Rincewind

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...cr-picks_x.htm

look where mercedes ranks

DougandhisC280

And everyone always blames the merger for the quality issues now. Look how good Chrysler is doing. It's all electronic crap anyway. When's the last time you were stranded in a Mercedes?

Rincewind

never, but then again ive never been stranded in any car for my 5 years of driving :0

soldsep

My dad was stranded with his 2001 CLK320. His car only has 11k on it.

mercedes suck. When was the last time you posted a question about a problem with your mercedes?

DougandhisC280

My girlfriend is standed in her Accord every other month. I'm not kidding. That car is the biggest piece of crap I have ever ridden in. Consumer Reports is so biased. They are extremely pro Asian when it comes to cars.

alhang

survey data can be questionable at best. they really shouldn't just disclose that data without describing the weighted value of certain complaints. and i'd have to take into account the fact that luxury car buyers would be more vocal about complaints then someone owning a hyundai. personally, my first car was an accord and i would still be driving a honda if they weren't such boring cars that sold in such massive quantities.

Jano

Based on my 10 years of driving experience, and three of those with my 2000 C240 w202, I would have to say the quality of Mercedes is at the least above average. Although I have had my share very small problems with this car. Some were electrical like the lights and A/C liquid display. But nothing mechanical ever was serious! Although I did have a pulley recall on my car, but that's about it.

As for the newer generation C-class (w203) and S-class (w220), there have been some quality concerns in craftsmanship and cost cutting due to Mercedes-benz wanting to encourage more production of it's vehicles. Just last year I heard that Mercedes-Benz produced for the first time, a million vehicles.

Just bear in mind that; your Mercedes-Benz will take care of you, if you take care your Mercedes!

davis449

Data can ALWAYS be manipulated. As far as the merger, I still think it's the reason Mercedes is in the spot they're in. Think about it. If you take a company like Chrysler which has certain maufacturing meathods, parts, etc. and hasn't always been the best car company in terms of quality and you mix it with Mercedes which has historically exceptional quality, it can only bring Mercedes down.

Jano

As far as I know Davis, it's Mercedes Benz which has been engineering and producing Chrylser's newer models and improving the older models. Not Chrysler building Mercedes Benz's, thank goodness for that!

davis449

Well, I understand that the M-Class is built on the line right next to the M-class right here in the U.S. Maybe that's the reason MB techs always tell me M-Class's are pieces. Actually I believe they are starting to parts share and I know for a fact they've started platform sharing. I see a downward spiral, don't you? I just think it's kinda funny that Mercedes qulaity reviews starting a downward trent AFTER the merger.

Jano

Your right Davis, platform sharing has begun, but it is Mercedes Benz who is doing the sharing. I will give you one firm example.

The 2004 Chrysler Crossfire, is based on the SLK 320 mechanicals dating back to 1997. (pg.46 Motor trend, May 2003). It is mentioned in the article that it also drives like an SLK 320! It's engine is based on the same Mercedes 3.2 liter specification with 215 horse power. The 5 speed automatic gear box and rear axle all come from Mercedes Benz truly.

Mercedes does see cross shopping to occur, but only with Chrysler shoppers. It was mentioned in the above article that Mercedes car shoppers are not likely to cross shop and buy a Chrysler.

I also read from somewhere that the Mercedes Benz board of directors were not the least bit interested in using Chrysler parts in the Mercedes Benz production vehicles. Any Chrysler parts to ever take place in a Mercedes is years away, as Mercedes wants to mass produce it's parts in order to sell at a cheaper cost. Let's also remember that Mercedes "bought" Chrysler and has more say about what is going to happen to Chrysler than Chrysler itself!

It sounds sad that one of America's big three is nolonger truly American, but slowly becoming Germanized...

If you can name any Chrysler part(s) into any current or future Mercedes Benz, I'm all ears....

DougandhisC280

The crossfire is almost pure Mercedes. The only thing not made by Mercedes is the body of the car and parts of the interior. I think it's coincidental that the merger caused the downfall. As far as the M Class goes, many of the parts are made here in Alabama. The electronics are made by a company here called Johnson Controls. The standard stereo is made by Panasonic. The body materials are manufactured in Alexander City which is 1 hour south of Birmingham. So the car has many different parts not seen in other Mercedes Vehicles. The engine and tranny are the only parts of the car not made in Alabama but instead Germany.

steve s

guess the only good thing from chrysler is the viper and it's ridiculous...well...not anymore considering amg's v8 kompressor, but anyway, v10...and even then it's just brute force and displacement.