Posted on 12/26/2004 4:36:26 PM PST by Brilliant
The price of unreliability is getting outrageous. If you want to buy what Consumer Reports has determined will be the least reliable sedan available in the U.S., you're going to have to shell out between $75,000 and $125,000. That's because the dubious honor went to a car Consumer Reports also calls "sumptuous," "quiet and luxurious" and "a delight to drive": the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Mercedes-Benz (a division of DaimlerChrysler) has been struggling with quality problems over the last few years. But the rest of the list of the least reliable sedans reads like the valet lot of a Davos hotel at convention time. Ten of the 11 are European-made and include some of the most celebrated and technologically advanced sedans on the market, including 3 Mercedes-Benz models, 2 BMWs and 2 Jaguars (see table). The average price: $51,000, compared with an average price of $32,000 for the mostly Japanese vehicles on the list of most reliable sedans.
The problems, says David Champion, a former Land Rover and Nissan engineer who runs the auto testing program for Consumer Reports, are electronic. "The engineers have gone a little wild," he says. "They've put in every bell and whistle that they think of, and sometimes they don't have the attention to detail to make these systems work."
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has a computer-driven suspension system that reduces body roll as the vehicle whips around a corner. It has cruise control that automatically slows the car down if it gets too close to another car. Its seats are adjustable 14 ways, and they are ventilated by a system that uses eight fans to whisk away perspiration.
But drivers who responded to Consumer Reports' surveys cited "serious" problems with the vehicles' electrical systems, power equipment and accessories. The S430 Consumer Reports used for its own test came with a broken "back" button on the navigation system. One small mistake in entering a destination address made the system unusable.
Mercedes-Benz doesn't believe there's a problem, saying in a statement: "The data utilized by Consumer Reports is volunteered by [Consumer Reports] readers, not verified, and does not correlate to our own data or that of other surveys." In recent J.D. Power and Associates studies Mercedes-Benz scored better than the industry average for initial quality but worse than the industry average for longer-term dependability.
BMW says it has fixed the problems with its 7 Series-but not by making the vehicles any simpler. "People drive our cars because they're sophisticated," says spokesman David Buchko. "Our goal is not to take stuff out of the car but to make what's in the car as reliable as possible." Sales of the high-end sedans for both BMW and Mercedes-Benz are suffering. Through the end of October, 7 Series sales were down 19% from 2003 and S-Class sales were off 12%.
The first step to healing is to admit your problem.
It's a life saver when driving through France.
I've heard this about the new 7 series BMWs, plus they are not a good looking car at all. BMW is dreaming if they think their usual buyers are not concerned. The BMW enthusiasts' boards are death on these new ones! My 98 740iL, on the other hand, is a dream car. I hope it lasts 300,000 miles!
I did an engine swap in a friend's 1987 3-series BMW just this past week. What a nice car to work on. Nothing so complex on it that an intelligent do-it-yourselfer couldn't figure it out. I'd hate to dig into a new Bimmer, though. It'd probably be like working on the Space Shuttle (or maybe the Death Star, given the sinister looking interiors in the new Bavarians...).
My family had Mercedes through the 60s and the 70s, and they were constantly breaking down. As soon as Nissan came out with the Maxima, we ditched them.
"The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has a computer-driven suspension system that reduces body roll as the vehicle whips around a corner."
Mrs. Felis' '95 Caprice has the "sport suspension." Nice thick anti-roll bars, stiff shocks, hard springs. Corners like a go-kart, and you can throttle-steer it. Plus, no computer to break...
I do the Japanese models myself. The G35 works like a dream.
The proper philosophical outlook on this, is that by buying a German car, you are getting a reliable Italian car. Car enthusists will understand this. Others will likely be puzzled.
I think Mercedes has a big problem. They weren't doing well financially to begin with, and now with this exchange rate thing, they aren't going to be doing any better. Of course, they are a huge company, but the bigger they are the harder they fall.
Agreed. Potential BMW buyers should instead look at the Lexus LS430. A lot cheaper and absolutely perfect.
I'm driving a 99 Ford. "Luxury" is not in my dictionary. The purpose of a car is to get you from point A to point B. I'll squirrel the savings away for retirement.
BTTT
I've always preferred cheap, practical cars. I switched over from VW to Toyota about 20 years ago, and I can't imagine buying another European car. At the moment I'm driving a Subaru, because of the Vermont winters, but if I were further south I think I'd stick with Toyota.
It's the same reason I use Dell computers. Excellent quality at a very good price. The only possible reason I can think of to buy a Mercedes is if you have money coming out of your ears and a deep need to impress your neighbors.
I'm not familiar with Lexus (because my researched brain is over one year old). I did my research on a new car in early 2003. I love my G. Fast, tight and light maintenance.
You mean it vents your farts out on the poor French?
Friend just bought an M55. Already there are serious computer problems.
The more gagets and gizmos that you put on a car, the more stuff that there is to break.
BMW's iDrive runs on some embedded version of Windows. I'm pretty sure people have managed to blue-screen it. Seriously.
Trying to buy a new Dell now and please do not ask about my experience. It hasn't been good. I'd say "God awful". Hopefully the new tower will work.
It aint the luxery. It's the quality... and it works every time.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.