I think you are onto something.

 

can you not read? I never stated CR manipulated any data. Their sample is flawed, so they are not getting an accurate reflection of reality.

 

the sme thing does apply to the other makes in the survey - the survey is biased and inherently inaccurate due to the poor methodology, so the results are inaccurate for Mercedes as well as for Lexux. CR subscribers are overwhelmingly Japanese car owners, and CR continually rates Japanese cars over the competition, even when their ratings defy logic. The only people who believe in the accuracy of CR ratings are incapable of critical thought. They are people who cannot comprehend the concept of a biased sample population. As such, when someone quotes a CR rating, it is the same as a sign on their head stating "I am too stupid to think for myself," IMHO.

 

Where did you get info on the CR subscriber base?
What ratings for Japanese cars defy logic?

I understand that CR is not perfect, but where can the consumer get better information on reliability?

 

I agree with no really, as the matter of fact, I was invited to participate in the CR survey and the invitation specifically said I could only participate if I drove a Japanese car.

Ok, back to reality from lala land.

Geeze, I think I should cut back on the coolaid.

 

My father's ML350 has almost 80K on the odometer and not once has it been to the dealer for any defects. I hate the car, but I must say I was quite surprised with the reliablity.

 

My C32 was plagued with problems. Never big ones, but still annoying when you plunk down $60K, or any amount of money for the matter. I think it was in for some reason or another every two months for similar or same problems. From what I remember the ABS went out, the ESP(stability program) when coo coo, made a "thunk" that never was fixed, supercharger belt squeaked and slipped(fixed), paint chipped easily, and to top it all off, the steering wheel motor went out and it was stuck on the lowest position so I couldn't drive the thing. To add insult to injury the dealership gave you a stripped Toyota Camry 1/2 the time as loaner. Not saying it's a bad car, just when I bring my Lexus in for servicing, I get a Lexus as a loaner. Although I have to pay for Lexus servicing. Every time I see some guy in a C 230 I can read him or her like a book. Basically this is their first Mercedes. It's probably leased. They came from some Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, which never gave them any problems, or some kind of VW Jetta thinking if they pay more for a German car it will give them less problems. Instead of going to a Acura or Lexus they decided to pick the C class because they perceive German cars are better than Japanese cars because of marketing and they also falsely believe has more snob appeal than their second choice, the BMW "3 series," which is a much better car. Anyone who has been buying luxury cars for a while has been staying away from MB since the accountants took over back in the mid 90's. Sorry for my rambling.

Sam

 

#1 from past years # of respondents per car.
#2 In past years, with cars and trucks constructed along side each other, the one bearing the Japanese brand was consistently rated higher, even though it was exactly the same as the American branded vehicle.
#3 JD Powers is a good start. Avoid anything that uses feedback from subscribers. Disregard anything using "expert opinion," as opinion is what you are trying to avoid. And perhaps contemplate using some criteria other than "reliability" for decision making. CR reliability ratings don't take into account the number of times a breakdown occurs, only the cost. Therefore, a cheap part that breaks repeatedly is more "reliable" than an expensive part that hardly ever fails. That doesn't meet my definition of reliability. And I'd rather pay to fix a car I love to drive than drive a car I can't stand. Civics, Corollas, etc. are total crap when compared to other cars that you can get for the same money. Who cares what CR says about them - CR isn't the one driving them to work every day, or 400 miles to visit family four to five times a year. A long freeway cruise in a Civic is unpleasant, regardless of how "reliable" CR says the car might be. So-called "reliability" is a stat for cheapskates who pretend you can ignore intangibles such as looks, comfort, and feel, and still get satisfaction. There are far more important factors in car shopping, I don't know why you'd ever look to CR for input.

 

Wow, you feel strongly about how bad CR's survey is huh.

But you logic or illogic is totally flawed.

It is a statistical survey. It is based on statical data, of course it did not use expert opinion.

By the way, I can read just fine.

All your comments about the CR survey are plausible but illogical. Not many people with reasonable minds would agree with you. Of course, unless they believe the King is still alive and well.

 

A while back Automobile ran a pretty uncensored article on German reliablility and the covershot photo was of the Mercedes icon-thingy broken in half, so CR isn't alone in recognizing Mercedes (and BMW, Audi and VW) as having poor reliability.

I think the source of the German reliability issues lie in complexity. Whether it's music, art, poetry, literature, philosophy or engineering, the Germans simply adore complexity. Unfortunately complexity leads to a greater potential for engineering errors and failures than simplicity. The Japanese have demonstrated that simplicity may not be as exiciting or engaging, but it's a hell of a lot more reliable and economical.