Not good....predicted reliability USA Today

[c230pete]

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...iablechart.htm Well, I still love my C-Class anyway...

To remove this ad, register today or login if you already are registered!

[tommy]

Don't worry - there will soon be a post on this thread about how off-base CR's results are.

anyone who now does not like their car because of this survey (or any other reason) feel free to donate it to "moomeh's car fund for moomeh".

[c230 sport]

Originally posted by c230pete
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...iablechart.htm

Well, I still love my C-Class anyway...

I didn't know CR is a Japanese-funded company.

[tuscanraider]

I never met anybody who bought a Merc, Audi, or BMW for reliability. If you want a daily runabout get a Corolla. You want a driving experience get a German made auto.

[Kompressor4u2nv]

I really disagree with the above idea. We have a 1987 300sd with 225k+ miles and an 1989 560sl with 300k+ miles.

And its really not rare to see a 10-20 year old mercedes on the road, where I dont see, say, a 15 year old camry? I really think its a myth that japanese cars are this machine that won't break down ever. I post on the rx8club forums because my friend has an rx8, and the amount of problems people have over there are ridiculous. One guy drove through a puddle of about 8 inches, and lost his entire engine. 12000$ right there.

In my opinion, you DO buy mercedes and bmw for reliability. No so much so once they started getting ridiculously electrical/technical (see the sl's), but for carefree and no worry ownership I wouldn't go to any other company.

[C230 Sport Coup]

Exactly.
They've fixed every problem I've ever had for free, and gave me another MERCEDES to drive in the meantime, not a Ford Focus.

Overall, even as a 1st year model, none of the problems I've had left me stranded on the side of the road. All were asthetic things. Creaks etc. I don't count those things as effecting "reliability".
At the same time, I'd be reluctant to buy my car used...
the real value is in owning new, with all service prepaid.

Consumers reports would have us all driving Honda Civics or Toyota Echo's. YUK!

[tommy]

Originally posted by Kompressor4u2nv
I really disagree with the above idea. We have a 1987 300sd with 225k+ miles and an 1989 560sl with 300k+ miles.

How can you extrapolate the reliability of those models to the current c class? One has nothing to do with the other.

Much as I hate their vanillaness, Acura, Infiniti, and Lexus are going to continue to make inroads unless these Euro makes fix up their issues.

I'm just waiting to jump ship to the Toyota-powered Elise when the lines get a little less scary.

[Taiwanese]

Originally posted by tuscanraider
I never met anybody who bought a Merc, Audi, or BMW for reliability. If you want a daily runabout get a Corolla. You want a driving experience get a German made auto.

agree.....

Originally posted by Kompressor4u2nv
I really disagree with the above idea. We have a 1987 300sd with 225k+ miles and an 1989 560sl with 300k+ miles.

And its really not rare to see a 10-20 year old mercedes on the road, where I dont see, say, a 15 year old camry? I really think its a myth that japanese cars are this machine that won't break down ever. I post on the rx8club forums because my friend has an rx8, and the amount of problems people have over there are ridiculous. One guy drove through a puddle of about 8 inches, and lost his entire engine. 12000$ right there.

In my opinion, you DO buy mercedes and bmw for reliability. No so much so once they started getting ridiculously electrical/technical (see the sl's), but for carefree and no worry ownership I wouldn't go to any other company.

Don't flame me for this.

The reason you don't see 15 year old Camry is because after 15 years it's not worth it to fix it anymore. And it's not that expensive to buy another Camry.

People hang on to their old MB is because MB costs a lot more to buy so sometimes it makes sense to keep on repairing it. Or it has some kind of memory to it.

RX8 example is just too extreme. We have to admit most Japanese cars have better quality. Just too bad Japanese cars don't have the fame yet.

Let's why I have one each.

[mctwin2kman]

Reliability to me is leaving me stranded at the side of the road. My Benz has never left me stranded. That and the person as I have said before that buys a Benz, expects a hell of a lot more than the guy who buys a KIA. So to us snob Benz owners, cracked steering wheel buttons count as reliability. And my 2003 has never had any reliability issues. My father used to own a Lincoln Mercury and Dodge dealership. Now you want to talk about reliability issue, lets look at the American Junk out there...... And I don't care what a survey says, I use my own judgement and rely on my own experience. I like my Benz so much I went out and bought a 17 year old 190E as well......

[session]

I see 15-year-old Toyotas on the road every day.

