Consumer Reports Angered mighty Mercedes - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pawoSD · #1 11-20-2006, 07:57 PM

Read the article:

http://money.cnn.com/2006/11/17/autos/pluggedin_Taylor_Mercedes.fortune/index.htm?cnn=yes

I agree with mercedes that they are being a bit unfair by calling all their cars unreliable and junky, but I also agree that MB needs to focus less on gadgets and more on reliability.

Here's to bringing back an updated version of the W126 and W123!!!

Larry Delor · #2 11-20-2006, 08:58 PM

They shouldn't have P'd off all those owners with bad wiring harnesses - they are now getting their revenge!
Makes me wonder what other issues they have tried to sweep under the carpet.

What about the spring perch and harmonic balancer failures? Wasn't that somewhat of a widespread occurance?

I think watching the Tech helps section is a darn good indicator for model reliability. When a bunch of people there start complaining that they kneuterwidget is not only broken, but expensive as well, people will hopefully remember and either avoid that model, or make sure it's fixed/not broken.

1991 560 SEC · #3 11-21-2006, 06:24 AM

Our 2006 C280 4Matic has 21,000 miles and has never been back to the dealer, except for oil changes. No problems at all.

John

#4 11-21-2006, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Read the article:

http://money.cnn.com/2006/11/17/autos/pluggedin_Taylor_Mercedes.fortune/index.htm?cnn=yes

I agree with mercedes that they are being a bit unfair by calling all their cars unreliable and junky, but I also agree that MB needs to focus less on gadgets and more on reliability.

Here's to bringing back an updated version of the W126 and W123!!!

At the end of the day Mercedes needs to remember that grueling over quality not gagets is what made theirAt the end of the day Mercedes needs to remember that grueling over quality not gadgets is what made their name. I don't think that Mercedes has truly learn the lesson and I don't expect them to do so has over the years employees change and unless then mantle of absolute quality is there to be pasted on it never will be and I believe that mantle of quality was tossed out the window many years ago.

Hatterasguy · #5 11-21-2006, 12:35 PM

How does brake dust count against a car now? Consumer reports has some stupid catigorys.

The Germans are pissed, look out!

yal · #6 11-21-2006, 01:41 PM

Yep they should be pissed. I posted this last week in this thread...

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=170173

Nearly every model in the mercedes line up was voted least reliable. The Germans are beginning to sound like Detroit... "Um its not our cars its their perception".

Honus · #7 11-21-2006, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

...Here's to bringing back an updated version of the W126 and W123!!!

Amen to that. If you ask me, Mercedes become less interesting with each new model year.

Mistress · #8 11-21-2006, 04:44 PM

Consumer Reports is just pissed because American cars (this week) are being touted as unreliable...when Maxine the wonder Benz is in the shop, I just grab my broom...and WHIPS.

LaRondo · #9 11-23-2006, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dculkin

Amen to that. If you ask me, Mercedes become less interesting with each new model year.

I disagree, nothing like the CLS ...

TheDon · #10 11-23-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaRondo

I disagree, nothing like the CLS ...

the CLS's remind me of the 126 chasis... and they come in a 2 and 4 door version ala SEL,SEC

they are big, long, and powerful just like the ole gazzer W126's... ive driven a CLS55 AMG ... my god...i was like i must have one of these

Honus · #11 11-23-2006, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaRondo

I disagree, nothing like the CLS ...

To each his own, that's what makes the world go 'round. I guess what it boils down to is that I am not that much of a Benz fan. I like Benz diesels, and the 617 motor is on the short list of the coolest things any auto maker ever put out, but beyond that Benzes don't really do it for me. I can still stay, can't I? I mean, to each his own, right?

ILUVMILS · #12 11-23-2006, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Delor

Makes me wonder what other issues they have tried to sweep under the carpet.

Yeah, MB definitely has it's share of quality issues, but they're more pro-active about it now than they were a couple of years ago. Since the beginning of 2006, MB has issued forty-seven Service Campaigns!!! Some will say that this proves the cars are junk, but the overwhelming majority of these problems were fixed before the owners even knew a problem existed.

MB has also completely re-worked their technical training program. They offer several levels of certification for ALL workshop employees, from the New Car Prep guys to the Shop Foremen. In the last three years they've supplemented the instructor-led training program by adding dozens of on-line courses, and offered incentives for employees to attain the highest level of certification possible.

IMHO, MB is aggressively seeking to reverse the damage done to it's reputation over the last several years. Whether or not they can, and how long it will take, remains to be seen.

Honus · #13 11-23-2006, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackE55

Not trying to be a dink, but not much from DC will make you happy except for the Bluetech? I don't see diesels ever making a huge drive into the U.S. maket. Dies fuel ain't cheap and there a host of gassers that get decent mileage. There's the issue of durability and yes, most gassers can't live up to that standard.

Diesel has gotten way more expensive than gas. It's a *****. I like old, smelly diesels, although I guess it's a good thing that everybody doesn't agree with me. Otherwise, it could get smoky around here.

Sometimes I will just sit and listen to my 300D. It's a great sound.

Honus · #14 11-23-2006, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackE55

Dude, that '66 Cad is the bomb. I had a '69 Fleetwood and sold it spring of '03 -- a few months before gas prices shot up. What luck. It had 45k miles, all original. No rust, interior was perfect. I added duals, which gave it a mellow tone, but would crack at WOT. Your '66 has better lines, imo, but something drew me to the boxiness of the '69/70 Cads.

So we disagree on some things but agree on others. The 66 Coup de Ville is most assuredly the bomb. Many, many moons ago (1974), I had a pristine 65 Coup de Ville. That car was sweet. It was the same as the 66 except the 66 has a cleaner design up front.

The man who sold me my 65 replaced it with a 69 Fleetwood, which was also sweet.