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Top Gear survey 05

cedric

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Oct 14, 2003
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The Top Gear survey 05 is now on the web site, not good reading!

Mercedes 32nd/36

Individual cars

ML - 155/159 (Down)
A - 143/159 (Down)
E - 139/159 (Down)
CLK - 116/159 (Down)
C - 115/159 (Up)
C Sports Coupe - 113/159 (Up)
SLK - 84/159 (Down)

Have I made a good choice ordering a new ML to replace my C Sports Coupe?
 
Last edited:
That will probably be refering to the old ML, and I'm guessing the new ML has ironed out the problems that may have existed.

We have a few new ML owners here, maybe they can comment :)
 
cedric said:
The Top Gear survey 05 is now on the web site, not good reading!

Mercedes 32nd/36

Individual cars

ML - 155/159 (Down)
A - 143/159 (Down)
E - 139/159 (Down)
CLK - 116/159 (Down)
C - 115/159 (Up)
C Sports Coupe - 113/159 (Up)

Have I made a good choice ordering a new ML to replace my C Sports Coupe?

I have an E-class that has had its fair share of minor glitches, it has also failed to start just once.

It is clearly not nice having problems, and I do not care if you have a Lexus, Rolls Royce or a Skoda, modern technology sometimes fails. To me the most important thing is how these problems are addressed. Everyone has read my threads praising my local dealership and I will definitely be buying another Mercedes-Benz.

The car has refused to start on just one occasion. I telephoned the Mobilio breakdown number, and within twenty minutes I was contacted by the dealership which is a forty minute (minimum) journey. Thirty minutes later!!!! (The technician was already on the road) The very nice man had replaced the battery, checked the vehicle over via his diagnostic equipment, then took the vehicle for a test drive to reset the tyre pressure monitors. This to me is what sells cars and more importantly retains customers.

Check the dealership out, if it has a poor reputation then I would not grace them with my presence.

My loyalty has to be earnt and retained simply by good customercare. So if you like the ML and you have a good dealer then enjoy the car.

Good luck,
John
 
cedric said:
The Top Gear survey 05 is now on the web site

Whereabouts? I can only see the 2004 results, plus "The 2005 survey is now closed. Results will be posted here in the autumn."

:confused:
 
There are always so many anomalies in these 'customer feedback' reports that I long since stopped taking any notice of them.

I mean, how can 2-seaters like Honda 2000, Smart For Two, BMW Z4, Porsche Boxster get 4 stars for 'comfort and practicality' when large MPVs such as Galaxy, Peugeot 807 get 2 and 1 star respectively. Even the E class only gets 3 stars in this category, and yet road tests constantly praise its comfort.

Personally, I tend to find big cars a damn sight more comfortable and practical than sporty 2-seaters!
 
I suppose it reflects the fact that most products nowadays are all pretty similar, in terms of reliability. Gone are the days when there were useless Skodas and nothing was as reliable as a Volkswagen.

Fords used to have a poor reputation too but the last 2 or 3 Mondeos I had just never went wrong in 80K miles. I still didn't like them though.

You can get DVD players in the supermarket that perform as well as ones costing double elsewhere, although you have to forsake a few bells and whilstles. Same with cars. When most cars share a small base of ownership, likes and dislikes are becoming more a matter or form than function.
 
Rob77 said:
I suppose it reflects the fact that most products nowadays are all pretty similar, in terms of reliability. Gone are the days when there were useless Skodas and nothing was as reliable as a Volkswagen.

But Skodas ARE Volkswagens, just with slightly different body panels. So why should they be so much more reliable? (Skoda 2nd, VW 21st).

I accept customer service will be different but the mechanicals are all the same.
 
jeremytaylor said:
I accept customer service will be different but the mechanicals are all the same.


Same as always,

You expect a Skoda to be crap, when its not you think its amazing.

You expect a Merc to be amazing, when its not you think its crap.
 
jeremytaylor said:
But Skodas ARE Volkswagens, just with slightly different body panels. So why should they be so much more reliable? (Skoda 2nd, VW 21st).

I accept customer service will be different but the mechanicals are all the same.
Perception.

What place did Audi and Seat come? Same thing! :rolleyes:
Rob77 said:
nothing was as reliable as a Volkswagen.
Up until the mid-90s VWs were very unreliable, it has got to be the best turn around and PR-job ever! People think they were always like that, they weren't!
 
jeremytaylor said:
There are always so many anomalies in these 'customer feedback' reports that I long since stopped taking any notice of them.

I mean, how can 2-seaters like Honda 2000, Smart For Two, BMW Z4, Porsche Boxster get 4 stars for 'comfort and practicality' when large MPVs such as Galaxy, Peugeot 807 get 2 and 1 star respectively. Even the E class only gets 3 stars in this category, and yet road tests constantly praise its comfort.

And whilst scores like "Performance" and "Handling" are fair enough for "Honda S2000" (there's only one version), what on earth do they mean against "Ford Focus" (which covers an entire range of models with different body styles, engines, tyres, and suspension setups)?
 
Shude said:
Up until the mid-90s VWs were very unreliable, it has got to be the best turn around and PR-job ever! People think they were always like that, they weren't!

The most unreliable car that I've ever had, by miles, was a VW Sharan. When it was working it was quite a pleaseant drive, ... but it wasn't often working.
 
KillerHERTZ said:
Same as always,

You expect a Skoda to be crap, when its not you think its amazing.

You expect a Merc to be amazing, when its not you think its crap.

Absolutely right. And it is also a function of how they are used. Low miles plodder is not going to have the same experience as a high miles thrasher.

But these surveys do reveal something about overall consumer perception. Perception is reality so, right or wrong, it matters a lot. MB have a problem
 
Satch, how does the reliability of your Toyota compare with your E?

Mate of mine works for Toyota and he's had problems with his lease cars - a Previa had to go back with unresolved problems.
 
jeremytaylor said:
Satch, how does the reliability of your Toyota compare with your E?

Mate of mine works for Toyota and he's had problems with his lease cars - a Previa had to go back with unresolved problems.

I have very recently read somewhere about Toyota mounting one of the World's largest recalls.

Satch said:
But these surveys do reveal something about overall consumer perception. Perception is reality so, right or wrong, it matters a lot. MB have a problem.

Excellent point and I believe that is why they are being so helpful resolving any problems. Surveys are grossly unfair but as you quite rightly point out the public are not interested in ther truth.

John
 
jeremytaylor said:
Satch, how does the reliability of your Toyota compare with your E?

Mate of mine works for Toyota and he's had problems with his lease cars - a Previa had to go back with unresolved problems.

My Land Cruiser has done about 11,000 miles now and only a couple of minor teething problems early on. Otherwise absolutely fine although I cannot wait to change the tyres.

The OEM fitment are Dunlop AT20's which are not that good.
 
Satch said:
My Land Cruiser has done about 11,000 miles now and only a couple of minor teething problems early on. Otherwise absolutely fine .

How is it wearing inside though? I had one a few times as a hire car and I have to admit it was very impressive for throwing around and surprisingly easy to drive for such a big car and economy was great - but for a three months old car with 5k miles on - the leather interior was very poor showing indredible signs of wear:(

I've never seen a Merc Leather interior look poor unless its very old and been mistreated ;)

I always ignore surveys of this nature as they are just not statistically valid ;)
 

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