Mercedes Benz CLK Coupe production comes to an end
#16
Mercedes needs to start focusing on improving the overall quality and reliability of its products rather than screwing around with model designations.
How many more years will it take for them to decide to name an E350 a 350E? And why is Mercedes dumping the CLK name when it sounds a lot better than an E class coupe?
From the way things are going, perhaps some day the CL will be known as the S class coupe and the SLK the... well you know what it'll be.
Jon
How many more years will it take for them to decide to name an E350 a 350E? And why is Mercedes dumping the CLK name when it sounds a lot better than an E class coupe?
From the way things are going, perhaps some day the CL will be known as the S class coupe and the SLK the... well you know what it'll be.
Jon
#17
There's some evidence that's happening now. Consumer Reports shows some notable improvements in M-B reliablity in the last couple of years.
#20
Mercedes is focusing on improving quality and reliability and it's obvious to owners of cars of recent model years. But to make it a trend they need several years of solid performance. I have a 2008 Mercedes that has better quality and reliability than most built in the last decade.
#21
#22
But for the driving enthusiast they are numb, soft-riding, front heavy, with light steering, heavy understeer, brake dive, and too much torque steer. Or to put it another way, the ES is a fine example as to why Mercedes and BMW don't do front wheel drive cars here. I prefer Lexus IS/GS/LS and own IS350/C300. That's just my opinion and hands-on observations.
#23
I saw a sticky thread on mbworld.com listing over 60 recall campaigns for the newest s-class. I don't call that reliability.
#24
For instance, a problem in an air-bag circuit or seat-belt mechanism may be a safety-related issue, that, by law, would require a general recall, but not necessarily affect a car's day-to-day driving reliability.
On the other hand, too much of a prasitic-current drain that prematurely runs the battery down, or a defective alternator that won't charge it, is quite another matter....that, of course, WOULD affect reliability.
Last edited by mmarshall; 01-30-09 at 09:01 AM.
#25
Keep in mind that it very much depends on the specific model and it is only reflecting initial reliability. I do find it interesting the CR recommends the S-class but only gives it average reliability. The MB and BMW have shown good improvement over the last couple of years...meaning only two.
We'll see how they stand up for the long haul. I still would never own a MB, BMW or Audi that was out of warranty.
#26
Unfortunately the S-class may not have achieved the acceptable level of quality and reliability that some of the other models have. S-class has always been a trouble-prone and expensive car to maintain. The high-rollers keep buying them, obviously it's a very nice car.
Last edited by IS-SV; 01-30-09 at 09:16 AM.
#27
I just subscribed to CR as we start our test drives next week and am still very leary of the German's reliability.
Keep in mind that it very much depends on the specific model and it is only reflecting initial reliability. I do find it interesting the CR recommends the S-class but only gives it average reliability. The MB and BMW have shown good improvement over the last couple of years...meaning only two.
We'll see how they stand up for the long haul. I still would never own a MB, BMW or Audi that was out of warranty.
Keep in mind that it very much depends on the specific model and it is only reflecting initial reliability. I do find it interesting the CR recommends the S-class but only gives it average reliability. The MB and BMW have shown good improvement over the last couple of years...meaning only two.
We'll see how they stand up for the long haul. I still would never own a MB, BMW or Audi that was out of warranty.
#28
people, quality and reliability are two diffrent things. quality is how good are the materials how well will they stand up to the test of time, how nice are they to the touch? etc. I have rearly seen a mb with worn out leather or a cracked dash on the other hand the leather in my is looked like **** after only a couple k. reliability is how well is the product designed where was money cut where was it thrown at. older mercs may have had reliability problems i wont deny but the new ones are leaps into the right direction.
#29
Average reliability is the minimum requirement for a model to be recommended by CR, they will not recommend if it's deemed below average in reliability.
#30
i drive a '90 accord. like IS-SV said, i'm not knocking the camry, its a comfortable and very reliable car, my dad's '89 was still in great condition when he finally bought his '04. But when I have the money to get a new car, it will most definitely not be an accord, camry, es350, malibu, etc. I want something that's fun to drive. I've been looking at the mazdaspeed 3 and wrx.