Originally posted by session
I see 15-year-old Toyotas on the road every day.

i see them as well, and they look like crap!

[Outland]

Originally posted by mctwin2kman
Reliability to me is leaving me stranded at the side of the road. My Benz has never left me stranded. That and the person as I have said before that buys a Benz, expects a hell of a lot more than the guy who buys a KIA. So to us snob Benz owners, cracked steering wheel buttons count as reliability. And my 2003 has never had any reliability issues. My father used to own a Lincoln Mercury and Dodge dealership. Now you want to talk about reliability issue, lets look at the American Junk out there...... And I don't care what a survey says, I use my own judgement and rely on my own experience. I like my Benz so much I went out and bought a 17 year old 190E as well......

Yeah, I get annoyed when I hear someone lump cracked steering wheel buttons or BAS error messages into the same category as Honda's long suffering automatic transmissions or Toyota's engines that die of sludge.

Say what you will about american junk, but my Saturn was more reliable than my Accord was. The Honda left me stranded, thankfully once it was in my own driveway(when the ignition switch broke). The saturn had a taste for brake rotors, but after 10 years of owner ship it looked better than most any honda after 4 thanks to the polymer bodywork.

My old Jeep still runs the way it left the factory with nearly 200K miles. Sure, its got a little rust...but the tranny and engine have never been touched. Anyway, my point is that 'annoyances' don't count as 'reliability' problems too me. Reliability issues are known premature failures of core mechanicals- engine, transmission, brakes. Ive never had any of those, and I don't see any posts about them.

[victor20170]

Did you guys notice the only American Brand in the reliable Section is Buick... These guys are Japanese car lovers

[woodie]

Originally posted by session
I see 15-year-old Toyotas on the road every day.

My best friend's wife has a 1988 Camry that stills looks as good as the day they brought it home from the dealer. He pulls regular maintence on the car and even though they could buy a new car for her she won't give it up.

[Buellwinkle]

You can't compare a mass market brand to an upscale brand like the MB. People that buy Toyotas', Honda's and the like buy them like an appliance, many aren't maintained at all. They don't come with 4 years free maintenance, free car washes and muffins. I think if people took care of their Camry/Accord like many MB owners take care of their cars they would comperable in wear and appearance. Saying your million mile benzes still runs and looks good doesn't prove anything, there are plenty of million mile 35 year old Mustangs and Camaros that look and run perfect, it's just a matter of how desireable the car is and how much mony you're willing to put into it to keep it running. Think about the economics, a 15 year old Camry is probably worth less than any major repair, even an A/C overhaul, people junk them before they would put a tranny in them. On the other hand, a 15 year old MB still has some value so they'll do it.

[oggle]

Originally posted by Buellwinkle
You can't compare a mass market brand to an upscale brand like the MB. People that buy Toyotas', Honda's and the like buy them like an appliance, many aren't maintained at all. They don't come with 4 years free maintenance, free car washes and muffins. I think if people took care of their Camry/Accord like many MB owners take care of their cars they would comperable in wear and appearance. Saying your million mile benzes still runs and looks good doesn't prove anything, there are plenty of million mile 35 year old Mustangs and Camaros that look and run perfect, it's just a matter of how desireable the car is and how much mony you're willing to put into it to keep it running. Think about the economics, a 15 year old Camry is probably worth less than any major repair, even an A/C overhaul, people junk them before they would put a tranny in them. On the other hand, a 15 year old MB still has some value so they'll do it.

You forgot donuts.

Another useless Article

[jpb5151]

Yes useless, but a cute infomercial for consumer reports. Smart too, since they had usatoday do their advertising for them.

[steve s]

i'm surprised the x5 isn't on there.... there have been 9 recalls on it... major issues too...like oh...loss of steering...loss of braking...

vw seems about right... having seen too many a vw with windows that drop and won't come back up... or sunroof falling out ...eek

[mctwin2kman]

Originally posted by Outland
Yeah, I get annoyed when I hear someone lump cracked steering wheel buttons or BAS error messages into the same category as Honda's long suffering automatic transmissions or Toyota's engines that die of sludge.

Say what you will about american junk, but my Saturn was more reliable than my Accord was. The Honda left me stranded, thankfully once it was in my own driveway(when the ignition switch broke). The saturn had a taste for brake rotors, but after 10 years of owner ship it looked better than most any honda after 4 thanks to the polymer bodywork.

