Is German quality real?

dandxg · Oct 26, 2010

Quote from piezoe:

Thanks for the correction. I don't follow CR anymore, and I certainly am not up on new car warranties, but aren't most of them something like say 5 years or 100,000 miles? So if they did go back 7 years wouldn't the data be weighted more toward the warranty period? When I did read consumer reports years ago, before I lost faith in them, it seems they were using data on cars from within the warranty period. The reason I ask this is because in is my admittedly limited experience the the cars that do ultimately prove to be very troublesome often don't start falling apart until just after the warranty period expires. Although I have to say that in the case of the Ford built Jaguars they did not wait until the warranty period expired to disintegrate.
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It's been a year since I had the regular subscription. They just used repair reports I believe. The more reports the less reliable. I don't know if there was a weighting. My old book is around, found it. It was 09 and the used car ratings were 02-07. Just checked surveys on go out to CR subscribers, hmm not so objective, but 1.3 million sent and received back, surveys.

dandxg · Oct 26, 2010

Quote from ivanbaj:

I have German car and have no problems what so ever. The only problem is that the dealership is trying to milk me for small things. Guess how much they wanted to put a new battery in. Insane, like 4-5 times the cost of a new battery. I ask why? they told me it is tough to reset the computer? Are you shiting me? I am terrified what will happen when I need new brakes.

No matter what the CR article said, brand names matter. They are difficult to establish. Look how long it is taking the Koreans to build a brand. A new luxury model is coming to the US.

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/20/2011-hyundai-equus-priced-at-58900/

( Itâs dressed up with 19-inch chrome rims, adjustable damping air suspension, H.I.D. headlamps, a driverâs seat massage function, sunroof and illuminated scuff plates, bundled Apple iPad that serves as the carâs âinteractive ownerâs manual, like cooled rear seats, a fridge box in the center console, power trunk lid and a rear-seat entertainment system with an eight-inch monitor.
The Equus is powered by a 4.6-liter V-8 that delivers 385 horsepower, backed by a 6-speed automatic)

Any takers? How will this sell in Europe?

BTW:
China Number One is:
Buick Excelle
Sold exclusively in China, the Buick Excelle is based on a design from GM's South Korean subsidiary, GM Daewoo Auto & Technology. GM's strong performance in China, paced by Buick, is one of the few bright spots for the bankrupt U.S. carmaker. (Current No. 1 in the U.S.: the Ford F-Series pickup truck.)

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1909818_1908558,00.html
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Buicks always look like grandpa cars, now pontiac that's a decent look

Bob111 · Oct 26, 2010

Quote from ivanbaj:

I have German car and have no problems what so ever. The only problem is that the dealership is trying to milk me for small things. Guess how much they wanted to put a new battery in. Insane, like 4-5 times the cost of a new battery. I ask why? they told me it is tough to reset the computer? Are you shiting me? I am terrified what will happen when I need new brakes.

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http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1BS7R2ZSYH5TVFE57EH1

approved for MB. no need to "reset" anything. it's BS anyway..it will provide DC in supply mode,when you changing the battery. and i'm sure they have something similar at your dealership..AUX battery cost about $40 at sears,main-$89 at BJ(good as original varta)
aux at dealership will cost you 140-180, main-180 and up(for MB)
changing the brakes is exactly same simple procedure as on any other car. just have to be careful with sensors. or just short the old ones

Supply Mode, a maintenance mode supplying a constant voltage of 13.6V;
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MB typically charge 150$ for an hour,that's why i prefer to do most of the maintenance by myself.

Eileen H · Oct 26, 2010

Well, I think market acceptance is very important.

piezoe · Oct 27, 2010

Quote from dandxg:

It's been a year since I had the regular subscription. They just used repair reports I believe. The more reports the less reliable. I don't know if there was a weighting. My old book is around, found it. It was 09 and the used car ratings were 02-07. Just checked surveys on go out to CR subscribers, hmm not so objective, but 1.3 million sent and received back, surveys.
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Thanks.

orange_trad · Oct 27, 2010

"Chevy, GM's chief brand, scored 83% average or better, up from just 50% last year -- topping German luxury brands Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz."

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL This, the joke of the day. Thanx for the find!

intradaybill · Oct 27, 2010

I had a Mercedes and a BMW in the past, both had serious electrical and engine problems. A lot of planned obsolecense. Even windshield wipers had motor problems. Ended up paying the car price twice. I am not a customer any longer.

Chuck Krug · Oct 27, 2010

My family and I have had 5 BMW's over the years, on 3 we put 200k miles each on them. Never had a major problem.

Bob111 · Oct 27, 2010

i believe that the quality maintenance of the car is the key. OEM parts and fluids are a must. you simply can't substitute MB's antifreeze with anything aftermarket. the manual says-it should be periodically checked and replaced after 15 years. yes, 15 years.
you go to some indy shop,they will insist, that the flush is need it every 5 years or so...then they will flush the system with some shitty aftermarket stuff and you are going to have a major engine problem pretty soon. majority of indy shops are clueless when it comes to german cars.