Mercedes-Benz Scores Zero in Consumer Reports. Ouch!

Hans submitted on 03/21/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 9:04 PM
from: www.businessweek.com

Tags: Mercedes hits rock bottom

Mercedes hits rock bottom

Mercedes-Benz Scores Zero in Consumer Reports. Ouch!

We all know vaguely that Mercedes-Benz had had some quality "issues." But whenever J.D. Power and Associates come out with their Initial Quality Study, or some other ranking that shows Mercedes falling, we get the Mercedes spin machine bad mouthing the methodology.

But then Consumer Reports comes out. And it's ugly if you are a Mercedes fan. You know how many Mercedes-Benz vehicles the magazine recommends? Zip. Zero. Nada. Zilch. The methodology is flawed, you say? Skewed to the lower-end of the car buying public? Then how is it that the magazine does recommend nearly two-thirds of BMWs and 45% of VW-Audi vehicles. CR went out of its way to indicate that a used 1998 LS400 would be a better buy than a 2006 Mercedes ML500. Actually, it says that the 1998 Lexus had fewer problems than last year's ML, but you get the idea.

Among the least reliable used cars ranked by CR: The MB SL, SLK, CLK, CLS, E Class sedan, R-Class, M Class.

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S4cabriofoxone - 3/21/2007 11:02:36 PMView My AgentSpace

-3 Boost

Wow. That hurts for Dr. Z.

At least the S-Class wasn't on the "least reliable" list. S remains supreme.

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Threepoint1415926 - 3/21/2007 11:21:33 PM

+6 Boost

Who is this David person... He basically acknowledges many of the things that we hate about consumer reports only in question form which is suppose to sound like there is no answer. This topic has been covered ad naseum and I dont see how a random blogger has anything more insightful to add to the subject over what the people on here have already said. In fact, when I first read it, I thought it was simply written by one of the fans on this site.

Whether you agree with the man or not, all I'm saying is that this is poor writing.

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Threepoint1415926 - 3/22/2007 12:56:32 AM

+9 Boost

It's a blog. It's not suppose to be informative like you claim.. It's purely meant to be opinionated. Hence, this is not news and my comment. As to my comment being pathetic, at least I'm writing opinion where it belongs instead of claiming it's news.

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no1listensanyway - 3/22/2007 1:00:54 AMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

Im just curious what made you go back to buying another Mercedes? Im not looking to bash, I am currently in a consumer behavior class.

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SupraNeverBack - 3/22/2007 12:49:42 AM

-2 Boost

"it says that the 1998 Lexus had fewer problems than last year's ML, but you get the idea."

10 years old Lexus is more reliable. ^0^

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Gennissen - 3/22/2007 4:25:43 AM

+8 Boost

has way less gizmos and tech too..

AMGC55 - 3/22/2007 1:40:41 AM

+6 Boost

they're just jealous

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theman - 3/22/2007 6:13:53 AM

+7 Boost

As a Merc fan I acknowledge that the previous generation of Benz cars were full of problems, but from what I see the new generations are of world class quality and reliability...Masterpieces of perfection and incredible craftsmanship..The new CL and S are just WOW..

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david999 - 3/22/2007 7:57:37 AM

-1 Boost

Old news about Mercedes reliability problems. It will take at least 2 generations of model turnovers for people to have faith in them anywhere close to Lexus's
reliability record. However, to be fair, Mercedes has 4 new cars listed that really have not been evaluated fairly (S,GL,E, and new C) And no VW/Audi or BMW have above average reliability either according to Consumer Reports.

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S4cabriofoxone - 3/22/2007 11:54:19 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

But many Audi and BMW models are recommended. In fact, I think the A4 and 3 Series are both rated "above average."

Loki123 - 3/22/2007 8:42:44 AM

0 Boost

This should come as no surprise about Mercedes.

You can't polish a turd...

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kpaxx - 3/22/2007 9:00:30 AM

+4 Boost

The two Benzes I have owned were much more reliable than my honda accord. The accord had major transmission and engine problems.

Remember Consumer Reports is a people survey. These surveys often represent peoples' perception as opposed to reality.

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Fallwater_blues - 3/22/2007 9:07:20 AM

+3 Boost

Sabotoge? I overheard some conversations that certain vehicles on ships were somehow purposely 'hit' with high energy magnetic pulses which effectively changed eprom code or destroyed circuitry in various control modules on vehicles. This is similar to secret insidious death technologies that can stop the heart and make it appear it was a heart attack. Fiction I suppose, but it was interesting none the less.

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ErichHartmann - 3/22/2007 9:09:11 AM

+2 Boost

May I ask where you heard or read about this?

ErichHartmann - 3/22/2007 9:08:40 AM

+3 Boost

I work for Mercedes in München as an electrical technician and I am baffled at these poor reviews across the Atlantic. Here in Germany, ADAC surveys have shown that Mercedes reliability has improved by a large margin.

Also, prior to the E-Klasse facelift, we had to deal with problematic cars of the W211 Typ, but ever since the facelift, the number of E-Klassen in our shop has decreased drastically. Also, the new S-Klasse has been problem free for the most part. Most owners who bring in their S-Klasse come for a scheduled service or a minor problem.

