Mercedes exec admits to poor quality

dannyboy2 submitted on 09/21/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 8:57 AM
from: www.motorauthority.com

[54] user comments | category: Misc News

Tags: Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz

The quality of Mercedes-Benz has undoubtedly dropped over the years, a fact the carmaker has admitted to, and only recently has it been brought back to a level one would expect from a car wearing the Three Pointed Star. With Chrysler now cut loose, the emphasis on improving quality levels is of top priority at Mercedes says its sales and marketing Chief Dr Klaus Maier.

Many have suggested that a loss of focus and parts sharing with Chrysler following its acquisition back in the mid-1990s were the reasons behind the drop but, according to Maier, it was Mercedes’ own mistakes and quality assurance problems that lead to its decline. Read Article

Comments:

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters):
[img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent004.myautospies.com/users/150/Sample-Gallery/sample1.JPG[/img]

david989 - 9/21/2007 9:56:44 AM

Show Comment -21 Boost

Threepoint1415926 - 9/21/2007 11:15:51 AM

+6 Boost

How about you quote the article correctly instead of injecting lies into it?

"...compared with Lexus, which is currently dominating the U.S. luxury market."

Now your uncle got stranded twice huh? You need to go away already.

enthusiastx11 - 9/21/2007 12:45:51 PM

+1 Boost

and that comment was specifically in reference to lexus dominating SERVICE at dealers.

"Service quality is one area where Mercedes admits it’s lacking in, especially compared with Lexus, which is currently dominating the U.S...."

david999 - 9/21/2007 7:42:32 PM

-4 Boost

Superior Lexus service is a driving force behind Mercedes finally treating their customers better. This is a good thing for everybody.

EnnNorak - 9/21/2007 9:22:55 PM

+2 Boost

david989, don't be such an asshole. I drive a leased A6 Quattro and it represents an exponential improvement over the lousy Audi cars I used to drive in the eighties (I'm guessing that was when your grandfather got sucked in also).

Audi interiors are better than those of Toyota and even the overpriced Lexus. Come back and sing the praises of Toyota when they start making AWD cars with Torsen differentials.

david989 - 9/21/2007 10:03:49 AM

-11 Boost

Stock RX400h. More offroad capable than the ML, reliable, better looking, better interior and more comfortable too. I've driven his RX400h and its such a quality product. I would trust this car to get me through the Sahara anyday.

reply to this comment

85bmw745i - 9/21/2007 2:54:44 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

There is no way the rx is more off road capable than the Ml. It may be more reliable, but how can a Toyota Camry/Highlander based front wheel drive setup with all wheel drive do better? Lexus is a good car but come on, be realistic. kinda like when you said the ISF would trounce the m3 and veyron. You say some of the most retarded things. Next thing you'll say the rx will beat a land rover off road. Give it up.

reply to this comment

Htay7500 - 9/21/2007 4:41:19 PM

0 Boost

so your saying a RX400h can go through the sahara more better than an LC prado? when has that been done before?

reply to this comment

Rupert - 9/22/2007 7:30:25 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

The 400h cannot go off road - Toyota even say "don't take off road".
Know why? The rear wheels are electric only, no petrol power, and at low, off road speeds, it overheats, leaving you with a FWD SUV.

reply to this comment

chuck717 - 9/21/2007 10:26:17 AM

+6 Boost

Why blame it on lack of focus?> MBZ didn't lose focus in the MSRP area they made sure they made money. No, the quailty issue was a direct problem with Bosch and MBZ didn't want to make a major recall to correct all the bad chips installed. Instead they let the dealers smow the public and hope that they would think their car was the only lemon.
Now they are getting back on track, after they had a little talk with suppliers, i think MBZ quality won't be a major isssue anymore but they should have address it straight forward, it got a lot of owners including me thinking about a lawsuit, it never should have come to that?

reply to this comment

EL34allroad - 9/21/2007 10:28:00 AM

+1 Boost

Now, will the execs admit that the new C-class has a rather mundane interior?

reply to this comment

EnnNorak - 9/21/2007 9:27:52 PM

+1 Boost

My wife and I test-drove the 2008 C300 4MATIC. The C still has a slightly cramped interior with seats that are too firm and a ride that is too harsh. The front bumper is too low for shopping center curbs and concrete lane separators to park against without risking costly damage. Other than that, the new grille makes the C look very sporty.

S4cabriofoxone - 9/22/2007 12:52:45 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

"The C still has a slightly cramped interior with seats that are too firm and a ride that is too harsh."

This can be interpreted very positively, Enn. For people like me, firm, well-bolstered seats and sporty suspensions make it a better driver's car.

