Mercedes-Benz named Consumer Reports least-reliable
11-09-2006, 09:13 PM
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'03 S55 AMG, '01 CLK55 AMG
Mercedes-Benz named Consumer Reports least-reliable
DaimlerChrysler was alone among major automakers in being shut out of the most-reliable list.
The magazine's testing staff called Chrysler's hatchback Caliber one of the most disappointing new cars, citing what it called "unimpressive" mileage and a "poorly finished" interior.
In addition, eight Mercedes-Benz vehicles were named to Consumer Reports least-reliable list, the most for any brand.
Champion said many of the problems reported by Mercedes owners concerned glitches in the electrical, audio and power systems for their cars.
Mercedes-Benz spokeswoman Donna Boland said the reliability survey did not reflect the automaker's most recent efforts to work out bugs in those areas. "We did have some issues, but I think the great majority of those have been resolved to the satisfaction of owners," she said.
A total of 20 vehicles on the least-reliable list were from U.S. automakers, including 12 from GM, five from Ford and three from the Chrysler Group.
Chrysler spokesman Sam Locricchio said he expected the automaker's stepped-up investment in quality in recent years would start to be reflected in coming reliability surveys.
"I think you're going to see some dramatic improvements," he said
The magazine's testing staff called Chrysler's hatchback Caliber one of the most disappointing new cars, citing what it called "unimpressive" mileage and a "poorly finished" interior.
In addition, eight Mercedes-Benz vehicles were named to Consumer Reports least-reliable list, the most for any brand.
Champion said many of the problems reported by Mercedes owners concerned glitches in the electrical, audio and power systems for their cars.
Mercedes-Benz spokeswoman Donna Boland said the reliability survey did not reflect the automaker's most recent efforts to work out bugs in those areas. "We did have some issues, but I think the great majority of those have been resolved to the satisfaction of owners," she said.
A total of 20 vehicles on the least-reliable list were from U.S. automakers, including 12 from GM, five from Ford and three from the Chrysler Group.
Chrysler spokesman Sam Locricchio said he expected the automaker's stepped-up investment in quality in recent years would start to be reflected in coming reliability surveys.
"I think you're going to see some dramatic improvements," he said
11-10-2006, 09:28 AM
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Consumer Reports and Mercedes-Benz could be mentioned in the same breath (in polite company) as long as CR was giving MB top grades ...
... now that CR is no longer doing so, it has totally been discredited as a source of any information.
Same for JD Powers or any other surveyor.
... now that CR is no longer doing so, it has totally been discredited as a source of any information.
Same for JD Powers or any other surveyor.
11-10-2006, 04:59 PM
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2020 BMW X3M Comp
For anyone to be surprised by this news, you'd have to be completely blind. The tank like build quality that made Mercedes-Benz famous went out with the W140 and the W124.
IMO, its the legendary name that keeps this brand on top and not it's current product.
IMO, its the legendary name that keeps this brand on top and not it's current product.
11-10-2006, 05:06 PM
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11-10-2006, 05:34 PM
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"A Mercedes-Benz product"
EDIT: I mean ditto.
11-10-2006, 05:35 PM
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11-10-2006, 05:54 PM
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"A Mercedes-Benz product"
You're welcome....
11-10-2006, 06:36 PM
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THE C
11-15-2006, 10:40 PM
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There is no way you can put this much technology into a car and not have reliability issues. Just look at general aviation airplanes .. stuff breaks *ALL THE TIME* from the heat, vibration, smaller and smaller spaces in which everything is installed, etc. Mercedes keeps adding gadgets and if they can't make electronics that an automotive consumer would find reliable for aviation, where the buyer is paying top dollar, there is no way they can build it that reliable for a car.
Second, and I don't know this for sure, but I've been told a lot of the negative surveys for JD and CR are due to consumers thinking something is broken when infact they don't know how to use it or are unwilling to real a 700+ page manual for their car. Heck, the average person won't read a 200 page book in an entire year, so its a dream if they're going to read the car's manual.
Mercedes could build a car as reliable as the 1989 420SEL I drive, which is a few years shy of its 20th bday, but they'd have to strip it down to what technology is in my 420SEL.
