Incendiary

Yeah, I know BMW sells more 3-series. That's its bread and butter, just as the E-class is MB's. If you re-read my post, my point was not that there are more C-classes than 3ers, but that there are a ton of C-classes around, or at least in the DC area. Being unique wouldn't be much of an issue in either case.

Yeah, there are more C240/C230K than C320s, and probably the ratio is more skewed than the 325/330 ratio. I do see a lot of C320s around, though.

Ah, didn't realize you could compare car line by car line. I'm pleasantly surprised by the ratings of the C and A4. Then I turn to my Consumer Reports April 2004 issue and find:



While I'm not going to put down JD Power as many others do, I will say that I tend to trust this CR ranking more because it's an average over the past three years, whereas JDP is just the initial 90 days. So while I'd give the BMW 3-series as , based on the sum of these ratings, I'd have to give MB C-class, Audi A4, and Jag X-Type a .

In any case, reliability alone isn't the whole story. Just one part of the picture when you're looking at a new car. If you want a MB with excellent resale and reasonable reliability, drop another $15-20k for a CLK320.

FrankW

JD power does it every year. While Consumer Reports average their finding for 3 years like you said.

The C came 3 years ago in 01. The X type came 2 years ago, and the A4 also 2 years ago. Do you think it would be an fair average result versus the 3 series which has been changed and fixed over the course of 6 years? If you average the first three years of production issues w/ the 3 series, it probably will look just as bad as the C, X, and A4 do in that picture you linked.

While I don't like neither survey, but I have to say that JD power is probably more accurate year by year.

It's funny that you use your point of view on your 04 330i versus mine w/ my old 2000 328Ci is so much different. Now that's just wait and see what ppl say in 2007 about the C-class if the current car is still in production.

I'm pretty sure you're on e46fanatics as well, so don't even say that you haven't seen lots of problems for the e46 owners keeps on popping up.

Down the road they're all the same other than your preference of owning which car.

btw, if what you say is true about the CLK. why has our CLK320 has been a POS by standard as well as my brother's 528i with all kinds of crap falling apart. For now I can tell you this, my dad's 96 Jag XJ12 has less problem than my brother's 97 528i.

Tandrek

Tandrek

The US Mags which I have read show that there are more broken down BMW's on the side of the road than any other vehicle.

Jkw

bmwracer3,
I looked at the BMW before buying my '04.5 Kompressor a few months back, and while the 330i handeled better than the MB, I was happy enough with the preformance of the C230, & I liked the interior of the MB much better.

Five Months & 9,000 miles later I haven't had any problems, and I'm sure I made the right choice.
Jkw

Incendiary

Not sure what mags you're reading, but I haven't read any that talk about "broken down by the side of the road." Reliability via JD Power and CR is all I know of.

Here's JD Power 2004 VDS:



I don't have the image file for the 2004 CR, but from page 17 of the Apr 2004 issue:

MY03:
Avg 17 problems/100 vehicles
BMW 19
Audi 20
MB 22

3-yr vehicles/MY01:
BMW 51
Avg 54
Audi 60
MB 79

5-yr vehicles/MY99:
BMW 60
Avg 79
MB 87
Audi 98

These talk about the companies as a whole, not individual lines.

Incendiary

I'm not talking about anything from my personal perspective. Only what I hear on forums and read in CR and JD Power re: reliability. If I were to talk from my own perspective, I would be able to buy most any car, because I have few problems with my or my family's cars, incl. our MBs.

I don't really read e46fanatics, but I'll readily admit there are lots of problems with all German cars. I don't buy cars solely based on reliability, but it's surely a factor.

FrankW

agreed...topic's done LOL

Incendiary

Coo'.

Anyway, to the OP, remember: test drives, info from forums, then test drives. In the end, despite any plaudits or problems others may have, it really comes down to how much you like and connect with your car. (Although I'd personally never buy a VW... :p)

Guest0001

LOL

FrankW

bored...just whoring.

I got a VW Beetle and it has tons of problem, but still fun to drive tho...

CitronC230K_03

i had a new beetle too, and my brother has a GTI. VW is a car I wouldnt buy ever again. I bought one and that was enough headache for me.

Incendiary

I still don't think of Audi as a top-notch brand for reliability (not that I think of any German car in those terms),but it amazes me the quality difference between VW and Audi. I haven't talked to a single satisfied VW owner, and while I usually don't take anecdotal evidence seriously, this 0-1% satisfaction rate is enough to dissuade me from ever purchasing (leasing might be a different matter) a VW. Sure, I'd take a Phaeton if you gave me one, but once the warranty expires... see ya!

me --> <-- VW

CitronC230K_03

im not impressed with the Phaeton at all! it looks like an Audi A8 with VW badging.

Incendiary

I have to admit, the interior is pretty spankin', though.

CitronC230K_03

yeah it is nice, but looks like an audi without the 4 rings.

prodigy1387

yeah, i don't understand why VW would ever try to make a high end model like the phaeton....they're just not that brand of car, leave it to their audi segement. and it's proving to be a horrible seller. i'll take an A8 over the phaeton anyday. but, at that price range, i'd just get an E500 no doubt haha....i too am not a big fan of VW at all. audi's are better, especially the s4, which is hands down a great car.

CitronC230K_03

oh definately at that price range i would buy an E500. i would never buy another VW or one of it brands again! just not impressed with service and quality.

Guest0001

What kind of problems?

CitronC230K_03

my VW NB had electrical problems

prodigy1387

this guy i know just recently got a VW Jetta. the first week he got it, he already had a problem - i watched as he could not for the life of him open the rear driver's side door. it just wouldn't open, from the inside or out. i was quite surprised at the sub par VW build quality. although it was only one case, that's still pretty bad.

Tandrek

Try unlocking it.

prodigy1387

yeah, that was obviously not the problem, the door was unlocked.

Guest0001

Fuking Germans and there electronics man!

CitronC230K_03

my brother has an 03 GTI and his friend has an 01 GTI. they are both MkIV's. my brother friend has had stereo problems, lights not getting any power, etc. just plain weird electrical problems. my borther has had CV boot fall off after 20,000 miles and a clutch needing replacing after only 8500 miles.