Mercedes-Benz miffed at performance in Consumer Reports Reli

[robert]

Filed under: Car Buying, Maintenance, Recalls/TSBs, Mercedes Benz


In the recently released 2006 Annual Car Reliability Survey by Consumer Reports, seven models from Mercedes-Benz were rated as Least Reliable. The last generation S-Class, CLS, E-Class, SL, CLK, V6 SLK and the M-Class SUV were all ranked least reliable based on the Consumer Reports survey comprised of responses from 1.3 million of the magazine's subscribers. A Mercedes spokesperson blames the brand's poor performance on a couple of issues that include brake dust on high performance stoppers (that's part of the charm!) and problems with the company's new 7-speed transmission that have reportedly been fixed. Mercedes-Benz has certainly had quality issues the past several years that can't be denied, which may in part be blamed on its insistence of imbuing its lineup with the latest whiz-bang gadgetry that ups the complication factor exponentially. Still, many fault Consumer Reports for using an outdated and flawed survey method that doesn't accurately report the reliability of the vehicles that appear on and off its lists. Michael Karesh, a vocal Autoblog commenter and purveyor of a Consumer Reports alternative site called True Delta, has written several articles that address the most serious problems with the way Consumer Reports conducts its surveys. Despite one's opinion on the validity of what Consumer Reports reports, there's no denying the fact that the periodical holds serious sway with consumers. It's no wonder Mercedes is so miffed at the rankings it received at the hands of Consumer Reports subscribers, though the German automaker needs to recognize the part its own vehicles played in these standings.

[Source: Money.cnn.com]

Related posts:

• Major Mercedes recall: 1.3 million cars
• Mercedes tops reliability report
• One big lemon! Dealer sues Mercedes-Benz over defective $1.7M roadster

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[runt]

Hi Rob, interestingly I was enjoying being chauffererd to the pub in my mate's '98R 320SL this week, a beautiful 19000 miler, but he has a not- so- secret yearning for the current SL55AMG..or he did have till a Mercedes technician at the local main agents happened to mention recently that 'the older SL is SO much better built!
When one considers the price, well worrying!

Paul/runt.

[kev]

mates CLK has been back several times for computer related problems, seems to be sorted now though.

My 8 week old 2.7TDi Audi A6 has spent about 3 weeks in the garage and currently is awaiting a "fix" from Audi HQ, ho hum. At least they've loaned me one of their A6's to put some miles.

Kev

[stevee8]

About 12 months ago a workmate's C class had to go in to have the driver's seat replaced after the frame broke. Not good.

[chesterak]

I have a 2005 Ml 270 CDI - its my first merc and I think its great - I even installed a secondhand COMAND sat nav system and it worked off the bat.
Before this car I had a secondhand Range Rover and before that (since 1990) a new Discovery every 3 years (about)....if you REALLY want to know the inside of stealerships looks like, buy ANY Land Rover/Range Rover product:boohoo: