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I've read a number of complaints about MB quality as of late. Are MB cars driven in Germany having similiar issues? I'm wondering if there could be a reliability difference between the brand imported here and the ones driven in Germany.
In Germany Mercedes has normally a reputation for being reliable.
Cars in Germany have to be tested every 2 two years (first test is done when the car is 3 years old). The examination is mostly done by TÃœV. They publish every year a ranking about the percentage of cars with significant deficiencies.
10-11 years old cars:
3. SLK
11. B-Klasse
14. A-Klasse
24. CLK
46. E-Klasse
55. C-Klasse
...
82. Chevrolet Matiz
83. Alfa Romeo 147
84. Renault Laguna
85. Kia Sorento
86. M-Klasse
Three conclucions:
1. The quality of Mercedes cars has extremely improved in the last couple of years and they now dominate the field.
2. Mercedes cars are just in the first years reliable, when they get older they get relative more deficiencies.
3. Mercedes cars have just fewer deficiencies in these examinations because they are better checked in the Mercedes repair shops before they get into the examination.
I guess that most Germans would agree to these rankings. Especially when you look to the cars with the most deficiencies. Chevrolet, Dacia, Fiat, Kia and Renault have in Germany the reputation for being very unreliable.
Another way to look at the reliability of cars is the ADAC breakdowns statistic:
On a scale from 1.0 (reliable) to 5.0 (unreliable):
SLK: 1.0 (11,000 km, average annual mileage)
GLK: 1.2 (19,000 km)
A-Klasse: 1.4 (13,000 km)
B-Klasse: 1.5 (17,000 km)
C-Klasse: 2.0 (19,000 km)
ML: 2.0 (21,000 km)
E-Klasse: 3.0 (37,000 km)
Overall quite good. The E-Klasse falls behind and is just average. That's surely the result of the high annual mileage.
I have read several times, that German cars in the U.S. are less reliable because they choose subpar materials for the cars they export to the U.S., because Americans are less quality-conscious than Germans. But I think that's nonsense.
I have read several times, that German cars in the U.S. are less reliable because they choose subpar materials for the cars they export to the U.S., because Americans are less quality-conscious than Germans. But I think that's nonsense.
The cars that MB exports to the US and other countries are the exact same as the cars driven in Germany. They don't have a separate line to build "US only" cars. US cars may get some different features, but they're all built on the same assembly lines.
Now, MB cars that are produced here in the states... that is a different story. The C class, M class, and GL class are all built in Alabama... and they've never been known to be as reliable as the E, CLS, S class vehicles that are solely built in Germany.
The cars that MB exports to the US and other countries are the exact same as the cars driven in Germany. They don't have a separate line to build "US only" cars. US cars may get some different features, but they're all built on the same assembly lines.
I don't think that they produce different qualities for different markets. But it would be no problem to build in parts of different quality in one assembly line. Basically every car from one assembly line is unique these days.
Quote:
Now, MB cars that are produced here in the states... that is a different story. The C class, M class, and GL class are all built in Alabama... and they've never been known to be as reliable as the E, CLS, S class vehicles that are solely built in Germany.
Do you mean that all C Class cars are build in Alabama?
I owned a 2013 S550 for 3 years. The only issue I had with it was a dead cell in the battery which was replaced under warranty.
I've got a 2016 S550 now and so far no issues at all. The car as delivered is flawless.
I did own an Alabama built 2001 M320. Now that vehicle was another issue entirely. Huge numbers of quality issues that continued well past the warranty period that required several expensive repairs. It's really a shame because otherwise, I really liked the design of that SUV. Quite unique and structurally built like a tank.
I have no idea if the Alabama plant still produces vehicles of such low quality, but I'd be hesitant to purchase another US build Mercedes.
I have a 2016 c.class that from the details says built in Manhiem, Germany on 04-05-2016 and delivered to the U.S from Manhiem , Germany on 4-29-2016. Does this mean my c.class 300 (w205) was actually built WHOLE in Germany and delivered to the U.S Plant. Can anyone kindly clarify this. Thank you
Slightly OT, but we've been pretty happy with the VW Jettas that are built in Mexico. Great engineering without the built in Germany price.
I have to say the same thing regarding our two VWs, a 2018 Tiguan and a 2017 Golf Alltrack. We are very pleased with the fit, finish, and overall performances from our vehicles.
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