New W211 model, quality up?

[johnmc]

Hi,
I was reading about the facelifted W211 due in July 06. Looks like Merc have gone over the top on quality:
- Dumped the dodgy electric braking system.
- Millions of miles of testing, with hundreds of cars being given to ordinary drivers BEFORE the launch to shake them down (about time).
- Each part of the electrical system given serious testing for reliability.
- no mention of body work changes, must be reasonably well galvanised etc?

That bodes well for improving the JD Power Score. The W211 rose 69 places this year and is now at 28, massive improvement and now ahead of the new 5-series. This new work can only help. Now, if they can just fix the dealers and get the service costs down a bit..!

They've also added a host of new features notably for safety, like headlights that change the beam pattern to road conditions as well as swivelling, brake lights that pulsate under heavy braking and more. The engines have all been uprated too, with the 220CDi now up to 170hp with more torque as well.

I'll be interested to hear from the first owners, looks like a good buy. If the quality keeps up I might just buy one..!

Thanks!
John

 

[jberks]

Now, if they can just fix the dealers and get the service costs down a bit..!

Hear Hear!
Anyway, as I've said before, if my 04/5 one is anything to go on, they are already pretty good. 8 months and 17,000 miles on, and still no complaints. A couple of small niggles such as the outside temp gauge is on a different continent to the rest of the car, and I'd like the SBS pulse supressor fitting just to quieten it down a bit, but nothing that makes me regret buying it for a second.
I'd have the temp gauge fixed but I'm embarressed to book it in just for that. I've been waiting for something more important, but nothing else has gone wrong!