More details on the next E-Class

I read about all the problems with the German car companies, Mostly Mercedes Benz and BMW. What I find strange is that I have friends who have owned cars from both companies for many years and they have never experienced the number or severity of problems I read about. We owned a 2002 BMW X5 3.0. I would always read post in different forums about someone having numerous problems with the same type car. Now I would think we should have had at least one of the problems, but never did. Last year we bought a new 2005 E500. Again I read about all sorts of problems with this model, but we have not had any. We have a friend with a 2004 E500 and he has not had any problems like I read about. In fact we chose the E500 because we liked his so much! The only time ours went to the dealer was for a recall to update the software for the braking system. The car has performed flawless for the last 12K+ miles. This past September I was looking to get a newer SUV. I went with the ML500 this time. Not that there was anything wrong or that I disliked the BMW, in fact I was close to getting another one with the 4.4 engine, I just like the look of the new ML body style and was happy with the quality of the E500.

I’m sure some people have a legitimate complaint with a problem; after all nothing is perfect, not even the Toyota or Lexus automobiles. The have had their share of recalls and embarrassing problems. I do believe a lot of people like to post negative comments about a car (the one they don’t like or didn’t buy or can’t afford) to try and justify why another (the one they do like or did buy or can afford) is better. I also believe there are people with a personal vendetta against a car manufacture and will post mistruths and out-and-out lies to try and discredit the company.
Mike

— 1in10 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2005 5:28:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I have had problems with the radio, A/C ant transmission. 32K miles, Transmission and A/C still not resolved. Why spend 65K on an E and drive the C loaner while they fix your car (2 weeks for trans repair, while they try to figure it out)?

— nielsera1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2005 7:01:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I ordered a 2003 E500 and received it in June 2003. I have since read about all the problems with the brand and, frankly, I wonder what the big deal has been. I recently turned the 30K mileage mark cross last weekend and the only reasons my car has been to MB service were for routine maintenance and a couple recalls (brakes and a hose issue). The car has never been out of my possession more than overnight.

I tend to wonder whether the only people who post are those with issues. MB has admitted to quality issues so it is obvious that they exist. Did I just get lucky with my vehicle since it was special ordered to my specifications? Do the builders in Germany pay more attention to cars they know are already sold? Who knows? But I do know that I've owned Japanese cars, American cars and now German vehicles. My experience with three MBs since 2000 has been extremely positive. The service experience at my dealer, however, is the best of ANY brand, bar none.

— Morehouse (View Profile)

Posted on 12/22/2005 4:07:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I read about all the problems with the American car companies, Mostly Pintos and Dodge Neons. What I find strange is that I have friends who have owned cars from both companies for many years and they have never experienced the number or severity of problems I read about. We owned a 2002 Dodge Neon. I would always read post in different forums about someone having numerous problems with the same type car. Now I would think we should have had at least one of the problems, but never did. Last year we bought a new 2005 Pinto. Again I read about all sorts of problems with this model, but we have not had any. We have a friend with a 2004 Neon and he has not had any problems like I read about. In fact we chose the Pinto because we liked his so much! The only time ours went to the dealer was for a recall to update the software for the braking system. The car has performed flawless for the last 12K+ miles. This past September I was looking to get a newer SUV. I went with the Pinto this time. Not that there was anything wrong or that I disliked the AMC, in fact I was close to getting another one with the 4.4 engine, I just like the look of the new Omni body style and was happy with the quality of the Pinto.

I’m sure some people have a legitimate complaint with a problem; after all nothing is perfect, not even the GM or Skoda automobiles. The have had their share of recalls and embarrassing problems. I do believe a lot of people like to post negative comments about a car (the one they don’t like or didn’t buy or can’t afford) to try and justify why another (the one they do like or did buy or can afford) is better. I also believe there are people with a personal vendetta against a car manufacture and will post mistruths and out-and-out lies to try and discredit the company.
001Buster

— Homer008 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/22/2005 8:54:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I read about all the problems with the American car companies, Mostly Pintos and Dodge Neons. What I find strange is that I have friends who have owned cars from both companies for many years and they have never experienced the number or severity of problems I read about. We owned a 2002 Dodge Neon. I would always read post in different forums about someone having numerous problems with the same type car. Now I would think we should have had at least one of the problems, but never did. Last year we bought a new 2005 Pinto. Again I read about all sorts of problems with this model, but we have not had any. We have a friend with a 2004 Neon and he has not had any problems like I read about. In fact we chose the Pinto because we liked his so much! The only time ours went to the dealer was for a recall to update the software for the braking system. The car has performed flawless for the last 12K+ miles. This past September I was looking to get a newer SUV. I went with the Pinto this time. Not that there was anything wrong or that I disliked the AMC, in fact I was close to getting another one with the 4.4 engine, I just like the look of the new Omni body style and was happy with the quality of the Pinto.

I’m sure some people have a legitimate complaint with a problem; after all nothing is perfect, not even the GM or Skoda automobiles. The have had their share of recalls and embarrassing problems. I do believe a lot of people like to post negative comments about a car (the one they don’t like or didn’t buy or can’t afford) to try and justify why another (the one they do like or did buy or can afford) is better. I also believe there are people with a personal vendetta against a car manufacture and will post mistruths and out-and-out lies to try and discredit the company.
001Buster

— Homer008 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/22/2005 8:54:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Jugnuts II / 001buster,
I don’t know if your reply is your way of trying to be cute, a sorry attempt at humor, or just another person talking out their lower sphincter.

— 1in10 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/22/2005 12:44:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

SHOULDN'T YOU SAY "GS CLASS"

— americanmuscle (View Profile)

Posted on 12/22/2005 10:32:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

SHOULDN'T YOU SAY "GS CLASS"

— americanmuscle (View Profile)

Posted on 12/22/2005 10:32:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

As long you get rid of them before the warranty expires, which is what most luxury car owners do anyway (Even the people who buy reliable models!).

If you can afford to spend $50K+ on a new car, you can probably afford to trade it in on a new one in 3-4 years. After all, a big part of what makes a luxury car luxurious is its newness. And besides, you can't be seen in a 5 year old car at the country club, can you? That would be just plain embarrassing.

— ted_in_boston (View Profile)

Posted on 1/3/2006 11:16:15 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1