mkaresh

Because existing sources of auto reliability information left much to be desired, in late 2005 I started conducting my own reliability research at TrueDelta.com. TrueDelta reports absolute stats like "trips to the shop" that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so any significant changes in a model's reliability become apparent quickly.

So far 179 E-Class owners have signed up to participate, but most of these are for the current E-Class, the W211. I'd like to include the W210 as well.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

To encourage participation, panel members receive full access to the results for free.

For the details, and to sign up to help out:

Vehicle reliability research

husk323

advertising?

E-Klasse

I pass on that. Already know about how good the w210 is.

Musikmann

I signed up, thanks for the offer.

mkaresh

You're certainly welcome.

We might have results for some newer E-Class years in November. It would be nice to include the W210 as well, but that will depend on how many owners sign up and participate.

Vehicle reliability research

mkaresh

Results recently posted for many other models. Let's get the W210 into future updates.

Vehicle reliability research

mkaresh

So far 206 E-Class owners have signed up to participate. Most own the W211, though. Need more 210s to also get it into the survey.

Vehicle reliability research

mkaresh

Closer, but not there yet.

mkaresh

We'll have updated results for 190+ other models in early February, including one or two years of the W211.

Need more owners' help to get the W210 into future updates.

Car reliability research

mkaresh

Updated results posted for other Mercedes. Getting closer with the W210.

mkaresh

Total of 243 E-Class owners now signed up. Model years are included in the survey when 25 or more owners are signed up.

Car reliability research

mkaresh

Getting there--the 2001 is now 3/4 of the way to the minimum. People often ask me why most of my results are for fairly new cars. Well, for whatever reason, the people signed up tend to own fairly new cars. I'd certainly like to provide information on older cars as well.

mkaresh

1999, 2000, and 2001 all getting close.

mkaresh

Updated results recently posted for three years of the W211. With owners' help, we can also cover all years of the W210.

mkaresh

The 2001 is now just a couple cars short of the minimum.

Help get your year included:

Car reliability research

mkaresh

Updated results for the W211 in a couple of weeks. Would like to also have results for the W210, but need more owners involved.

mkaresh

Those results posted for the W211. The 1999 and 2001 are now just a few owners short of the minimum, so they could be included in the survey soon.

Car reliability research

mkaresh

The 2001 has now been added to the survey, and other years are gettiing close. Thanks, guys. I look forward to being able to provide some reliability stats for the W210 E-Class.

Car reliability research

mkaresh

Results recently updated for the W211. Might have a result for the 2001 in February, but it's going to be tight. Additional participants for all model years would certainly be helpful.

dstorfer

I added my 99 too, but it still doesn't look like I can add any details on it yet.

mkaresh

The 1999 isn't in the survey yet, but it's very close. 23 cars signed up--need just two more to get started.

Car reliability research

gqmagic

Seems like a re-invention of the wheel that already exists here and Benzworld

mkaresh

Forums provide descriptions, explanations, and such, but not statistics that can be compared to those for other cars.

It'd be like saying that road test statistics are redundant, because the review already described what the car feels like to drive. Both are valuable, but neither can replace the other.

mkaresh

No result for the 2001 in February--looks like it was added to the survey too recently for that. A result is likely in May.

The 1999 is now a single car short of the minimum needed to include it in the survey.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

mkaresh

Recently updated results or the W211. Hoping to have the W210 in the May update--it's going to be close. Even a few additional participants per model year would be very helpful.