2015 C-Class Receives Low Marks in '15 J.D Power Initial Quality Study
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'15 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT
2015 C-Class Receives Low Marks in '15 J.D Power Initial Quality Study
The 2015 J.D Power Initial Quality Study is out and the '15 Mercedes C-Class receives the lowest possible rating. For comparison, the previous generation C-Class scored better with an "above average" rating when it was first released in 2008.
The J.D Power Initial Quality Survey looks at owner-reported problems in the first 90 days of new-vehicle ownership.
See link: http://autos.jdpower.com/research/Me...edan/index.htm
The J.D Power Initial Quality Survey looks at owner-reported problems in the first 90 days of new-vehicle ownership.
See link: http://autos.jdpower.com/research/Me...edan/index.htm
Last edited by X5PlatBronze; 06-17-2015 at 10:03 PM.
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2015 C300
To be honest, it's deserved. I'm sure Consumer Reports is going to blast the C-Class in their reliability ratings.
While driving from Albuquerque to Dallas, I discovered a new rattle coming from somewhere in the driver's cockpit around the steering wheel. The sensor on the door to lock the door is also glitchy as it does not always recognize a press. I sometimes have to press it 5+ times for it to register.
I have a feeling my car is going to be with the dealer for a long time over the next month or two trying to get everything dealt with.
While driving from Albuquerque to Dallas, I discovered a new rattle coming from somewhere in the driver's cockpit around the steering wheel. The sensor on the door to lock the door is also glitchy as it does not always recognize a press. I sometimes have to press it 5+ times for it to register.
I have a feeling my car is going to be with the dealer for a long time over the next month or two trying to get everything dealt with.
Last edited by Vihzel; 06-17-2015 at 10:14 PM.
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Mercedes C350e
Aren't there several factories?
Is this of influence on the built quality you think?
I know mine is built in Germany, but i thought i read somewhere that most C-classes are built somewhere else (India/South-Africa?)
Is this of influence on the built quality you think?
I know mine is built in Germany, but i thought i read somewhere that most C-classes are built somewhere else (India/South-Africa?)
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BMW e89 Z4 sDrive 35i & MB S205 C200 AMG Premium Plus
Build quality being related to location seems to be something of a fallacy. I have build issues and mine was built in Bremen. Similar issues appear in South Africa and the US. The one thing that stands apart is the bumper issue in the US. I've not seen reports of that one issue elsewhere.
#6
seeing the most common complains would be great. Even the S-Class falls in the "the rest" category... This is a little shocking to me
Honestly i wasn't expecting more. a few months ago before getting my car i researched the 2014 and it was only "about average". Considering that was the last gen of W204 and this is the first gen of the W205 i didn't expect a "better then most" rating
Honestly i wasn't expecting more. a few months ago before getting my car i researched the 2014 and it was only "about average". Considering that was the last gen of W204 and this is the first gen of the W205 i didn't expect a "better then most" rating
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2013 C class Coupe 250 CDI
seeing the most common complains would be great. Even the S-Class falls in the "the rest" category... This is a little shocking to me
Honestly i wasn't expecting more. a few months ago before getting my car i researched the 2014 and it was only "about average". Considering that was the last gen of W204 and this is the first gen of the W205 i didn't expect a "better then most" rating
Honestly i wasn't expecting more. a few months ago before getting my car i researched the 2014 and it was only "about average". Considering that was the last gen of W204 and this is the first gen of the W205 i didn't expect a "better then most" rating
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#8
After reading all of the problems that owners have posted on this forum for the past several months I'm not surprised for the low rating. I'm disappointed in Mercedes though. I hope Mercedes isn't going back to the late 90s early 2000s era where they had poor reliability ratings in their entire lineup.
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2015 C300W4, 2011 G37, 1998 528i Sport 5MT
Well deserved, MB! Congrats.
Can't believe that JD Power doesn't give MB extra points for class exclusive features like "design characteristic" wind noise and only-in-America Bleeding Seats. You've been robbed MB! How can they not share your vision of what a luxury car can be?
Can't believe that JD Power doesn't give MB extra points for class exclusive features like "design characteristic" wind noise and only-in-America Bleeding Seats. You've been robbed MB! How can they not share your vision of what a luxury car can be?
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At least that's the route I'll be going if my MB dealership keeps yanking my chain.
Last edited by MASSC450; 06-18-2015 at 05:03 PM.
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2015 C300, 2008 C300(sold)
The 2015 J.D Power Initial Quality Study is out and the '15 Mercedes C-Class receives the lowest possible rating. For comparison, the previous generation C-Class scored better with an "above average" rating when it was first released in 2008.
The J.D Power Initial Quality Survey looks at owner-reported problems in the first 90 days of new-vehicle ownership.
See link: http://autos.jdpower.com/research/Me...edan/index.htm
The J.D Power Initial Quality Survey looks at owner-reported problems in the first 90 days of new-vehicle ownership.
See link: http://autos.jdpower.com/research/Me...edan/index.htm
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2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
Made in Germany by ... Turks?
Build quality being related to location seems to be something of a fallacy. I have build issues and mine was built in Bremen. Similar issues appear in South Africa and the US. The one thing that stands apart is the bumper issue in the US. I've not seen reports of that one issue elsewhere.