Czelinski - 9/21/2007 11:13:14 AM

-1 Boost

At the end of the day, MB had their problems, they were the best. And now, with their new line up, will achieve that status again. And a mundane interior? Simplicity can be good, and it works well in that sector.

Lexus fans seem to think, more buttons = better, i feel that all Lexus interiors look clumsy and are way overrated.

reply to this comment

Threepoint1415926 - 9/21/2007 11:21:14 AM

0 Boost

I dont know if their new lineup will achieve their superior status of yesteryear but it's a start. I think people need to see a few generations of quality and hear it from their neighbors, friends and co-workers that quality is back up before Mercedes can fully restore itself. However, I do think they will find their way to that end now that Jurgen Schremp is gone

530N52 - 9/21/2007 11:46:35 AM

+3 Boost

I am not a MB fan and never see having one of their cars in the family, but they will rebound from this situation. These honest comments may be an indication that they have the quality issue under control.

I can not stand the styling of new E350, but drove a friend’s yesterday and was no disappointed. With the sport package, it was not a BMW, but still drove very nice.

reply to this comment

kpaxx - 9/21/2007 11:48:45 AM

-2 Boost

Even if they had some bad years I don't see the disparity in quality between MB and other manufacturers during those years. My friend has who has owned a so called "bad year" Benz did have some issues (window switches, and other trinkets) but the drive train never failed him. Engine and transmission are still holding up very well.

while other friends of mine have owned some of the purported higher quality asian vehicles; have had serious engine (one had the sludg-o-matic V6) and transmission problems.

reply to this comment

Kinger - 9/21/2007 12:02:41 PM

+1 Boost

I think most of the problems with MB's during those years can be attributed to electrical problems, mechanically they were still very good.

Threepoint1415926 - 9/21/2007 12:41:12 PM

+1 Boost

They were pretty good mechanically but you could still see the difference in quality of materials. Headlight lenses turned from glass to plastic, interior leather went from a thick material that was durable to a thinner, quicker wearing one. Analog clock replaced by a digital, the carpets got thinner, ect. Having owned a W123, W124, W210 and W211, it's easy to see the humps and valleys. The W210 just wasnt up to the standards of the other vehicles in terms of quality materials even if I've never had a drive train issue.

Kinger - 9/21/2007 1:00:04 PM

0 Boost

True, a friend of mine has a W210 which is suffering from rust issues, although it does have over 200,000 miles on the odometer. The W124 on the other hand was built to survive a nuclear winter.

EL34 - 9/21/2007 12:17:21 PM

-4 Boost

I predict the next Lexus LS will be as nice as the 2005 Mercedes S-Class.

reply to this comment

david989 - 9/21/2007 1:15:38 PM

-8 Boost

The S class is nothing compared to the LS. Don't compare the S class to the LS. The LS competes with Bentley, Maybach and Rolls (and outclasses them all). The S class can compete with inferior products like the A8, Phaton, 7 series and Ford XJ...

atomicbri - 9/21/2007 2:48:06 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

LOL!! Thanks for the Friday laugh David...

EnnNorak - 9/21/2007 9:32:12 PM

+1 Boost

Screwball david989 has it ass backwards as usual. The Lexus LS front seats are not nearly as comfy and full of adjustment features as those in the S-Class. Both cars are overpriced however.

w209w114 - 9/21/2007 12:24:03 PMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

HOW OLD IS THIS ARTICLE????

reply to this comment

Kinger - 9/21/2007 12:31:50 PM

-1 Boost

Indeed, Mercedes admitted to poor quality and the need to address the problems a few years back. Heres an article on the issue from January 2006: http://www.whatcar.co.uk/news-article.aspx?NA=218083

atomicbri - 9/21/2007 2:50:20 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Try telling that to my brother and his crappy 06 Honda CIvic... the biggest hunk of junk yet from Honda... tranny messed up, power windows failed on him TWICE.... and now a few recalls, current one being wheels may fall off (probably why he says it shudders some when it rides...) Japan does not mean high quality all the time, trust my brother and his Civic POS

reply to this comment

Czelinski - 9/21/2007 2:19:23 PM

+5 Boost

Xenon means idiot, apparently...

reply to this comment

mmeecc - 9/21/2007 3:31:33 PM

+3 Boost

I hope one day Lexus starts planes, office buildings, hamburgers, space stations, game shows, or even human beings, artificial beings or something like that. Maybe mechanical hearts so Houston and David can have one implanted to sustain life and go live there in Lexus Land, that would be great for them and us....

