Friday 22nd November 2002

Standards are Slipping

Quality suffers as production increases

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[AndyWaterfall]

Hmmm...I've always had my doubts about the J D Power survey, the Top Gear version as was in this country at least. It always seemed to me that they were measuring the cars/manufacturers/dealers against people's expectations rather than how they actually performed. So a Beemer owner who expected his car to be perfect slagged it off when something minor went wrong, while a Hyundai owner who expected it to fall apart was pleased when it only had 10 things go wrong.

[markda]

I have to say when my dad went to pick up his *brand* new c-class sport he did expect it would fire on all cylinders!

Finally drove it away one day late, only this time they delivered the car to him (funny that!). He has been pleased with the car ever since.

Although there is clearly some bugs in the electrics, as part of this cars standard spec when you start to drive the car. At 5-10 mph the doors automatically lock. But sometimes you can be cruising along on the motorway and occasionally decides to unlock!?

There is nothing quite like an intermittent fault is there....

[Podie]

I got given a Merc M-class (brand new at the time) as a hire car (it's all that was available)... and was a little alarmed when the centre console decided to fall apart as I drove down the M40...

[v8thunder]

I think it's not so much the JD power survey as the JD maintainence-free survey. One of the reasons quality seems to be slipping is that more and more people buying cars know bugger all about them and run them for miles on end without water, oil etc or even checking for chassis corrosion. Then when it breaks through negligence, they simply blame the fault on the manufacturers. There are exceptions of course (such as the Mercedes door-locking problem), but have you ever seen anybody on their drive doing check-ups on an MPV or smart car? Didn't think so. Driver education needs to include car care as well as safe driving.

[Tabs]

I frequently view Mercedes owners forums, and the newer models do seem to be a constant source of trouble. Added to that, dealer back up seems to leave a lot to be desired. A friend of mine has 15 Mercedes on his executive fleet, including 4 under 3 years old. These are always giving problems. The older 124's (91 onwards) just keep going with no major faults, some having travelled in excess of 400k. I have several cars including an early 90's 124 estate. It is over engineered, very reliable, nothing rattles or falls off, and there is no rust whatsoever. All the electrical options still work as when it left the factory. I just can't see myself selling it.

[ginettafan]

A reputation is hard won, easy lost. Be careful guys.