Consumer Reports rips MB S-class - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 11-09-2004, 11:29 AM

According to an article in today's USA Today (09 Nov 2004) titled, "Costly doesn't mean reliable", Consumer Reports ripped the S-class pretty bad. They ranked the S-class in the same catagory as the BMW 7-series. Oh, how low mighty MB has sunk . . . to be compared to a 7-series.

They are now in the "least reliable" catagory. The $16k Hyundai is in the "most reliable" catagory.

Mercedes "officials" have dismissed the criticism offering that their internal tracking "shows improvement across all Mercedes models." and "BMW officials say they are confident their cars will do better in next year's survey."

"'The better measure of reliability is the fact that 72% of the over 2 million Mercedes-Benz vehicles that have sold in the USA since the 1950's are still on the road today,' says Geoff Day, Mercedes spokesman."

The reliability reports were generated by owners of 1997 to present-day automobiles. These are not test, or mfg reports, but owner feedback.

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Sheech! Talk about ostrich syndrome. Geoff did not elaborate and say that probably 75% of the cars on the road are pre-1996 models, cars that were designed by engineers and not designed by accountants.

I'm glad I have one of the last "real" Mercedes that have been made.

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Despite what some might say about the quality and usefullness of CR, I've found their auto reports to be fairly accurate, as to reliability of various automative sub-systems. (A long time ago, when purchasing a used German sport coupe, CR rated the '74 Opel Manta as very highly rated, except for the carburator. Got one, and sure enough, had to replace the carburator in due time. Car gave me good, long use, racking up 180,000 miles before I junked it.)

Pete Geither · #2 11-09-2004, 12:16 PM

Just curious Steve,,, do you have any relatives in western Pa. ?

cdanschwartz · #3 11-09-2004, 04:02 PM

Does the CR report mean that the BMW 7 series and Mercedes S class break down and leave the owners stranded? Or do they mean that some little features break and require repair? Having static in your left speaker is not the same as being unable to drive.

It seems to me that all cars with lots of fancy electronics, some of which include safety features, will require more money and time to keep. But which car would you rather be in when the Hummer driven by some psycho with road rage broadsides you? The S class or the Hyundai?

Charles

#4 11-09-2004, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJG56

Just curious Steve,,, do you have any relatives in western Pa. ?

I don't get it? Is this supposed to be an insult, or an honest question? If it is an honest question, what is the tie-in to the newspaper article? If it is an insult . . . well, I just guess I'm too dumb to see it as such. In any case, as far as I know, I don't have any relatives in western PA. Been a couple hundred years since my ancestors lived anywhere around there, if ever.

ksing44 · #5 11-10-2004, 07:07 AM

When I had my car serviced last week, the guys at the dealer commented that problems with the new cars were related to all of the "gizmos" and that the cars were generally good. They said the Japanese changed everything and that they might not have changed it for the better. They also told me that my car was beautiful and that it was definitely one of the last great Mercedes cars. Hey they even say that stuff in the service department at the dealership. I am glad I have my wonderful W124. If I continue to take good care of it, maybe I will never need to learn about all of problems with those gizmos.

mctwin2kman · #6 11-10-2004, 08:31 AM

I have a new Benz and it is fine as far as fit and finish and reliability. Sure I have had a few services, but hell I get a free Benz Loaner and all the issues are fixed. But yes most of the problems I have heard of on other forums with the newer models is electronics. So far I have had cracked steering wheel switches and a visor replaced since it always turned on the light. Now the hood pad is on its third try to get one that stays on and I have a cut on the door panel leather and a broken seat belt extender. Does not affect the seat belt just makes it harder to reach. Nothing major and it will be all looked at when it goes in for Service next week.

Kestas · #7 11-10-2004, 09:04 AM

Mctwin2kman, it is nice to know you have a fairly new model and a loaner is available when they take care of the problems with your car. But can you envision a time when your car comes out of warranty and you'll have to pay for repairs yourself?... plus the repairs may get more involved over time. These little problems then become more than annoying - they get downright aggravating!

Most of us on this board are used car buyers. Quality and reliability are some of the things that mean a lot to us. New car buyers don't have to deal with these issues because everything is taken care of during warranty. But wait a minute.... now these issues ARE affecting new car buyers because they are taking issue with residual value after the lease is over. The price of used MBs - as well as some other brands - is dropping like a rock because nobody wants to deal with repairs on such a complicated car.

I bought my 95 E320 used. It also ran well and also had good fit and finish. But the things that needed attention and repair were all the 'convenience' features.

The automotive professionals have noticed this trend with Mercedes as long as 15 years ago, where they commented that "Mercedes is shooting themselves in the foot when every year their latest and greatest models are introduced with more gizmos than the previous year's model in the name of 'improvement'. They would be best off spending the money on improving the existing architecture of the base vehicle and making the existing parts with better quality than by adding new 'convenience' features that make the car more expensive to repair."