My old Jeep still runs the way it left the factory with nearly 200K miles. Sure, its got a little rust...but the tranny and engine have never been touched. Anyway, my point is that 'annoyances' don't count as 'reliability' problems too me. Reliability issues are known premature failures of core mechanicals- engine, transmission, brakes. Ive never had any of those, and I don't see any posts about them.

Yeah I know. Actually my Saturn has paint that is chipping off and the tranny needed a new output shaft and valve body at 20,000 miles. But it never left me stranded and I do not call it junk because of it. It is a Saturn, it cost half as much as my Benz and I do not expect it to be perfect. My Benz I do not expect to be perfect either, and I will deal with small issues, which I actually like finding the little things to get fixed. Then I get to drive a diferent Benz for a day or two or weekend. My dealer uses all Benz Loaners and picks my car up for me and leaves the loaner. I never even have to visit and I can request a specific loaner vehicle. I asked for a 4 matic C240, and also asked for an ML320, just to see how they are. My wife and I want to keep buying Benz's so why not look at the others. Next time I want an E though, I will have to wait til next year as they do not have any in the fleet yet.

[Mike T.]

Originally posted by mctwin2kman
Reliability to me is leaving me stranded at the side of the road. My Benz has never left me stranded.

You're lucky. Ours did, when it was 7 months old. Two coils died.

Even my 200,000 mile Peugeot 405 has only done that once, and that was at 150,000 miles when the coil (!) died near home.

[Kompressor4u2nv]

Originally posted by tommy
How can you extrapolate the reliability of those models to the current c class? One has nothing to do with the other.

Much as I hate their vanillaness, Acura, Infiniti, and Lexus are going to continue to make inroads unless these Euro makes fix up their issues.

I'm just waiting to jump ship to the Toyota-powered Elise when the lines get a little less scary.

I don't understand how you can figure out reliability WITHOUT extrapolating (your word, i'd rather say looking at and applying the data of old with more statistical analysis than simple extrapolation allows) data from older models. That is what reliability is, last time I checked, how well older models are still performing.

I'm done arguing about mercedes reliability. You buy and drive what you like, and I'll do the same.

[David N.]

Originally posted by Buellwinkle
You can't compare a mass market brand to an upscale brand like the MB. People that buy Toyotas', Honda's and the like buy them like an appliance, many aren't maintained at all. They don't come with 4 years free maintenance, free car washes and muffins. I think if people took care of their Camry/Accord like many MB owners take care of their cars they would comperable in wear and appearance. Saying your million mile benzes still runs and looks good doesn't prove anything, there are plenty of million mile 35 year old Mustangs and Camaros that look and run perfect, it's just a matter of how desireable the car is and how much mony you're willing to put into it to keep it running. Think about the economics, a 15 year old Camry is probably worth less than any major repair, even an A/C overhaul, people junk them before they would put a tranny in them. On the other hand, a 15 year old MB still has some value so they'll do it.

Carl, you have to post more often. I miss your humour!!! Still getting the free muffins eh??

How good a car looks after 15 years is solely dependant on how the owner takes care of it. IMHO, it has nothing to do with where it came from. I could keep a japanese car looking brand new if I had one.

As for reliability. I think we can all agree that MB's have many annoyances with them. Some ppl consider this reliability, while others don't. Right now it does not bother me since I have warranty. It will bother me, regardless of whether the problem leaves me standed, when I have to start paying for repairs out of my own pocket. Repairs that could have been avoided if MB took the time to do some half decent quality control, find decent suppliers, and not innundate us with so much technology at once.

Say what you will about Japanese cars, but I know of an acura that has had none of the recommended maintenance done to it and it is still chugging along nicely (touch wood) for a 6 year old car. Sadly, I don't think I could say the same for my c240.

[trench]

Originally posted by David N.
As for reliability. I think we can all agree that MB's have many annoyances with them. Some ppl consider this reliability, while others don't. Right now it does not bother me since I have warranty. It will bother me, regardless of whether the problem leaves me standed, when I have to start paying for repairs out of my own pocket. Repairs that could have been avoided if MB took the time to do some half decent quality control, find decent suppliers, and not innundate us with so much technology at once.

Yeah, I agree. Old Mercedes were bulletproof, however, the huge amount of electronic junk in the new ones has me a little worried regarding cost of upkeep down the road (as it's the electronics that seem to be the most problematic aspect of the newer MBs) .

I'm curious what these forums are going to look like in a year or so when people have to start paying to fix these gremlins.