BMW 5 series or Merc E Class

[Porker]

My "Kar" have been experiencing problems lately as compared to when I was much younger. They farking get more lactic acid built up than in the past. I think I should break them and buy another pair

[Astrid]

In the 2006 J.D. Power Car Dependability ranking list, Mercedes Benz was in the bottom-third (significantly below the industry average) with 139 problems per 100 vehicles. BMW was in the same third, with 142 problems per 100 vehicles. Appended below is the ranking list by brand.

Edited October 13, 2006 by Astrid

[Astrid]

In a separate part of the 2006 J.D. Power Study, there are technical design flaws found in Mercedes Benz cars. And BMW and Audi too.

 

http://reviews.cnet.com/4531-10921_7-6543837.html

 

These are all recent and for the E-Class, pertains to the W211 model as well.

Edited October 13, 2006 by Astrid

[Frozebite]

5 series

[Vblaster_w211]

Thank you for reaffirming my point. I must have problems with my car.... Hmmm

 

Bye.

[Jolie888]

Obviously you are still blinded by all this 3-pointed star hype, still persisting to live with all this known unreliability around you ... and the world even.

I think Astrid has just re-affirmed that for all of us here.

 

Taxi?

Edited October 13, 2006 by Jolie888

[Vblaster_w211]

I simply stating I have no problems with my supposedly "problematic" car, which I find hilarious that some have taken to be their online goal to convince me otherwise.

 

Still on the taxi issue?

[Odyssey02]

Yes, the 3-pointed star has had some reliability issues from the past and its trying to climb back up to its former glory days.

 

If you insist on arguing on Mercedes being poor in reliability, what about BMW, Subaru, Suzuki, Mazda who have done worse in the 2006 J.D Power survey just posted above. Are you going to start attacking them now?

 

Stop wasting your breath and attacking that particular brand.

Edited October 13, 2006 by Odyssey02

[Porker]

I thought you're a discerning individual judging on your previous posts. I always take these surveys done by reputable survey firms with a pinch of salt.

 

How do they get a sample of the disgruntled MB owners? Geological spread? Wealth spread or any other sampling methods?

 

I know you drive a Lexus and I have no doubt Lexus is a good reliable car but going so far as to discredit MB with just a sweeping statement that JD Powers' findings places it at the bottom scale is just astonishing to me.

 

Much as I prefer a Beemer over an MB (yes I do not like MBs at all pardon me all MB lovers)... I think your argument is suspect.

[Mad_prancer]

i am going with 5 series..... anyway i will be selling my no plate en54l .... quote me ur price if interested

[Odyssey02]

Aren't these surveys based on customer surveys. I usually find these results highly doubtful since different people have different opinions and stuff.

 

For example, the top gear survey is done by allowing the owner to vote from a scale of 1 to 10 on the different aspects of the vehicle.

[Porker]

Your bad experience with MB has turned you into a monster with absolutely no reasoning ability and with an absolutely prejudiced and clouded mind.

Edited October 13, 2006 by Brandons

[Porker]

Yes you're right. Different people have different opionions.

 

Its just amazing how some people choose to prove a point by quoting some ridiculous surveys.

 

I can churn out a list of disgruntled Lexus drivers as well. And Subaru drivers. Mit drivers and etc.

[Felipe]

True. Surveys are just anecdotal but they reflect certain trends and tastes.

 

Anyway, like to comment abt the reliability issue. Not everyone buys a car with reliability on top of their list of priorities. for some, the driving feel and dynamics etc is more impt and they are willing to forgo abit of reliability to get such pleasure. on the other hand, some others only want both. Lexus gives u both but i must admit it feels quite different sitting in a lexus than bmw and merc. so in the end, ppl's choices are entirely personal. if someone doesn't mind his car breaking down abit more often than the lexus, that's his choice. he rather part with his 150k and get some problems than none at all with a brand that he has no passion for.

 

in the end, no one can question ppl's passion. yes, the lexus has to be a really reliable car given the evidence. but i don't think merc or bmw lovers would trade that. some would. but a true bmw or merc lover would never do that. if he does so, he's simply not passionate abt the brand. recall that merc advert abt the cars passing throughout generations? although i don't drive a merc, i truly understand y they rather own it, despite the problems. & btw, it's not like the dealer's here cant resolve the problems rite?

[Suxelis]

Both BMW and Merc have their share of fans and to argue which is the better car can get a bit pointless as evidence by the length of this thread.

