You think that Volvo QC is not what it should be for an expensive car?

Today's WSJ has an article about how bad things have gotten at Mercedes. According to a recent JD Powers survey " The J.D. Powers study, which surveyed some 156,000 car owners, found that five-year-old Mercedes vehicles had 296 problems per 100 vehicles, compared with an average of 285 for autos of the same age by other luxury makers and an overall industry average of 382. Drivers were questioned about 137 potential problem areas in nine overall categories: interior, exterior, transmission, engine, features/controls, ride/handling/braking, seats, sound system and heating/ventilation/cooling. Mercedes showed the biggest declines in transmission and features/controls." My S80 may not be perfect, but it is pretty damn good considering!!

Mercedes, with a score of 296, was slightly behind Cadillac (285) and Lincoln (253), but still ahead of BMW (320), Audi (328), and Saab (362). These were the four-year durability scores for cars built in 1997.

I'm glad you are enjoying your car. JD Power doesn't include car brands that have worse-than-average scores in its press releases, so we wont know exactly what score Volvo got in that survey, but we do know that it is worse than the industry average (382).

Rich R

Anyone consider that these ratings are based on subjective assesments. Those who buy Volvo and Mercedes expect more from their new car than say, Honda or Kia?

Just sent in my J.D. Powers survey yesterday on my new S40. I rated all components a 9 or 10 on their scale. I guess I just happened to get a perfect car because that I what I expect from a new car. Either no problems or quick correction of few minor faults from a good dealer.

MORMIT
1985 245DL 230,000mi "Inga"
2002 S40 2,000mi "Sigfreid"