New C Class - Build Quality - from the horses mouth....

[Dave B]

Thought this might raise a few eyebrows......

My wife was recenlty out on a test drive with a Mercedes technician on-board.  During their conversation the chap stated that MB were having major problems with the new C-class, and many buyers were bringing them back with a variety of faults.  

The general feeling at the dealer is that the new model isn't a patch on the out-going C-class and was causing a major headache for dealerships.  They're obviously concerned at the increasing number of faults (and accompanying warranty claims) as they had held a meeting to discuss the issue that very morning.

Worrying ??  

I guess it's the same with any "new" product - it pays to test the water before taking the plunge!   In the IT profession it's generally acknowledged that you rarely buy the first release of a Microsoft (that'll be Microshaft to buyers of Windows XP) software package.  It's prudent to wait until at least until the first service pack has been issued.  

Comments ????

 

[R10RGT]

New C Class - Build Quality

I have a '98 C Class. Very happy with it. But I can't help feeling that the "hewn from stone" feeling is disappearing.

I had a 1987 190E which felt very well designed and built. My current C200 is better than most other makes I drive, but things like a flimsy interior light switch would never have made it onto the 190.

I'm inclined to say there is more to the bad press Merc have had with recent models - there seem to be BOTH design and built faults - are they building down to a budget now more than before?!

 

[simon]

New C Class - Build Quality

That is most interesting! Are the RH drive models coming from S.Africa?Well.well!
R10GT, I too came up (?) from the 190E to the W202 & I have been moaning constantly on this forum.I know that other subscribers are similarly unhappy. I have even attempted to buy my old car back-unsuccessfully.
Question...do BMW have better build & engineering quality, some motoring pundits suggest they do??
regards
Ernest

 

[Guy]

New C Class - Build Quality

Ernest,
Was I very lucky in enjoying 3 years of totally trouble free and extremely enjoyable motoring in a W202 (C280)? (Never had/drove a 190)
Over 45k, it never needed more than regular servicing.
The build & reliability of the BMW that followed was equally good; but I can't wait to get into my new (South African) W203 tomorrow - fingers crossed!

 

[Matt Crooke]

New C Class - Build Quality

Would this be a good time to say im am a proud owner of a  1987 190e auto, that i dont intend to get rid of? (now anyway!!)

cheers

 

[R10RGT]

New C Class - Build Quality

I have to admit, that compared to most other makes, my W202 is great. (Heck, I bought it with my own hard-earned!!).
It feels solid. It stops and goes without fail. It does everthing very well. BUT (and the interior light is a good example) there are signs that costs were being cut during the design process (I have no complaints with the actual build).

The 190E felt better screwed together - and better designed. The previous model E-Class (W124) was (in my opinion) the pinacle of modern day Mercs.


(Edited by R10RGT at 10:43 am on Jan. 18, 2002)

 

[simon]

New C Class - Build Quality

I most certainly do not want to appear to be a prophet of doom regarding current C class.I have only limitted personal experience but monitoring other forums & sites
& avid perusal of motor magazines has confirmed my opinion that standards have dropped, in some cases, significantly & I no longer have the confidence that, in the next 50k miles the car will prove to be fault free(consumables apart) . I had that confidence in the 2.6 190E
& so did many other owners.
Obviously current owners such as Guy have umblemished reliability, which is reassuring but conversely other owners have experienced  significant problems in such a short space of time, that are unacceptable, especially in a car of this quality & cost.
In general, I am also concerned at the significant increase in the financial outlay by MB in warranty payments, believe me its very large.Yes I do appreciate that they are selling more cars but I do believe it is beyond that proportional perspective.

regards
Ernest

 

[Guy]

New C Class - Build Quality

Well I got through my first 50 miles in my new C class without any problem today!
I'm delighted with it; who wouldn't be on day 1, but I promise to tell you if there are problems!

Guy

 

[Anonymous]

New C Class - Build Quality

My 2 pennies worth!

I currently own a E280 1994 W124. With regard to build quality I think it is exceptionally put together. In the short time I have owned it (some 8 months) I have driven it to France (several times), Spain, Italy and less exotic places like Belgium! (no offence to Belgiums).

So far this car had never put a foot wrong. I except that the 4 year annual service costs a fortune (I would have took it to Andy Gayle's garage, but couldn't find the time), but when you consider a per mile cost of ownership, what would you drive a new Fiesta or a 2.8 E Class?

The interior is always a welcome, wonderful leather seats, air con and 10 CD's in the boot. You can keep Sat Nav, I know how to read a map and like taking the scenic route!

When deciding on buying my current car I looked at the C Class, new E Class, and even considered and the ex-model S class. However when all was taken into account, by far the best option was the W124 E Class fully loaded.

Anyway, what was my point? The point was I agree with all said above, and lets hope Mercedes keeps producing cars that some day will be called classics (you can't say that about an Omega or Scorpio) so that people like me can buy reasonable price second hand cars and enjoy them!

 

[69Coupe]

New C Class - Build Quality

well I've just completed 11,000 miles in my new '01 C200 Kompressor without any faults, as one would expect. We also have a 1994 C200 and it definitely feels more chunky.

There is nothing wrong with the new car as far as build goes but definitely something has escaped from the Mercedes DNA.

Having said that I'm extremely happy with my purchase, and especially with the way it handles. I did look at other makes, and I have already decided to buy another Mercedes next time 'round !

 

[Guy]

New C Class - Build Quality

Some confirmation of the reduction in build quality at

http://mbspy.bacosys.be/mbquality.htm

 

[franj]

New C Class - Build Quality

My 2 cents worth.....

The current Mercedes cars are now more modern, lighter in feel, more responsive, everything does feel lighter in its operation.  Nothing wrong with that, but it has lost that traditional Mercedes feel.  You know the ones, long heavy accelerator pedal, heavy doors, underpowered  and rough (4 cylinders) engines, gives the impression of a heavy, solid car.  

I think most Mercedes enthusiasts here do miss all that, and that's the reason why the W201 and W124 models are still sought after.  Reliable?  I personally don't think they are.  Just check the technical posts of most MB forums.  Why do we still love them?  I honestly don't know....maybe we can only see stars in our eyes.....well at least until tears starts to flow due to the repair bills!!

Out of all the current models, I believe only the current E class has some of the traditional feel left.

 

[Peter C]

New C Class - Build Quality

I took delivery of my New C Class in November 2000, one of the first RH drive versions at my dealers, having ordered it at the launch some 6 months previously. After 20 months I've had all manner of problems some minor ( glovebox ), some less so ( front roll-bar replaced by new design, very common apparently ), new transmission linkage ( could shift into gear without putting foot on brake, very nifty if you're in a closed space ), new seat motor, new screenwash reservoir ( split - dumping  4.5 litres on drive ) etc etc. Virtually 1 fault a month. Dealer has now agreed to take it back and give me a favourable deal on a new one with all the teething problems ironed out - hopefully !

 

[Carabosse]

New C Class - Build Quality

Through another forum I'm in contact with someone who works for a MB dealership in the Netherlands. He confirms that build quality is barely above that of the volume producers these days, with all manner of problems arising. It's very hit and miss though and there is no consistency of build quality.....Peter C's problems would, sadly, not come as any surprise at all to my Dutch acquaintance.:sad:

 

[Dave B]

New C Class - Build Quality

I've recently heard more of the same.  This time from ex-MB technicians who have had to change camps due to the recent MB shake-up of dealerships.   These guys had been working with MB for 15-20 years, but of course this could just be sour grapes given they no longer have the prestige of being MB technicians.