Well Done Mercedes

[hawk20]

J D Power 2008 –well done E class.
http://www.whatcar.co.uk/news-specia...612&EL=3243769

The E class missed top executive saloon by a whisker and finished 8th overall of all the cars tested in all groups. Best performance yet.

And just announced is the AutoExpress DriverPower survey results which put the E class top executive car and 3rd overall of all the cars tested in all groups. Oh yes: ahead of Lexus this time.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/driver_power_2008/


Looks like the quality push by Dr Z is yielding some real benefits.


And the humble A class got some nice comments from owners too: -
Mercedes A-Class
Score 82.2%
Overall ranking 26th


A-Class owners are a happy and contented lot. They told JD Power that very little went wrong with their cars; the transmissions and engines, in particular, hardly skipped a beat.

The cabin held together well, although exterior problems were more common.

The practical cabin and the looks met with approval, but performance and ride and handling could have been better.

Fuel consumption was pleasingly low and insurance bills were reasonable. However, if owners did have a gripe, it was that the cost of servicing and repair work was too high.
http://www.whatcar.co.uk/news-special-report.aspx?NA=232612&EL=3243777

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Well done indeed! The most telling comments were not on Mercedes cars, however:

"If Mercedes owners had got better service from dealers, the E-Class would have sailed past the Jaguar S-type into first place.

It was more reliable than the Jaguar, and owners took a far greater shine to the car itself, especially with the way it looked, and the cabin and boot space.

It wasn't the quality or cost of work by dealers that let the E-Class down - the issue was the inconvenience owners faced when booking cars in". (JD Power)

This is not a new theme in the Forum's experience. The cost of franchise dealers, and the whole debate about ASSYST and servicing intervals are evidence of that.

We who use Indepenent Dealerships (I have been with Andy Gayle since 1995) tend not to be affected by these aspects of Mercedes ownership. The cars speak for themselves.

 

[Splatt]

Well done indeed . I am pleased with both my C and A class, particularly the build quality, comfort reliability and fuel economy. I used to be a Volvo addict until the last car, when to change the headlamp bulbs ( and you change them more on a volvo as they are on all the time and blow every 12 months ) you had take the front trim off and drop the bumper off and take the headlight units out , labour cost £35.

 

[johnmc]

Do you not think it's curious that it the Autoexpress "RELIABILITY" survey that the E-Class reliability was at 58th on the list of about 100+ cars?

Looks like the other factors helped it out of a really BAD reliability position. Fix reliability and they'll be laughing. The Lexus, Skoda etc were all better for reliability.

John

 

[hawk20]

Well here is what the J D Power survey says of the Lexus: -
"The Lexus IS is second in class and third overall.

Owners reported very good interior build quality, loved the way the car drives and looks, and rated Lexus dealers as among the best.

There are chinks in its armour, though. Mechanical reliability was only average; a number of owners reported engine faults. Running costs were so-so, with relatively steep fuel bills."

 

[colechelle]

well me just left one of the souths leading merc dealers will say, they are pushing techs to check and double check everything to make sure the cars are coming out the workshops as one would expect, i,e all the recalls done and any faults found are reported and fixed before the car has left, i cant speak for all the dealers but i know the group i have just left is pushing more and more toward the customers, could be a good turning point for merc, as long as all the dealers follow suit of course!!!!

 

[Blobcat]

well me just left one of the souths leading merc dealers will say, they are pushing techs to check and double check everything to make sure the cars are coming out the workshops as one would expect, i,e all the recalls done and any faults found are reported and fixed before the car has left, i cant speak for all the dealers but i know the group i have just left is pushing more and more toward the customers, could be a good turning point for merc, as long as all the dealers follow suit of course!!!!

I've just booked mine in for a service and ATF change and whilst I was talking to the service manager he couldn't have been more helpful. I'll wait to see how much it's going to cost me and what condition it comes back in.

 

[hawk20]

well me just left one of the souths leading merc dealers will say, they are pushing techs to check and double check everything to make sure the cars are coming out the workshops as one would expect, i,e all the recalls done and any faults found are reported and fixed before the car has left, i cant speak for all the dealers but i know the group i have just left is pushing more and more toward the customers, could be a good turning point for merc, as long as all the dealers follow suit of course!!!!

So where are you working now? Still with MB in some form I hope?

 

[colechelle]

So where are you working now? Still with MB in some form I hope?

Yes staying in the brand Hawk, just changing to another department, going back to what i do best!!

 

[hawk20]

Excellent. Good to hear that. Sorry I missed your posting so rather a late reply!