Back in 92 the Benz was rated even higher than the japs in build quality, in fact they were number 1 for several years but since then they have started digging holes in the basement! Last I checked they were number 17! Was it the merger with Crysler that messed them up so bad?? When I lived in Germany I never once saw a Benz broken down, but now in America they are starting to get a very bad reputation. What is going on?

Back in 92 the Benz was rated even higher than the japs in build quality, in fact they were number 1 for several years but since then they have started digging holes in the basement! Last I checked they were number 17! Was it the merger with Crysler that messed them up so bad?? When I lived in Germany I never once saw a Benz broken down, but now in America they are starting to get a very bad reputation. What is going on?

They had some quality control problems with the C models. A big problem, trying to get the Command system in the car which they could not get it to work. Many owners were dissapointed and Mercedes actually bought back many cars. Cannot remember how many. They had their ratings take a hit for that. The S series continues the tradition of a great car though!

A very bad reputation? Meine Güte! I put my blood and guts into the proper maintaining and repairing of these vehicles everyday. I almost take offense to that. I do not however because there is greater scrutiny along the top few automakers. Number 17? I wish I new the 16 above.
Take a C-Class and any other motor company's vehicle of the same size, and crash test them at highway speeds.
Have them dead impact head-on, then look at these vehicles and make judgement sir.
Newer models of all motor company's vehicles are going to have quirks and bugs. They are of human design.
I can personally promise you sir, that the company I work for has it's first order of your safety and preservation in mind. In fact, some new models incorporate not one failsafe backup safety system that no other motor company utilizes, but two. Mercedes-Benz is out to change the American death statistic. More Americans die on the highway than heart attacks. It is the leading cause of death in America. The current design protocol is where vehicle handleing and nimble traction is in mind. And where convienece control grounds may have been overlooked for some 4-500 cars, I gaurantee these vehicles were just as safe when they rolled. Let us keep in mind of what is important and sacred. Things like our families, our children. Perfection is not a human trait. Safety is the first order without flaw though. You don't hear about bad bleed-off on ABS like in GM, or cars and trucks that explode when impacted at certain angles. Even both Volvo and BMW with service calls of Airbags deploying when they should not. Just today on my break I read of electrical fire hazards in 04 Escalades and 03 Tacoma. Sometimes we have to red flag a car for safety reasons. (usually just worn brakes) what all the tech have learned is the one who flaggs it must first put it into a strategic spot before it is flagged becuse you know who can drive it after it is flagged? No one no matter who they are on our property, including the owner. No one is seen off the property in an unsafe vehicle. As far as this great dissappointment, I believe a ground was MISSING (which is quite an err) to feed the information / convienence portion of the command center. (that is, if it is the same quirk as referred to above). Is this fairness in being given a very bad reputation? What about the Ford/Firestone fiasco? Is that not as bad as a dimmed display? I have difficulty understanding the scrutiny given.

A very bad reputation? Meine Güte! I put my blood and guts into the proper maintaining and repairing of these vehicles everyday. I almost take offense to that. I do not however because there is greater scrutiny along the top few automakers. Number 17? I wish I new the 16 above.
Take a C-Class and any other motor company's vehicle of the same size, and crash test them at highway speeds.
Have them dead impact head-on, then look at these vehicles and make judgement sir.
Newer models of all motor company's vehicles are going to have quirks and bugs. They are of human design.
I can personally promise you sir, that the company I work for has it's first order of your safety and preservation in mind. In fact, some new models incorporate not one failsafe backup safety system that no other motor company utilizes, but two. Mercedes-Benz is out to change the American death statistic. More Americans die on the highway than heart attacks. It is the leading cause of death in America. The current design protocol is where vehicle handleing and nimble traction is in mind. And where convienece control grounds may have been overlooked for some 4-500 cars, I gaurantee these vehicles were just as safe when they rolled. Let us keep in mind of what is important and sacred. Things like our families, our children. Perfection is not a human trait. Safety is the first order without flaw though. You don't hear about bad bleed-off on ABS like in GM, or cars and trucks that explode when impacted at certain angles. Even both Volvo and BMW with service calls of Airbags deploying when they should not. Just today on my break I read of electrical fire hazards in 04 Escalades and 03 Tacoma. Sometimes we have to red flag a car for safety reasons. (usually just worn brakes) what all the tech have learned is the one who flaggs it must first put it into a strategic spot before it is flagged becuse you know who can drive it after it is flagged? No one no matter who they are on our property, including the owner. No one is seen off the property in an unsafe vehicle. As far as this great dissappointment, I believe a ground was MISSING (which is quite an err) to feed the information / convienence portion of the command center. (that is, if it is the same quirk as referred to above). Is this fairness in being given a very bad reputation? What about the Ford/Firestone fiasco? Is that not as bad as a dimmed display? I have difficulty understanding the scrutiny given.

You are under the impression that I think that Benzes are bad cars and that is not he case, I like Benzes, but the fact remains that they are very unreliable, just look at JD Power or Consumers Repots stats, I know that yall put every bell and whisle known to man in your cars and they are spectacular daily divers, but they have for years been going downhill. Are there any plans to rework the faulty areas? Or a total redesighn on the calender?

