mkaresh

I wanted more up-to-date auto reliability information that included actual repair rates. So in late 2005 I started getting people together to make this possible. TrueDelta now reports absolute repair rates that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so it's possible to have results for new models like the W212 very quickly and then track cars closely as they age.

We've had very good participation by owners of the W204 C-Class, so were able to provide reliability stats well ahead of anyone else. I'd like to do the same for the W212 E-Class. Just a matter of how soon enough owners sign up and participate.

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, participants receive full access to all results, not just those for the E-Class, free of charge.

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

Car reliability research

mkaresh

Not many cars signed up yet...not many owners yet?

vettdvr

I hope they do. I signed our E500 up immediately to contribute data. My decision to purchase a replacement will be based on data from contributors.. Ok guys.. please contribute I need to know how the relibility is going on the new E series. I plan to purchase a new one in the next 2 yrs and would really like to have data on reliability. Thanks .

mkaresh

Still not many signed up, I'm afraid. We had a much stronger response for the new C204 C-Class two years ago, and so had some results quickly. Maybe not many have been bought?

Anyone who has bought a W212, and would help provide the first reliability stats for the car anywhere can read the details here:

Car reliability research

K-A

It'll probably take a while. I'm seeing barely any new E's at all in L.A, or Vegas, when the 204 dropped I saw them everywhere (obviously different price point). Economy ain't helping of course.

Rowrbazzle

Added my E350. Although I hope I don't have anything to report for a long time. haha

jbean114

Another E550 has been added to the database, however I will not be taking delivery of the vehicle for another 2 weeks... and I echo the comments above.

mkaresh

If the new E-Class is like the current C-Class, and unlike the GL, you'll be okay.

A few more owners have signed up, so I've added the 2010 to the survey. That said, we'll need more participants to provide reliability stats.

Help make this happen:

Car reliability research

mkaresh

How well are these selling lately?

More owners have been signing up, but more remain needed.

DHI

Signed in.

SkinnyVanilla

Signed up the E-350

greasegun

signed in

wheels777

signed in

AMGTTV8

when you get a sample size of 30 and a years worth of data, pm me the results.

mkaresh

Why not be one of the 30?

We've got enough people waiting for others to be the ones providing the data. So far a dozen owners have signed up. A good start, but more remain needed.

Car reliability research

blazeone

Signed in.

mkaresh

Doing much better lately--18 owners now signed up. Too late for an intial result next month, but one in May now seems likely.

If you're one of the 18, thank you, I certainly appreciate it.

Not yet signed up? We'll need about 40 owners signed up for a full result. Details here:

Car reliability research

El Cid

I signed up for TruDelta's reliabilty survey with a previous car. Not all that pleased with it, but some may like it.
I felt the sample size on some vehicles were way too small for reliable information. Also, you could not post problems that occured prior to join the survey. In addition, trips to dealer may be meaningless.
In one instance, the 2009 Genesis, it appeared some problems were surfacing, but then TrueDelta tried to rationalize it by saying it was a new car. Will they do same for W212? Does this affect reliability of surveys?

sosh

Signed up my new E350 and my new ML550.

mkaresh

I'm all in favor of larger sample sizes. The way to get them is to encourage people to join. Discouraging them tends to perpetuate the problem.

You can post old problems to the site. This is done using a second, simplified survey. They just won't be included in the analysis, to avoid distorting the results.

The 2009 Genesis was an all-new luxury car, so I felt that an "average" reliability score was pretty good. I did say the same thing when the C204 C-Class had a similar result. In general I often note when a car is in its first year.

The repair frequency was still posted, it was still termed "average," and people are free to interpret the numbers as they'd like. I don't see how this would affect the reliability of the surveys.

The survey asks people whether or not the car was in the repair shop. It's a yes or no question, not open to individual interpretation.

mkaresh

Judging from the number of survey responses so far, we will have an initial reliability stat for the W212 in May. As far as I kinow, this will be the first such stat anywhere.

If more owners sign up and participate, this could be a full result. Otherwise, it will be a partial, less precise result.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

El Cid

Before signing up for Mr. Karesh's survey, you might want to read his review of the W212. I'm sure Mr. Karesh will enter the link on this site.

mkaresh

I think there's already an entire thread here on my review. This thread is not about my personal impressions of the E-Class.

I'm hardly the first person to crticize the car's steering. And if someone else has a different opinion, or simply doesn't care about steering feel all that much, I'm perfectly fine with that. These are just my personal impressions. I never tell people what they should like and dislike about a car.

But this is really beside the point.

Your post implies that, if I want people to participate in the survey, I shouldn't honestly provide my impressions of the car--anywhere (the review in question is not on the site).

Do you want someone who alters what they say to make people happy reporting reliability stats?

Maybe you do, but I wouldn't.

K-A

And what does that have to do with anything?

An objective and subjective Review surely wouldn't dictate how 212's score on OWNER surveys on his Site, I'm sure.

samkimg

joined, added gas mileage & repair history :-(