lbgottlieb

The video only touches on the CLA and the new S Class, but FWIW here it is.....

sharpxia

I assume that E-Class is still in good standing of quality.

KEY08

What brands occupy the space between #10 and #21? I don't see the rest of the list.

AudiA4Turbo22

Mercedes will be back up in a year or so. The S-Class has so much tech that it is bound to have problems. However, once these issues are ironed out they should bounce back up on the list.

Wig

This is the Consumer Reports summary of the brand:

"Mercedes-Benz
Among the finest automakers in the world, you used to be able to count on every Mercedes to have an exquisite ride, superb handling, an impeccable interior, and sophisticated electronics. The model range includes finely crafted sedans, SUVs, coupes, and convertibles. But these days, just because you see a three-pointed star on the hood doesn’t guarantee the car will live up to those lofty standards. Some models, such as the S-Class, are unparalleled when it comes to ride quality and low interior noise levels. On the other hand, the CLA’s harsh ride and unrefined demeanor seems like Mercedes just mailed it in. It’s hard to believe that the same company produced both cars."

It's difficult to argue against most of that.

dbldpr

I am surprised it did not fall even further. Based on the quality I have seen on my new car and the complaints I have read on this forum

CarolinaBluetec

I suspect most of this is due to the CLA. Mercedes has never been very good at building "cheap" cars. They have been selling well though. They were running 3 shifts at their plant in Hungary. I have unfortunately made the mistake in the past of purchasing a new model in the first year or so of production and it never worked out very well.

VegasE

Did not even consider it when my son asked for recommendations for an entry level luxury car,

DerekACS

Actually if you looked at the reliability ratings of the E Class by Consumer Reports and by True Delta, you would find that it is @ the top of the pack. In fact, the W212 diesels are the highest rated cars for 'customer satisfaction' according to CR !

Unfortunately, amongst MB's current fleet, it seems that only the E Class is highly rated for reliability. The CLA, the S Class and the new C Class are all dragging down the MB's reputation for building high quality cars.

lbgottlieb

My current plan is to hold out for a new car until 2017. Considering current delivery "gossip", that puts me right into a new W213 (though while I've bought first-run Japanese cars in the past, I'm not sure I'd take the plunge with anything out of Europe, regardless of the brand).

That being said, I can only hope that the current issues with the CLA, the new S and the new C Class MB Tex disaster just make MB that much more inclined to triple check the build quality of the upcoming W213 prior to release.

Germancar1

The 2014 S and CLA are the problem here. Now the C will drag them down for 2015. Mercedes is chasing volume and not keeping the quality up. Hopefully in a few years they can get back to where they should be.

CR is only half baked though. NO ONE makes a 30K car that rides and feels like their 100K car. I get that the CLA is a cheap mess but it would never ride like the S at that price point.

M

alsyli

No, but you CAN get the impression from a $30,000 car that a manufacturer can build a car worth $100,000 (which is the impression I got when my partner took a VW GTI for a test drive a few mos ago).

ddeliber

Agreed.

El Cid

If you look back over decades of CR reliability ratings, MB historically really does not do that well. That is what kept me from purchasing one for a long time.
The "E" Class is the most reliable car MB makes and I think GLK ranks highly.
If MB is going to market the CLA, C and GLA as MERCEDES-BENZ luxury vehicles, then they should be evaluated that way. CR did not compare it to the "S" per se, but stated it did not have the comfort, quality, etc. that an MB should have.
I agree with Wig's post of what everyone should expect of every MB product.
If DAG wants a cheaper car to compete with others, create a new line.
BTW, by the time you drive it off, it is a $35-40,000 car.
Personally I think a major problem is that DAG/MB is too interested in produing new car lines, expanded offerings for each model, etc. rather than focusing on building high quality cars. Of course, the "S," Maybach, AMG, etc. are very high profit lines for DAG.

instantfob

My car was out of service for 30 days in total during first 3 months of ownership.

It's perfectly fine now

islandbeef

Hints of Chrysler's DNA remaining in the brand?

MBNUT1

This is true. The new Golf has been described as a mini S class because of it's ride quality. The CLA is just not a very good car.

MBNUT1

+1

El Cid

Agree

El Cid

There is NO Chrysler DNA in any MB's. There is MB DNA in Chryslers. DAG took over Chrysler and sent their German personnel to run it. They ignored the Chrysler people for the most part.
It was a terrible fit from the start and none of it was Chrysler's fault.
The CLA and GLA are 100% created by DAG in Germany using DAG components.

El Cid

Hope they gave you a really good loaner during that period. Still no car should be out of service for more than one day when new.

Wig

The purpose of the CLA is to get younger, less affluent buyers into a Benz, and become loyal to the brand as they age and become wealthier.

The POS CLA may have the opposite effect and turn buyers off the brand.

MB should be ashamed of this car. Not very good AND unreliable.

Trancebolt

The GLA/GLE/CLA line are all targeted to younger audiences, but dont forget. The statistics might say large majority of owners are over 50, but they buy cars for their daughters/sons/wives/parents. They want safe/sporty/mildly affordable. (one because most people have a few kids, and second alot of kids total their cars)

I was asked to do a review of the IDEA of the CLA 4 years ago for MBAdvisors and I completely said the same thing you guys did. Now after seeing it launch, checking out the 45 engine and seeing the results, im converted. They did a smashing job. Im even considering a GLA45 for my lady when we have a kid.

The CLA is made by the youngest team of designers from mb/amg. They used a totally new style and method of design and engineering for the car. It is paying off huge dividends for that car class/demographic. The CLA did not take C class buyers, it introduced new buyers from all levels. The CLA was a major success. Actually, all car companies are going both ways: maserati and aston and the like making more affordable cars, and mb reviving brands like maybach.

The new m235i is a super harsh ride with an odd tranny thats copycatted to 20 other car models in the market. Doesnt mean it doesnt serve its purpose perfectly. The people that buy it dont care about the ride. My coworker has a manual, loves it to death. I personally have alot of esteem for the car and compliment him on it alot, however its not for me.

Bottom line: Mercedes has a wide range of models, if you pick the right one for you as a person (being educated as to what car does what best) you will never go wrong with mercedes. I like how you can say its unreliable, the cars BRAND NEW. I have an idea, why dont we do a soundoff of all the people who vote yes or no on the CLA type lineage of MB, and have each person report their age/job title/cars owned currently/hometown; Bet youll see striking similarities to those who like/dislike a certain topic.

You want to talk about bad ideas, thers some new suv coming out to mimic bmws X6. talk about terrible idea =D

instantfob

Here's the link to my headache on my 2014 E.
I have almost driven all the loaner cars at my servicing dealership. C sedan/coupe, E sedan/wagon, GLK, CLA250, and ML.

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...mbusa-now.html

DerekACS

Yes, this makes good sense ! One only has to compare the VW-Audi group with Mercedes to see how two product lines can successfully comprise a wide range of products. The CLA/GLA belong in a "VW" type line beneath MB.