"Enthusiast" and "transportation appliance" are not mutually exclusive. I want both driving experience and reliability. The primary purpose of a car is 'transportation appliance'. Repair trips to the dealer are a PITA.

 

I think "frequency of dealer visits" are a bit misleading. Those with maintenence included (pre 2005) might make more frequent visits, because they don't pay for them, while those who pay may "save up" those niggling quality issues until they have compiled a list.

Also, one person's "warranty" visit for a squeaky seat is not the same as one's dealer trip for a leaky tranny, etc. The former has no impact on reliability, while the latter can...

Some here think any quality defect -- no matter how small -- is a "reliability" issue. I disagree, obviously, as I have been to the dealer 8-10 times for "quality" issues, but only once for a "reliability" issue, and that was discovered by the dealer during an scheduled "A" service.

 

Good point on the impact of free maintenance. This may be one reason most manufacturers who used to offer it have now abandoned it. Consequently, it will be a factor in very few cases. Also, I suspect many Mercedes owners who pay for the maintenance themselves take the car to the dealer for regular oil changes anyway.

To deal with your other point, also a valid one, the survey includes a few questions that permit the severity of an issue to be gauged: whether the vehicle had to be towed, whether a warning light was on, whether the vehicle could have been safely and dependably driven for another week, repair cost (will be adding a new item for amount paid by warranty next month) and a brief description of the issue. I'm not yet breaking out "severe" issues, but will once the sample size permits it.

I'm currently focusing on number of trips to the shop because it can most accurately be measured and clearly reported. But take a look at the survey form and you'll see that many different analyses are possible. I'll be exploring these once the data and my resources permit it.

http://www.truedelta.com/survey.php

I do appreciate the feedback. I've already made many improvements to the research and site based on people's suggestions. I've criticized CR for being unresponsive. I'm not going to be the same way.

 

Hi Everyone,

I bought my Capri Blue/Ash 05 C230WZ SS 3 months ago with 13,025 miles CPO, and I have about 15,500 miles on it now. Only issue: resynching the driver's window and the power moonroof. Plus an occasional "Error Reading Navigation Disc" message on my COMAND. Resolution: remove/reinsert the NAV CD. No other problems since. And I must say, coming from driving American cars all my life (nearly 18 years of driving), I am utterly impressed with the quality of my car.

Cintoman

 

A few days ago, the dash indicated break wear. Now today the car won't start. I even tried jumping it. Looks like a call to roadside assistance is in order. The dealer told me that I need new Thrust barings when it was in month ago. looks like I'm going to be shelling out some $$$

 

Just three cars short of the minimum for the 2005. 2003 and 2006 also getting there.

 

I'm not sure why, but I still have three times as many 3-Series owners participating than I do C-Class owners, such that I'm collecting data on nearly every recent year of that car. I'm also collecting data on all years of the G35 and the current Acura TL.

I'd like to have a better idea of how the reliability of the C-Class truly compares to these cars. But I can't provide this info unless owners provide the data.

 

Once my car arrives next week, I'll sign up and give you all the data from my car.

 

2001 C320 purchased with 30k miles on it, excellent condition and low mileage, ran fine until about 55K, then it starts first was:
light sensor visit workshop,
then battery dead, replaced with new battery
System short- battery dead continuously -still a problem
Right side wheel out of alignment- a little unusual, not driven on city streets.
Seat memorie buttons no longer work
Ticking sound sometimy sounds almost like CV joint however obviously its not front wheel drive
Driver side mirror does not function when in reverse

Not happy about these issues, after reading the threads I guess IM not doing to bad, but honestly this is a little ridiculous for a $45-50K car, I wouldnt buy it again although I still love MB I just can't deal with issues like this, and Im a mechanic, just don't appreciate quality issues. Have a 2000 Honda accord, right now a 150k miles NEVER HAD A PROBLEM- WITH ANYTHING!!! purchase price $18k.

 

Did you give up trying to fix this?

 

2007 C230 Sport Sedan

The only problem I have with it is a high pitch chirping sound that comes from (what sounds like) the center dash speaker.

