Consumer reports rates some Mercedes and a BMW as "worst bets to reach 200,000 miles" - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jbach36 · #1 09-05-2007, 11:10 AM

They just don't make 'em like they used to. Though they're not talking about a diesel, Consumer Reports said "Good bets" for making 200,000 miles were Honda's and Toyotas.

"Bad bets" for making 200,000 miles: BMW 7-series, Infiniti QX56, Jaguar X-type, V8-powered Mercedes-Benz M-class, Mercedes-Benz SL, Nissan Armada, Nissan Titan, Volkswagen Touareg, V6-powered Volvo XC90.

In its annual national auto survey, the magazine found 6,769 readers who had logged more than 200,000 miles on their cars. Their cars included a 1990 Lexus LS400 with 332,000 miles and a (one freak example) 1994 Ford Ranger pick-up that had gone 488,000 miles."

....Not bad for a Ford, their average is probably 60,000 miles before dying.

It's a bummer to see MB's on the "they won't last" list. I feel sorry for the BMW's, because those cars get beat to death by their owners; they're a sports sedan, while the Lexus is not. I've heard even worse are the BMW 3 series (318, 320's, etc.), because those are the entry level BMW's, and the owners race them around, but can't always afford to maintain them properly.

jeff

#2 09-05-2007, 11:14 AM

LOL, CR is very useful if you are shopping for a dishwasher.

vstech · #3 09-05-2007, 11:45 AM

check the mileage I have on my astro.... also my suburban is nearing 250K...

pimpernell · #4 09-05-2007, 11:55 AM

wish I could say that I had the car from mile 1, but I just got it about 4 months ago with 195,000. From the carfax records, it shows that it was maintained in accordance with Mb schedule. Everything in the car works, with the exception of a defective fuel gauge , but other than that, if runs and performs like a new car. The prior owner produced service records for work done in late 06 which included: new fuel lines, ac aux. fan, timing chain and tensioner, starter, and battery. Upon taking ownership, I replaced the two front shocks. I realize that I am at the mercy of the dreaded "computers", but that can be said for any new vehicle on the market so I will take my chances with this fine auto. Best wishes..

BodhiBenz1987 · #5 09-05-2007, 12:15 PM

I'm sure it's a highly scientific, carefully researched study as usual from CR. Hopefully it includes such valued statistics as ashtray opening angles and stereo button ergonomic quality.

Seriously, how the heck can you compare these different brands of cars in terms of longevity? They are driven completely differently by drivers with a wide variety of mindsets. It used to work in MB's favor ... people who drove an MB or BMW were going to take care of it, so they were more likely to last longer. Now it's the opposite ... people who drive luxury vehicles tend to beat the crud out of them and not really take care of them because they're just going to trade them in in three years. Nowadays, I think more "practical-minded" people are going to buy a Honda or Toyota.

I do think it's the case that MB's are not as well-made as they were 20, 25 years ago, or at least that the "gap" has narrowed (or been erased or reversed) between them and other cars. Anyone can own a nice car now ... nice cars are cheap, gadgetry included. I'd say it's how you take care of it (or if you take care of it) that determines how long it will last you. That was true 20 years ago and it's true now ... take care of it, drive it, do all the maintenance, keep it away from salt and roadslush, and you can probably get it to 200,000 miles. Maybe I've become swayed by spending too much time on this board, but does 200,000 really seem like that big a deal? I think it has more to do with how much you're willing to A) tolerate, B) roll up you sleeves and fix yourself or C) spend money to have fixed.

BodhiBenz1987 · #6 09-05-2007, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbach36

In its annual national auto survey, the magazine found 6,769 readers who had logged more than 200,000 miles on their cars.

This highlights CR's poor poll quality, too ... that's not a very big population, for one, and it also isn't a sample of the GENERAL DRIVING PUBLIC ... it's a sample of CONSUMER REPORTS READERS. I took one statistics course and even I know there's a big difference between those two things. Stats 101 ...

nhdoc · #7 09-05-2007, 12:24 PM

Having briefly owned a '97 BMW 740il I can whole-heartedly agree with CR's putting it at the top of the list of crap cars...it makes any M-B look great by comparison.

#8 09-05-2007, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BodhiBenz1987

This highlights CR's poor poll quality, too ... that's not a very big population, for one, and it also isn't a sample of the GENERAL DRIVING PUBLIC ... it's a sample of CONSUMER REPORTS READERS. I took one statistics course and even I know there's a big difference between those two things. Stats 101 ...

Do you believe that the sample size of those logging over 200K miles on their cars is significantly larger? I doubt it - people nowadays are too damn stupid with their money to keep a car that long.

I believe most modern cars, with proper maintenance, should be able to reach the 200K milestone without significant issues. What I do not believe is that an owner of a W210, W211, or W220 would be willing to tolerate electronic issues, electrical failures, failed air suspension, and rusty bottom doors, fenders, and spring perches for the 12+ years that it would take a typical driver to log 200K miles.

SD Blue · #9 09-05-2007, 12:28 PM

So this "survey" tells us that most folks who buy MB's don't read Consumer Reports. Why am I not surprised by this? Lately, nearly all of their reviews are nothing but a bunch of biased drivel.

#10 09-05-2007, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD Blue

So this "survey" tells us that most folks who buy MB's don't read Consumer Reports. Why am I not surprised by this? Lately, nearly all of their reviews are nothing but a bunch of biased drivel.

I think CRs is probably somewhat useful to their target audience, who are also the folks who complete their polls. I recently read about the results of their long term reliability poll (3 years). Their average reader probably wants something they can drive for a couple of years with minimum maintenance/repairs until they trade it in, and roll their remaining loan balance into their next loan. For most of us, their opinions are irrelevant.

bustedbenz · #11 09-05-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrhills0146

12+ years that it would take a typical driver to log 200K miles.

Is THAT how little "normal" people drive? Sheesh! My mom and I both drive enough that we'd put that many miles on a car in somewhere between 5 and 6 years.

DieselAddict · #12 09-05-2007, 02:53 PM

Mileage is rather irrelevant. The only parts on a car that directly see miles are the tires and wheel bearings and maybe a few others. The engine and most other components only see time of usage, not miles. Think about it, what's worse? 1 mile of mostly idling, stop-n-go traffic, or 5 miles of constant 65 mph driving?

vstech · #13 09-05-2007, 02:53 PM

1 to 3 for me...

dukegrad98 · #14 09-05-2007, 03:18 PM

I managed to put only 29k miles on my last BMW (in 3.5 years) before I just couldn't stand seeing the dealer service advisor so often. That vehicle -- and make -- is no longer in the fleet.

Cheers, John

suginami · #15 09-05-2007, 04:10 PM

Why would they single out the V8 powered ML class?

Is there something unique to that chassis?

That V8 engine and transmission is used just about across the board in all the different Mercedes models.