After reading all of the problems that owners have posted on this forum for the past several months I'm not surprised for the low rating. I'm disappointed in Mercedes though. I hope Mercedes isn't going back to the late 90s early 2000s era where they had poor reliability ratings in their entire lineup.
The defective balance shaft gear did affect my 2007 C-Class, although I didn't know it until I already had my 2015 C300 on order. I did know about the shudder in the 4Matic transmission in reverse. Each of three very expensive transmission oil changes helped, but the problem never really went away. Only the first change was covered under warranty. My C280 had only 64,000 miles on it when I traded it.
When my 2007 C280 was 9-12 months old, the infra-red sensor in the driver's door for the open-all-windows-and-sunroof feature failed. That was covered under warranty, but the replacement never worked 100% of the time. It got worse, so that for the last 2-3 years of my ownership, I did without the feature. That problem was probably also a parts supplier problem.
I know my C280 was built in Sindelfingen, because I picked it up there in September 2006. I only recently read that most of the assembly line workers in both Sindelfingen and Bremen are Turks, not Germans. The problems I have described were not assembly line problems. As bdwg22 reports about his 2008 W204, my 2007 W203 was "rock solid". But these cars still had their problems with German-made parts. So I mention the reported nationality of the assembly line workers only for the information of anyone who thinks that cars made in Germany have a special quality. Full disclosure: my wife is German, and my signature hints at my enthusiasm for German-made cars.
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Audi S4
Check out this thread for more information:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...ite-brand-fall
Industry as a whole is getting better, MB as a whole is getting worse.
2015:
10 Years Ago:
2015 CR Survey
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...ite-brand-fall
Industry as a whole is getting better, MB as a whole is getting worse.
2015:
10 Years Ago:
2015 CR Survey
Last edited by CorradoJr; 06-19-2015 at 11:18 AM. Reason: Added CR Survey
#19
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What areas of fit and finish are that much worse than your 2008 C-Class?
#20
Guys, we do not have "low build quality" issues here.. MB reminds us that these are "design characteristics" of the car, remember? Take generous levels of wind noise, for instance.
#21
MBWorld Fanatic!
Check out this thread for more information:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...ite-brand-fall
Industry as a whole is getting better, MB as a whole is getting worse.
2015:
10 Years Ago:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...ite-brand-fall
Industry as a whole is getting better, MB as a whole is getting worse.
2015:
10 Years Ago:
#22
Check out this thread for more information:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...ite-brand-fall
Industry as a whole is getting better, MB as a whole is getting worse.
2015:
10 Years Ago:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...ite-brand-fall
Industry as a whole is getting better, MB as a whole is getting worse.
2015:
10 Years Ago:
#23
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It seems to me that the IQS numbers don't really correlate very well to the Consumer Reports reliability numbers. For example, Subaru rates very high in the CR surveys, but very low on the IQS survey. Likewise, MB rates just above the industry average for IQS which I'm sure will be well above the CR reliability numbers when they are published for 2015.
I'm certainly not accusing anyone here, but the IQS is largely useless, and is a marketing tool.
The "Vehicle Dependability Study" on the other hand is for longer-term mechanical-type issues.
Anyone looking to get into a new C-Class right now should be aware of the teething issues (MB-tex, wind noise, shifting problems, misaligned taillights/bumper, infotainment issues, etc.) and these should not come as a surprise.
The wind-noise issue is harder to diagnose and I'm willing to concede that may not hav come up on some test-drives. But again, who doesn't take any new car on the highway to see how it performs at 60-70mph? I've done it, and I tell the salesman to keep his mouth shut so I can hear every squeak/rattle/road imperfection possible.
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It seems to me that the IQS numbers don't really correlate very well to the Consumer Reports reliability numbers. For example, Subaru rates very high in the CR surveys, but very low on the IQS survey. Likewise, MB rates just above the industry average for IQS which I'm sure will be well above the CR reliability numbers when they are published for 2015.
CR's survey focuses heavily on road-testing, which is totally different than JD' Initial Quality. People overlook a bluetooth pairing-issue, or a "too-small" cupholder if the car performs well on the road.
#25
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The CR numbers really nail it .... the Mercedes brand ties with Audi for the number two slot, and only one point behind BMW for the top ranking, in road test scores. When reliability is factored in, the overall ranking drops down to 21.
Although my current C300 has been rock solid with no issues, and a thoroughly enjoyable car to own and drive, the horrible experience I had with my first one really had me regretting my initial purchase decision.
The goal of every car manufacturer is to increase market penetration and profit. MB kicked off its latest push with the introduction of the new W205 series ... a very appealing compact sedan that is a true competitor to both the BMW 3 series, and the Audi A4. You would think, however, that a significant amount of development money would have gone towards insuring consistent assembly standards and the highest level of quality control. MB needs this car to succeed worldwide, and poor reliability results published in widely read journals are not going to help them meet their long term goals.
I am sure that corporate is painfully aware of every problem area that has been reported by owners and dealers. To date, the approach to resolving these issues has been almost entirely reactive ... the only proactive campaigns have been through recalls or service bulletins. For 2016, it looks like there will be only minor package/accessory changes to the car, so it will be interesting to see if any of the more common complaints will be addressed as the new model year production kicks in.
If the W205 is ever to enjoy the success it deserves, Mercedes really has to get this under control and start offering owners of these cars the support they expect.
Last edited by StanNH; 06-19-2015 at 03:34 PM.