Remedy: Taken to the dealer to have it "investigated" - but go figure the sound will not happen when they are testing for it. Have a recorder now to get the sound on tape, and will take in at next service to have investigated again. There is no correlation between the temperature of the car and the sound.

 

 

Car: 2002 C240
Problems: car shakes when changing gears(from 1 to 2 & 2 to 3 )
Resolved: not yet, I know it's gonna be expensive so I'll try to buy my dealers' warranty before fixing

 

2007 C230

1000 miles
-Tapping sound from the fuel tank area at complete stops: bulletin has this problem, special valve ordered and replaced (just picked up the car 15 min ago, so far it's ok)

-car wanting to stall/rough idle, check engine light came on: air pump failed and replaced.

 

update:

Tapping noise from the rear still exist. it only happens if i am in D and applying the brake. I think it has to do with something else besides the valve/fuel pump.

 

I bought my car second hand from the dealership.. It came still under warranty.. at first the dealership didnt want to hear any of it.. but i called Daimler chrysler head office, spoke to customer relations.. they told me they will speek to the dealership and get back to me within the next day.
After i the convo had ended, 30minutes went past and lord behold , it was the dealership!!! They gave me a speech about how they were apologetic and everything would be sorted out in good will and i will also get a courtesy vehicle.
Time for the service came about and i had a sweet cls350 waiting for me..
I had the car for the next four days.. thursday nite came about, so i took it to the drags and felt like a hero! what 18 yrold drives a MF cls and dares to rip out a burn out?
Anyways.. I gave it back with a full tank of petrol (btw the car is speed limited to 230km) and had my little baby waiting for me.. reaking of cheap aftershave, but fully detailed (including engine bay) and sparklie kleen!

Items replaced/faults :
Differential seals were leaking
acctuator replaced
rocker cover gasket replaced
summer feature not working, so had the IR sensor replaced in the door handle
inside rear seat light kept coming on by itself
a whole heap of electrical faults
passanger headlight kept coming on and off while driving
mobile phone contol unit replaced
full service given
tranny noise
and lucky last... the electronic motor in the drivers side rear view mirror did not work.
I think thats about all of it.. but now there are no faults.. at first i had doubts about buying this car.. I have now been driving it for a while, and i can comfortably say that, my next car will be nothing else but a benz..
new ofcourse..
BTW they gave me a complimentary MB 25 CD wallet and coffee mug.. =]

 

u know what...that's actually happened to a couple of cars i have. still happens with the E class and happened with the CLS when i had it. i dont bother to take it in though. i doubt its anything major.

 

3 tries and a total of 6 days, the dealer can't figure it out. they were suggesting that I let the mechanic take it home and have the star diag. hooked up to it. I was like ..no thanks, the star diag. wont show you shyt when it comes to annoying sounds like that.

so i just took my car back and I get to hear this tapping noise at every red lights. I can feel and hear it even with the muisc on (well, i kinda pay attention to it). but it just sux..oh well, 3 yrs this car is gone. I am thinking it has something to do with the components in the gas tank, fuel cap..etc.

I just can't believe that no one has any major complaints about this yet, one out of the three loaners they gave me was doing it too. so I am pretty sure tons of the Cs are doing this. now that I know the E and CLS are having the same problem, there must be a lot more going on out there. it's minor like you said but it's just a very bad built and very annoying at times.

 

yea i understand, sure is annoying but oh well.

 

That DAMN rear shade has a mind of its own.

 

How's the new car doing?

Current counts in the panel:

C-Class: 88
G35: 190
A4: 196
3-Series: 293

 

Buicks may, but I don't think that is going to happen to Accords.
believe or not, when reaching 100k, accords is still going to be more reliable than c class. in fact most of japanese cars would, only exception might be mits

 

Pretty good. I just signed up on the site. Had 1 repair visit at the complementary service to fix a few minor issues.

 

Thanks, John.

Latest counts:

C-Class: 88 + 5 = 93
G35: 190 + 18 = 208
A4: 196 + 13 = 209
3-Series: 293 + 36 = 329

Oddly, while clearer reliability information is most needed with Mercedes, I continue to find it hardest to get Mercedes owners to participate.

 

hahaha your not gonna get a good review from me!