S-Class (W221/C216) 2007 S-class scores only average in JD Power survey.

[Bozzor]

Re: 2007 S-class scores mixed in JD Power survey: Great appeal but quality issues rem

Actually JD Power surveys have a big impact on companies: they actually do impact residuals, insurance rates and the prices that are charged for dealer servicing. End buyers do look at them and may give them some weight, but JD Power is, despite what many people may believe, quite influential "in the trade".

 

[PanterroR]

Re: 2007 S-class scores mixed in JD Power survey: Great appeal but quality issues rem

but JD Power is, despite what many people may believe, quite influential "in the trade".

...unfortunately...

 

[NevadaJack]

Re: 2007 S-class scores mixed in JD Power survey: Great appeal but quality issues rem

...unfortunately...

Yes they are and that is because of their very effective PR campaign. They have built their data analysis business into a consumer protection service and have applied it to any product they feel will benefit them in dealing with the producers to extract fees and support for their awards. The fact is though is that they are not experts in the products they rate, they are expert in gathering and manipulating data that fit their agenda which is to extent their position as "the" source of information regarding consumer products.

 

[Bozzor]

Re: 2007 S-class scores mixed in JD Power survey: Great appeal but quality issues rem

if there was any evidence of data manipulation, it would be grounds for suits in - at least - the hundreds of millions of dollars. JD Power is very transparent to those organizations who seek their detailed data: methodologies, sample sizes and other key factors are provided. Clearly, some very big companies who are well able to judge the validity of the data JD Power is presenting rate them highly, and I suspect with considerable justification.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

In life there will always be something or someone who will put down what someone else sees as perfection. JD Power has never really been a respected source of information in my eyes. The fact that they praise lexus for it's so called quality when I see plastic and imitation leather in the interior discredits them in my book.

In the end it's all a matter of what people decide to buy, but considering the sales for the old S-class and the new one people don't seem to be "affected" by JD Power.

Wow...Bozzor is still around!

 

[Merc1]

The part that really proves that these surveys are just for entertaining readins where the Lexus LS430 gets 5 stars for "style" and "performance". What a joke! The car is a ugly as all getout from the front and rear and dull as dishwater from the sides.

M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

The part that really proves that these surveys are just for entertaining readins where the Lexus LS430 gets 5 stars for "style" and "performance". What a joke! The car is a ugly as all getout from the front and rear and dull as dishwater from the sides.

M

LMAO that just goes to show there is somthing majorly Fed up with the way the results are interpreted and presented.

 

[Bozzor]

Hey HoH, how have you been????

Well, as for use of plastic, anyone who has sat in a 2003 C class...I rest my case! Nothing wrong with plastic as long as it is good quality, long lasting and does not fall off.

Remember, the JD Power survey reflects owners opinions. If the owners are happy with it and rate it highly, then the opinion of a non-owner (unless they are a prospective buyer with an open mind) does not really matter to either Lexus or JD Power. The beauty of Lexus is that they give peopel what they want and owners keep comign back to the brand. At the end of the day, it is reflected in the bottom line. Lexus and Toyota make lots of money because people keep buying their cars.

One thing I would like to see is some analysis on conquest sales: peopel switching from the S class to the LS and vice versa, alongf with the 7 series and A8. It would be interesting to see how the numbers played out.

 

[Merc1]

LMAO that just goes to show there is somthing majorly Fed up with the way the results are interpreted and presented.

Not really anything wrong with the way the results are interpreted or presented, some buyers are just obviously blind in one eye and can't see out the other if they think a LS430 is "stylish". As far as performance goes those who haven't ever driven a MB/BMW/Audi would think a car that keels over like the LS430 does when asked to corner has "performance". When I think about it I really don't blame JDP, I think it is the consumer that is either ignorant about what these categories really mean or they're expecting a Benz to provide a not-from-this-world experience. All this talk about "they don't build them like they used to" has gone to absurd levels now. Hell that 300TE that Fifth Gear trashed had an I6, basically a truck engine by todays standards so of course it might be more durable than today's far more complex engines. It isn't as if anyone today builds a car that equals MB's "old standards". I think some of these people who live for filling out surveys are just clueless about cars in general, gulp(!) including some MB buyers. No way in hell the new S should get 3 out of 5 for something like build quality. That is nonsense.