 

I noticed both camps have complains about reliability issues and wonder if that is your top most concern, why not consider something with proven reliability like Lexus? Though not perfect (what is?), it has many more satisfied owners - many like me converted from the German fold.

 

I just sold off my 7 series and gone Japanese. No regrets! Yes, it doesnt have the conti feel. Yes, not so prestigious. Yes, doors not so solid blah blah but 99% wont break down on PIE and overheat at JB Cway. Dare I say for same price, it blows away the competition in performance stakes too.

 

But I dont expect this simple message to convince the hard core german-philes.... If you choose BM Or Merc, be prepared for some problems as a person speaking from my ownership experience.

 

All my life I owned Geman cars. When i was younger my aspiration was to own one of those., and for a few years was quite happy top put up with issues here and there.

 

Recently I decided to switch cars. I read all available satisfaction surveys etc, but found it hard to believe them. So i surveyed all my friends who owned cars, essentially which brand they were driving and whether they would buy another. I was stunned that my informal survey revealed trends that aligned with the so-called big surveys done elsewhere. Only one brand did my survey indicate that they would buy another one (not German)! So I outdid myself and checked it out. Sure, they don't drive 100% the same, but its 95% close. But the peerless quality, uncanny refinement, excellent customer and aftercare service ultimately persuaded me. Not mentioning the value, technology, kit and horsepower. I did test drive the German offerings, five times over, because I could not believe I myself! And they do just as well as the Germans in european crash tests....

 

7000k's later, its the best car i ever owned. Its not perfect, but gets closer for me than anything else I had before. And I love Geman cars, having driven them extensively in Germany. (my other car is German) Of course time will tell, but the previous model of my new car does over 100ks (Singapore conditions) with very little problems, you can read this on this forum in another thread, and this is mirroed by similar threads all over the net. A good friend is a successful mechanic, from him I learnt which parts of which cars regularely fail once the cars are out of warrentee; and again, the facts seem to mirror the surveys.

 

My aspiration was to own German cars. Now I just want to own the most rewarding ownership experience, since its like a second morgage in cost to own a car here. I understand why some brands top ownership surveys/ratings now. Took me 15 years to get here. But I take nothing away from the Germans and how in one test drive they can help fulfil many a lifelong ambition.

[Vblaster_w211]

It's just like the NA enthusiast who would pay to have a true Type R NA engine that costs more with less power than the all too common WRXs and STIs. Why? They just like the way NA handles with more linear delivery. It's also no surprise the last endurance race up North saw the top 2 winners from a modded Civic (engine swap) and the Integra Type R. The Turbo'ed cars simply could not maintain the grueling race throughout.

 

So those that like the driving dynamics, look and feel of BMW and Merc will continue to do so. I like the IS250, and may actually prefer it over the 3 series in some aspects. But the GS300 simply doesn't have the overall package finishing compared the the 5 and E.

 

Anyway, I've my share of small niggling issues from Japanese makes before, so Japanese being 100% reliable vs German is, IMO, overrated.

[Slee]

In the 2006 J.D. Power Car Dependability ranking list, Mercedes Benz was in the bottom-third (significantly below the industry average) with 139 problems per 100 vehicles. BMW was in the same third, with 142 problems per 100 vehicles. Appended below is the ranking list by brand.

 

Thanks to Astrid for your contribution of survey results & Jolie888 for your long list of Merc omplaints .... that's it I have made up my mind.....

 

I will buy a Porsche since (a) it is nbr 1 on the survery and (b) opps, unless Jolie888 submits another equally long list of disgrunted Porsche owners

 

I dun care if I like the car,, it has only 2 seats, pay $$$$$$$$ for road tax and service/maintenance ... or for the simple fact if i CAN afford it in the first place.

 

All these does not matter as long as (a) it is nbr 1 on survey with least fault and (b) until now, no long list of customer complaints.

 

So all Merc & Bimmer owners, stop slugging it out since you are both driving amongst the most unreliable cars available. Just change to Porsche (like me in my dreams) or to Hyundai (like me in reality) !!!!

 

- better remove my die-cast Merc & BMW from my shelve and hide in my cupboard. No wonder they collect dust more than my cheapo pot of fake flowers.

[Porker]

I'm very very intoxicated with the current 997 GT3. That wing. That signature white. The 19 inch GT3 wheels. The engine! The weight of the car!

 

I aspire to own it once I earn at least $20,000 per month but too bad I can't afford it now and can only rely on my lowly E85.