You are under the impression that I think that Benzes are bad cars and that is not he case, I like Benzes, but the fact remains that they are very unreliable, just look at JD Power or Consumers Repots stats, I know that yall put every bell and whisle known to man in your cars and they are spectacular daily divers, but they have for years been going downhill. Are there any plans to rework the faulty areas? Or a total redesighn on the calender?
Jarad_80, I agree with you. Something happened after 1993. I purchased a new 1993 190E after my wife totaled her 1982 240D. Although the 190 doesn't compare to the 240D, it still has the Mercedes Benz feel, quality, and safety. Look at the new price of the 190E compared to the new C class from 1994 on. Something had to give and I think it was quality and reliability to keep the prices low. If Mercedes brought back the 240D or the 300D, believe me, I would be the first to order one. These were the best cars made from 1977 to 1983. I also purchased a new 2001 SLK230. This car has Chrysler quality all over it and apparently it reflects in the Consumer Reports updates. I know that all new cars have become more sophisticated, but if Lexus can build safe reliable cars that have high customer satisfaction and reliablility ratings, then Mercedes Benz should be able to do the same. Although my wife and I have been faithfull MB owners, the 190E and the SLK230 will probably be my last.

As a current and 15 year employee of Mercedes, I can tell you that the quality control issues are by and large pertaining to the electronic and computer control parts supplied to the company. Since most of these are also supplied to other manufacturers (BMW, Audi, Volvo, Porsche) you'll find the same problems inherent in these cars. Each manufacturer tries to avoid and hide their problems, but after talking with peers working for some of these other makes, I can assure you that that is what is going on. As to the other perceived problems with the cars, my stance is that all makers are rushing to get more newly designed product out and are relying on computer simulated testing more and more. Mercedes has had a perrenial problem with weak a/c systems, especially for this country. This dates back to the late 70's when this country was the only market pretty much demanding a blanketed application for comfort. If they would test their cars in our country on the same torture tracks Ford and GM use, they'd be more reliable for us.

As a MB owner, this is how I see the decline of MB quality, reliability, and overall customer satisfaction. First of all, there are too many MB models. They look more mass produced than ever, too much plastic, and too many things to become defective. MB appears to be trying to attract first time Mercedes buyers by focusing on past reputation instead of current customer satisfaction. Thank God for the 4 year warranty on new MB cars. A low mileage 3 year old MB can cost a fortune to repair. My point is, the buying trend of the current MB owner is to lease a new MB for 3 or 4 years, then get a new one. That is the only way not to suffer a huge loss in repair bills, and that is if the MB tech. can fix it the first time. It usually takes 2 to 4 times to properly diagnose the problem and correct it. Why? Too many sensors! Does MB own the company that supplies sensors?
I am currently in the market to replace my 1993 190E with a new car, although there is nothing wrong with the car. It has been extremely reliable and economical to own for 11 years and the car has many years of dependable service left. I know that MB parts are usually more expensive but I don't mind paying the price for new original MB parts. The parts department at MB dealers are one of their greatest assets. It's just the Sales department and Service department that upsets me the most. They are a new breed of MB employees.
I never considered buying a Japanese made automobile, but if the consumer confidence rating of MB cars keeps declining, the Lexus ES330 sure appears to be a better alternative than MB cars in the same price range.
Also, the warranty is up on my 2001 SLK230 (24,000 mi.) in 7 months and I'm beginning to worry. I didn't have this problem with all of the MB I've owned in the past. I'm sure that as a MB employee you are proud of your company and the products they make, but when consumers buy their products and they don't live up to their reputation, something has
to change for Mercedes to regain the customer satisfaction of years past. Hey, everything I said could be wrong, after all, I'm only one customer.

You make some good points. Perception of the product by the consumer is 98 % of what is real to them. If they hear bad things about a product they own, even if it's a different version, they'll react to that negatively. Mercedes has been going down that track for several years of attracting a younger, less moneyed, yet upwardly mobile clientele. Combine that with trying to cut costs at every station form inception through production, and you'll find some complaints about fit and finish that every maker has contended with in their growth. As far as parts prices, price comparable parts for Infiniti, Lexus, Porsche, BMW, etc., and you'll find similar pricing. Maintenance on any upscale car is expensive, as are repairs on cars that are some of the strongest and safest in the world.
Generally, you get what you pay for. Mercedes used to be the car in the garage you drove on good days, weekends, and short trips to impress. The beater, no matter how new, was the one used to and from work(unless you owned the company). Now, the smaller, lighter, less expensive ones are the being driven as a daily driver by people that maybe have stretched too much to buy one in the first place.
To sum up, I am proud of the company I work for, but as a consumer, you have every right to question the quality of the products you buy. I just know in my own mind that I would expect to get what I pay for, after a well informed purchase not only concerning the company's history, but the particular product I'm buying. That's why I quit buying certain overpriced name brand shoes that are currently being made in China next to the 15 dollar Wal-mart shoes.