hawk20

J.D. Power Model by Model

Here’s the league table
http://www.whatcar.com/NonCar/1057740480.jpg

Here’s the main report. Lots of detail on models and well worth reading.
http://www.whatcar.co.uk/news-specia...aspx?NA=225557

Here are some selections: -
Mercedes C-Class
Rating 81.3%
Overall ranking 23rd=
The C-Class suffered few reliability problems and scored well for cabin layout, but comfort was rated as merely average.
In the past, owners criticised the Merc's maintenance costs, but are now happier that they're getting value for money.

Mercedes E-Class
Rating 81.3%
Overall ranking 23rd=
The E-Class's controls came in for the most criticism, while the gearbox and transmission proved very reliable, and among the best in class. Owners were concerned about the cost of repairs, but fuel economy was strongly praised.

For comparison, some surprising comments on the BMW 5 series: -
11 BMW 5 Series
Rating 79.4
Overall ranking 54th
The 5 Series finishes behind all of its main rivals, and owners were unhappy with its reliability. Performance was rated as above average, while the car's interior and exterior were merely average.

High ownership costs and poor dealer service took the bloom off 5 Series ownership.


Mercedes-Benz CLK
Rating 80.9%
Overall ranking 31st
You expect a Merc to impress, and owners rated the CLK's handling and exterior design highly, along with its performance. However, the car's comfort and convenience didn't rate highly.

The CLK's mechanical reliability was considered to be above average, but problems with interior features and control issues were reported. Owners rated dealer service as merely average, although they were impressed with the helpfulness of staff and the facilities available.

The cost of ownership was classed as average, and the cost of repairs and maintenance was felt to be high.


Mercedes-Benz SLK
Rating 80.4%
Overall ranking 38th=
The SLK scored highest in the class for looks — owners were emphatic
in their praise of the styling, both inside and out. They were also delighted with the car's performance and were fairly pleased with the level of service they received at dealerships.

They rated the SLK as being pretty solid mechanically; very few owners had issues with the engine and transmission. However, nearly a quarter of owners had problems with the seats and a fifth had niggles with the interior controls.

SLK owners were not overly enamoured with the cost of repairs, but were more satisfied than CLK drivers.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Rating 81.1%
Overall ranking 28th=
The A-Class ran a very close second to the Corolla Verso. It seems Mercedes has got its act together on the reliability front and, like the Toyota, it performed extremely well in this area.

Interior build quality proved to be the A-Class's major strength - owners reported no nasty niggles, rattles or glitches. Heating and ventilation systems, the stereo and the seats also got the thumbs-up, and the engine and transmission proved to be strong.

The A-Class scored highest for exterior styling. On the downside, owners felt costs of service and repair were too steep.

Germancar1

Great, great news!!! Now if only the new 07's could get the same praise here in the U.S. Mercedes would really be on to something.

M

hawk20

Are they not getting much praise over there then?

Germancar1

Well the data for the 2007 models hasn't been released yet, but up till now Mercedes name has been pretty much mud with JD Powers and Consumer Reports as far as reliability goes.

M

hawk20

It will be interesting to see what happens when your 2007 figures come out. Over here, the head of J.D. Power noted that Mercedes were by far the biggest improver. Both Merc and the dealers have been making big efforts.

Germancar1

That is so very good to hear. I think the biggest thing holding back Mercedes' sales here in the U.S. is the blackeye they got from JDP and Consumer Reports because IMO there is not a more deseriable lineup of cars from top to bottom, well maybe Audi, but they don't have a SL or CL competitor. If Mercedes' quality had never dipped they'd still be #1 here and worldwide I think in terms of sales.

M

hawk20

I am surprised. My 2005 S class has done 25,000 fault free miles. Best car I've ever had. Wonderful. A real joy. What does CR say about it over there? I don't think we can find out without being a subscriber?

Germancar1

The W220 has a terrible reputation for reliability with consumer reports, especially the 2000-2003 or 04 so models. They love the car when they tested it though, saying it had the best ride they've ever experienced with good handling and wonderful interior, but they they also state that they couldn't recommend it because of its below average reliability.

M

hawk20

Thanks for that. I guess by 2005 they had got all the bugs out. Mine's been great. Do they mention 2005 models??

Germancar1

I'm not sure as far as Consumer Reports goes because they didn't have a large enough sample of owners for some years. For JDP Powers I don't remember what they said in the latter years of the W220's life, but I can't imagine it would be any better. The W220 just has a bad rep with those 2 organizations.

M

QQQ

Interesting observations that by manufacturer, MB ties with BMW at #11 while Chrysler is at rock bottom #33... now Chrysler is gone hopefully MB is back to the rock solid tank build quality.

hawk20

Yes, there's no doubt that Chrysler must have diverted a lot of management time and effort that could now be concentrated on the issues we all care about.

hawk20

Any idea how the new S class is doing with these two organisations and the new ML. Certainly over here there are very few faults being reported on the forums.

Germancar1

Nothing on the new S-Class yet, but going by what the service folk at my dealer say it has been the most trouble free Benz in years and years. The ML is better than the previous model, but still not up par reliability wise. Consumer Reports has already put the kibosh on the 06 models and predicted that the 07's will be no better. Nothing from JDP yet on the S, not sure about the ML.

M

hawk20

Thanks you are very helpful.