[DDD31]

http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/c...ota-1.10387053


BMW's were described as "responsive, comfortable, and fuel-efficient" by Consumer Reports, BMW just made the top ten brands, ranking at No. 10. The German automaker received an overall score of 66, road test score of 82 and a middle reliability rating.

Audi was #4 while German automaker Mercedes-Benz received an overall score of 56, a road test score of 81 and a low reliability rating, putting it at No. 21 on the best brands list. Consumer Reports criticized the company for a lack of consistency between some models, such as the CLA which as a "harsh ride and unrefined demeanor," making it seem like Mercedes "mailed it in."

Shockingly Lexus finished at #1

Of course I'm sure most people on this forum (including me) don't place much emphasis on Consumer Reports car reviews.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by DDD31

http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/c...ota-1.10387053


BMW's were described as "responsive, comfortable, and fuel-efficient" by Consumer Reports, BMW just made the top ten brands, ranking at No. 10. The German automaker received an overall score of 66, road test score of 82 and a middle reliability rating.

Audi was #4 while German automaker Mercedes-Benz received an overall score of 56, a road test score of 81 and a low reliability rating, putting it at No. 21 on the best brands list. Consumer Reports criticized the company for a lack of consistency between some models, such as the CLA which as a "harsh ride and unrefined demeanor," making it seem like Mercedes "mailed it in."

Shockingly Lexus finished at #1

Of course I'm sure most people on this forum (including me) don't place much emphasis on Consumer Reports car reviews.

No, not its car reviews. But its data gathering and reliability scores? Most definitely.

[pbjjj]

Originally Posted by DDD31

Of course I'm sure most people on this forum (including me) don't place much emphasis on Consumer Reports car reviews.

I glance through their car reviews, but I do look at their reliability records. I think it's a good idea to know what can be expected from a car ownership if I purchase a car to keep long term. Not a big concern if you just lease.

[Haywood]

I don't put much credence in a company that also reviews irons and vacuum cleaners.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by Haywood

I don't put much credence in a company that also reviews irons and vacuum cleaners.

Some vehicles are gonna resemble those things soon. Such disparity in build.

[rwjr44]

I bought my 228i after thoroughly using Consumer Reports car comparisons. They were pretty accurate. I was able to narrow my list to three cars and then visited the dealers for test rides. They and USAA were very helpful in getting a decent price.

[David70]

I will look at the reliability ratings but I don't need them to judge the car on the size of the backseat, the suspension that is too harsh, or other things that are opinions of non enthusiasts and easy to figure out on my own.

[MNoob]

Originally Posted by DDD31

[BMW's were described as "responsive, comfortable, and fuel-efficient" by Consumer Reports, BMW just made the top ten brands, ranking at No. 10. The German automaker received an overall score of 66, road test score of 82 and a middle reliability rating.

Audi was #4 while German automaker Mercedes-Benz received an overall score of 56, a road test score of 81 and a low reliability rating, putting it at No. 21 on the best brands list. Consumer Reports criticized the company for a lack of consistency between some models, such as the CLA which as a "harsh ride and unrefined demeanor," making it seem like Mercedes "mailed it in."

Shockingly Lexus finished at #1

Of course I'm sure most people on this forum (including me) don't place much emphasis on Consumer Reports car reviews.

I had a Lexus, I'm not surprised. I had an Infiniti. Also not surprised there...

[aloksatoor]

Might actually be a good wake up call. Hope they ditch the silly i cars, and make some decent driver oriented stuff. While at it, yeah ditch turbos(never gonna happen but I can dream).

[DDD31]

I find it amusing that Consumer Reports can rank Audi at #4 on the car brand report card even though they are involved in the VW diesel scandal. I guess results matter more than how you got those results and ethics need not apply in big business.

[tallshortguy]

BMW got the second highest road test average score only behind porsche.

I am honestly surprised Audi got a good reliability rating given my experience with VW and Audis.

[M3Bimmer77]

Fu*k....Buick and Kia are better than BMWs???!!!! You must be fuc*king kidding me

[loknar]

Originally Posted by DDD31

I find it amusing that Consumer Reports can rank Audi at #4 on the car brand report card even though they are involved in the VW diesel scandal. I guess results matter more than how you got those results and ethics need not apply in big business.

Originally Posted by M3Bimmer77

Fu*k....Buick and Kia are better than BMWs???!!!! You must be fuc*king kidding me

They don't say better but score higher based on "consumer" criteria.

I'm curious if someone has time to read the whole article and research on their methods why is Buick and Kia scoring higher. Could it be that expectations are lower so you're pleasently surprised? Is price taken into account?

I'm sure we have different priorities than those analysts and, personally don't mind much what they said. But the diesel scandal really should have destroyed Audi and VW in those charts.

[pbjjj]

Originally Posted by loknar

They don't say better but score higher based on "consumer" criteria.

I'm curious if someone has time to read the whole article and research on their methods why is Buick and Kia scoring higher. Could it be that expectations are lower so you're pleasently surprised? Is price taken into account?

I'm sure we have different priorities than those analysts and, personally don't mind much what they said. But the diesel scandal really should have destroyed Audi and VW in those charts.

IMHO, Consumer Reports reviewed cars for consumers (probably majority of consumers) who shop for cars the same way they shop for a toaster or a microwave. These consumers who think of cars as something essential and are looking for hassle-free ownership experience. That is why the rating drops quickly when a product, like a car, turns out to be more problematic than the norm regardless how well the product performs in other aspects.

I think reliability is a large percentage of the overall rating because that's what CR readers want. That is why Buick and Kia score higher. They are building quality products for consumers who look for ownership experience that is hassle-free/drama free. They want cars that they can rely on daily to take them from point A to point B. BMW builds great cars but is not known for trouble-free ownership. To give BMW credit, I believe BMW has made strive in improving quality in the recent years. However, most people, including members of the forum, know BMW cars are not as reliable as cars by most Japanese brands.

You can see as BMW builds more reliable cars (higher CR reliability rating), their sales also go up as well because people start to think that they can start to rely on a BMW the same way they rely on cars by Lexus or Honda. The same goes for Audi. Audi sees record high increase in their car sales recently. I believe it has a lot to do with their high reliability rating. Diesel scandal has not proven that Audi cars are not reliable. The scandal says nothing about their regular petro gas cars. It only brought to light that VW corporation are filled with scums, and their cars contribute more to the global green-house effect than they let people to believe.

[pbjjj]

To add another note to my point above. It is probably one reason that BMW is coming out with more cars that would attract CR readers (focusing more on mass appeal and reliability and moving focus away from high performance.)

[loknar]

Oh no.. now you guys start to worry me. At first I didn't care but what if bmw executives care about CR and CR readers... that's what's been going on with newer more boring models... sad

[PoorLurker]

Originally Posted by tallshortguy

BMW got the second highest road test average score only behind porsche.

I am honestly surprised Audi got a good reliability rating given my experience with VW and Audis.

Maybe their ECUs are now programmed to turn of CELs.


Mazda #2? Too bad, there isn't a Mazda that I would ever care to own.