Second, and I don't know this for sure, but I've been told a lot of the negative surveys for JD and CR are due to consumers thinking something is broken when infact they don't know how to use it or are unwilling to real a 700+ page manual for their car. Heck, the average person won't read a 200 page book in an entire year, so its a dream if they're going to read the car's manual.
Mercedes could build a car as reliable as the 1989 420SEL I drive, which is a few years shy of its 20th bday, but they'd have to strip it down to what technology is in my 420SEL.
11-16-2006, 06:58 PM
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Second, and I don't know this for sure, but I've been told a lot of the negative surveys for JD and CR are due to consumers thinking something is broken when infact they don't know how to use it or are unwilling to real a 700+ page manual for their car. Heck, the average person won't read a 200 page book in an entire year, so its a dream if they're going to read the car's manual.
But that can't explain everything. MB's poor scores across the board cannot be attributed to owners disliking their brake systems or disliking their fully functional electronics or being unhappy with their fuel economy.
No one wanted to acknowledge the drop in quality at first. Some of us came out of denial before others (some MBW members are still in denial, though). Finally MB management came out of denial and has been making a PR effort to convince everyone they are making an honest effort to solve all the problems. Hopefully they will be true to their word.
11-16-2006, 07:51 PM
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'06 E55, '05 SLK55, a few others
My 2006 E55 has had way too many problems. If anything, they're getting worse, not better. My 2002 E55 was nearly problem free in comparison. The W210 is probably the best of the post merger cars and they still have quite a few known issues. To say it's the complexity of the cars, is making the exact kind of excuses they want you to make for them. There are AT LEAST as many "bells and whistles" in a Lexus and they have nearly zero problems.
11-16-2006, 08:01 PM
#21
There are AT LEAST as many "bells and whistles" in a Lexus and they have nearly zero problems.
Well they have active body cont... oh no they don't.
What about distronic plu... nope, none of that either.
Perhaps a V12 with 590lb-ft tor.... nope.
Oh, what about a V8 with 516lb-ft tor... another no.
Well, to Lexus' credit, they have copied the Germans in terms of options very well. Keyless Go, Distronic, etc.
11-17-2006, 04:37 AM
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I do think MB is worst in customer service however. The stories I've heard from people that have had problems are experiences someone that just dropped $100k+ on a car should have to put up with.
11-17-2006, 10:38 AM
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'06 E55, '05 SLK55, a few others
They do better than HP/TQ ratings. I don't see a Benz parking itself. They have/had active lighting before MB, body temperature sensing climate control, voice activated nav like, wait,, MB doesn't have that, etc. etc. The difference is, their ***** works and stays working. Don't even get me started on the differences in service. Hell, I half expect a BJ at the Lexus dealership if something goes wrong. They're about ready to fall on their swords or something. At MB, it's like "You should expect and live with problems, it's a Benz".
11-17-2006, 04:58 PM
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THE C
I have to agree with that. I haven't dropped 100K on a car but that doesn't matter, if you buy quality quality customer service should be part of it. I had really bad experiences which almost made me sell my car.
11-17-2006, 05:04 PM
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Better hp/tq ratings? Bro, look at the cars you have. An E55 and SLK55. Even the baby 55 which has around 350hp. There is no Lexus at that level except the BRAND NEW LS460 and the upcoming LS460lh.
I don't see LS460l's parking themselves accurately either
I didn't mention the active lighting because everyone has it, I only mentioned Mercedes specific / Lexus-lacking.
The point of my post was that Lexus' don't have AS MANY things as Mercedes does usually. Such is the cost of our reliability. You can't have your cake and eat it too -- at least yet. Lexus still has a ways to go until it's the perfect car. That's why their motto is the Passionate Pursuit of Perfection
I don't see LS460l's parking themselves accurately either
I didn't mention the active lighting because everyone has it, I only mentioned Mercedes specific / Lexus-lacking.
The point of my post was that Lexus' don't have AS MANY things as Mercedes does usually. Such is the cost of our reliability. You can't have your cake and eat it too -- at least yet. Lexus still has a ways to go until it's the perfect car. That's why their motto is the Passionate Pursuit of Perfection
