surprised at "newer "car quality

[Cpo1944]

I drove my 2013 MB E-550 Cabriolet out in the country yesterday and had a great time . The car performed flawlessly and every thing worked as it should.
Why am I so surprised and pleased?
I guess its just past automotive history still haunts me. Some of my past cars were called :

"Hope cars", you knew it would take you out and hoped it would bring you back !

I`m sure some of you fine fellows know what I mean.

 

[kozmic]

Competition is a wonderful thing. Quality, technology, durability, warranties, fit and finish and design have all been stepped up across every price segment. Folks know if they don't like what they see at from one manufacture, another one can usually fit their needs and desires. It's hard to knock the vehicles being produced today, of course the staggering prices are another story! Yikes!

 

[Targets Guy]

We've been buying Subaru's since 2012. Or rather I have. My wife is not giving up her 2012 Forester. I see where Consumer Reports just gave the Forester the top rating in its class.

I have to admit the newer cars have some staying power. Just don't lean on them too hard.

 

[johngalt]

Enjoy that 550. There won't be any more of them.

 

[finesse_r]

I have had a similar experience with the new Honda Accord I purchased last year. So far I have no valid complaints. Invalidly I complain of the complexity of all the buttons and electronics it has on it. I need the manual to operate some of the options. The car runs perfect with more zip and better mileage than I ever expected from it. I never had to take it back for any adjustments at all. Now that is only the second time that has happened for me and I have bought a dozen new vehicles over my life time. The other was my 1998 F-150 that I still own and it is still running like new.

 

[sheepdawg]

I know if I taut anything about a certain almost like new, high mileage, eight year old vehicle I may or may not own it will not start tomorrow morning.

 

[loknload]

I never had a car that I ever worried about like that except for one, it was a Dodge Ares K with a Japanese engine! The problem was "the Japanese engine", but for what it was the rest of the car was fine!
Did I say the problem was with the Japanese engine?

 

[BigBill]

We've been buying Subaru's since 2012. Or rather I have. My wife is not giving up her 2012 Forester. I see where Consumer Reports just gave the Forester the top rating in its class.

I have to admit the newer cars have some staying power. Just don't lean on them too hard.

Im going to buy my third new Subaru a new cross trek for the wife. My 2010 legacy will be mine. Awesome quality cars.

The Dodge and ford are rated badly. I haven't read the report on GM YET FOR QUALITY. I'm staying with Subaru.

I wish Subaru made a little pick up again.

 

[Arik]

I've always had used cars, sometimes very used, except one time when I leased. I've owned coups, sports cars, suv, truck, sedans, Doge, Ford, Chevy, Nissan x2, Toyota x3, Chrysler and I've never been left stranded. Ive had to do maintenance but never worried about being stuck somewhere

 

[LVSteve]

I drove my 2013 MB E-550 Cabriolet out in the country yesterday and had a great time . The car performed flawlessly and every thing worked as it should.
Why am I so surprised and pleased?
I guess its just past automotive history still haunts me. Some of my past cars were called :

"Hope cars", you knew it would take you out and hoped it would bring you back !

I`m sure some of you fine fellows know what I mean.

I know EXACTLY what you mean.

All my friends sucked their teeth in 2011 when I bought a 3-year old Jaguar XKR. Even I knew I might end up with a "hope" car. To be fair the only issues have been a jammed thermostat (known weakness) and phantom check engine lights. The latter are usually caused by the finicky (and unnecessary IMHO) evap system and the MAF sensors after sudden changes in temperature and/or altitude.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

One of the biggest "surprises" for me was with newer trucks. I was used to noises, rattles and rough riding pickups of the 70-80s. When I test drove new a 2000 Tundra it was quieter and smoother riding than many passenger cars. 200,000 miles later it still is.

 

[Targets Guy]

I drove my 2013 MB E-550 Cabriolet out in the country yesterday and had a great time . The car performed flawlessly and every thing worked as it should.
Why am I so surprised and pleased?
I guess its just past automotive history still haunts me. Some of my past cars were called :

"Hope cars", you knew it would take you out and hoped it would bring you back !

I`m sure some of you fine fellows know what I mean.

Beautiful car and beautiful setting.

 

[Bkreutz]

Most new production cars are built by robots (or QC checked by them). IMO that's where the quality is coming from. (that and consumers expect more quality now).

 

[Cpo1944]

Enjoy that 550. There won't be any more of them.

John why won't there be any more 550`s?
If your right that would be a real shame, because its a wonderful engine. Miss Patti and I averaged 24+ MPG today and the power is thrilling and way too much fun!!!

 

[johngalt]

John why won't there be any more 550`s?
If your right that would be a real shame, because its a wonderful engine. Miss Patti and I averaged 24+ MPG today and the power is thrilling and way too much fun!!!

The new E class coming out in 2017 will have a turbo 4 banger standard, a 3.0 liter turbo V6 might be an option, or possibly as an AMG model. The V8 is gone. Another victim of the fuel efficiency requirements.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

....Did I say the problem was with the Japanese engine?

Not Mitsubishi's best effort, though Chrysler sold it as a "HEMI". It has been 35 years. The Japanese went back to their drawing boards (CAD/CAM) and have made a FEW small improvements since then.

 

[BigBill]

After driving subarus opposed four cylinder engine I'm hooked on its smoothness. Everything else feels like it's misfiring beat wise.

 

[Cpo1944]

The new E class coming out in 2017 will have a turbo 4 banger standard, a 3.0 liter turbo V6 might be an option, or possibly as an AMG model. The V8 is gone. Another victim of the fuel efficiency requirements.

That is a shame, for no other reason but the terrific exhaust note of that powerful V-8 . It sounds so good I don't even listen to the radio, so I can enjoy the motor sounds to the fullest.
I can probably make this car be my last, since I`m 71 years old and don't put too many miles on it , although I did buy it used with more than 50,000 miles on it. I`ll just ration it to make it last.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

After driving subarus opposed four cylinder engine I'm hooked on its smoothness. Everything else feels like it's misfiring beat wise.

That flat four is a great engine. It's even rated for aviation use. They use those engines to power a number of kit-build airplanes.

 

[swsig]

The new E class coming out in 2017 will have a turbo 4 banger standard, a 3.0 liter turbo V6 might be an option, or possibly as an AMG model. The V8 is gone. Another victim of the fuel efficiency requirements.

Right you are. It's all about the EPA numbers. Volvo's new full-size 4700 lb XC90 SUV has a little 2-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out over 300 HP. One wonders how long such a highly stressed small engine will last hauling all that weight around.

If present trends continue, in the future we can expect to see even the mighty S-Class Mercedes with a two-cylinder 1-liter engine. However, with six turbos creating 450 HP, it will still have the power expected of an S-Class. Clever Mercedes engineers will have designed it to last at least until the warranty expires. Subsequently, otherwise pristine 4 year-old S-Class Mercedes vehicles with hand-grenaded engines will be available on Craigslist and tote-the-note lots everywhere for 10% of their original selling prices. Mercedes' reputation may suffer, but the EPA will be happy.

My advice to Cpo1944: Whatever it takes, hang on to your E-550 Convertible. It's bound to become a valuable classic!