are built onthe previous generation s class chassis basically. the wheelbase certainly is more s class than e class.

i like the cruise control fine except one function is different than my 20 or so benzes that i have had with the same basic design so each time i use it i have to lean forward and peer at the tiny letters to see what i need to do.

tom w
 
#28 ·
I'm left handed, and think that the cruise control stick is the best.
Finally, a feature tailored to lefties.
It is really funny to me to listen to all the grumbling from the righties about having to adapt to this.
Welcome to my world. A world where everything is designed for right handers, and I am forced to adapt.
One of my greatest joys is showing a right hander how to do something, and watching thier brain smoke when they realise that they now have to figure out how to do it backwards, when they don't know how to do it forewards yet. It gives them a taste of what our lives are like 24/7.
 
#29 ·
Well, count me as a right hander that LIKES the Cruise Control stalk. Seems really easy to me ... My only complain in the 05 is that there is NOTHING to tell me its Set. The amber light is noce enough to let me know its on, but nothing indicates it is set.
 
#30 ·
I totally agree on the cruise not having an indicator on the dash letting me know it's in control. I too like the position of it and the way it works, it's a nice touch.

Oh, wait - I'm left-handed too!!

Mike
 
#32 ·
glhs837 said:
http://www.autofieldguide.com/articles/040402.html

Here you go, and a quote.

"It should be emphasized that the LX was designed, engineered, and developed in America, with minimal reliance on the Mercedes parts bin. It is not a cost-constrained E-Class Mercedes with Chrysler or Dodge bodywork. Rather, it is a modern, capable, sport/luxury platform with world-class NVH and performance levels. In short, it's a pleasant surprise."
I found this thread.
http://www.lxforums.com/board/showthread.php?t=31321&highlight=control+arms+aluminum

Makes you think.

Dave
 
#33 ·
Nah, not really. We all knew the suspension and drivetrain stuff was direct port, so to speak, my post concerned the unibody. In that sene, no they are not. the thread asks if these bear the same relation to E-Class that say the Saturn Sky and Ponitac Solstice, a common platfom only diferentiated by body panels.
The answer to that is no. Sharing mechanical bits is different.
 
#37 ·
must be nice,needed on those tiny roads
 
#40 ·
The transmission is a mercedes, I know, I built it for two years....the only thing that comes from the
U.S is the case and the converter housing everything else is shipped directly from Germany. Indiana Transmission Plant II has a twin in Germany, Chrysler has to pay a 400 dollar royalty to Daimler for every tranny they roll of the line.....And I can say that it is the most complicated transmission I've ever seen and the quality control in that plant is intense compared to KTP or ITP I
 
#44 ·
Ha, My 25th reunion nexy month
 
#50 ·
They are ALOT Merc...just like my crossfire was...that was even more Merc than the lx's are...but the lx is ALOT merc....the interiors for sure...you can buy interior parts from Carlsson like shift knobs and door lock pulls.
esp trac control ALL Merc...steering column, shifter...Merc. Trans ALL merc hence the AMG blue top solenoids you can use on these...rear end and subframe all merc...front end all merc...we just dont have all the fancy ride control suspension computers etc. thank god ! Even some of the interior textures are from Merc...a guy i work with has a E class and there's ALOT of similarities. We just dont have alot of the SPENDY suspension electronics that the Mercs have...but all the suspension components come from benz...they may be cast in steel rather than aluminum ...but its the same design...different material...so that also means that the platform is largely Benz as well ...has to be if every thing bolts up. My crossfire the suspension parts were all aluminum JUST like the Merc counterparts. all this isnt a bad thing ...Mercs are some of the best built cars around albiet spendy too maintain and fix at times. Thats what brought me back to the penstar brand...the merc merger was a good thing for Chrysler. And since it is chrysler it became affordable for common people...they gained alot of good tech from Benz. When i had my crossfire i used to cruze the Merc forums a bit too gain info :wink: mostly because there wasnt alot of after market for those...but the lx IS way DIFFERENT...AGAIN THANK GOD!! LOL we have alot of aftermarket support for mods :thumbs_u: So the Benz thing is a GOOD thing IMO...and if one really wanted to investigate it ...I would think that aluminum control arms could prob be sourced from a benz model for our cars for sure and, maybe even more...rear control arms as well ?...for Drag guys this would be worth investigating...Although on a DD they DO replace alot of control arms on Mercs.
At least we have tube control arm options for our cars that are adjustable :mrgreen:
The LX's are whats left of that old merger...chassis by Merc body/engine by Chrysler...and a combo on the interior...The Crossfire was the same thing but that was ALL benz lol even the engine...body by Karman Ghia...interior by Chrysler with Merc materials.
this is all a good thing it brought alot of quality too Chrysler...something they needed to compete in the industry...I remeber the old Mopars lol I STILL love em today ..but god help me they were cheep LOL...quality control was always a bit off on the mopars of old ...sorry but you know what i mean folks ...Great cars dont get me wrong...KING OF THE TRACKS...but my old 70's dusters as a kid...and the horizons of old lol...they were no benz's ...reliable as the mail yes! took me on many trouble free dates and moms horizon was bullet proof lol...and gramps dodge ram pickups and grams swinger and previous coronet were all bullet proof cars :thumbs_u:
but the benz QC brought us alot of nice things for sure...now we have Mopar power and awesome QC all in one...SRT's, R/T's, SRT Jeeps, the Viper and Rams of all flavors...WOW!!!...I LOVE MOPARS !!
Now we are part of Fiat...time will tell i guess but i like what i see so far...they do also own Ferrari so we will see some cool product i think ...the new viper is SOOO hot looking...they didnt want it to take buyers away from ferrari but...man i would take that over a 458 or a gto any day !...not that either will EVER happen in my lifetime LOOL
 
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