Interesting....
http://www.newsday.com/news/columnis...6173028.column

 

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"Tom Incantalupo
ROAD TEST
Mercedes C-Class Sales Up Despite Quality Issues

Mercedes-Benz C320 wagon (Mercedes-Benz Photo)
May 16, 2003

May 16, 2003

Mercedes-Benz held its own in a weak U.S. car market last year, even picking up half a point of share. You're looking at the main reason: the C-class, now the most popular Benz in this country.

Not surpisingly, then, Mercedes is trying to capitalize on and broaden the popularity of its price leader by introducing more versions, including the all-wheel-drive wagon on deck today.

The C-Class was redesigned for the 2001 model year and consisted then of sedans, with the wagon added for 2002. A coupe followed, also for 2002, with a $25,000 base price that hadn't been seen on a Benz sold in this country in a decade. Mercedes says the C class replaced the E class as its top-selling line in 2001. Last year, while passenger car sales fell by almost 4 percent from 2001, C-class sales rose by 25 percent. Obviously, DaimlerChrysler's designers have done something right.

But maybe not everything. A cautionary note for would- be buyers: Strange things seem to be happening, quality-wise, at Mercedes. Consumer Reports says in its latest auto issue that the C-Class was "well below average" in reliability as reported by owner/subscribers in the magazine's annual survey. (The incredibly expensive S-Class line gets the same crummy rating.)

There's more: Mercedes fell to below average in J.D. Power's last survey of dependability over five years, which was issued in November. The carmaker was below average in customer satisifaction with servicing, according to another Power survey. M-B did, however, come in just above average in another Power survey, released last week, measuring quality and customer satisfaction in the first three months of ownership. The average number of complaints increased from a year earlier.

Makes scoring higher than M-B included Chevrolet, and, at Mercedes prices, that ain't good.

I asked Mercedes officials to comment.

Spokeswoman Michelle Murad at the company's U.S. headquarters in New Jersey said Consumer Reports findings contradict its own findings, which are based on warranty claims. Further, she contended, Consumer Reports customer surveys don't distinguish between little problems and big problems. "The vast majority of reported problems have no effect on performance or drivability," she said. She had no comment on Powers' findings.

Since it's my column, I get the last word: Consumer Reports said the C-Class' electrical system has been a consistent source of trouble. That's hardly minor. And, for comparable prices, Lexus manages to get the big stuff and the small stuff right.

In any case, for 2003, Mercedes made its "4Matic" all-wheel-drive system available in C-class sedans and wagons, and it added another wagon model - the C240.

The coupe, meanwhile, got a redesigned engine, whose 189 hp. is about the same as last year's but whose exhaust is cleaner and fuel economy higher.

I logged hundreds of miles during my week with the C320 4Matic wagon, and the car contributed greatly to making most of them pleasant. The cabin is extraordinarily quiet, and the firm power-operated buckets did a fine job of helping delay the onset of fatigue.

This wagon feels heavy, as Mercedeses often do, and there is some tail-wagging on a twisty road, as is often the case in wagons. Overall, though, the C320 wagon's handling inspires confidence. The steering is a mite heavy in parking maneuvers but offers excellent road feel at highway speeds.

The four-wheel independent suspension delivers a European-firm ride, but it's never punishing.

The only unpleasant features in the tester were the usual sampling of non-intuitive controls found in Benzes, particularly for the driving computer. But a careful perusal of the owner's manual or briefing by a knowledgeable salesperson should make it all better.

The wagon's rear seatback folds down in a 60-40 split to expand cargo room. When it's up, a shade can be pulled over the cargo area to shield it from larcenous eyes.

Lest you think from the aforementioned $25,000 price for the coupe that Mercedes is trying to undercut Hyundai, note that my test wagon stickered at just less than $45,000 with freight.

The least expensive C-class sedan, the four-cylinder supercharged 230, begins at $28,710 with freight. Six-cylinder sedans start at $30,620 with freight for the 240 model and prices range up from there to $51,120 for the high performance C32AMG.

Wagons start at $32,120 for the aforementioned C240, whose 2.6- liter six-cylinder engine delivers 168 hp. - not a whole lot for a 3,500 pound car. (The C240 is one of four Mercedes models whose designations do not indicate their engine displacements; others are the C230 and sedan, whose engines displace 1.8 liters and the ML 350 SUV, which has a 3.7- liter engine.)

