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MB Reliability - Below Average

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Old Oct 26, 2010 | 08:59 PM
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MB Reliability - Below Average

Interesting read on consumer reports website regarding reliability:

Europe's bumpy road
BMW had a bad year, with five of 11 models now scoring below average. Although the BMW M3 topped the sporty cars category, the 1, 3, and 5 Series models with the 3.0-liter, turbocharged engine had high problem rates related to the fuel system, among other issues.

Mercedes-Benz had the least reliable vehicles in three categories. Six of its 13 models were below average, and the GLK SUV was far below average this year. The redesigned E350 sedan was above average, but the new E-Class coupe, a wholly different car, was a disappointment.

Almost three-quarters of the Audi models we analyzed were below average. Volkswagen did better, with its Golf (formerly Rabbit) doing very well and the various Jetta models doing average or better.

source: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...y-findings.htm
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Old Oct 26, 2010 | 09:01 PM
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Yea, I was pretty disappointed to read this earlier today. One of my best friends bought an A6 3.0T which was the very worst car...but after about 6 months, his has been flawless.
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Old Oct 26, 2010 | 09:05 PM
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I take Consumer Reports as just a company that tells people who have no idea and refuse to do good research what products to buy.

You can have the most absolutely unreliable car out there but if you are lucky, it will be flawless. I know of someone who had a 1980's Land Rover and it was FLAWLESS but we all know how bad of a reputation that car had. Same goes for buying a "reliable brand", my aunt's 3rd Toyota is a complete lemon in where the windshield wiper refuses to come on sometimes.

Enjoy your car people!
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Old Oct 26, 2010 | 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by imboom
I take Consumer Reports as just a company that tells people who have no idea and refuse to do good research what products to buy.

You can have the most absolutely unreliable car out there but if you are lucky, it will be flawless. I know of someone who had a 1980's Land Rover and it was FLAWLESS but we all know how bad of a reputation that car had. Same goes for buying a "reliable brand", my aunt's 3rd Toyota is a complete lemon in where the windshield wiper refuses to come on sometimes.

Enjoy your car people!
I'm not so much concerned about my car as I am disappointed that MB and Audi couldn't keep adding to some of their recent improvements. Of course, relialbility averages are a fast moving target as everyone is constantly working to improve their game.
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Old Oct 26, 2010 | 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by imboom
I take Consumer Reports as just a company that tells people who have no idea and refuse to do good research what products to buy.

You can have the most absolutely unreliable car out there but if you are lucky, it will be flawless. I know of someone who had a 1980's Land Rover and it was FLAWLESS but we all know how bad of a reputation that car had. Same goes for buying a "reliable brand", my aunt's 3rd Toyota is a complete lemon in where the windshield wiper refuses to come on sometimes.

Enjoy your car people!
This statement reveals clearly why these surveys are flawed.

Please explain how an intermittent wiper problem makes the car "A Complete Lemon?"
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Old Oct 26, 2010 | 11:00 PM
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Haha, I think he might be referring to it as "a complete lemon" because I am assuming they have not been able to fix it after attempted repair at least 3 times. In which case, it would be considered a lemon. But I do believe that terminology is a bit harsh.

Beign that this is the w204 forums, I believe that the reliability reports for the w204 has pretty much been stellar across all the model years, with 2009 being the best...
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Old Oct 26, 2010 | 11:45 PM
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Funny. J.D. powers rate the W204 as #1
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Old Oct 27, 2010 | 01:58 AM
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In the Consumer reports narrative, I thought it strange that it said that it had reinstated the rating for the Prius once they got their brake problems taken care of.

They reinstated the rating for the Prius but it doesn't sound like they do when others remedy their problems?

As a matter of record, my early production 08 C300 was in the shop for non maintenance things a lot for the first 52,000 miles. For the last 7,000....not a thing. Sure wish I could relax about it but its like waiting for the other shoe to drop.
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Old Oct 27, 2010 | 03:10 AM
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The report also mentions that 2 cars, both based on the C-class platform are poor performers: the GLK and E-Class coupe. But it doesn't mention our w204 c-classes as having poor reliability ... the C-class is classified as "Recommended" on their website. Personally I've had no issues with reliability.

Anyone know if the GLK and E-Coupes are built at the same plants as the C-Class? Wonder if the difference in reliability comes down to design or manufacturing. I work in Ops so this kind of thing really interests me!
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Old Oct 27, 2010 | 09:39 AM
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I think the owners should be rated as well. Then maybe the car ratings would mean something.
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Old Oct 27, 2010 | 10:57 AM
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We're mixing some apples and oranges here. The current E class was not well received for performance...there is no reliability data. One theory on this is MB's new approach to standardizing the Sport package which would likely mean the E CR tested has a more taut suspension than the W211 generation they knew. CR criticized the ride comfort.

JDPower rating is based on new owners rating their current model year cars after three months in service. The CR reliability data, for those where reliability is specifically called out, is for owners of cars one year old, or more, so at least the prior model year.

The difference in any reliability rating for C vs. GLK may be due to those parts which are unique or a plant issue with assembling a first year model. Note that the C Class did not achieve its current high rating in 2007/2008 when it launched around the world. This is why used car buyers should get the most recent model year they can afford...continuous improvement!!
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Old Oct 27, 2010 | 01:57 PM
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Good read, thanks
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Old Oct 31, 2010 | 09:03 PM
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Here is the cnet.com take on it:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20020820-48.html
As you can read, this "predicts" the reliability and quality based on a 1.3 million reader survey stretching 9 years (2001-2010) and has nothing to do with actually measuring the reliability and quality of actual 2011 models. Also consider the CR "audience". Scion is first Audi is next to worst in reliability and quality... decide for yourself the accuracy of this (mal)information.
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