reply to this comment

Tonee - 9/21/2007 5:27:35 PM

+1 Boost

Mercedes may have admitted to less than perfect quality compared to lets say Lexus but we Americans are they only ones buying up Lexus. Mercedes and BMW have the #1 & #2 spot in other markets where does Lexus fall in? Um i guarantee it's not 3rd or 4th. Lexus' are just overpriced Toyota's w/an "L" on them. I would take an S550 over an LS460L anyday. Mercedes is still recongnized as a prestige automaker. Lexus is well...just Lexus.

reply to this comment

Denali - 9/22/2007 5:14:51 PM

+1 Boost

Tonee, lets talk money, WHO CAN BUYOUT WHO?,

cdoke - 9/21/2007 5:36:28 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

David989,

Crawl back into whatever gutter you managed to pull yourself out of. Your behavior has tested my patience to its end. With the possible exception of a few posters whose delusions you manage to reinforce, you are a laughing stock here. If you are trying to be funny, or are another poster- the joke is no longer funny.

All of that could change were you to behave like a normal, well-adjusted, rational and mature human being. None of those things preclude you from having your own opinion.

Is it so difficult to behave yourself?

reply to this comment

Porschinator - 9/21/2007 7:07:48 PM

+1 Boost

MB does have a quality issue. The issue has mainly to do with the brand being expensive. People expect more from a MB. If the same issues happened in a Hyundai or Honda then not as noticable.

MB is a premium brand and should have higher quality standards equal to or better than BMW, Cadillac, Lexus, and Audi. Lexus is smart with quality assurance so that its brand does not get bad rep.

I will give David that much! lol This will be a knock on MB for sometime until reports are more positive.

reply to this comment

richard112360 - 9/21/2007 7:44:18 PM

0 Boost

The W123 model was the most bulletproof followed by the W124. The W210 was a piece of junk with poor quality materials. The W211 model was a slight improvement over the W211 model but still has a lot of major electrical issues.

reply to this comment

Threepoint1415926 - 9/21/2007 8:06:41 PM

+1 Boost

I wouldnt say the W210 was a piece of junk. Mechanically, my E430 sport is more reliable than my 500E. But, I also have cracks in my leather, I've replaced all of my window regulators at least once, and in some cases twice. I've gone through more headlight bulbs then I can shake a stick at (though, I'm beginning to think that's my bulb selection) and my digital clock is always off by 5 min. All these things are simple annoyances at worst. Otherwise, my E430 sport is almost as fast as my 500E and certainly handles better. It gets better gas mileage, doesn't overheat in traffic, doesn't rip my head off during shifts and I've never once had trouble with the drive train. In design concept, my W210 is a step in the right direction from the W124 even with it's material quality deficit. Most of my complaints, however, with the 210 went away completely in my 211 never to show their faces again! The W211 is what the W210 should have been IMO (all except for the placement of the window switches on the door! ARG I hate them there so much!) As to the W123, I've never owned another car that went 500K miles, let alone one which I could actually sell to a person rather than a junkyard.

autopro - 9/22/2007 10:13:32 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

The only reason Lexus has not done well in europe is bacause the are just getting started there.In time If they want to they can dominate just like they did in the U.S. It may take longer than ten years to go to #1 but I sure wouldn't want them to come in my market with gun's blazing if I were Mercedes or BMW.They have so much money they can dominate anywhere they see fit.They may not have the production to really dominate in europe.Toyota is already producing 10.4 million cars and trucks a year.

reply to this comment

Rupert - 9/22/2007 1:35:22 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Just getting started?
They've been in Europe as long as they have in the US...

Alec - 9/22/2007 6:21:25 PM

+1 Boost

Lexus has been there just as long as it was marketed in the USA. But thats where it ends. Lexus is made for the USA, not Europe, not even Japan when it was launched.

M35MT - 9/24/2007 12:33:39 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

"Historical Performance Cannot Gaurantee Future Results"

The classic broker/dealer disclaimer for the securities industry - can easily be applied to the automotive industry.

Sure, Fixed Income securities (T-bills, corp bonds, etc.) are safe and conservative investment vehicles (no pun intended) - but are they 100% reliable? No. (i.e., Toyota)

Small cap/emerging market or alternatives are extremely risky (i.e., Land Rover) - but do you always lose your money? No.

Stop assuming that because a vehicle has a high reliability rating that it will never fail you (and if it does, do not codemn the brand) Likewise, do not assume an unreliable brand will ALWAYS fail you. People should look at historical performance as a factor in their choice - as opposed to the only reason.

Take in the entire scope of a company's reputation and what their current goal/focus is. Don't base your opinion on one article, comment, or crazed fanboy. Do the research, and make the decision yourself.

reply to this comment

To post a comment for this story, you must first Login.

If you do not have an account, you will need to Register (It's Free!).