That $32,120 base price for the wagon is for a version with a six-speed stick shift. Automatic adds $1,325 and you have to buy it if you want the 4Matic all-wheel drive, which costs another $1,800. The 4Matic comes with traction control.

The tester was the more expensive C320, whose designation does indicate the displacement of its 3.2-liter V-6. Its 215 hp. is sufficient and then some. Mercedes lists its zero to 60 mph acceleration time at 7.0 seconds, almost two seconds faster than the 240's.

The C320 starts at $37,420 in rear wheel drive. Besides 4Matic, my tester had a navigation system, sunroof, CD changer in the glove box and heated seats.

The standard equipment list is long and includes dual zone automatic heater/AC.

Competitors for these C- wagons abound - including some wagon-like things being offered as SUVs. Among pure wagons, though, few are available with all-wheel drive. Perhaps the most direct competitor from another luxury marque is the BMW 325xiT, which begins at $32,845 with freight and all-wheel drive. Obviously, then, it compares most directly with the C240 wagon.

BMW's 2.6-liter, six-cylinder, engine beats out Mercedes 2.6, delivering 184 hp. The Beemer is about three inches shorter than the Benz and slightly wider and lower. Interior dimensions are close. Like the Benz, the 325xiT is available with a five-speed automatic.

In sum, it's not surprising that sales of C-Class models are up 17 percent this year through March over last year. With the qualifier of quality issues, this newest wagon is another member of a very desirable family of cars.

Mercedes-Benz C320 Engine: 3.2-liter V-6, 215 hp.

Transmission: Five-speed automatic, all-wheel drive.

Safety: Dual front, and four door- mounted side impact air bags;

curtain-type air bags; 4-wheel disc brakes with antilock, brake assist and electronic stability control; Baby-Smart child seat system.

Place of Assembly: Bremen, Germany

Weight: 3,495 pounds

Cargo Room (rear seatbacks up/down, cubic feet: 25.2/63.6

EPA Mileage Rating: 19 mpg city, 25 highway

Price as Driven: $44,975.

 

I tend to agree with MBUSA on the problems, at least in my experience. Yes, it's very annoying to have problems on a six-month old car, but they're more annoyances than big issues.

My advice for anyone buying the "C" class is: you'll love the car, but make sure you have a good dealer nearby - if it's a huge hassle for you to visit the dealer regularly - think twice.

--Steffen

 

Speak for yourself.

My car hasn't been back to the dealer for anything other than a cracked button on the steering wheel.

 

yes i agree C has lots of problems

my 2003 new C class 3-4 weeks old has had coolent leaking from the intercooler, dash makes this rattling sound, and wheel mysteriously got out of alignment...but MB service is good enough to make up to it, car was in shop about 1 week total, went in and out of MB dealer to have free food and MB gave me loan car but was ****ty A class was hoping for a C coup but they didn't gimme it i think i don't look trust worthy or some thing as a 18 year old lol, had fun trashing A class tho , my sis had the loan car last day b 4 its returned. She told me she had been playing around with hand break, sliding around corners, didn't think of that 1 when i had the car damn it ! .

but no i don't recommand C class, bought it case dad only likes MB from past experience he said MB is way more realiable but didn't turn out to be the case and its not made in Germany! in South Africa so don't expect too much

 

hmm...shiat i am acutlaly 19 i just realised ... aging... crap eheheheeheh

 

All cars have problems but there is a point wher its unacceptable. the reason that c sales are up is because the price is good and people dont know that its a problem car. If i wasnt in this forum i wouldnt know that there were so many problems with the car and would probably buy it. eventhoug the c is lot more fun to drive i have to take a boring accord that has not as many problems as a c.

 

my thoughts are that ... no mercedes is like the W201, W124 and S Series ... It was the maximum built quality mercedes achieved. After that ... the Quality Factor droped and only now with the new W211 and S class ... Mercedes is getting back to its natural course .

I'm to buy a new car ... my father as a W210 270CDi , my brother a W210 220CDi ... and i want to get a W124 300 Turbo Diesel :P ehehehhe i'm the black cheep! :P

but i'm going to a W203 270CDI i think ... bit i'm well aware that the quality is nothing ... big ... but ...

it's a mercedes ... the bad things @ mercedes , in most cases, are the better things @ other brands!

 

We're another example. I'd read about the relatively low ratings before we made the buy, but didn't know any details. The car felt nice and solid during the test drive and had (only just barely) enough power, so we got it.

mBe, please let us know which one you wind up getting.