M

 

[Imhotep Evil]

The part that really proves that these surveys are just for entertaining readins where the Lexus LS430 gets 5 stars for "style" and "performance". What a joke! The car is a ugly as all getout from the front and rear and dull as dishwater from the sides.

M

Not really anything wrong with the way the results are interpreted or presented, some buyers are just obviously blind in one eye and can't see out the other if they think a LS430 is "stylish". As far as performance goes those who haven't ever driven a MB/BMW/Audi would think a car that keels over like the LS430 does when asked to corner has "performance". When I think about it I really don't blame JDP, I think it is the consumer that is either ignorant about what these categories really mean or they're expecting a Benz to provide a not-from-this-world experience. All this talk about "they don't build them like they used to" has gone to absurd levels now. Hell that 300TE that Fifth Gear trashed had an I6, basically a truck engine by todays standards so of course it might be more durable than today's far more complex engines. It isn't as if anyone today builds a car that equals MB's "old standards". I think some of these people who live for filling out surveys are just clueless about cars in general, gulp(!) including some MB buyers. No way in hell the new S should get 3 out of 5 for something like build quality. That is nonsense.

Ageed.
Except that an I6 is not a truck engine.

 

[Merc1]

Ageed.
Except that an I6 is not a truck engine.

I didn't say it was actually a truck engine, the implication was that it was low-tech and made of iron, like most truck engines, and thus it is more durable than today's aluminum/alloy engines.

FYI most heavy duty semis use an turbo-I6.

M

 

[Bozzor]

Guess what guys? The LS430 is actually not that bad a drive up to around 8/10s or so, then it actually does tend to lose the plot a little...but to drive it like that, you are breaking the law bya big margin. Fact is, even in spirited driving, the LS430 is quite good. But it puts supreme comfort ahead of performance and the only way that the BMW 7 series beats it convincingly is that the performance edge that is faster than the law allows...so naughty all of you!

 

[NevadaJack]

Another one in my mailbox today...

Yep...JD Powers wants my expert opinion again and sent me the usual $1 bill as a token of appreciation.

The form is quite long and the What you Like and Don't Like section is the largest. All subjective oriented...I love this one..."Smell of the vehicle interior" They don't indicate before meals or after

I may fill this one out to keep MB record on the rise...if I fail to respond they will get only the people who don't like the color scheme...

 

[Yaz]

Re: Another one in my mailbox today...

I may fill this one out to keep MB record on the rise...if I fail to respond they will get only the people who don't like the color scheme...

You know Jack, that might be the reason it got such ratings. Maybe pleased owners didn't bother to fill the form because they probably thought who wouldn't like such a car? So take your time and fill it Jack


Oh and who doesn't like new car's interior smell?

 

[Deutsch]

The J.D. Powers survey seems to be much like random sampling, you don't know what's coming from where or whom??? Word of mouth is always the best research method.

 

[Snake Vargas]

Well, despite the randomness or otherwise of their sampling, word of mouth inevitably gets you a tiny fraction of what they can achieve. It also gets you the word of people whom only you know.

Plus, confronting people who own the car is hardly likely to produce an objective review. Nobody wants to say that the car they spent $X on is actually crap.

Nevertheless, they can offer you the insight that only an owner can. On the other hand, JD Power can offer you the general overview that only a huge surveying effort can. Use them both for their purposes, and don't give one undue weight over the other.

 

[NevadaJack]

Re: Another one in my mailbox today...

You know Jack, that might be the reason it got such ratings. Maybe pleased owners didn't bother to fill the form because they probably thought who wouldn't like such a car? So take your time and fill it Jack


Oh and who doesn't like new car's interior smell?

You may be right Yaz...you very rarely see a lot of complimentary posts on the forums, but you see many more "problem" oriented posts. People who are happy with a product do not complain and therefore do not post and like many will not answer a 8 page survey with really boring and drawn out questions. The What do you like has probably 10 headings and then there are 8-15 individual questions with 10 or so levels of "likes" for each one.

As far as the smell question...there are others that are just as obtuse as that one. Too much useless information...