As some here may know, I am contemplating a new C350 4matic when it comes out. As a 4 time BMW owner (current car- 2002 530 sport) I never really thought about a Benz until the newer designs came out, starting with the misshapen 7 series. "Ugly" doesn't even start to describe how bad the new BMWs look, especially the new E60 5 series.
In any event, I first considered an E500 4matic, but after researching it and seeing its rather precipitous depreciation curve I came to the conclusion that its a great car, but simply not worth +/- 65K. Prior to the forthcoming 3.5L motor,, I likely would not have considered the C class, but from what I read the new motor, in conjuction with the revised 2005 interior, completely changes the car. For 43-45K I could get a loaded 350 4matic with a power to weight ration similar to the E500, but for 20K less and with close to 50% better fuel economy.
What concerns me, however, is the perception the MB quality is poor, something I would not have thought likely. The deletion of scheduled maintenance certainly doesn't help. I repeatedly see MB quality struggling and note even here that many are ticked off at issues you wouldn't expect in a Kia, much less MB. I recall reading recently that German's perception of MB quality was listed as being 33rd or so out of 34 manufacturers. Wow.....
Are these issues being blown out of proportion? Are the complaints here and in the automotive media mainly the vocal minority? What do long term owners think of the situation and can you offer any comments, etc?

 

This topic has been discussed at length in many different threads. I suggest you do a search.

The bottom line IMO is that you will find owners who have had many problems with their cars no matter what the brand. Then there are others (like myself) who have owned multiple MBs without any major issues.

 

Surveys don't do the car any justice.

My personal experience:

109k on the odo and my car has been trouble free
C230k 2002 55k on the odo, had the MAS changed once but probably due to technician error cuz it happened less than 2 miles after my service

 

I've owned 14 MBs and 4 BMWs since the first one in 1967 [one of the first 1602s imported to the West Coast]. Our current car is an '02 C240 sedan, automatic with minimal extras. I think I'm qualified to comment.

I think the current risk of buying a C vs a newer 3er is just about equal. Our car was produced barely 18 months after production started, and has had only 2 things to fix - the wheel alignment needed doing [I noticed this on our pre-acceptance drive, so fixing it was part of delivery], and a plugged vent in the rear differential caused a minor leak that was quickly fixed. So far, at about 15k miles, that's it. Before picking our car, I VERY seriously considered a 325, but the MB was quieter, roomier, and more refined - I got past the "sports sedan" thing a long time ago, so BMW's superior handling is lost on me.

By the time the new-engined Cs are widely available here, the E90 3er should be on the ground, but of course with all of the risk that goes with a first-year redesign. I see absolutely no reason at all to hesitate buying a new C right now, including reliability risk - though for me, the new 4 valve V6 engine family [available all across the C line in our market by Sept-Oct] has much better values in it than the 3.5, which to me feels vastly overpriced. The new entry-level car, whatever it's going to be called [C230, I think, even though it will have a V6 of somewhere between 2.5 and 2.6 liters], will have over 200 hp and more than enough uumph to handle the 4-matic hardware. But if you have the money to spend.....

I'm not suggesting that this [or any other German car] is going to approach Honda or Toyota in terms of reliability risk - I've owned plenty of them, as well, and there is no comparison. But that isn't the question you asked - MB has been working 24/7 to get a handle on their supplier problems, and have made big strides that should show up in next year's surveys - I just don't see them as being at some big disadvantage to any other European maker right now. On the other hand, the G35 is available right now with AWD for $35k, and the new IS will be coming in the fall for the same money. If reliability needs to be a tie-breaker, these are the cars I'd focus on. For little more than you'd spend on the C350, there is also the new AWD Acura RL, which has gotten nothing but rave reviews. Lots to think about...

 

One person's annoyance is another's pea under the mattress.

I've had a couple of minor inconveniences with my 4-year old C320, but nothing that has left me stranded (or remotely close to stranded). Mostly electrical accessories. Like a power window that loses its memory due to a faulty module. Big deal, easily fixed at the dealer without argument. But some would have you believe that such problems are equivalent to being castrated with an dull axe blade.

Some of the latest quality surveys paint all German cars alike (without focus on one particular make). Pretty clear that German cars have more problems than Japanese makes. But Japanese cars won't run at 200kph on the Autobahn all day long.

Pay your money and take your chances like the rest of us...

 

being a previous 00 328Ci owner and currently c32 owner, I'd say the quality are about a wash. I've equally amount of problem encountered w/ my 328 as well as the c32.

as for schedule maintainance, if you can't buy your own oil and find a place to change the oil I don't what to say.

 

Having previously owned 2 BMWs (325i, 323i), 1 MB C230K SS ('03) and currently own an '05 C230K SS I can tell you my experiences with both. Unfortunately, my personal experience is that BMW's quality is better than Mercedes.
MB assisted in buying back my '03 due to a repeated, unsolveable engine problem in exchange for the '05 model. The '05 model, with 5000 miles on it, is sitting in pieces at the dealership having the cylinder head replaced for the same engine problem I experienced on the '03.
For the sorted details, look for the thread titled "Am I The Only One..." posted by myself several days ago.
In the fourteen years of BMW ownership, I did have a few minor issues, but never any engine problems preventing safe operation of the vehicle. My track record with MB is 2 for 2 at this point with engine issues, not to mention the common electrical glitches. While nothing on the road (in my opinion) looks near as nice as the current C-Class sedan, the quality just isn't there. What good is having a great looking car, when it spends all it's time at the dealership?
I realize everyone's experience is different, I wish I was one of those owners who had nothing but good things to say, but you asked for experiences, for what it's worth here is mine.

 

The truth? Ah, well, it's like an Italian car.
Cool technology, beautiful style, the look the feel,
the time in the shop.
Yup, Mercedes now builds the very best Italian Cars known to mankind in Germany. Although I have to admit the new
Alfa GT is freaking amazing.