I am still baffled at the poor reviews in North America. This is not the case in Europe where the improvement in quality has been well received.

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Loki123 - 3/22/2007 9:49:10 AM

+1 Boost

Personally, I am baffled as to why this is "new" news. Everyone and their dog knows MB doesn't make reliable automobiles - never did - never will!

Don't be so quick to bash Consumer Reports - it's an unbiased and excellent resource. It directly influences millions of automobile purchases. Is it 100% accurate - of course not! Is it a pretty good indicator - yes! The results shouldn't be surprising - all this stuff is common knowledge. I wouldn't recommend a MB to my worste enemy!!!

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M53R - 3/22/2007 10:13:57 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Personally, I am baffled as to why this is "new" news. Everyone and their dog knows MB doesn't make reliable automobiles - never did - never will!

never did? go do some research.
We all know M-B isnt as reliable as toyota, and that last years models were crap in reliability, but they are trying to improve, and thats a good thing.
Not sure about the new S class being reliable, Ive heard many nightmare stories about them when they 1st came out, but I guess M-B fixed it up. Or maybe it was our version that sucked in reliability...

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njshift - 3/22/2007 10:45:04 AM

+2 Boost

I could care less what Consumer Reports writes about. They're biast like every other form of media of there.

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Threepoint1415926 - 3/22/2007 3:19:00 PM

+3 Boost

There is nothing scientific about polls...

answer - 3/22/2007 11:01:54 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Funny how people say the 98 LS had less tech than the 98 S class and that is the reason it would be more reliable. The tech your boasting of is prone to not working anyway.

Your car might be faster than someone else's. Your car might handle better. Your car might have more prestige. But if it doesn't work, it doesn't really matter.

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chuck717 - 3/22/2007 11:04:26 AM

+3 Boost

I have owned many cars and since i'm a retired car dealer i can tell you that any machine can break down. MBZ has had loads of problems with their micro-chip supplier especially in the 2001 to 2004 model years and i must say they handled the issue poorly with cover up after cover up.They have done a much better job of trying to restore consumer confidence and have now address the isssue much better. But if consumer reports think that a car from the other side of the world over the long haul is much better then German cars then i think they have their collective head in the sand. Plenty of Japan's finest auto makers have cars that start many problems at the 50k mark and continue to fall apart well after 60k.
BMW and Audi volume car producers also are not immune to problems or very expensive repairs.
It may be a arrogant MBZ-German thing with consumer reports they just can't sit in a Benz, see that star emblem, and vizualize that their testers can ever hope to afford to buy one?

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Will_ - 3/22/2007 11:24:22 AM

+1 Boost

I can acknowledge that Mercedes' quality has improved with the current generations, or at east their build quality. The new S-Class is a very solid-feeling car. Mercedes will improve in these surveys if they get back to consistently building cars like the new S-Class. Now if only they could do something about the physical looks... ;)

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BobbyH - 3/22/2007 11:26:05 AM

+5 Boost

I've a 2005 SL500 built in Germany which has had no problems whatsoever. A beautiful car.
I've just replaced our Jeep Grand Cherokee (which had a few minor problems) with an MB R350 which is built in the US. I must admit being a bit apprehensive due to tales of problematic cars built in the US and brought the subject up when placing the order. MB agreed there had been issues in the past but these were addressed. So far the R-class has been perfect in every way - very happy with it.
But only time will tell if MB have their reliability back where it should be.

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trd1 - 3/22/2007 4:53:37 PM

0 Boost

my brother works in the MB dealer as a part time job while going to college and he said there are at least 5 new MB's that are towed to the dealer's shop to be fixed everyday and most of them are MLs.

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Yonder7 - 3/23/2007 10:52:10 AM

-1 Boost

This Web is Supported by who?: Lexus. What is the brand that every car manufacturer wants to beat: Mercedes Benz. What is the legacy of Mercedes Benz?: Mercedes Benz. What is the Legacy of Lexus?: Toyota. Why All the brands try to compare their cars with the best cars? Why all the writers and reporters compare cars against Benz? Gues what: Psicology says that the reason is because they can't deny that the Benz is the Yardstick, May be one Lexus could be like MB, their product are excelent, but even If they do not want to recognize this, most of the people is also looking for the prestige. JD Power or Consumer Report, are american magazines that Lexus will use as necessary to position Their brand in the market. Beside that, If they (Writers and Reporters) think that Benz is so Bad, why they do not compare "Good Cars" with other good cars?. I have the very strong suspect that there is a campain to beat Benz at any price and if that means also deny the atributes of the Brand they will. What is funy for me is that most of writers or reportes are not able to afford a Benz, Then what is the best way to deny their owns desires?: What they can get will be always better than their unreachable dreams: i.e. Mercedes Benz.

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BigShow50 - 3/25/2007 5:54:02 PM

+1 Boost

With the L-Finesse tradition that Lexus has started, it's only a matter of time once they lock in the luxury look and become an ultimate name palte of prestige, style, and performance.(As reliability already speak for itself). Lexus is heading in the right direction. And when that happens, what is left for Mercedes? Simply a car with just a steering wheel with 4 wheels. I honestly hope MB gets their act together with their quality issues, by 1st off dumping the Chrysler brand asap. Time to start spending wisely...otherwise they will burnout quicker than they think.

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