DaimlerChrysler acted in concert with Hyundai in designing the Sonata voted highest ranked midsize car in initial quality by J.D. Power and Associates. Can you see the exterior resemblance, of course you can! Recently, DaimlerChrysler sold their monetary investment in Hyundai in an attempt to improve Asian strategy in part to the effort put forth by Wolfgang Bernhard. Bernhard was to head Mercedes succeeding Jurgen Hubbert who is retiring. Because of butting heads with Prof. Schrempp and ultimately convincing the Supervisory Board members to sell Hyundai interest against the wishes of Prof. Schrempp, Bernhard has been disqualified. Several analysts expressed worry that the cancellation of Bernhard’s appointment signals an unwillingness to recognize quality troubles with Mercedes. “They should open their hearts to the reality that there are problems and maybe only someone from outside Mercedes-Benz can see the problems,” said Pia Hellbach, a fund manager with Union Investments in Frankfurt. Meanwhile, members of Daimler’s supervisory board continue to squabble over its decision to quash the appointment of Bernhard. Erich Klemm, has said there was “a high risk” that Mr. Bernhard would have conducted “a rash housecleaning” at Mercedes. I should mention that Bernhard is currently the COO of Chrysler – the guy that is responsible for the new 300 (among others) based on Mercedes parts and technology (In effect, a vast improvement over existing Chrysler parts and technology, no?).

So what does this all mean to us, current W211 owners? Who among us would NOT like to see Mercedes improve quality in one way or another - across the board? There is way, inform DaimlerChrysler that you would like to see Officer Wolfgang Bernhard appointed as the head of Mercedes-Benz - just as the Supervisory Board, through its extensive research, unanimously voted initially. Everyone on this forum has complained that Mercedes simply does not care, or doesn’t listen anymore. We now have an opportunity to appoint someone who would listen, and more importantly has a passion for quality.

Visit http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/dccom...-0-0-0,00.html and choose “Share/investor relations,” or “Other question on the company,” or both to voice your opinion to have Officer Wolfgang Bernhard reinstated as successor to Jurgen Hubbert as head Mercedes-Benz. Be sure to address your email to Hilmar Kopper, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of DaimlerChrysler AG. Your next Benz might very well be your best!

Honestly, as much as I beleive we should voice our opinions, its a lost cause. The handfull of us that might say anything is not stronger that the corporate politics taking place at Daimler. But lets all hope for the best.

It can't hurt by sending a message. Unfortunately the only thing that will really make the most change is a drastic reduction in sales, I don't think that has happened yet, has it?

sales are still pretty strong...I think still because of brand loyalty from the many years and the name MB.

But from all that i've see, better quality is showing on the new SLK and the revised C-Class...everyone has nothing but GOOD things to say about the quality and materials used..."solid MB vault like contruction, what a MB is suppose to be like".

So it's going to take some time for MB to regain rankings, but I think it will be done, just takes time.

there is nothing wrong with the body and chassis on the E, read the recent road and track review. even the C class before the revision was solid as hell. its the electronic and software gremlins that lower the reliability and quality ratings.

I know MB is going to make a good comeback.

With their quality rating they've got no where to go but up :p

Another way to look at it is that perhaps all the crybabies have gone off to buy Bimmers and Lexus's and next time Powers does their survey their new owners are really going to load on them.

I dunno when are some people going to admit that MB quality has gone downhill. How much more evidence do you need. Their styling is brill but they have screwed up the quality.

If you are like me I love my MB and want to keep it, but I am not going to let that stop me seeing the facts and in my case experiencing the facts in 2 MB's over less than 2 years. They are just not delivering the standards and up to now have not given a damn because they are selling loads.

But, the Top Gear report here in the UK has got them worried and I think they are taking notice here. Bout time. But what about Germany, are they listening.

People KNOW that MB's quality has gone down...just by sitting inside current models, you can tell, no doubt. BUT, most people still have faith that MB is coming back (evidence MB is showing it with the revised C and new SLK) and will continue to do so. They issued press releases that admitted they are (were) sliding in those areas but promised to fix them, which looks like their living up to their word currently.

What does that do for us with our new E Classes. Accept that we have just wasted our money and it will be ok when we fork out another 000's on the next Benz. I am afraid that if this one does not meet my expectations I will be unlikely to buy another MB.