merc's showing in autoexpress survey

[DTMLOVER]

morning chaps… I've been lurking for a while but thoguth this would be a good message to pop my cherryJust had my copy of Autoexpress land on my door mat today, with the driver power supplement thingy. Guess which car was named worst ride and handling- yup the a-class, it came in a shocking 97th beating onyl the rover 25, pug 206 and fiat punto... the c-class came in a very middle of the road 52nd, while the 3 series came 40th, clk came in 41st, while the E-class was the best but still was 25th, the 5 series came in ****** 8th.. the s200 won overall, wihtthe octavia 2nd and the Jazz 3rd... not a good day for mercedes

 

[jberks]

E class up to 25th - Is that an improvement then?!!

 

[Ampstar]

At work we have a year old C270 and an ML320. Both expensive (to me) cars, but both have a “flimsy” feel about them.

My 17 year old 190 feels much more solid-the quality of both the plastics and leather feel far superior to those in the newer models. Feels like it has been hewn out of granite. Can see it being around for at least another 10 years.

Will the 270 and ML still be driving and looking well at 17 years old?

 

[mike65]

Its all true, the w124 was the last proper Merc.

Mike.

 

[jberks]

Been round this cycle a few times now. All I will say is that a friend's parents paid around 20k for a used 190 back in the late 80's. My C220 was 26k in 1995, yet 10 years on how much is a C200k? About the same.
Yes, the 190 and 124 are far more solid, they are also heavier and have less kit on them to go wrong - hence they are likely to last longer. But fairs fair, a 190 in today's money would be over 35k and who could afford that?

 

[mike65]

True! They were overpriced at the time then again they last so if you bought a new 1.8 basic spec for 16,000 in 1990 and still had it thats 1000 per year or £3 per day! Cheap as chips in fact!

Mike.

 

[littlebrooklyn]

Where did the VW Golf come?

 

[DTMLOVER]

I think the golf came in 23rd and the passat 31st..

 

[littlebrooklyn]

I think the golf came in 23rd and the passat 31st..

Hmmm not that good then

 

[Garrycox]

Guess which car was named worst ride and handling- yup the a-class, it came in a shocking 97th beating onyl the rover 25, pug 206 and fiat punto...

Was this the new or the old A Class? I drive my wife occasionally (new shape) and it does (in my opinion) have a good biggish car ride and feel.

 

[3146bj]

morning chaps… I've been lurking for a while but thoguth this would be a good message to pop my cherryJust had my copy of Autoexpress land on my door mat today, with the driver power supplement thingy. Guess which car was named worst ride and handling- yup the a-class, it came in a shocking 97th beating onyl the rover 25, pug 206 and fiat punto... the c-class came in a very middle of the road 52nd, while the 3 series came 40th, clk came in 41st, while the E-class was the best but still was 25th, the 5 series came in ****** 8th.. the s200 won overall, wihtthe octavia 2nd and the Jazz 3rd... not a good day for mercedes

Autoexpress doesn't make it here, but if they say the Jazz has good handling and ride they can have no credibility. It would have to be about as good as an Austin A40 (if anybody can remember that heap)!

 

[jberks]

This is the problem with all car surveys. Thinks like seating position, ride, handling and even in some cases, tactile feel are all subjective. Many people love japanese cars, yet to me they feel a bit tacky. I drove a brand new top of the line 3 series, got back into my 5 year old c class (with 800cc, 2 cylinders and a stack of toys less) and yet I wouldn't have swapped if they'd paid me. Different cars suit different people. Admittedly lower quality is an issue, but as the price has come down and the styling has become trendier, I wonder whether people who wouldn't previously have bought a merc are now doing so based on image and not getting what they expected from the experience. Those of us who grew up with them know the reality and buy because of it. Switch from something characterless but reliable that you bought almost without thinking every 3 years for the last 20 and suddenly switch into an E class, and you'll notice when a minor fault crops up unexpectedly, but perhaps not appreciate the vastly improved driving experience, tactile feel or the fact that you have to check the clock to tell whether its done 30k or 130k.
Different cars suit different people and I would have to say, if people don't like the car they bought, there is only one person to blame!!
I love mine!

 

[television]

. It would have to be about as good as an Austin A40 (if anybody can remember that heap)!

The Devon,Sommerst or Farina, The Devon was my second car.

Malcolm

 

[Blobcat]

This is the problem with all car surveys. Thinks like seating position, ride, handling and even in some cases, tactile feel are all subjective. Different cars suit different people and I would have to say, if people don't like the car they bought, there is only one person to blame!!
I love mine!

I agree I've just driven 700+ miles in the last 2 days and the drivers seat of my 'E' is where I choose to spend my driving time. I could do the trip again right now and there are very few cars I've driven that I could say that about (without serious pain killers).

 

[television]

I agree I've just driven 700+ miles in the last 2 days and the drivers seat of my 'E' is where I choose to spend my driving time. I could do the trip again right now and there are very few cars I've driven that I could say that about (without serious pain killers).[/QUOTE ]

I am very fussy when it comes to car seats, there are only three makers in the running, Volvo V70, Saab, and post 1995 MB. the longest run I ever did was 1400km, Stockholm to Hamberg (mb) all in one day. That was in a 300TE my only complaint with the pre 1995 MB seats is that the squab is too short.

Malcolm

 

[Blobcat]

I agree I've just driven 700+ miles in the last 2 days and the drivers seat of my 'E' is where I choose to spend my driving time. I could do the trip again right now and there are very few cars I've driven that I could say that about (without serious pain killers).[/QUOTE ]

I am very fussy when it comes to car seats, there are only three makers in the running, Volvo V70, Saab, and post 1995 MB. the longest run I ever did was 1400km, Stockholm to Hamberg (mb) all in one day. That was in a 300TE my only complaint with the pre 1995 MB seats is that the squab is too short.

Malcolm

Hi Malcolm, you have reminded me of something I've been thinking about for awhile 'maximum miles in a day' I may start a thread up unless there is one already

 

[television]

Hi Malcolm, you have reminded me of something I've been thinking about for awhile 'maximum miles in a day' I may start a thread up unless there is one already

Very good one Blobcat, do it,and we can see how far the thread will go in one week.

malcolm

 

[jonnyb1]

this is making my pc go funny,

 

[3146bj]

The Devon,Sommerst or Farina, The Devon was my second car.

Malcolm

The Devon. I knocked one back for 20 quid and bought a '48 Vauxhall Wyvern for 25 for my first car.

 

[johnmc]

Just read the Autoexpress article

Woo Hoo!
The E Class is up to 25th. The main weaknesses dragging it down by reliability of the electrics, engine control, electric braking etc.

Common Merc, fix that and I'll have a W211. These surveys have a great strength, which is that the statistical sample sizes are big enough to be meaningful, rather than the single owner experiences. You do need to remember that these are always calibrated "relevative to your expectations".

If you don't expect much, and get what you expected, then you tick the totally satisfied box. It is a great guide to buying a particular class of car. If you want a super mini and want to reduce the chances of problems for your 10 Grand, buy a Honda Jazz. For large Execs, buy a 5 series (!) as it was 15 places higher than the E class. Won't give you a guarantee of satisfaction, but will reduce the risk IF YOU LIKE THE LOOK OF THE CAR AND IMAGE. No point in buying something purely with your head....!

The E-Class at 25 is a major step forward. The old A-Class in the survey is hopeless, not surprised it sits low down. Sorry, worked in the manufacturing sector for a long time, statistics on the brain..! That new E-class purchase is creeping closer for me. I'll keep the W210 going for another wee while.

Cheers!
John