Best Auto Maker?

[Joe_Black]

We've got five Mercedes diesels ranging from 1978 to 1982 and I'm VERY impressed with the build quality, reliability, ease of service, ruggedness and attention to detail. There are just a couple things over-engineered in typical Teutonic fashion, but overall a fantastic machine. I've also had the opportunity to crawl over a few of their diesels and gassers manufactured since then, and I'd personally stay away from anything after the mid-90's. Except for the Gelandewagen, of course.

[rowhard]

And when did mopar get in bed with MB and when did their quality start suffering?

[Ldub]

And when did mopar get in bed with MB and when did their quality start suffering?

Ding-ding-ding-ding-

We have a winner !

[Chopper]

I don't know how these guys got their results...what the test criteria were, etc. etc. , but i initally find it suprising. I know Toyota has been suffering a bit in it's volume push to the top. The bits have always fallen off VWs, and a Honda is always... a Honda. All the newer MBs we get in work (with one glaring exception, the ML series of suv things) are pretty impressive pieces, mechanically and dynamicaly. The Koreans are really on their game now, a GM runs badly, longer than most vehicles run. Stateside Fords are boring but dependable... wow, MBs day at the bottom of the barrel.

[UtahVXer]

When makes were scored on a scale indicating percent better or worse than average, with 0 being average, Toyota and Honda took top place with an average score of +48, meaning on average 48% more reliable than average. All of their models were at least average or better.
MB came in dead last with an average score of -123 followed by Land Rover and Hummer with average scores of -97 and -70 each. None of these makes had any models with above average reliability. MB's models ranged from -200 to -35.
In the category of midsized SUV the MB M and R Class were both rated least reliable, and the Toyota Highlander and 4-Runner most reliable.
J.D. Powers reliability ratings show the same thing.

[Scott Harness]

I think Consumer Reports is way to picky. They take the littlest thing and make a big deal out of it. VW never got good ratings. I've had seven VW's and loved them all,very reliable. Our VX's would be rated very low because of the window thing and peeling wheels. The magazine is a good place to start your research for something your not sure of,but I have had great cars they said were no good!

[rowhard]

I remember hearing or reading a customer satisfaction report a year or so ago, Toyota was ranked #1 and Mercedes was ranked 8th, and that was in Germany, sad. But damn I like the 500CLS. That is one pretty saloon car

[Joe_Black]

One thing to consider also is that Consumer Reports will not hesitate to "make up" data to support an agenda they may have. Case in point: The Suzuki Samurai and 1st-gen Isuzu Trooper. They felt that America was headed for disaster on the eve of the SUV craze, so picked to "low volume" (meaning likely not large enough to fight back much) manufacturers to use as scapegoats for the rollover craze. If I remember correctly, it came out that it took something on the order of 46 attempts to get the Samurai to roll and about 38 for the Trooper. Both manufacturers sued CR, especially after video tapes were leaked showing all the takes to get a rollover, and each case was quietly settled in the favor of the manufacturers.

So when looking at CR think of them as the overprotective aunt who will lie about something just to keep you out of trouble.